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Nephthys, Lady of the Mansion of the Bakhu, Goddess of mourning and funerary rites

Nephthys is a goddess in Egyptian mythology who is associated with mourning, funerary rites, and protection.

Nephthys
Midjourney
  • Pantheon: Egyptian Pantheon
  • Deity Title: Nephthys, Lady of the Mansion of the Bakhu
  • Deity Symbol: A basket with a canopy, representing the funeral bier of Osiris
  • Home Plane: The Land of the Dead, specifically the Field of Reeds
  • Deity Level: Lesser deity
  • Alignment: Lawful Neutral
  • Aliases: Nebthet, Nebet-Het, Nebt-het, Nephthys-Kheresket, Hent-tawy, Mistress of the West
  • Superior: Osiris
  • Traditional Allies: Isis, Anubis, Horus
  • Traditional Foes: Set, Apep, Ammit
  • Divine Artifact: The Divine Embalming Fluid of Nephthys, which preserves the bodies of the dead.
  • Servants: The Four Sons of Horus (Imsety, Hapy, Duamutef, and Qebehsenuef) who protect the organs of the dead.
  • Servitor Creatures: The jackal-headed Anubis and the falcon-headed Horus
  • Sacred Animal: The kite bird
  • Manifestations: The scent of myrrh, the sound of mournful wailing, and the appearance of a veiled woman
  • Signs of Favor: A gentle breeze on a still day, a sudden gust of wind, the sound of wings flapping in the distance
  • Worshipers: Morticians, mourners, and those who seek comfort in grief
  • Cleric Alignments: Lawful Neutral, Neutral Good, Lawful Good
  • Specialty Priests: The Weeping Sisters, who are tasked with mourning the dead and comforting the living.
  • Holy Days: The Day of the Dead (coinciding with the rising of the star Sirius in mid-July), the Feast of Osiris (in late November), and the Day of the Veil (when the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead is thinnest).
  • Portfolio: Mourning, protection of the dead, funerary rites, childbirth, and the night sky
  • Domains: Death, Healing, Protection, Repose, and Water
  • Favored Weapon: Khopesh (Egyptian sickle-sword)
  • Favored Class: Cleric
  • Favored Race: Human
  • Duties of the Priesthood: Presiding over funerals, preparing bodies for burial, comforting mourners, and performing rituals to ensure safe passage of the dead to the afterlife.
  • Major Cult/Temple Sites: The Temple of Nephthys in the city of Heliopolis, and the Nephthys Chapel in the Temple of Isis at Philae.
  • Benefits: Followers of Nephthys are granted the ability to see in the dark, and can call upon her for healing and protection. Specialty priests gain the ability to cast spells that soothe grief and alleviate pain. The Divine Embalming Fluid of Nephthys grants immortality to those who are embalmed with it, but it is a closely guarded secret known only to the highest-ranking members of the priesthood.

Nephthys is a complex and multifaceted goddess, often overshadowed by her more well-known sister Isis. As the goddess of mourning and funerary rites, she is a figure of great importance in ancient Egyptian mythology, associated with the transition from life to death and the afterlife. But there is much more to Nephthys than her role in death and mourning.

Nephthys is a compassionate and empathetic goddess, who understands the pain and suffering of mortals all too well. She is often depicted as a protector of the vulnerable, particularly women and children, and is said to have a close relationship with the goddess Hathor. Nephthys is also a goddess of magic and transformation, able to shape-shift into various forms and wield powerful spells.

Despite her compassion and empathy, Nephthys is not without her flaws. She is often seen as the “shadow” of her sister Isis, relegated to a secondary role in many myths and stories. This has led to feelings of jealousy and resentment towards Isis, whom Nephthys sees as the favored sister. However, Nephthys is also a fiercely loyal goddess, particularly to her family and those she cares about.

Nephthys’ ultimate goal is to ensure that the transition from life to death is a smooth and peaceful one for all mortals. She is dedicated to guiding the souls of the deceased to the afterlife, and is particularly concerned with the welfare of those who have been wronged in life. Nephthys is also committed to protecting the innocent and vulnerable, using her magical powers to ward off danger and bring about justice.

Nephthys is a striking goddess with a lithe and sinuous form. Her ebony hair cascades down her back in long, flowing waves and her dark eyes gleam with an otherworldly intensity. She moves with a fluid grace, her every gesture conveying a sense of unearthly power and mystery. Her skin is as smooth and cool as polished obsidian, and her features are finely chiseled, with high cheekbones and full lips. A pair of sleek, feathered wings stretch from her back, their iridescent plumage shimmering in the light.

Nephthys is enigmatic and elusive, a being of profound depth and complexity. She is at once fierce and tender, passionate and aloof, possessing a duality that is both beguiling and unsettling. Her motives are often inscrutable, and she is prone to sudden shifts of mood and temperament. Though she is a goddess of death and mourning, she is also a creature of great vitality and creativity, with a fierce love of life and all its myriad forms.

Overall, Nephthys is a goddess of great depth and complexity, with a strong sense of compassion, loyalty, and justice. Her role in ancient Egyptian mythology may be primarily associated with death and mourning, but she is much more than just a figure of grief. As a goddess of transformation, magic, and protection, Nephthys is a vital and powerful figure in the Egyptian pantheon.

