The Blue Priests

"All men must serve, for Death cometh to every man, soon or late."   The worship of Azure is a strange thing, for the god of death is a cold and distant master. Its temples, known as "The House of Days" regardless of their location, are quiet and unfrequented compared to those of Stone or Helia. Visitors to a House of Days may find peace and solitude amidst the quiet colonnades, polished stone and perpetual twilight. It is in these places that the Blue Priests serve, guiding the hopeless to a painless rest and upholding the the Saphir'd King's most important edict: all things must end.   Not to be confused with the Blue Priests of Tal'at from the Khanate, the Blue Priests of Azure are a ancient monastic order who attend the Houses of Days across the Undersea. Although reclusive and withdrawn to the point where even visitors to a temple might not see one, the order's blue robes and white masks are easily recognizable on the streets. These Priests are always given wide berth and respectful deference when encountered; best not to anger any god, especially the god of death and fate.   The Houses of Days are monuments to the Lord-in-Blue's power and significance in the world. Each shares identical construction regardless of where it is located. The suffering, dying, and helpless who seek out these places are sometimes given the Blue God's Gift by the Priests, a draught of water from the temple's fountain pool known as the White Well that grants painless release and eternal rest to those who request it. All who partake receive the death rites of their own god or gods, for like death, the Lord-in-Blue does not discriminate.    

Beliefs and Rituals

  Rituals of Azure frequently involve incense and clean water. The Blue Priests believe that, after death, all souls must travel to the Blue Expanse for judgement. Small offerings left at the House of Days are therefore viewed as bribes by the Priests and are heavily frowned upon. Though sometimes derided as emotionless and apathetic, Azure's well documented edict of "All things must end" is zealously adhered to by its followers. Revival and magical extension of life are anathema, and it is whispered that the Blue Priests have the ability to see those who seek to subvert and avoid death. Needless to say the Blue Priests view it as their duty to "correct" such violations, regardless of who the offender might be. It is not clear how this belief applies to the extraction and trade of souls.