The Sisters (VG)
The goddess of death.
Epithet: "The Divided One".
The Sisters are a duality, two sides of a single coin, and that coin is death. The sisters are also referred to by two names, Mara and Caia. Together their symbol is a black skull adorned with a golden burial wreath.
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Affinities
Light - Caia:
- Peace
- Ancestors
- Natural Death
Dark - Mara:
- Murder
- Necromancy
- Sorrow
- Depression
Also Known As
- The Divided One
- Mara, the Fetid Reaper, the Dark One
- Caia, the Shepherd of Souls, the Light One
Symbol
Mara's symbol is a black skull. Caia's symbol is a golden burial wreath. Together their symbol is a black skull adorned with a golden burial wreath.
Methods of Worship
Burning bitter-smelling incense called The Sister's Fragrance. This tradition dates back before the Cataclysm and is in use everywhere on Telon.
Light - Caia:
- Rituals honoring ancestors
- Attending a wake
Dark - Mara:
- Murdering someone
- Discovering necromantic relics
Vision and Driving Beliefs - Dogma
The Sisters are a duality, two sides of a single coin, and that coin is death. The sisters are also referred to by two names, Mara and Caia. The Sisters is a single deity divided into two contended halves which metaphorically express the duality of death. The positive side represents natural death, ancestral bonds, and peace. The negative side represents murder, Necromancy, and depression. The contention between the two sides spills over into those who worship The Sisters and drives a wedge between the two sects. The two sects worship in very different ways, and followers of The Sisters must choose between one or the other.
Mara is the goddess of murder, necromancy, and sorrow. Mara is revered by death cultists, necromancers, and those who wish to avoid her. She is the aspect of painful death and restless spirits. Necromancers pray to her to gain power over the dead.
Caia is the goddess of natural death, ancestors and peace. Caia is revered by those who wish their dead to be watched over or those seeking to reach out to their ancestors. Those who Caia is asked to watch over are protected from Mara.
Personality Traits
The Sisters is a dynamic deity, shifting between good and evil as one side gains temporary power over the other. The Sisters' personality fluctuates as a reflection of the complexity of death and the myriad ways in which mortals either peacefully or violently meet their end.
Physical Appearance
Depending on which side is being represented, The Sisters' appearance can change dramatically. The positive side is generally paled and clearly recently deceased, serene and peacefully prostrate, and dressed in a white robe and wearing a gold burial wreath. The negative side is typically depicted as a black-boned skeleton with eyes of flame and sometimes dripping liquid from the teeth.
Races that Often Worship this Divine Being
- Dark Elf
- Kurashasa
- Qaliathari Human
- Orc
- Varanjar
Professions that Often Worship this Divine Being
- Blood Mage
- Cleric
- Dread Knight
- Ranger
- Shaman
- Death cultists (Mara)
- Necromancers (Mara)
- Those who wish to avoid her (Mara)
Relationship with Other Divine Beings
The other divine beings are not sure what to make of The Sisters and, as a result, there is an overriding flavor of distrust to their interactions with The Sisters. Beyond that, The Sisters' relationships with the other divines tend to wax and wane depending on which side is in control. The positive side is generally on better terms with the members of the pantheon.
Quotes
Acolyte Uman (Thestran), Tursh: "Caia is the light one; she is the Shepherd of Souls. When the time comes, pray that it is she who takes your life."
Acolyte Uman (Thestran), Tursh: "Mara is the dark one; she is the Fetid Reaper. Her influence can be easily seen on the grave brownies."
Guard Ullar (Thestran), Tursh: "I have some advice for a fellow adventurer: Don't go too far south, or you'll get a visit from The Sisters. If you find yourself entering a swampy area, turn back."
Item The Sister's Fragrance: "Some traditions survived the world-shattering cataclysm. One of them is the burning this sharp, bitter-smelling incence. While every culture disposes of its dead in its own way, Telon is virtually united in their use of this incense, drawn from plants common everywhere."
Worshipper Enarou (gnome), Ahgram: "I came here to speak to the Sisters about the death of my father." Her lip trembles.
Vraal (Umbral), Qur'xa: "The sybarites are without merit or appreciation. I will not work for them. All they desire is wealth and luxury, when the only luxury they deserve is the final rest of the Sisters."
Sample Parley
"I have a very difficult question for you, Professor Afareen," you say.
"Any question worth asking is difficult," says Professor Afareen. "How can I help you?"
"Well, you say, "I am curious about the Sisters."
"Ah yes, the Sisters," says Professor Afareen, "one of the most enigmatic deities known to Telon..."
"So is the Sister one deity then?" you ask, "That is my question. Are they... one... or two?"
"You will probably not be happy when I say that the Sisters is both," says Professor Afareen.
"No, you're right," you say. "I was hoping it would be one or the other."
Professor Afareen shrugs and says, "Unfortunately the Sisters is not that simple, but then, neither is our relationship with death."
"On the one hand, we all fear it, and revile those who bring it to people we know and care about," says Professor Afareen. "That is where Mara comes in. The Festering. The Fetid Reaper."
"On the other hand," says Professor Afareen, "in order to reconcile with death, we also understand it as a process of rebirth, of cleansing and rebirth, and of the possibility of the soul's continued existence. That is where Caia comes in. The Placid. The Shepherd of Souls."
"So are they just both different names we give to the same god?" you ask. "And use one or the other depending on how we are dealing with it?"
"No," says Professor Afareen,"it is said that in their home plane, Caia lives in a pristine white mausoleum, and Mara lives in a decayed crypt of grave stone. Two distinct people, but though distinct they may be, they are not seen apart."
"So..." you say, "two beings who are joined?"
"That is probably the best way to think of it," says Professor Afareen with a mildly apologetic tone.
"Lacking one, the full realm of death would not be overseen," says Professor Afareen. "We could not have only the violent decay of Mara, nor the peaceful comfort of Caia," says Professor Afareen. "As much as the latter might be nice."
You nod and say, "Death is multifaceted and so are they." Professor Afareen smiles and nods.
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