The Harpinger

Not-Major Deities of Avlis:

Intermediate: Andria | Dagath | Hurine | Ingoren | Mishlekh
Lesser: Angadar | Berryn | Dra'Nar | Dre'Ana | Fegall | Senath | Skern | Ti'si'faan | Verossa | Vorin | Wilsash | Yeraiah
Demi: Aryeh Gidol | Balgar | Cha'reth | Evrak | Harpinger | Kelvos | Keros | Lesa | Naren | Paragus | Pelar | Ra-Ghul | Seven | Stephanus | The'ton | Xenon | Zhitaril

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Symbol: An upright harp, with the straight edge of the harp being a blade

Colors: Black (as regards death), Light Blue (as regards music)

Alignment: Chaotic Evil

Worshippers' Alignment': Any

Area of Control: Music, Messenger of Death

Clerical Domains: Evil, Death

The Harpinger is a mysterious figure among the gods of Avlis. No one knows its true name, or even its gender. Most accounts of The Harpinger give a different description of what it looks like, depending on what function it was fulfilling at the time. Some have described it as a beautiful maiden in flowing light blue robes, carrying a magical harp which can charm even an elven onlooker. Others have told tales of The Harpinger appearing as some form of skeletal undead in tattered black robes, with a one-handed sickle hanging on its belt, and that good old trusty harp in its hands once more. Less common accounts have described encounters with a charismatic bard who seems to have an endless supply of tales to tell, set to music once more with a harp. Stories of a female bard of this same description are also told.

The mystery of The Harpinger deepens when one considers its function. It is said that musical inspiration is granted by this entity. Bards who are looking to write a new tune often turn to The Harpinger with cautious prayer, for those who get too close often run into The Harpinger's other major function: the agent of Death. In this function, The Harpinger is said to be in charge of escorting a departed person's soul to their proper afterlife, making sure they arrive safely and then departing. Those who have been on the edge of death often tell tales of hearing a harp playing, and following the sound through a wide open grey area and a bright light, which seems to be the origin of the sound. When they pass through the light, they find themselves in the afterlife.

Some theories exist on the connection between inspiration and death. One theory put forth by The Harpinger's priests states that inspiration, especially musical inspiration, is granted directly to the soul by this entity. In order for the inspiration to come through, a person must loosen their bond with their own soul so that it may soar to the heights of the planes and receive the new gift. If this is true, then it would mean that The Harpinger is really just a keeper of souls, who insures that they go through their proper changes and receptions during the course of their life and death.

The Harpinger's followers can be everywhere. Many times they are bards, who devoutly pray to this deity as their source of musical skill. Other times, they are individuals who deal with death in one way or another, whether they are a murderer, or a white necromancer trying to insure that a patient does not die.

The Harpinger's clergy are also diverse in this respect. Many concern themselves with music, preferring to enrich the art itself. Some concern themselves with death, by either dealing it out swiftly to those they believe deserve it, or by insuring that proper internment rituals are performed on the deceased.

The Harpinger's symbol is that of an upright harp, with the straight edge of the harp being a blade. Colors are black when dealing with death, and light blue when dealing with music.

The Harpinger has a little-known shrine in Ferrell.