Doomguides were the specialty priests, clerics, paladins and other devotees who served the God of the Dead, Kelemvor. They lent their aid to the people of Faerûn by helping them with their fears of death and uncertainty about the afterlife. They engrossed themselves in everything surrounding the blasphemous state that was undeath,[3] in order to best root out all forms of necromancy and destroy all manner of their undead servitors, in order to bring a measure of peace to the world.[4][1]
Activities[]
First and foremost, the primary duties of doomguides involved the consolation of the dying, showing reverence to the dead, and providing comfort to those who were left to grieve and deceased. They were shepherds of souls, who aided them in their journey from Toril to the Fugue Plane. Like other priests of the faith, doomguides officiated funerals, particularly those of great importance. They performed resurrection rituals when it was warranted, particularly when members of their own faith were slain.[4]
Beyond this, doomguides were tasked with the eradication of necromantic practices, along with anyone who propagated the existence of the undead. To this end they often traveled with adventuring companies, aiding them when presented with the threat of the undead. While important, their roles as undead hunters was entirely secondary.[4]
Doomguides served Kelemvor in a manner different that the clergy's other priests, acting as couriers between his temples and bringing aid to everyone across the lands. They were expected to travel far and wide, to spread Kelemvor's teachings regarding the afterlife share with mortals what they will face after death.[4]
Culture[]
As they were considered to be literal "guides" to the dying and their loved ones, doomguides were often very compassionate and found great personal fulfillment in their duties. In contrast with their other responsibility of destroying the undead, doomguides found a unique duality, that often left them reflective upon death itself.[4]
To Kelemvor and his doomguides, there were no greater abominations than the undead. The more militaristic of these divine servants trained throughout their entire careers to free these souls and send them on their way to the City of Judgment. To aid them in their efforts, Kelemvor granted the doomguides with some measure of his power and grace, instilling them with a power over undeath that fills these monstrosities and their masters with fear.[1]
As the philosophy of Kelemvor's church was often divided, doomguides often favored one aspect of their responsibilities over the other. By exemplifying Kelemvor's stance of neutrality, doomguides maintained their understanding that need to both lay the undead to rest and comfort the dying were both necessary to their faith, regardless of their personal preferences.[4]
Abilities[]
An elven doomguide, preparing to smite his foe.
In an academic sense, doomguides fully engrossed themselves in the world of undeath. They studied extensively in necrology, the discipline that involved the in-depth study of undead creatures,[3] and strived to accumulate more and more netherworld knowledge, that is, information about the Outer Planes.[5]
One of the most essential powers for doomguides was the ability to prevent undeath. To this end they were taught the ritual known as the rite of the passing. By touching a corpse and completing the ritual a doomguide was able to prevent a body from being raised, save for divine intervention.[2]
Early on in their training, doomguides study the means to speak with the dead.[2]
Doomguides were taught a number of prayers that armed them with the power necessary to eradicate the undead. Kelemvor's circle functioned as more powerful version of their already potent ability to turn undead,[5] while Kelevor's sword, previously known as bond of Fatal Touch, allowed them to imbue their weapon with radiant energy akin to Kelemvor's personal bastard sword, Fatal Touch.[2][1]
In the years prior to the Spellplague, doomguides were able to form a sphere of energy that drew creatures from the Ethereal plane, and forced them to the Prime.[2]
An doomguide faces down the undead.
To defend themselves experienced doomguides built up a resistance to necrotic energies increases, energy drain, and death magic.[5][1] They developed and learned the prayer unsullied heart,[1] previously known as Kelemvor's grace, which allowed them to harden the will of their allies and ward them from deathly effects that afflicted the body or mind.[1]
With enough training, the most experienced doomguides could attain complete immunity to such effects,[2] conjure forth ghostly steeds, and even summon a being known as a minor death, which ironically enough resembled an undead skeleton wielding a scythe.[3]
History[]
At some point in the 1480s DR, a number of doomguides went missing in the beleaguered city of Neverwinter. They were tasked with eliminating scored of undead within the Neverdeath Graveyard and wound up descending into a location known as the Rift.[6]
Relationships[]
Many doomguides joined the Kelemvorite Knights of the Eternal Order.[7]
Members[]
Joining the prestigious ranks of the doomguides was a challenge for many servants of Kelemvor. Due to their more combat-oriented duties, many fighters and paladins sought the life of a doomguide, alongside the Kelemvorite clerics, though the latter were required to stay true to Kelemvor's moral outlook.[4] In truth, any divine servant of the god could join the order's elite ranks.[1]
The training required to master the necessary skills was rigorous and essential for survival and success. Many of the doomguides were already able to turn undead as well as speak with them.[2]
Notable Doomguides[]
- Antara o' Bones, Keeper of Crypts of the Tomb City of Sheirlantar.[8]
- Volahk, Knight of the Eternal Order and protector of the Neverdeath Graveyard in Neverwinter.[6]
- Yovir Glandon, high priest of the Valhingen Graveyard in Phlan.[9]
Appendix[]
Appearances[]
- Video Games
- Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir • Neverwinter
External Links[]
Gallery[]
Notes[]
- ↑ Those of neutral evil alignment were only admitted if they were converts of the Church of Myrkul.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Rob Heinsoo, Logan Bonner, Robert J. Schwalb (September 2008). Forgotten Realms Player's Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 50. ISBN 978-0-7869-4929-8.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Eric L. Boyd, Erik Mona (May 2002). Faiths and Pantheons. Edited by Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 187. ISBN 0-7869-2759-3.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 86. ISBN 978-0786903849.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Eric L. Boyd, Erik Mona (May 2002). Faiths and Pantheons. Edited by Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 186. ISBN 0-7869-2759-3.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 87. ISBN 978-0786903849.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Cryptic Studios (June 2013). Neverwinter. Perfect World Entertainment.
- ↑ Sean K. Reynolds (2002-05-04). Deity Do's and Don'ts (Zipped PDF). Web Enhancement for Faiths and Pantheons. Wizards of the Coast. p. 8. Archived from the original on 2016-11-01. Retrieved on 2018-09-08.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd, Darrin Drader (July 2004). Serpent Kingdoms. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 101. ISBN 0-7869-3277-5.
- ↑ Greg Marks (2014-09-01). Shadows over the Moonsea (DDEX1-03) (PDF). D&D Adventurers League: Tyranny of Dragons (Wizards of the Coast), p. 7.