Osiris

Overview

Osiris is a god of nature and plant life, and is also the protector of the dead. Osiris taught his worshippers the arts of cultivation and civilization. Osiris has a powerful and commanding presence, yet those whose hearts are pure and true find that they are comfortable in his presence. His stern demeanor can be softened by the antics of playful children, who have been known to make him smile and laugh in delight, as can the presence of his wife, Isis, whom he loves very much. However, when confronted by those who violate the principles of maat (justice, honor, order and righteousness), especially by desecrating the resting places of the dead, his anger is terrible and his wrath unstoppable. Osiris and Set remain bitter enemies, but Osiris has gladly acceded to the rule of his son, Re-Horakhty.

Description

Osiris appears as a human mummy, swathed in strips of linen and adorned with elaborate jewellery, including a pectoral collar depicting a falcon holding an ankh. He wears the White crown, symbolising his rulership over the dead, and holds a scepter and a flail, symbolising his kingship and his power over the forces of nature. He also appears as a muscular warrior with green skin and totally black eyes.

Holy symbol

Osiris's symbols include the White Crown of Mulhorand above a crossed crook and flail, a crossed crook and flail, the White Crown, or a flail.

Favored weapon

Osiris wields a heavy ceremonial flail known as Just Reward, and carries a ceremonial crook in his other hand.

Possessions

Osiris possesses the White crown of rulership, which allows him to pierce through all illusions as if he had true seeing. He carries the royal ceremonial flail, which has all the abilities of a mace of disruption, and the royal ceremonial sceptre in the form of a crook, which has all the abilities of a rod of cancellation and can extend up to 20 feet (6 meters) to grapple or trip opponents, and drag them closer to Osiris.

Realm

World Tree cosmology

In the World Tree cosmology of Realmspace, Osiris resides within his planar realm, known as Memphiria, which is located on the outer plane of Heliopolis, which he shares with other deities of the Mulhorandi pantheon, including Anhur, Geb, Hathor, Horus-Re, Isis, Nephthys, Thoth, Sebek, and Set. Heliopolis is an arid land divided by a life-giving river which flows through the barren desert, turning the land lush and green. The river, known as the River Isis, flows with holy water, and is the source of all life within this plane. Near its banks, the land is covered with thick grass, and is dotted with fig and palm trees. Farther from the river, the constant glare of the sun bleaches the earth bare, and desert winds grind stone into sand. Memphiria is a great necropolis in the midst of the desert. Rows of mausoleums surround Osiris's great sepulcher, and corporeal undead may walk the streets, as long as they are not evil.

Great Wheel cosmology

In the Great Wheel cosmology, Osiris resides within his planar realm, known as Memphiria, which forms part of Heliopolis, the great communal realm of the Pharaonic pantheon, which is located on Buxenus, the second layer of the Peaceable Kingdoms of Arcadia. Memphiria, the City of the White Crown, lies both above and below the ground, where mortal kings are interred within the Mausoleums of the Kings, one for each world where the Pharaonic pantheon is worshipped. The Mausoleums surround the vast stone Sepulcher of Osiris which dominates the center of the realm. Corporeal undead walk the streets freely, as long as they are free of evil in their hearts.

Pharaonic cosmology

In the Pharaonic cosmology, Osiris resides within the Offering Fields, which are located within the outer plane of Tuat, the Pharaonic underworld. Beyond and beneath the great Mountains of the West, where the sun sets every night, lie the fair Offering Fields (Seket Hetep) where the souls of the righteous receive peace and prosperity as their eternal reward. Seven great gates provide access to the Seven Halls: enormous caverns large enough to contain numerous cities, prosperous farms and great estates; the reward of the righteous dead. Deeper beneath the Mountains, beyond the Seven Halls, lie the Pillars of the West; twenty-one enormous pillars, each guarding the entrance to a vast cavern, containing further idyllic towns and great plantations. Beyond the Pillars of the West lie the Fourteen States, a barrier zone between the Offering Fields and the realm of Osiris; full of lava flows and mud pits, and inhabited by demons who, despite their fearsome appearance, are all loyal servants and guardians of the Pharaonic gods.

Beyond the Fourteen States lies Fair Ament, a broad, fertile valley on the far side of the Mountains of the West. Here live the most important of the Pharaonic deities, including Anubis, Hathor, Isis, Nephthys, Osiris and Thoth. All spend their time in the Hall of Truth, where they participate in the judgement of mortal souls, presided over by Osiris, the Judge of the Dead.

Worship

The priests of Osiris are probably the most important clerics in the daily lives of those who worship the Pharaonic pantheon. While Re-Horakhty's clerics are viziers and kings, the priests of Osiris serve as leaders among the common folk. Priests of Osiris must honor the dead and the places in which they rest. They perform all burial rituals for the dead, and assist in the mummification of the wealthy and nobles. They must also assist the common folk and slaves at the time of the harvest, and must do everything in their power to ensure that the necessary food for the coming year is successfully brought in and safely stored.

In Spelljammer

Osiris is a member of the Mulhorandi pantheon and is considered a native deity of Realmspace.