Damballa

For Damballa, the natural process of death is sacred. Any attempt to unnaturally prolong life, especially through magical means, is considered a grave offense against the deity's principles.

Damballa's domain includes the natural process of decomposition. Preventing or delaying this process, such as through embalming or preservation techniques, is strictly taboo.

Creating or aiding in the creation of intelligent undead like vampires or liches is considered a severe violation of Damballa's tenets. Such beings defy the natural order of death and decomposition.

Carrion and scavengers like vultures and hyenas are seen as agents of Damballa, aiding in the process of decomposition. Harming or killing these creatures is frowned upon.

Followers are obligated to ensure that corpses are left to decompose naturally. This often involves rituals that accelerate the decomposition process, aligning with Damballa's domain.

Devotees are expected to leave offerings of meat for scavengers and carrion-eaters. This act is considered a form of worship, acknowledging the role these creatures play in the cycle of death and decomposition.

When encountering a dying creature or a fresh corpse, followers are obligated to perform the "Spirit Release" ritual. This ensures that the soul is freed from the mortal coil, allowing it to move on to its next destination.

Clergy and devoted followers are expected to educate communities about the natural processes of death and decomposition. This often involves outreach programs where they explain the importance of these processes in the natural order.

A dark, hooded robe made of coarse, natural fibers, dyed in deep shades of black or dark brown. The robe would be adorned with symbols of skulls, bones, and other motifs related to death and decay.

A mask made from the skull of an animal, often a bird or small mammal, worn to symbolize the inevitability of death. The mask serves both as a ritualistic item and as a practical tool for dealing with the smell of decay.

A necklace made of small bones and teeth, each representing a different aspect of death and decomposition. This chain serves as a constant reminder of Damballa's domain and is considered a sacred item.

A small glass vial worn around the neck, containing soil from a grave or ashes from a cremation. This vial serves as a tangible connection to the process of decay and decomposition.

A leather belt adorned with pouches for carrying ritualistic items such as herbs, oils, and small tools used in ceremonies related to death and decomposition.

Mogumbo, a tribal seer from the Hyena Tribe, was Damballa's first disciple. In his theological writings, he proposed that the soul resides in the brain. Thus, to ceremonially release a lingering spirit, the brain must be destroyed, allowing the natural process of death to unfold.

Cankun, another tribal seer from the Vulture Tribe, was Damballa's second disciple. He believed the soul to be housed in the heart. To release the soul, the chest must be torn open, the heart extracted, and then crushed underfoot.

The two tribes frequently clash, resulting in gruesome battlefields where priests roam amidst the carnage, releasing the fallen - the Hyenas by crushing skulls, and the Vultures by ripping out hearts.

Each priest possesses a personal ceremonial club used exclusively for releasing souls. It is never employed in combat, and likewise, other weapons are never used for soul release. If a club is lost or destroyed, the priest must craft a new one before they can continue their sacred duties.

Each tribe - Hyena, Vulture, Bluebottle Fly, and Conqueror Worm - has a primary totem carried by their highest-ranking priest. If the priest dies, the next in line performs the final ceremony and assumes possession of the totem. Losing this totem is considered a grave dishonor.

When a being is dead or on the brink of death, one of the most sacred acts is to expedite the soul's journey to its final reward. Using their ceremonial club, the priest ensures the soul's release. The method of sending off the soul varies depending on the tribe.

This heretical sect believes that Damballa also has jurisdiction over the souls of the departed, contrary to the mainstream belief that he is solely concerned with the physical aspects of death. They perform rituals to bind souls to specific locations, which is considered a grave offense in orthodox Damballa worship.

This group defies the taboo against interfering with decomposition by practicing embalming and mummification. They argue that preserving the body is a form of worship, as it allows for a longer contemplation of death's mysteries. This is considered heretical by mainstream followers.

While Damballa's tenets strictly forbid the creation of intelligent undead, this sect believes that necromancy can be used to serve Damballa's goals. They argue that undead can be used to teach the living about the impermanence of life, a viewpoint considered blasphemous by orthodox followers.

Members of this cult focus on the role of insects and worms in the process of decomposition. They often keep colonies of flesh-eating insects and use them in their rituals, which is considered extreme even by Damballa's standards.

This cult reveres scavengers to the point of worship, considering them to be the highest agents of Damballa. They often live among packs of hyenas or flocks of vultures, assisting these animals in their scavenging activities.

This cult focuses on the moment of death itself, considering it to be the most sacred aspect of Damballa's domain. They often act as mercy killers, hastening the death of those who are suffering, which puts them at odds with both the law and mainstream Damballa worship.