Pharasma (fah-RAZ-mah)
"The Lady of Graves", Pharasma is the goddess who shepherds Monteia's recently-departed souls to their final reward. Upon death, souls migrate via the River of Souls to Pharasma's Boneyard in the Outer Sphere, which sits atop an impossibly tall spire that pierces the Astral Plane.
Holy Books & Codes
The Bones Land in a Spiral
The Bones Land in a Spiral is the holy book of Pharasma; it is sometimes referred to as Bones Fall in a Spiral. This work was written in several parts. The first part consists of vague, debatable predictions by an ancient prophet. The prophesies are inconclusive and esoteric, allowing a cunning reader to fit specific parts of the text to any number of situations, past or future. Later additions discuss childbirth, burial rites, and the prevention of undeath.Tenets of Faith
Pharasma is a deity in the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game's Golarion setting. She is known as the Lady of Graves, the Psychopomp Queen, and the goddess of death, fate, and prophecy. The religion of Pharasma revolves around the themes of death, judgment, and the cycle of souls. Here are some common tenets associated with the worship of Pharasma:
- Embrace the Cycle of Life and Death: Pharasma's religion recognizes death as an integral part of the natural order. Her followers understand that all mortal beings are subject to the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. They accept and respect this cycle and the role that death plays in it.
- Respect the Dead: Pharasma's worshipers hold reverence for the deceased. They believe in treating the bodies and souls of the departed with dignity and respect, conducting proper funeral rites and rituals. They also strive to protect burial grounds and sacred places associated with death.
- Serve as Guardians of the Cycle: The followers of Pharasma see themselves as guardians of the cycle of souls. They understand the importance of guiding and shepherding souls to their rightful destinations in the afterlife. They often work as morticians, funeral directors, or caretakers of graveyards.
- Conduct Judgment: Pharasma is the final judge of souls, determining their fate after death. Her worshipers believe in the impartiality and inevitability of her judgment. They may involve themselves in acts of justice and ensuring that the guilty face the consequences of their actions.
- Preserve Prophecy: Pharasma is also associated with prophecy and foresight. Her followers value the interpretation and preservation of prophecy and divination. They believe that through prophecy, insights into the future and the unraveling of destiny can be attained.
- Seek Balance and Neutrality: Pharasma's religion promotes a neutral stance on matters of life and death. Her followers strive for impartiality and balance, neither favoring undeath nor immortality. They seek to maintain equilibrium between the forces of life and death.
- Strive for Understanding: Pharasma's worshipers are often drawn to the pursuit of knowledge and understanding. They seek to comprehend the mysteries of death, the afterlife, and the nature of the soul. They may engage in studies of necromancy, soul magic, or divination to gain insight into these realms.
- Honor Ancestors: The religion of Pharasma emphasizes the veneration of ancestors and ancestral spirits. Her followers acknowledge the guidance and wisdom that can be obtained by connecting with the spirits of their forebearers.
Children
