Morthal, God of Death

Overview
Overseer of all mortal souls, Morthal is seen as the guiding hand into the afterlife. He directs them into his plane, where their magical energy is stored and converted into life for another being. In this way, nothing is truly wasted in the endless cycle. Besides shepherding the dead, Morthal is viewed as a doctor and surgeon, one who stands in the way of death. Many who follow Morthal take paths in funerals, body preparation, doctors, and grief counselors. Despite his benign tenants, the path of Necromancy also falls under his domains.

History
Not all diseases can be cured with medicine or surgery, and Morthal found that sometimes it is best to let the patient die. Once dead, the true healing could begin. Revered as a great healer, Morthal began spreading his teachings to the populace, that death does not mean the end of the body's usefulness. The dead began to work the fields, carry the cargo, even to serve as eternal guardians over a family. Though bringing in a new era of civilization, many fought against the growing legion of the undead. Many adventurers and paragons took up arms against the so called "Lich King" only to find themselves fighting the very people they were trying to protect. They fell into line, learning to accept to horde around them and to pledge allegiance to the new "Grave Father."

Creating a cabal of mages, Morthal ruled through his undead and the people continually growing in power. He began to dwarf the next powerful mage, his apprentice Rattlefart. The Mage Cabal began to fear that Morthal would push the boundaries of the soul and body, eventually creating a horror that could not be contained. They attempted an assassination and failed. The ensuing war resulted in the hordes of the undead tearing the land apart. In an attempt to end the war, Morthal bound ancient kagi to himself in a colossus' body, but could not control them. When he awoke, the world was laid to waste and his planet became a mausoleum. He wept and raged for his lost people, summoning all of the slain to him, binding their souls to his. Through this power of necromancy Morthal rose to Godhood.

Worship
Temples for Morthal are rare, though the Grave Hall in Avalon is the center of worship for the entire continent. Other more common sites are small shrines in graveyards, or in hospitals.