Yama is the God of Death and is the only 5th-Zen Created god. He and his assistants process humans once they either reach the end of their set lifespan or die prematurely due to other factors.[1] This normally requires much paperwork.[2][3]
Appearance[]
Yama appears as a man with long black hair, with his eyes hidden under bangs (somewhat like Vishnu). In the finite, his eyes are described as green.[2] He usually wears a traditional hanbok-like black vest, with a white shirt made up of diagonal stripes under the vest, and a black cape draped around his shoulders.
Personality[]
Yama appears to have a serious personality, always dedicated to his work as a god of Death. In an earlier version of the finite, Yama laughs along with Indra at Agni asleep nearby as they do their paperwork in Hell. The newer version of the finite, however, shows him as a god who is more serious as well as clever. Sometimes he is pestered by other gods into prolonging some human's life, but he stands firm and, thanks to the slower flow of time in his residence in the god realm; the matter usually gets resolved by itself as the human in question ages at the normal human realm rate ( faster than the god realm ) and dies.[2] This does not mean that Yama is a cruel god, but rather tries to make other gods respect the rules.
Skills and Abilities[]
His powers are available to humans as hoti yama (age acceleration after 12 hours, death after 24 hours of casting), bhavati yama (unknown effect, possibly body possession), and silent Death magic (specifically used by Death magicians training in Rindhallow).
His primary job is processing the death of humans, which he and his assistants manage at his residence in the god realm. When humans reach the end of their set lifespan and die, their names are automatically crossed out. However, when they die prematurely due to things like accidents or murders, their names need to be crossed out manually, and sometimes their deaths are not noticed by Yama right away. If a body is preserved in ice (or otherwise "hidden") before Yama notices, then it is possible to revive the human using hoti vishnu. (Resurrection is no longer possible except by Asha Rahiro following the N0 Cataclysm, as Vishnu has disappeared from the world.)
Notes[]
- Apparently, he loved a human woman once. He increased her dying husband's lifespan by reducing hers. He now considers this event to be the "mistake of a lifetime".[4]
- He is the only 5th-Zen Created god. All other Created gods are 4th Zen and below.[5]
- It is strongly implied that beating him up will allow a human to live on beyond his/her time.[6]
Plot[]
History[]
In the year D873, Vishnu visits Yama's residence in the god realm to request that he extend Ian Rajof's lifespan. As Yama glares at the primeval god, he asks him if he foresaw him granting his request. When Vishnu does not answer, Yama calls him "Vishnu-nim of Trial and Error" and tells him that he is making the wrong choice.[2]
Season 1[]
Chapter 10: The Night it Rained Fire[]
on strike[3]
(15) Agni mentioned "going to all that trouble" to save Brilith from dying as a result of both her summoning spell and Sagara's fatal transcendental attack, and it is strongly implied that Agni tried beating Yama in exchange for Brilith's life. Sagara mentions of Yama being so straight arrowed that he refused even a primeval god's plea of extending someone's lifespan.
(17) Not much later in Hell, Yama is found sulking by Brahma, who suggests that he go back to work since his subordinates are overworked. He refuses, complaining how he has to work around the clock while Agni gets to laze about and fool around with women. Brahma takes over his work while Yama is on strike.[3]
Season 2[]
Chapter 13: Lost[]
(5) After the magician meeting in Atera where he revealed himself to the humans, Agni recalls Yama telling him that he knows why Agni cannot see Brilith's future using insight, but he will not tell him since a bum like him has no right to know. He also tells Agni that his efforts to stop her lifespan from being reduced further are all in vain. This exchange likely happened just before Agni defeated Yama in order to help Brilith.[6]
Season 3[]
Chapter 40: Twisted Bird[]
(4) When Brahma recommends that he and Agni should go to the top, Yama replies that she should focus on work and not talk to him. Yet Brahma brings up that Vayu just came back from helping the Kinnara Clan and is asking what planets need help. Yama, annoyed, reminds her to not talk to him.
Chapter 42: Crossroads[]
(5) A long time ago, in the Underworld, Yama encounters a resurrected Agni, who died protecting a small planet that Gandharva destroyed. When Agni notes that Yama has changed, Yama explains that he went to the top to let go of the baggage that he accumulated due to dealing with death as his job. Agni expresses grief that Yama can no longer understand his feelings.
(5) Yama and Indra meet in Hell. When Indra spots Agni’s Sword of Hellfire, Yama explains that the sword was made by primeval god Brahma and also tells him how the sword works. Indra finds it strange that Brahma gave Agni the sword when she claims to be neutral. Yama found it strange too and questioned Brahma about it, but she left with no answer. Indra promptly decides to ask Brahma for a weapon as well, leaving Yama to do his work without help.
Chapter 45: Crime and Punishment[]
(2) A long time ago, after Gandharva started to annihilate souls, the Gods had a meeting to discuss how to handle the situation. Some of the Gods asked for the human souls to get transported directly to the Underworld after their death, but Yama disagreed, because in his opinion a human soul must have a period of grace in the Human realm. In the end, the Gods could not reach an agreement.
(6) In the Underworld, Brahma and Yama are done proceeding the death of humans and Brahma wonders why they finished when they were overwhelmed by work just a while ago. Yama believes the reason lies in the Gods and Suras joining forces to fight the Taraka clan but Brahma has doubts and thinks it might be something else. She adds that this complicates things and that she cannot manage the sealing on her own.
Chapter 46: Soul[]
(5) In the Underworld, Yama apologizes to Brahma for the sudden amount of work. She hands him a finished parchment and asks if he is going to check it. He says there is no need because he trusts her judgment. Brahma also asks Yama about the summoning spells he has been hearing and suggests she would take care of his work if he wants to answer some of the most important ones. Yama states he is ignoring all of them, to him every summon is equally important and if he cannot answer all of them then he will not answer any. After hearing this, Brahma decides to change the plans she had involving Yama.
Chapter 47: Words That Never Reached You[]
(16) The Gods Yama, Vayu, Surya, Ushas, and Ratri, as friends of Agni, gather around the soul of Agni's betrothed. The Gods comment how terrible it is for the soul to be weight down by tens of thousands of curses. They decide to bless the soul even though it will not make a big difference. Yama believes there is one particular blessing that may grant happiness to Agni's betrothed. Yama blesses the soul with the fortuity of encountering her betrothed.
References[]
- ↑ Kubera, Season 2 Episode 87: The Good (7)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 the finite, Chapter 33
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Kubera, Season 1 Episode 80: The Night it Rained Fire (17)
- ↑ Currygom's blog, The Finite: Q&A
- ↑ Currygom's blog, Races: Gods ① - jurisdiction, rank, the birth of new gods
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Kubera, Season 1 Episode 78: The Night it Rained Fire (15)