Race: Uordeq (Xavix), Uordeq (Xavros)
Domains: Death, Necromancy, the Nether
Ethos
Life cannot exist without death. Those who seek to maintain the orderly transition of life and death revere Xavix, the Warden of the Wastes, while those who seek to corrupt it to their own ends revere his twin brother Xavros, the Doomed Prince. Their symbol is the Reaper's Crest, a circle bounded by two scythe blades.
History/Relationships
Xavix and Xavros Luminesti were born to a prominent Uordeq family in the Shadelands. Both received a traditional upbringing and were indoctrinated into the dark arts, murder, slavery, and torture from an early age, but only one would be allowed to survive to adulthood for the good of the family. Upon coming of age, the two shared goblets of poison, which blinded Xavix and killed Xavros. Unwilling to forsake his brother, Xavix became a necromancer and bound his brother's spirit to his service. He then became obsessed with vengeance against the true instigator of the vile Uordeq way of life: Etejeril himself.
When the Second Age of Ascension began, Xavix arranged for his family to meet their end in the dwarven attack on Sind, traveled to Jastrey, and assumed the role of town undertaker using the alias Varian. He then bided his time and cultivated allies, including the elf Corellus (who later ascended as Kelvaros), the riven Pelle Carne (who later ascended as Khulzan), the mysterious Roi du'Faim, and his ancestor Drake Luminesti. With their help, he was able to separate Jeddit O'Jorramn from the Ageless Urdjaq-eril and put an end to the Great Shade, thereafter assuming his station.
Xavix and Xavros are not well-loved among other immortals. As patrons of the dark arts, they are at odds with most of the immortals of light, including Avaren, Istensia, Lemesin, and Thareon. As Uordeq, they are also at odds with Kragg. They do maintain some alliances, however: Xavix maintains good relations with Kelvaros and Khulzan from their time together as mortals, as well as with Aldrhunrik, surprisingly. Meanwhile Xavros has developed a rapport with Hexadus, Hursisa, Secronus, and Tenaebrus.
Dogma
Xavix, the Warden of the Wastes: Death awaits us all. Those who wish to go against this flow must pay a toll. Respect the wishes of the dying. Comfort and shepherd the dead. Lay them to rest with coins and rites that they may pass on peacefully. Master the dark arts with care, lest they master you.
Xavros, the Doomed Prince: Death is only the beginning. Cast off your chains and embrace the shadow within. Abandon sanity that you may gain absolute freedom. Corrupt the dead to your purposes. Disturb their rest that they may torment the living. Let the dark arts consume you and you will attain true power.
Followers and Temples
Reverence of Xavix is widespread in the Shadelands where necromancy is an accepted public practice regulated by a formal guild. Followers are given a rigorous indoctrination, progressing from an Acolyte of Flesh (brown robe) to a Disciple of Blood (red robe) to a Master of Bone (white robe) as they are inducted into deeper circles of mystery. Black robes are strictly forbidden as they represent secrets mortals are not meant to know and are reserved for the Warden of the Wastes himself.
Reverence of Xavix is occasionally permitted outside the Shadelands while reverence of Xavros meets with near-universal scorn. Followers of Xavros often masquerade as followers of Xavix, practicing their forbidden doctrine in secret. When they choose to be overt, followers of Xavros observe no formal hierarchy and prefer to reflect the derangement of their patron, decorating themselves and their surroundings with actual blood, flesh, and bone. Many will wear black robes in open mockery of the taboo observed by followers of Xavix, and may even wear the inverse crescent moon as an homage to Etejeril.
Temples to Xavix and Xavros are typically erected in places with a strong connection to the Nether, such as graveyards, crypts, and battlefields. They can often be difficult to distinguish from one another, though temples to Xavros are more likely to feature sacrificial altars and hostile undead.
Noteworthy Servants
In his role as Warden of the Wastes, Xavix employs a number of servants, some inherited from Etejeril and others retained from his mortal life.
- Death Knights - Death knights act as royal guards and elite enforcers in direct service to Xavix, Xavros, or one of the Deaths. Their duties vary depending on the member of the Ashen Court to whom they have sworn fealty.
- Reapers - Reapers are functionaries in the Ashen Court chiefly concerned with shepherding wayward souls through the Nether.
- Seven Deaths - Xavix serves as arbiter of the Seven Deaths, maintaining order among them without directly managing their activities.
- Varian - Xavix refused to let death part him from his loyal seeing eye dog, going so far as to bind the dog's spirit to his shield and assume the dog's name as an additional form of protection. Ever loyal, if Varian is not at his master's side he is on an errand to guide mortals through the Nether on important business.
- Wraithwail - Xavix bound countless monstrous souls to his mace to serve as a final weapon against Etejeril. He allows the conglomeration to wander the Nether freely, occasionally sending it to deal with troublesome interlopers.