Death

Death (there are several avatars) often appears as a tall male in a dark hood, wielding a great scythe. But they have been known to appear in other forms, as well. They have taken the form of children, of kings, noblemen, gentry, free men, peasants and slaves.

Death is an Aeniresa who so hated the coming of the Besnir and other mortals that he delighted in taking them to the afterlife. It became its occupation to usher the souls of those who die to the barge appointed for them at the shores of the River Hyburleth. For those creatures that have spirits but not souls, the job of a Death is to escort them to the nearest Sacred Place of their people.

The scythe of Death was a gift of Agellas who gave it in order to navigate the river Hyburleth and people Erenth for the first time. This gift was eventually lost to Djazzar and was replaced by Majes, the Ferryman. All creatures, even the so-called gods, fear the scythe in the hand of a Death. When wielded by a Death, the scythe can ignore the bonuses due to magic of any armor. The scythe can instantly kill any other being. Even magic resistance cannot alter this effect.

While still an Aeniresa, Death has been in continual contact with the departed and while his memory falters, he has been able to learn and retain much about Erenth that he should have, by now, forgotten. He has a great curiosity regarding humanity and their difference from the other beings of the world, especially the Besnir. He is also a lover of games of skill, though his work is often so engaging that he has little time to play as he would like.

There has only been one being who was able to cheat death and that was Girzon the Titan who beat Death at a game of Twelve Lines. Despite Girzon's singular success, the legend that Death may be beaten has become a popular story. 

Finally, Death loves Clare of the Valley to the exclusion of all other mortals and will not permit her to join him.

Clare of the Valley

Clare of the Valley is the goddess of fidelity, devotion, and love. A one-time mortal woman whose soldier husband died while returning from war, she now lives undying in her mortal body. 

When Clare's husband died within sight of his home, Death took the opportunity to take her husbands body to experience mortal life temporarily. Death felt the affection and ministrations of Clare and at first believed he had known what it was to be loved. By the end of his experiment, he slowly realized that Clare only had feelings for her husband.

When Death realized Clare did not love him, nor even truly know him; he cast off the husband's body and left her a widow.  

Despite her not knowing him, Death found that his love was real. He truly loved Clare, and he has loved her ever since. For this reason, he has never permitted her to join him for fear that she would discover his deception. Worse than not loving him, he fears she might come to hate him. 

Because she is never claimed by Death, she would have been consigned to continual aging and eventual decrepitude. Her darkened veil is the gift of Reme who took pity on her and granted her a permanent boon to reverse all aging.

    Simply put, Clare cannot die. She is immortal because Death will not claim her. She is the patroness of true love and fidelity for married couples.