Psychons [Monster Thursday]

This week is about death and the ones who guide us through it. -Stephen

This week I am showing off the psychons! These celestials can show up in pretty much any setting so long as you have some psychopomps, meaning you have a god of the dead who ushers spirits to their afterlife. A lot of people die, a single god can't be expected to deal with everyone as well as their other duties like being a god, so they have helpers.

The term Psychopomp refers to any creature/god/power that helps transfer a creature from the mortal world to the afterlife, but I wanted to separate them a bit. With this, only the gods are Psychopomps while their servants/workers are known as Psychons, though you could also call them Lesser Psychopomps. 

Apsara (CR 6) Inspired by the Hindu/Buddhist culture, these beautiful women are renowned for their grace and dancing ability. Only 26 of them are assigned to a single world and are focused on helping stubborn mortal spirits that must be charmed and dragged into their afterlife. They also really like entertainers and are almost like guardian angels for them. 

Chacmool (CR 9) Inspired by the Chacmool statues that guard the Mesoamerican temples. They were probably used to receive sacrifices to the gods, but no one is 100% sure about that. For the purpose of the game, they act as guardians of temples and can bring messages from the material world to their gods. I also provide some info on Anubis, inspired by the lore in 2e, and how he is the protector of the dead gods.

Dónti (CR 1/2) It's a tooth fair, be very afraid. These little guys are pretty horrifying and are the weakest of the psychons. They gather up teeth, for every part of your body houses your soul, and they are responsible for ensuring that even the fragments of soul in your teeth make it to the afterlife. Of course, they tend to go a bit crazy and form up in gangs, ripping every tooth out of your mouth. They may be my favorite.

Valravn (CR 1) Oracles and prophets of the psychons, the valravn are inspired by the Norse mythology. They can often be found with other psychons, providing visions of the future and asking the fates what they should do next. They are also really cute... sort of...

Vanth (CR 12) Inspired from the Etruscan mythology, the Vanth are often mistaken for Erinyes. The vanth are as good as the erinyes are evil, and are called on to destroy any who might bother the dead or turn them into undead. They wield a scythe and are a fearsome lot ready to protect their spirits. They can often be found with their counterpart Charun, a hideous creature of brutal strength.

Avatar of Azrael (CR 28) I'm a fan of giving gods an avatar stat block because sometimes, campaigns get a little out of hand. If, for whatever reason, your party decides to fight death itself, Azrael is here for you. Inspired by the Islamic religion (and many others), Azrael is the ultimate Psychopomp who appears to help gods who die. No one knows what happens to such a powerful soul as a divine one, but Azrael is there to guide it to whatever afterlife is for a god. 

I hope you guys enjoy the psychons, though that brings me to a question. How does death and undeath work in your own campaigns? Are psychpomps there? Or is it a free for all of souls fighting to get to the afterlife?