Title: The Guide Beyond
Domains: Death, Endings
Creators: Almariel and Valora
Pantheon: Alorama
Description Thanriel, the God of Passage, is the solemn guardian of life’s final threshold, guiding souls not with mystery but with quiet strength and unwavering calm. Thanriel embodies certainty: he walks with those whose stories have already ended.
Born of Almariel, Lady of Light’s light and Valora, Aevari of Water’s deep currents, Thanriel carries the stillness of a moonlit sea and the weight of ancient rivers. He is known as The Ferryman of Twilight, a figure of grace and finality, who greets each soul at the moment of death with open hands and silent understanding.
Thanriel is depicted as a weathered, ageless man with short, salt-streaked hair and a sturdy frame. His cloak is dark gray and sea-worn, embroidered subtly with patterns of waves and stars. His staff resembles a long oar carved from driftwood with a circular medallion of bone and silver, etched with the phases of the moon. His face is calm, lined with compassion, bearing the look of one who has stood at countless partings and offered the same gentle farewell each time.
Thanriel moves with purpose through the Veil, a solemn space between breath and silence. He does not speak of what lies beyond, but he promises that no one will pass alone.
Followers
The Veilwalkers are Thanriel’s followers, comprising priests, morticians, and those who assist in the care of the dead and the grieving. They maintain his sanctuaries—often located near cemeteries or at the borders of towns—where individuals come to seek guidance, make offerings for departed loved ones, or receive comfort. The Veilwalkers view death not as a final separation, but as a passage, a necessary transition to another realm where the spirit continues its journey.
Thanriel’s temples are tranquil places of reflection, where the cycle of life and death is honored. They often feature gardens and pools that symbolize the stillness and clarity of endings.
Rituals and Offerings
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The Passing Rite: The Passing Rite is performed by Veilwalkers when an individual is nearing death. A candle is lit, and prayers are whispered to Thanriel, asking him to gently guide the soul beyond. The ritual is intended to provide comfort to the dying, helping them to release their fear of the unknown.
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The Moonlit Vigil: Once each month, followers of Thanriel hold a Moonlit Vigil to honor those who have passed. During the vigil, they light lanterns and place them along riverbanks or lakesides, symbolizing the journey of the departed souls across the waters of the afterlife.
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Offerings: Offerings to Thanriel include small silver tokens, dried lavender (believed to bring peace), and candles lit at twilight. These offerings are left at his altars to ask for his blessings for those who are grieving or to honor the memory of the departed.
Sigils and Symbols
Thanriel’s symbol is a a circular medallion of bone and silver, etched with the phases of the moon representing the transition of the soul from the world of the living to the afterlife. His followers wear this sigil as a pendant or embroider it onto their robes during ceremonies. It is also etched into gravestones and memorials, marking them as places watched over by Thanriel.
Additional Details
The Spirit-Kissed, those particularly blessed by Thanriel, are said to possess the ability to sense and communicate with the spirits of the departed. These individuals are often sought to help bring closure to grieving families, offering messages from loved ones who have crossed into the beyond. The Spirit-Kissed are respected for their deep connection to both the mortal and spiritual realms, and their presence brings a sense of peace to those facing loss.
Thanriel’s influence is felt during moments of parting, in the silence of night, and in the acceptance that endings are a natural part of existence. He teaches that death is not to be feared but understood as a passage—one that is necessary for the soul to continue its journey in the ever-unfolding tapestry of existence.