-Nate
Burial
Practices
Given their many and varied religious beliefs, the
different peoples of Homeworld have numerous traditions for honoring
the remains of their dead; detailed below are a few of those
practices.
Interment
This
practice is most common among humans and halflings, along with others
who worship Gaea. It involves burying bodies in the earth, either in
a small grave dug in the dirt, or in larger communal crypts. Examples
of this range from small graveyards that can be found alongside
shrines throughout Homeworld, to the expansive catacombs that exist
beneath the Temple of Ptah in the Holy City.
Funeral
Mounds
A
variation on that practice involves heaping up the earth into large
mounds in which the deceased are laid in a broad central chamber. It
is practiced by certain bearfolk clans, as well as the fey creatures
of the region known as Arcadia. What is more, it can sometimes be a
useful expedient when many beings die at the same time, such as in
the aftermath of a great battle. In those instances, the mounds then
serve as a testament to the soldiers who made such a sacrifice.
Entombment
Taking
that practice a step further, some beings create huge, elaborate
structures in which to house the remains of their dead. These are
sometimes known as sepulchers or mausoleums. Whatever the case, they
are sprawling buildings that often contain numerous sarcophagi, along
with (usually valuable) grave goods and even elaborate traps. The
dwarves favor this practice, as do human nobles from the Eastern
Kingdoms.
Cremation
Another
ritual involves placing the remains of the deceased on a pile of
flammable material, often wood, and then setting fire to it. It is
thought that the smoke from the flames carries the spirit up and
beyond this realm. This can be a good way to prevent the spread of
disease, too, in the event of a plague. It is commonly practiced by
humanoids as well as by followers of Lamashtu and Sol.
Burial
at Sea
Among
the mariners who sail Homeworld's seas, it is common to stitch a body
into a canvas shroud, add a sizable weight at its feet, and then drop
them into the sea. This prevents the need for hauling the dead aboard
a cramped ship, and is similar to the act of interment. A variation
of this practice involves filling a boat with flammable materials,
placing the body atop them, setting it adrift, and then using a means
such as a flaming arrow to set it all aflame.
Burial
in Space
For
similar reasons as mentioned above, aetherships traveling through the
Void often find it expedient to cast off the bodies of those who
perish in transit. It is also favored by those who worship Sol, in
which case the bodies are pushed in the direction of the system's
primary star.
Exposure
Some
of the beings who live close to nature choose to leave to place
bodies on structures raised above the ground, leaving it up to the
elements and certain scavenging birds to carry off those remains,
once again in theory to a realm beyond this one. Note that this
practice is more common among those who live in sparsely populated
areas, such as lizard folk and some of the fey; it is just not
practical in more urbanized areas.
Ceremonial
Practices
Whatever
the means for exposing of deceased remains, funerary practices
include some common activities for honoring those who were lost.
These can include storytelling, chants, playing of music and singing
of hymns or other favorite songs, recitation of poetry, processional
marches that carry the remains, ritual fire-starting, and more.
Keeping
Trophies
In
contrast to the aforementioned rituals, which honor the remains of
the deceased, it is common among certain savage groups to make
trophies from body parts of defeated enemies. This includes
displaying skulls (and more) on spears, using bones or skin to make
decorative clothing, and even having oneself interred with the
remains of slain foes so as to show one's dominance for the rest of
eternity. Followers of lamashtu, humanoids and barbarians are most
like to maintain this practice.
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Restless
Spirits
It
is often said that beings whose remains are not laid to rest in
the proper way cannot find eternal rest in whatever existence lies
beyond this one. For that reason, they return in the form of
undead spirits, including wraiths, specters and ghosts. Whether
that happens in every such case, or when involving particularly
strong-willed individuals, however, is not currently known.
Usually this situation can be remedied when all parts of the body
are assembled and given the proper ceremony.
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