Both Danfive Xaron and Jajagapa have been mentioned as possibilities. In regards to the former, DX is described as 'Night Watchman' and 'Savage Guardian' among other titles. He has associations with the dying moon, which certainly connotes a connection with the underworld. His link to Jeset the Ferryman also suggests an underworld connection. Is he the guide of the soul, though? Hard to say from existing sources. He might as likely be the guardian to the lunar underworld, protecting it from incursions. Just because one travels to the underworld (like Orlanth) does not mean that that one is a psychopomp. The question for the Lunar deities (assuming they undertook a Lightbringer-style quest) might be 'Who is the Guide?' For the Lightbringers it was Issaries who knew the paths. For the Lunars, my guess is Jakaleel.
As for Jajagapa, I think he is a psychopomp now, but not for all the Empire. Based on some current work I'm doing, he might prove to be the psychopomp for the cultures of Saird and Sylila, but is more of a hell demon for the Dara Happans (i.e. someone Yelm can send you to if you've been bad). I think there may be other different psychopomps for Carmania, Rinliddi, or other non-Dara Happan areas. Though Yelm could certainly be psychopomp for Dara Happa, I think of him as the judge of the dead--after all, he still has a court to maintain, even if it's in hell.
The Imtherian psychopomp is Lokarma, the Guide of the Lightbringers from the Imtherian point-of-view. However, for all that she guides the dead, the dead must still carry a clack with them or else the Ferryman won't take them across the Styx. Once the dead have reached the Halls of Justice, Yelem (not Daka Fal) judges the dead. If the dead have been faithful to their gods, then their gods speak on their behalf as well.
On a different note, David Dunham posted some excellent local Ralian spirits. Along this line, I include several local spirits for an Imtherian village called Moonpost. (This is taken from a longer piece about the village itself, so it includes references to a number of the local villagers and to the village environs which I have not included.)
There are five local spirits, particular to Moonpost itself. This follows a pattern common throughout most of Imther to honor small spirits with special rituals and offerings, gaining favors and blessings in return. Usually each spirit is associated with one season and is most honored in that season, though the Keepers of Dire Secrets know all the rituals and signs associated with the spirits.
The Woman of the Long Reeds can be contacted either in the Long Reed Pond or the Marshy Place. This spirit manifests as a green-skinned woman with hair of long reeds. Her special time is Seaseason when her lairs are greatest. She can offer special blessings of healing magic, but curses those who do not honor her to drown or fall victim to disease (the spirit has command of the Drown spell and the Cause Creeping Chills spell). Two years ago she cursed the entire village because Hikara Earthwise, Argron the Old's late wife, offered pig's blood instead of her own in the annual ritual.
The Seeker of Nectar is as much propitiated as honored. This spirit, who is also called Father of Wasps, demands that each orchard have a fruit tree set aside for his children and that no nest be destroyed. Those who fail these demands are cursed with plagues of wasps. An occasional person who wins the respect of the Seeker of Nectar can gain a special stinging magic. The Father of Wasps is honored mostly in Fireseason.
The Quick Rabbit is found most commonly in Quick Rabbit Run, but sometimes in Two-pond Woods or Homeward Woods. This spirit is playful and his signs must always be sought after. When present, Quick Rabbit appears as a large white rabbit. His special time is Earthseason when he is also hardest to find. For those who honor his requests (including offering soul prayers for rabbits slain), he provides magic for good coordination. Those who disrepect his requests are cursed with the Stumblefoot.
The Ashen Lady is the spirit of Darkseason and manifests in the Resting Ground, the Spirit Woods, or the White Ash Woods. When seen, she looks like an old shrivelled lady with ashen face and skin and dead grey unkempt hair. She must always be called upon during death rituals. Those who tread her darkened paths can gain magics to extinguish fires or curse their foes with weakness, barrenness, or age.
The Moonpost was not the original fifth spirit, but has been honored as such since the day King Rhynon raised it. As much as anything, it is the collective spirit of the village and never manifests as anything but a red night fog around the post itself. Villagers call it a spirit of luck for when it is happy the village and villagers thrive, but when it is unhappy the village and villagers decline. Those who honor it with extensive worship, like Todron the Headman, can gain special magics of protection.
BTW, Nick, I have enjoyed the Malkion postings, though I haven't had time to review in any detail. (And I have also enjoyed Dennis Hoover's poems.) Unfortunately, there is too much other stuff that's taking up my time.
Harald
Powered by hypermail