Chemosh, the Lord of Bones
Introduction
In the dark corners of Krynn, where shadows stretch long and whispers of death linger, Chemosh, the God of Death and Undeath, waits with open arms. Known as the Lord of Bones, Master of the Undead, and Bringer of Eternal Servitude, Chemosh is one of the Gods of Evil, luring mortals into his dark embrace with the false promise of immortality. Unlike Mishakal, who heals, or Paladine, who offers redemption, Chemosh sees life as fleeting and meaningless, urging mortals to abandon their foolish hopes and instead embrace eternal existence as his servants.
Origins and Role Among the Gods
Chemosh was one of the first deities shaped by the High God, tasked with overseeing the passage of souls from life into the afterlife. However, rather than guiding the dead to their rightful destinations, he became obsessed with control over death itself. Joining the Gods of Evil, he cast aside his original purpose and sought to ensnare souls for eternity.
To Chemosh, mortality is a cruel joke, and the afterlife is a prison of oblivion. Rather than letting souls pass beyond the veil, he offers them an alternative: undeath. His goal is not only to increase his power by claiming the souls of the dead but also to strip mortals of free will, binding them to his will forever.
Domains and Influence
Chemosh is the god of:
- Death and the Afterlife – Controlling souls and defying the natural order.
- Undeath and Necromancy – Granting false immortality through reanimation.
- Deception and Corruption – Preying on the fears of mortals.
- Eternal Servitude – Binding the dead as his undying thralls.
While his power affects all races, his greatest influence is among necromancers, death cultists, and the desperate who fear the finality of death.
Chemosh’s Lies and His Mortal Followers
Chemosh does not simply force mortals into undeath—he tempts them. He appears in visions and whispers, offering those who fear death an enticing bargain: eternal life, free from sickness, suffering, or aging. What he does not reveal is that this “gift” comes at a terrible cost—their will, their soul, and their freedom.
His followers include:
- Necromancers – Seeking power over life and death.
- Desperate Mortals – Those who fear death and wish to escape it.
- Dark Clerics and Cultists – Spreading Chemosh’s influence in secret.
- Liches and Undead Lords – Those who have fully embraced his gifts.
Symbols and Worship
Chemosh appears as a tall, gaunt figure, often clad in black robes or bone-white armor, with eyes that shine like cold stars. He carries a staff made of bone or a skeletal hourglass, marking the inevitable passage of time.
His holy symbols include:
- A skull with a black star in its forehead
- A skeletal hand clutching an hourglass
- A black sun (symbolizing the dark eternity he offers)
Unlike other gods, Chemosh has few temples—his worship is done in secret. His followers gather in dark crypts, forgotten ruins, and hidden catacombs, performing rituals to ensnare more souls for their god.
Worship and Rituals
Chemosh’s worshippers conduct rituals that mock the natural cycle of life and death. Important rites include:
- The Dark Offering – A ritual where a dying mortal pledges their soul to Chemosh in exchange for undeath.
- The Binding of Souls – A ceremony where necromancers trap spirits in corpses, creating new undead.
- The Black Vigil – A night where followers pray over fresh graves, seeking new recruits for their master’s army.
Allies and Rivals Among the Gods
As one of the Gods of Evil, Chemosh works alongside Takhisis, the Queen of Darkness, who shares his hunger for control. He also finds common cause with Morgion, god of disease and decay, as both delight in the suffering of mortals.
However, he is opposed by the Gods of Good, particularly Mishakal, who offers healing and true peace, and Kiri-Jolith, god of honor and valor, who fights against the horrors of undeath.
Chemosh in Legends and Stories
The First Lich
One of the most chilling tales of Chemosh tells of the First Lich, a mortal king who sought to escape death. Chemosh appeared to him in a dream, whispering the secret of eternal life. The king, desperate to rule forever, followed the god’s dark instructions, drinking a potion of blood and black magic. When he died, he rose again as a lich, the first of Chemosh’s true undead servants.
The False Afterlife
Another story speaks of how Chemosh trapped the souls of the dead within his own twisted realm, preventing them from passing into the afterlife. Those who worship him believe they will live forever in paradise, but in truth, they become mindless shades, doomed to wander the darkness, eternally bound to their dark master.