Usurpers of the Death's Head Throne

In the realm of the dead, Necronus’s rule was absolute.  His son Oran, born of the Goddess Neela, served his father, shepherding the dead to his father's realm.  As more and more nations worshiped death, the size of the realm expanded forever outward, and soon whole kingdoms rose up within its depths.  The rulers of the kingdoms grew in power, and were soon worshiped of their own.  They warred among themselves endlessly, but over time there came to be four powers within the realms of death.  Three of them rose up against Necronus, usurping the Death’s Head Throne.

Oran embarked on a quest to retake his father’s throne, joined by his half siblings Kor Anar and Helante.  Along their journey, they discovered the existence of Harkonis, a bestial creature born of the ancient god Karnos and a mortal woman.  Once he was defeated, he became loyal to Oran.  They were also joined by a trio of mortals.  together, this group of gods and mortals retook the realm of the dead.

This particular event is so important very specifically because it marks the creation of the very first human deities.  The three usurpers, their kingdoms lost, continued to strive to gain power against the gods that overthrew them.

Koros - god of tyranny, hate, domination

Vesha - goddess of murder and assassination

Desadd - god of pain, torture, lies

While the three mortal warriors, having embodied the most noble of human qualities, also came into godhood.

Artaran - god of healing and endurance

Torell - god of justice, duty and loyalty

Brogun - god of protection

Before these six gods were elevated, Humans exclusively worshiped the deities of the central pantheon.  Afterward, as time went on, other mortal were elevated to godhood as well.  The entire human pantheon is composed of mortal humans that have attained godhood.

Zonolis - god of thieves and shadows

Selenis - goddess of still water, streams and waterfalls

Rutland Bri - god of merchants and wealth

Phaelora - goddess of joy, happiness, dance and festivals

Garun - god of beasts

Aacune - goddess of poetry, art and scribes

Daelun - god of ships and sailing

Oran, in his role as death, has come to be worshiped as a true god of death, all but assuming his father’s mantle.  Harkonis has become the defender of the realms of the dead.

Of the four powers within the realm of the dead, only three rose up against Harkonis.  The fourth power, Charbrak, remained the ruler of his kingdom within the realm of the dead, becoming the God of undeath.

The largest churches among human civilization are all devoted to the Three; Artaran,Torell and Brogun.  while temples to the central gods, and to the wider human pantheon are common, the Churches of the Three are huge and opulent, with influence that rivals even the royal family.  Within the Churches of the Three,  there is a singular entity that is beginning to gain power.  A central figure representing the singular strength of the church referred to as the High Lord of Light has begun to be referenced from within the church, although it’s uncertain exactly what a god created by it’s own church might be.