Ankou

The Ankou is not a singular entity, but rather is a mantle, taken up the by final individual over the age of 7 to die within a community within a turn of the Wheel of the Year. The settlement than an Ankou oversees is determined by the Ankou themselves, but largely coincides with the Maen-Harz boundary stones, as well as the Meineg and Poull of the Hud. After the tolling of the Darkbell on 3 Kerzu, the alcolyte takes the place of the original Ankou, taking on their route seamlessly as if no change had occurred. This continues for the year until the mantle is passed again.   While an individual may die before year's end, the mantle does not pass until 45 Du, as an unfated death may upset the balance and spare the chosen their mantle.

Recruitment

  While the Ankou is typically drawn from the community residing within an area, the last soul to pass before Kalan-Goañv, which begins on 42 Du and has its peak at 45 Du, when the Vigil takes place from nightfall to daybreak.  

The Vigil of the Ankou

During Kalan-Goañv, The Veilbetween worlds becomes thin, and the mantle of the Ankou passes from one bearer to the next, with the former making its final ride across the White Plain. During the festival, the Anoku roam freely, finishing their own affairs and leaving the protection of the dead to the living.   Should the dead be disturbed, calamity is sure to befall the community. To prevent this, a single individual is selected by lot to stand watch in the graveyards, accompanied by a single orange-waxed candle, remaining awake until the candle is expended. Other candles, placed in windows or in carved gourds, offer solidarity to the lonely watcher from afar. The Ankou's candle is lit at the first tolling of the Darkbell, and may be extinguished only at the final toll of the first Dawnbell.

In exchange for its service, the Ankou is exempted from having to complete the Tro Lusenn after death. Additionally, they are granted expedient passage across the White Plain upon completion of their service.

Reapers of the Dead

  The Ankou are psychopomps, Henchmen of Death, tasked with collecting the Anoan of the deceased and guiding them from their place of death to the Maen-Harz of Magh Mor. Some deserving individuals are taken further into the White Plain to complete or continue their journey from a point determined by the arcane methods of the Ankou charged with their delivery.  

Guardians of the Veil

The Ankou see themselves as the guardians of the divide between the living and the dead, ensuring that souls arrive at their intended destination and that the rest of the dead is not disturbed, both of which have become considerably more difficult with the breaching of the Veil. The Ankou execute their role with brutal efficiency, hunting down Sluagh and graverobbers with equal ferocity.

External Interactions

 

The Envorad

For the most part, the Ankou ignore the Envorad, paying no attention to the psychic reflections carrying out their eldritch cycles in the world. One major exception to this comes in the form of the Procession of the Envorad.   On the Eve of Nedeleg on The Armorican Peninsula, spectral figure can be seen walking along the ribines to disused chapels and overgrown Nemeton in two straight lines, each holding a candle which does not flicker in the wind. They are led by a hunch-backed white-haired druid or perfect carrying a grail and a fresh-faced youth ringing a small bell. The Ankou watch these ghostly Pardons silently lining up their Karrigell at the crossroads. There has been no record of the Ankou interfering with these processions,but their presence seems to discourage Sluagh, Croquemitaines or the Fair Folk from interfering with the ghosts.  

The Croquemitaines

For the most part, the Ankou pay little attention to the monsters of the Veil, ignoring their presence even when collecting souls slain by them. They view the Abhartach and Baobhan Sith with contempt, but will not oppose them unless directly challenged in their duties.   No such cordial arrangement exists between the Ankou and the Yan-gant-y-tan, for reasons unknown. The Ankou will attack these creatures on sight and the Yan-gant-y-tan will retreat from an Ankou's presence, though they will not do so from a Labous or Ki-Du, despite being visibly aware of their presence.

Appearance and Dress

The Ankou appear much as they did in life, retaining the same general morphology and features, with a few notable exceptions. All Ankou have gaunt frames, bone-white hair and pale complexions. Though they are often depicted as skeletons in stories and art, Ankou do have skin, though some weave glamour to appear as such to those who earn their ire.
  While there is some regional variation in the appearance of the Ankou, most dress in a style befitting their home region, albiet several generations out of date. They typically favour dark clothing and a head covering that hides their face. An Ankou with its face covered is all but invisible to the living.
  In Letha and its surroundings, the Ankou wear long, dark clothing, typically robes and coats of a heavy, wool-like fabric, secured by buttons of brass or bone. Ankou of both gender appearances wear black pants and boots. Capes and shoulder capes are common, but not universal. While a tiny minority choose to wear hoods, most elect for a round, wide-brimmed hat that has become synonymous with them.
 

Tools of the Ankou

 

The Scythe of Anaon/Soulscythe

  Each Ankou carries a large scythe, resembling those of Lethan farming tradition, but with the blade upside down, as if throwing cuttings away rather than drawing them towards the reaper. The blade passes through solid matter, instead striking at Foyson, or the Anoan, pulling the struck soul into the afterlife. Those struck by the blade who are not on the precipice of death, typically the aggressor in an engagement, do not experience this seperation. Instead they are usually left broken and trembling, unable to describe what they have witnessed. These individuals are often left with bleached white hair and chronic trembling, as well as other manifestations of sever trauma.
  The scythe can be manifested into the Ankou's hands from the aether, forming from shadowy Foyson though most carry theirs openly.
 

Karrigell An Ankou

  The Karrigell An Ankou is a blackwood cart or carriage drawn by one or four Nightmares and lit by Tan-Noz. The carts travel erratically along the ribines, appearing and disappearing around corners and traveling along routes unknown to even the Fair Folk, on a single-minded circuit willed by their drivers. The appearance of the cart varies by region and circumstance, appearing as a simple farming cart, a hansom cab or an elegant stagecoach. In coastal and river areas, the Karrigell may take the form of a boat, most commonly a Peniche or catboat. These nautical variants serve as ferries to an from the Bag Noz, the Ghost ships that sail the Ar Mor.
  While moving in Bedouar, the metal wheels of the cart squeak and screech, as if they are in need of some oil, though they run silently in Magh Mor. This noise is considerably louder when heard by an individual close to death.
 

[Soulfire Lanterns

  All Ankou carry brass lanterns with bullseye glass, containing dim, swirling green light inside, resembling Tan-Noz. Some claim these lights are the Anoan of the dead collected during the Ankou's rounds, growing brighter as more souls are added. These lanterns are often affixed to the carts or boats of the Ankou, but can be arried by hand.
 

Familiars and Associates

 

Labous an Ankou

The Ankou are often accompanied by an owl-like familiar, the Labous an Ankou, which acts both as its scout and its herald, announcing their approach with a distinctive call. The Ankou can see through the eyes of the Labou, and it can deliver short spoken messages.