Hades
Hades
HadesIcon.JPG Hades is a grasping, miserly Lord who pulls all men and riches to him in the end, a force of inexorable entropy in the world. His cult is not widely tended, his true name only known to those initiated in his mysteries. Hades, his common name, only means "he who is unseen and unknown," and his most common epithet, Ploutos, simply means "wealthy." Hades.jpg

Common History

It is commonly held that Zeus rescued or freed Hades as well as his siblings, Poesidon, Demeter, and Hestia from some form of imprisonment or captivity. After the overthrow of their father he drew lots with them to share the universe. He drew poorly, which resulted in becoming lord of the underworld and ruler of the dead. Nevertheless, he was not considered to be death itself, as this was a different god, called Thanatos. Greedy like his brother Poseidon, he was mainly interested in increasing his subjects, and anyone whose deeds resulted in people dying was favored by him.

Perhaps bitter at loosing out to his siblings in the draw, Hades preferred the Underworld and rarely left his kingdom. His weapon was a pitchfork, which he used to create earthquakes, similar to the way Poseidon used his trident. He also had a helmet of invisibility, which he had received as a gift from Hephaestus. He was married to Persephone, daughter of Demeter, whom Hades abducted and carried down to the Underworld. Formidable in battle, he proved his ferocity in battle to establish the rule of his brother, Zeus.

Related Colony

  • Canceron - So dedicated to their patron were the men and women of Conceron, that they even named their capital for him. Or perhaps it was an attempt to appease him so that he might keep his attentions elsewhere? Perhaps unsurprisingly, funeral rites on Canceron were, in general, much more elaborate than other colonies, despite their relatively modest financial means. With large chunk sof the planet being barren wastelands, the population were not known for their lively senses of humour, or dedication to following the latest fads, so for many the dour but determined Hades fit their outlook and worldview very well.

Common Rituals

Traditionally sacrificing to Hades, followers banged their hands on the ground to be sure he would hear them. Black animals, such as sheep, were sacrificed to him, and the very vehemence of the rejection of human sacrifice expressed in myth suggests an unspoken memory of some distant past. The blood from all these sacrifices to propitiate Hades was then dripped into a pit or cleft in the ground and the person who offered the sacrifice had to avert his face lest he see into the Underworld and be dragged into it.

Understandably, funerals often feature references to Hades, and while traditions varied from colony to colony, tribe to tribe, there is always at least a nod to the Lord of the Underworld and a sacrifice to usher the departed on their way.

Cults and Sects

  • Silent Siblings - While many are reluctant to swear oaths in Hades' name, there are many who's trade involves death, who do so with more ease. Amongst these are the Silent Siblings. Traditionally a cult for those who prepared corpses for burial as time pasted they expanded to encompass other roles such as coroners, morticians, mortuary workers, funeral directors, and grave diggers. Their services are silent, with a simple form of sign language being used to indicate when followers should perform the various stages of worship. Outside of such services they tend to dress in dark colours, but otherwise there is no outward indication of membership.
  • The Boatmen - Not a group many openly claim membership of, the central aim is to gain an understanding of the divine by transcendental experience. In short, almost, but not quite, kill themselves or fellow members in order to induce a near-death experience. One documentary exposing their inner practices filmed incidents of burial alive, electrocution, and drowning, before producers decided enough was enough and went to the cops. However, as each act was consensual, the authorities did not intervene. Mostly living in communities separate from the outside world it is not uncommon for people to know of someone in their extended families who tried the lifestyle as part of a wild youth, but those who stick with it longterm are much rarer. Every now and again there are rumours that some off the accidents that happen during these experiences might not be as accidental as the Priests make out, but no charges have ever stuck in court and the name comes as a reference to the five rivers Underworld.

Hymn

Plouton, magnanimous, whose realms profound are fixed beneath the firm and solid ground, in the Tartarean plains remote from sight, and wrapt for ever in the depths of night. Zeus Khthonios (of the Underworld), thy sacred ear incline, and pleased accept these sacred rites divine. Earth’s keys to thee, illustrious king, belong, its secret gates unlocking, deep and strong. ‘Tis thine abundant annual fruits to bear, for needy mortals are thy constant care. To thee, great king, all sovereign earth assigned, the seat of gods and basis of mankind. Thy throne is fixed in Haides’ dismal plains, distant, unknown to the rest, where darkness reigns; where, destitute of breath, pale spectres dwell, in endless, dire, inexorable hell; and in dread Akheron, whose depths obscure, earth’s stable roots eternally secure. O mighty Daimon, whose decision dread, the future fate determines of the dead, with Demeter’s girl [Persephone] captive, through grassy plains, drawn in a four-yoked car with loosened reins, rapt over the deep, impelled by love, you flew till Eleusinia’s city rose to view: there, in a wondrous cave obscure and deep, the sacred maid secure from search you keep, the cave of Atthis, whose wide gates display an entrance to the kingdoms void of day. Of works unseen and seen thy power alone to be the great dispending source is known. All-ruling, holy God, with glory bright, thee sacred poets and their hymns delight, propitious to thy mystics’ works incline, rejoicing come, for holy rites are thine.

Characters with this Patron

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