Nergaal

The Lord of Lost Souls is a primeval demi-god, assigned to the task of making sure that mortals do not escape death. Where Nirawn is the judge, Nergaal is the bailiff of the dead.

Dogma
Cursed be the undead, for they forsake their duties and ought to be destroyed. Do not disturb the dead, but pray for them. Care for their place in the world. Heed the commandments of Nergaal.

History
Nergaal is an ancient deity associated with protecting the dead and destroying the menace of undeath. His origins are likely stem from worship in the ancient Elven Empire, though few of their kind follow Nergaal in modern times.

Those who do follow Nergaal are often vampire hunters or exorcists, calling upon his ancient traditions to command restless spirits to go on to the afterlife.

Home
Nergaal can typically be found in the Court of Final Rest, guarding the passages that lead to the afterlife.

Appearance
Nergaal's appearance varies by culture. In Aureon, however, he's typically depicted as a middle aged man with a beard, raggedly cut hair, and carrying a hammer.

More ancient depictions of Nergaal show him more as an ancient king, even wearing a crown, and carrying a sword and hammer.

Relationships
Nirawn holds liege-status over Nergaal, and the two have a good working relationship.

Nergaal also has a decent relationship with Taggeus, though it is what you would call a friendly rivalry. Legendarily, Taggeus and Nergaal have dueled at games of Chess, Go, and other board games. Nergaal is one of the few deities who can boast about defeating Taggeus at these games, allegedly.

Servants
The Guide is an advanced Morrigna psychopomp who helps return souls that are lost in the Astral Plane. Those mortals who come across her can only recall a vague feeling of awe and cannot remember her face at all if they attempt to communicate with her.

Absolution is Nergaal's hammer, and intelligent artifact that has incredible power against undead.

Luchund is a doppleganger sorcerer who had briefly ascended to godhood when sponsored by former deity. Luchund lost that power when his sponsor got bored with him and cast him out. Trapped between life and death, Nirawn has tasked Luchund with serving Nergaal until the last mortal soul enters their care.

Church
Nergaalite churches are few, but they often find solace within temples of Nirawn and Taggeus. Active shrines to Nergaal can be located in many graveyards, not far from where bodies are interred.

Organizations
The Agonized Order is a group of vampire hunting knights who are known for slaying hundreds of vampires, based in Tyrsennia. They are famed for their heavy armor and dark demeanor.

The Confidence Network is a group of traders who help fund undead hunters in many lands, supplying them with things like silvered weapons, holy water, and other useful tools.