Vakmatharas
- Vakmatharas is a God of Hollow
Traditionally Vakmatharas is depicted as a bare humanoid skeleton though occasionally he is seen wearing hooded robes or with a shroud draped over him. In more recent times has been portrayed as a hooded figure with their face obscured, or indeed with no head at all beneath the hood. He is often seen carrying a sacrificial dagger, decapitated heads, or pushing a cart laden with corpses.
Vakmatharas is one of the Elder gods. Scholars, priests and other worshipers of Vakmatharas are often embroiled in debate over the nature of Vakmatharas and his controversial domain of death itself. He is often considered malevolent, however the inevitability of death as a necessary component of life means his domain can be considered true neutral by some.
Mythology
The Larketian Variant
Larket positions Vakmatharas as a neutral god and change his colors to gray and yellow.
Under the assumption that a curse that caused Larketian children to age prematurely will return without continued devotion to Vakmatharas, the kingdom performs annual human sacrifices.
In a morbid twist, the royals present this ritualistic murder as a joyous occasion. They appointed their own son as “The Child Prophet of Vakmatharas” and allow him to choose those to be sacrificed and this is presented as if it is the highest honor. Some suggest that those who are 'chosen' to be sacrificed tend to either be the very poor, witches, or political enemies of the King and Queen.
These practices are a topic of hot debate among scholars and religious leaders, such as high ranking Priests and Priestesses of Vakmatharas within the Devout’s Guild.
Symbols & Associations
A skull with red eyes, with a yew and a willow branch crossed beneath it.
Note: This is the primitive representation of this symbol. The wearer or wielder of such is free to stylize it to suit their needs, ie: runes could be added around it, the type of metal used, where the symbol is put, etc.
Color(s): black, reds, purples
Animal(s): the raven, the bat, the vulture
Stone(s): carnelian, obsidian, onyx, taaffeite
Month: Mourningfrost
Followers
Deathknights, Necromancers, Vampires, Undead, Dark Priests
In recent years the majority of Vakmatharas' followers have been found in Vailkrin.The high population of vampires and undead in the city make it a fitting place for his grand temple and most followers will visit here regularly, however practicing followers of the god of death may be found across the land, including assassins and death knights as well as necromancers.
Vakmatharas is also heavily worshiped in Trist'oth where the ruling House D'Artes has tried to supplant worship of Vakmatharas over the original drow patron deity, The Spider Goddess.
The followers of Vakmatharas typically lean towards the Evil side of the alignment spectrum. But sometimes, others can be amongst the Good and Neutral alignments as well. A list of those followers can be found here.
Worship
The worship of Vakmatharas has long been practiced by followers of the dark arts, although his popularity as a god increased as the population of vampires and independent undead rose. As he is the god of death itself, not the afterlife, and is often considered a malevolent being, Vakmatharas is rarely prayed to during funeral proceedings; instead the patron god of the deceased is mentioned, or Aramoth if the deceased fell in battle.
Most rituals performed to the god of death involve sacrifice, either animal or human. Some followers consider killing of any kind a ritual for Vakmatharas as well, although this applies to assassinations and murders more than honorable battle. The raising of corpses (and, to a lesser extent, the siring of vampires) is another common ritual that is often associated with Vakamatharas, although depending on the intended outcome of the ritual this may also be seen as an insult to the god, as the pursuit of unending life is an act against his domain.
Divine favoritism
Deathknights, Necromancers, Vampires, Undead, Dark Priests
Related Artifacts
- Totem of Vakmatharas
- The Scepter of Vakmatharas
- The Eye of Vakmatharas
- Forsaken Book of the Dead
- The Rage Stone
Temple Location
- The Grand Temple of Vakmatharas - primary temple
- 3w, 2s, 1e from Vailkrin recall (Vailkrin City Road)
- Shrine to Vakmatharas the Supreme God of Death
- 8n, 1e, 1n, 2e, 1n, 2e, 6s, 2e, 2n from Gualon recall (Gualon Grogshop)
- Shrine of Vakmatharas
- 3w, 4n, 1u, 2w from Vailkrin Recall (Vailkrin City Road)
- Sacrificial Chamber of Vakmatharas
- 1n, 1e, 2n, 1u from Trist'oth recall (Trist'oth Tavern)