Shia's Cult

The highest rank within Shia's cult is that of high priests, who are almost always long time members of the cult that are intensely devoted to their patron god and have likely made significant contributions to their order either in offerings, worship, or work. Though it's far more common for high priests to have been chosen out of those who join the group of their own volition, those who were recruited and Shia's Dead are not explicitly barred from the position. The high priests are an administrative role of the death god's cult, overseeing the duties of lesser ranked members, managing resources, and planning their activities far in advance. This includes but is not limited to preparing for festivals and holidays, choosing which burial sites are in need of the cult's resources, distributing members of the cult for aiding in burials following mass casualty events, and brokering deals for supplies. Although not particularly well known for it, members at this rank also are granted the use of powerful death magic, and given free reign to defend themselves as need be from other orders within the pantheon.   From this point is where Shia's cult splits into two distinct orders- The Ferrymen and the Gravetenders. Priests of both orders are traditionally locked into their initial choice, but outside the priesthood, members can freely move between the two groups. Both orders are seen as equal, though both are highly revered and feared by outsiders due to associations of powerful death magic and control of the dead.  

Ferrymen

Ferrymen and their order are a group with the explicit purpose of righting issues of fate- if a person has died when they shouldn't have, or lived when they were supposed to have died, it is the Ferrymen who are called to correct the issue. They will issue revivals of the dead in Shia's name and express permission, as well as kill those who are alive against fate's will. This is often done by way of secretive magic where the person(s) in question are killed, but in a manner they almost always become Shia's Dead, with no memory of actually dying, being treated as a loophole. It is extremely rare that a Ferrymen will instead bring said person to Shia directly, and much of the reason behind such is not known outside of the cult.   Another duty of the Ferrymen is the retrieval of lost Ghosts, be it those that have simply lost their way to Limbo, are deliberately avoiding it, or are otherwise trapped. This is an extremely dangerous job and one most often left to Shia's Dead themselves due to immunity to most powerful death magics, though living members of the cult are oftentimes granted similar protections when on these duties. Dangers presented can be from volatile ghosts themselves, their loved ones trying to prevent their passing, or hazards in the world that have prevented ghosts from continuing their journey.  

Gravetenders

As their name suggests, the order of Gravetenders primarily work with tending to, maintaining, and creating burial sites within the cult and aiding the public in doing so. This is mainly an administrative role concerning the allocation of resources and people to such work, but also includes a wide array of mortuary workers, grave diggers, and the recruitment of priests and workers from other cults for specific burial rites of the dead. Mana users are especially in high demand for this order due to the need of those who can perform burial rites in accordance to the wishes of the dead and their own religious beliefs, as well as the act of constructing graves and burial sites.   Among the order, there are a vast array of artisans in an even wider array of fields, with many being experts in their craft. Stoneworkers for creating headstones and burial vaults are held in high regard and well known to be lent to other cults across the globe for their incredible skill in creating elaborate etchings, oftentimes depicting myths and legends among the pantheon or major historical events. Skilled gardeners and farmers also make up a large portion of the Gravetender order, specifically raising ritual herbs, flowers, and food offerings for grave sites. Less seen and less recognized are cultural experts and historians, however, among a wide array or archaeologists who aid in determining the most appropriate rites and practices for unknown dead in need of burial. These people are more commonly lent out by the cult to other groups, oftentimes working in specific regions of the world where it is less likely that the dead's wishes for burial to be known.   This order is the one that the vast majority of Shia's cult belongs to and also the most public facing, being seen at festivals and holidays. Like the Ferrymen, they are granted the use of extremely powerful death magic in order to defend themselves and as such are highly revered and feared, but instances of Gravetenders requiring the use of force are thankfully quite rare.  

"Mask Moulders"

Considered by the public their own distinct order within the cult, Mask Moulders are those tasked with creating and distributing Death Masks for the dead. In actuality, they are a subset of the Gravetender order and divided into their own two distinct groups: the craftsmen and distributors. The identities of craftsmen are kept a closely guarded secret, even to other members of the cult. Distributors can also be members outside the Gravetender order on a temporary 'as needed' basis, but often considered to be a part of the group when performing these duties.  

Binds of Shia

Those bound or pledged to the god of death, be it Shia's Dead or the living. These people are all in some way a part of Shia's cult, though do not have more formal training, roles, or positions. Generally, those bound to Shia will perform duties for the cult in exchange for boons, bargains, or even revivals of loved ones though the last is significantly more rare. Most often their duties are also informal and not structured, but in times of crisis, can be called upon by Shia or higher members of the cult for their aid. Since the outbreak of the War of the Moon and shattering of Limbo, the cult has begun calling on any and all of Shia's binds to aid in resolving the crisis, locating the dead, and to perform burial rites.

The caretaking of the dead as well as maintaining the balance between life and death is the primary duty of the cult as a whole, as seen with their extensive work in providing resources, aid, and explicit goal of ensuring every person gets proper burial rites upon death in accordance with the dead's wishes. At times, the cult can be seen as controversial, as they will not bend to the wishes of the deceased's family if there is proof of the deceased having other wishes for their body or burial in juxtaposition with their own beliefs.

A large portion of the cult is made up of Centari and Harpy peoples due to their religious beliefs aligning closely. Centauri in particular are more likely to worship Shia as their patron god due to a number of cultural and religious beliefs, the chief among them being that Shia was at one point a horse or horse deity.

Going against the wishes of the deceased for their burial is explicitly forbidden, and considered the highest sin one can commit next to causing unneeded deaths or mass casualties. As such, the order works to prevent such at every opportunity possible. While mistakes and a lack of information resulting in inappropriate burials do occur, these are not widely seen as the fault of the worker as long as they make effort to correct them. Those that do not, or do so intentionally, are generally ousted from the cult.   Causing mass death, especially deliberately, is the highest crime within the cult and one with dire consequences. Seen widely as not only going against the balance of life and death but also as creating much more work for cultists, it can be punished even for those outside the cult itself. In extreme cases, even gods themselves have stood trial for such acts. In the most extreme of scenarios, individuals found responsible may be judged by Shia and if found guilty may be in turn executed if doing so would prevent the death of many more people than allowing the accused to live.

Members of Shia's Cult revere death and the afterlife. Considered morbid by many, they view death as simply a state in the cycle of life as do their view their own lives. This has many in the belief that their actions now, although temporary, may affect the world as a whole in the long run, and strive for leaving things better at the ends of their lives than the start as a final gift.   The creation of needless death and misery is seen as a cruel act, and also more work for the cultists.

All priests of the cult can use Shia's Boon, granting them the power of death magic far beyond any living being is able, be it they dead or alive, without harm.