Nephthys, Lady of the Mansion of the Bakhu

Nephthys, Lady of the Mansion of the Bakhu
Midjourney

Armor Class: 40 (divine armor) Hit Points: 800 (30d100+300) Speed: 120 ft. (hover)

STRDEXCONINTWISCHA
30 (+10)30 (+10)30 (+10)30 (+10)30 (+10)30 (+10)

Saving Throws: Str +25, Dex +25, Con +25, Int +25, Wis +25, Cha +25

Skills: Arcana +25, History +25, Insight +25, Perception +25, Religion +25

Damage Immunities: Necrotic, Poison, Psychic

Condition Immunities: Charmed, Exhaustion, Frightened, Poisoned

Senses: Truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 35

Languages: All languages, telepathy 120 ft.

Divine Traits: She is immune to all diseases and poisons. She does not require food, drink, or sleep. She has perfect recall of all events that she has witnessed.

Actions

Multiattack: Nephthys can use her Frightful Presence. She then makes four attacks: two with her Divine Scepter and two with her Divine Dagger.

  • Divine Scepter: Melee Weapon Attack: +25 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target. Hit: 50 (10d10) bludgeoning damage plus 25 (5d10) radiant damage.
  • Divine Dagger: Melee Weapon Attack: +25 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 25 (5d10) piercing damage plus 25 (5d10) radiant damage.
  • Frightful Presence: Each creature of Nephthys’ choice within 120 feet of her and aware of her must succeed on a DC 25 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature’s saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to Nephthys’ Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.

Divine Spells: Nephthys can cast any spell from the following domains:

  • Death
  • Life
  • Light
  • Nature
  • Trickery

Legendary Actions: She can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Nephthys regains spent legendary actions at the start of her turn.

  • Divine Teleportation: She teleports up to 120 feet to an unoccupied space she can see.
  • Divine Shield: She gains 100 temporary hit points.
  • Divine Wrath: She targets one creature within 120 feet of her. The creature must make a DC 25 Dexterity saving throw or take 50 (10d10) radiant damage.

Regional Effects: The region around Nephthys’ temple is altered by her divine presence. The effects last until Nephthys is slain.

  • The region is bathed in bright moonlight, regardless of the time of day or phase of the moon.
  • Creatures within the region have disadvantage on saving throws against Nephthys’ spells and abilities.
  • All undead creatures within the region are under Nephthys’ control, and she can communicate telepathically with them regardless of distance.

Lair Actions: If the battle takes place in Nephthys’ temple, she can use lair actions to summon additional creatures or manipulate the environment to her advantage. Nephthys can use three lair actions per round, and she can’t use the same lair action two rounds in a row. Possible lair actions include:

  • Necrotic Blast: Nephthys unleashes a wave of necrotic energy, dealing 50 (10d10) necrotic damage to all creatures within 60 feet of her. Undead creatures within the area instead regain hit points equal to the damage dealt.
  • Undead Summoning: Nephthys summons 1d4 mummies or 1d4 wraiths to her side. These creatures remain until they are slain or until Nephthys dismisses them.
  • Shadow Step: Nephthys teleports up to 60 feet to an unoccupied space she can see. If she appears in dim light or darkness, she gains advantage on her next attack roll.
  • Divine Intervention: Once per day, if Nephthys is reduced to 0 hit points, she can use her divine power to restore herself to full health and disappear for 24 hours. This ability can only be used once per long rest.

Currently in the World

As a goddess of mourning and funerary rites, her role has been crucial throughout history. In ancient Egypt, her presence was felt at every funeral, guiding the souls of the deceased to the afterlife. But as the world evolved, so did Nephthys’ role.

In the 1450s, Nephthys is watching the world from her divine abode. She observes the chaos and turmoil of the Renaissance, as Europe is on the brink of transformation. While many gods revel in the destruction, Nephthys’ heart aches at the sight of so much suffering. She sees the plague sweeping through the continent, leaving death and devastation in its wake. And as much as she mourns the loss of human life, she knows that death is a natural part of the cycle of life.

Nephthys has always been a compassionate goddess, but in the 1450s, her focus is on healing. She knows that humans need her more than ever, and she wants to help them in any way she can. She uses her divine powers to soothe the pain of the dying and ease their passage into the afterlife. She sends her emissaries, the mourners, to comfort the grieving and help them find closure. She works tirelessly to ensure that the dead are treated with dignity and respect.

Nephthys’ ultimate goal is to bring peace and comfort to the world. She knows that her powers are limited, but she is determined to do everything in her power to make a difference. She seeks out other gods who share her vision, forming alliances and working together to bring about positive change. She understands that the world is constantly changing, and she is willing to adapt and evolve to meet the needs of the times.

But Nephthys is not without her weaknesses. She is often consumed by grief, and it can be difficult for her to see past her own pain. She is also fiercely independent, and she has been known to clash with other gods who do not share her values. But despite her flaws, Nephthys remains a beloved goddess, revered for her compassion and wisdom.

As the world continues to evolve, Nephthys will remain a constant presence, guiding the souls of the departed and bringing comfort to the living. Her role may change, but her compassion and love for humanity will never waver.

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