The Fine Line Between Enchantment and Death

In Tellene, this is the sacred animal of the Riftmaster, the Sorcerer Supreme:

And this is the sacred animal of the Harvester of Souls:

Though seldom admitted by the disciples of the Sorcerer Supreme, there is a intrinsic link between runic magic (the sort practiced by the Lathlani and most human users of magic) and death.

From the Myrad Gadal d'Magi Guldan Relcren:

The Sorcerer Supreme has appeared at many times and places in Tellene to teach his Art to its peoples. The Lathlani knew him first of all as Halobrendar, who taught the Fey Kin in mortal guise to channel their intrinsic control of Chaos (which warps and bends the moral world to a strong will) into constructive forms. In the legendary past of human history, he appeared to the Dejy as Djahn, King of the elemental spirits who bore his name (the Djinn). The Brandobians were taught the Art by an elf (though they themselves deny his race) named Emnon, while the great College of Magic in what would become Bet Rogala was established by one Hokalas. . .

Runic magic stands in the gap between Law and Chaos, ordering the flows of Chaotic Mana by formula which must be memorized and carefully spoken and worked. The nature of Mana is such that the channeling of it erases the ordering runes from the caster's mind, forcing him to re-memorize the forms all over again. True Enchantment (not the petty works of charlatans) therefore requires a careful balance between the two cosmic forces. A magic-user may be a champion of Law or a master of Chaos, but he is using a tool that can never be wholly of either. Indeed, since magic depends on the existence of Chaos, it is intrinsically corrupting, and one dedicated to Law who lacks a strong personality and a measure of wisdom will find himself drawn to the other side. . .

If magic is poised between the mortar of Law and the pestle of Chaos, it is even moreso arranged between the twin forces of Life and Death. Any user of magic who would become a true Wizard must first pass through the rank of Necromancer. We call the Riftmaster by many names, not least of which is the Gatekeeper. But what is the Gate that he keeps? It is the Gate that all mortals must pass through under the scythe of the Harvester. To pass into the true domains of magic, all must cross this Gate and learn to master it. Those who fail to master it find the Lord of the Underworld waiting to devour their souls.

Those mastered by the Harvester are consumed by death. The Dragon of Magic becomes stripped down to the bones of undeath, the darkest underbelly of the Art. They are both obsessed with death and fearful of it, sacrificing even their very souls to gain eternal undeath. These "Harvesters"--harvesting the souls of the living that they may attain the "privilage" of eternal undeath--inevitably carry the dark tome known as the Teleftaia Logon with them, and wear pendants and knotted cords to indicate their rank among the Congregation of the Dead.

In game terms, this means that the priests of the Harvester are not chaotic clerics, but magic-users who decided to go down the dark path. In addition to having access to special necromantic spells, Harvesters can wield sickles (d6 dmg) and scythes (d8 dmg, two-handed pole weapon), and can "turn" (actually, compel) undead as a cleric three levels lower. However, they can never be raised from the dead and are particularly susceptible to the corruption of Chaos.