The Black God is a god worshipped in Tortall, as well as the other Eastern and Southern Lands. He is also known as the God of Death. He is the ruler of the Peaceful Realms, the land where the souls of dead humans are brought. He is one of the Great Gods. He also has one known divine child, the Graveyard Hag of Carthak.
Influence
Territorial designations
The Black God is the ruler of the land of the dead. He also is in charge of bringing the souls of people who die there. It seems that he has trouble finding souls when they are lost at sea, so it is up to the Wave-walker to bring them to him. He is one of the Great Gods, and is immensely powerful.
Sacred animals, objects, and magic
Pigeons are sacred to him, and serve him. They are charged with transporting souls to him, or carrying the souls until they are ready to move on. Dust spinners are also sacred to him, and carry souls as well until they are ready to move on[1]. One of his human servants Rebakah Cooper, can hear the voices of the dead on the dust spinners and pigeons. It is believed she is there so she can assure she will avenge them.
As he is the god of death, he seemed to have passed on the power to awaken the dead to his daughter, the Graveyard Hag, who uses it for various purposes.
Worship and priesthood
The Black God's priests are addressed as "Friend," and wear black robes and a black veil[2].
Committing suicide was called the Black God's Option around the middle of the third century of the Human Era.
He is well known to be the most merciful of the gods, who forgives and loves even the worst offenders.
Depictions and likeness
He is normally depicted as hooded and robed completely in black[3]. This seems to be a true depiction, as he appears just like this to Alianne of Pirate's Swoop in Trickster's Queen. In Mastiff, however, Rebekah Cooper describes the robe as shifting through "... every color that might possibly exist."[4]
Involvement with the Mortal Realms
In the 200s HE, he gifted Rebakah Cooper with a very particular sort of air magic that allowed her to hear the voices of the dead.
Later, in the 400s, he came into contact with Alianne of Pirate's Swoop when she was visiting the dead king Hazarin Rittevon. She was frightened a little to see the god and knelt, knowing that he could easily take her if he wanted to. He only gave her a sympathetic pat and left with Hazarin's soul.
Appearances
The Black God is mentioned several times throughout the novels and appears in Alanna: The First Adventure, In the Hand of the Goddess, The Realms of the Gods, Trickster's Choice, and Mastiff.
Notes and references
- ↑ Bloodhound, September 12, 247 (p. 112)
- ↑ Bloodhound, September 19, 247 II (p. 435)
- ↑ Terrier, Glossary (p. 576; Random House paperback)
- ↑ Mastiff, June 23, 249 (p. 457)
See also
| Tortallan Gods | |
|---|---|
| A list of the Tortallan gods specifically named in books | |
| First Powers | Father Universe • Mother Flame |
| Great Gods | Mithros • Great Mother Goddess • Kyprioth • Graveyard Hag • Black God • Gainel • Uusoae • Mynoss • Shakith • Oinomi Wavewalker • Kidunka • Apetekus • Wilnedur • Pelmry • Grandmother Stone |
| Minor Gods | Smith's God • Jihuk • Lushagui • Weiryn • Green Lady • Sakuyo • Gunapi the Sunrose • Jaguar Goddess • Merscart of the Green • Yahzed • Batiduran the Python • God in the Flame • Sakuyo • Yama |
| Horse Lords | Bian North-Wind • Chavi West-Wind • Vau East-Wind • Shai South-Wind |
| Animal Gods | Badger God • Queenclaw • Old White • Broad Foot • Night Black • Lord Mauler • Mares with Bloody Teeth • Dawn Crow • Sky • Fire Ant Queen |
| For a more complete list, please see List of Tortallan Gods | |