The Priests of Silent Graves

Specters, phantoms, and other such manifestations of strong emotion are not always directly harmful. Don't get me wrong, they certainly can be dangerous, but situations like that are more... direct to deal with. The other kind, that inhabit homes and spaces long past their time, can require a much more delicate touch, and often thinking that is pretty far outside the box.

Despite what the name implies, the Priests of the Calm Grave are a fairly secular organization, though their numbers are often filled with those of the various faiths of Avallus. Even if one does not follow any particular god, the organization would still gladly take you, for their knowledge can be taught, and they are often stretched thin.

It is not a faith-based organization; instead collating the many hundreds of years of academic and peasant knowledge to combat threats like spirits, as well as various other forms of undead. They are not simply monster hunters, however, and instead seek to assist the creatures that they can. Given their general focus against the undead and the cursed, this is often relegated to simply helping them pass, but they are known to go to great lengths to lift said curses or resolve the emotion that result in spirits remaining after death.


Perception

Social Status

They are a generally respected profession, though often considered rather odd due to their perceived lack of expediency and roundabout process. It's more common for them to find their jobs, as opposed to people seeking them out for aid.


Operations

Tools

Their tools are as varied as their members, and with good reason. It is through this diverse payroll that the groups knowledge of fighting spirits and the undead is expanded and bolstered from member to member.

They may not teach a uniform methodology, but through osmosis between members and then transferring from masters to apprentices, brings a more wholistic knowledge base all around. Iron shavings, silver blades, bullets filled with mercury and rosemary, nine pointed stars hand-carved from stone, and more are all regular tools used by the Priests, each one having roots in different cultures learned practices for dealing with such issues.


Type
Religious



Cover image: The Spirit of War by Jasper Francis Cropsey

Comments

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Aug 3, 2025 22:36 by Salmon Man

I really enjoy the premise of this article. I like how open-ended the tools and means of their practice are. It'd be cool to see the many variations of the Priests of Silent Graves, how they look and act based on their religious affiliations etc.