# Kelemvor [[Kelemvor (Temple)#Kelemvor|Kelemvor]] (formerly Kelemvor Lyonsbane), also known as the Lord of the Dead and Judge of the Damned, is the god of death and the dead. In his mortal days, Kelemvor was a skilled mercenary, with the heart of a noble paladin, concealed under rude manners and thwarted by his mysterious family curse. Fair yet cold, Kelemvor is the god of death and the dead—the most recent deity to hold this position. Unlike Jergal, Myrkul, and Cyric, who made the afterlife an uncertain and fearful thing, Kelemvor urges knowledge that **death is a natural part of life and should not be feared as long as it is understood.** For that reason, devotees of [[Kelemvor (Temple)#Kelemvor|Kelemvor]] and [[Lathander]], God of Birth, Youth, Vitality and Renewal, are steadfast allies. Their temples usually stand next to each other, sharing space for loved ones to wish their departed well. Personified, Lathander holds our hand, guiding us through life, and passes us off to Kelemvor, who guides us through death. Looking to the shepherd of natural death, Kelemvorites believe - We shall all one day meet Kelemvor, and he will lead our spirit out of this realm. - There is nothing more sacred than the cycle of life. - We entrust Kelemvor with ensuring that we depart when we are meant to. - Death is not to be feared, but to be embraced. It is not the end, but the necessary next step in the cycle. - Under Kelemvor’s guidance, even in death we shall never be alone. ## Kelemvorite Clergy Duties - Act as stewards of the afterlife - Teach that death is a natural part of life - Preach that only the truly wicked, the Faithless, or the False must fear the world beyond - Treat all undead as abominations, and destroy them at every turn - Make every attempt to minister to the common people - Help the bereaved cope in times of loss - Comfort the dying - Provide burials for those who die alone - Administer last rites to the dying - In cases of great pain, ravaging disease, or mutilation where death would be a mercy, bring death, as swiftly and painlessly as possible ## Religious rites - The Passing: If present at the moment of death, a Kelemvorite cleric performs _the Passing_, a simple ceremony of last rites that is a chant of comfort calling on Kelemvor to be alert for the coming essence of this person, who has enriched life in Faerûn in his or her own way and earned this salute - The _Lament for the Fallen_ is a larger **last rites ceremony sung over a battlefield**, ruined village or fortress, or other site where many folk have recently died. This ceremony, similar to _the Passing_, features low, droning chants, and rhythmic beating of ash staffs upon the open ground. - *The Remembrance* is a daily morning ceremony over graves consisting of songs and prayer usually attended by relatives of the dead. - _The Daeum_, or _Thanks to the Guide_ (Kelemvor), is a ritual that begins after nightfall that celebrates the strength and purpose of the Great Guide and his church and is attended only by faithful followers of the god. It is at the close of this ceremony that the goods of the dead are distributed to the assembled faithful and any favors of the god or holy missions are dispensed through manifestations or the orders of senior clergy. ## Religious holidays During both **Shieldmeet** and **the Feast of the Moon**, priests of the Lord of the Dead tell tales of the Deeds of the Dead so that the greatness and importance of the ancestors of those alive today will never be forgotten. They also call back from the dead heroes who are needed in the land again (in the opinion of mortal supplicants whom Kelemvor agrees with). During both of these solemn high holy days, any priest of Kelemvor who casts speak with dead can talk freely with the departed for as long as desired and hold conversations, not merely put questions to them for which the answer will be a bare "yes" or "no."