The Ceremony of the Eternal Flame
The funeral begins at dusk, as the sun sets behind the mountains. At the center of the ceremony, a large stone altar stands, engraved with ancient runes of protection and remembrance. On the altar lies a magnificent pyre, adorned with flowers and symbols representing the gods, with the body of the deceased laid upon it.
The ceremony is led by the High Priest of Vale Tor, a figure draped in deep blue robes, embroidered with gold. The priest carries a torch lit from the Flame of Passage, a sacred fire kept burning in the Temple of Phoena. This flame is believed to guide the souls of the departed to Drenborough, the realm of the dead.
The High Priest raises the torch and speaks the rite of passage, an ancient incantation that calls upon Phoena of the Afterlife to guide the soul of the deceased through the archway into Drenborough. The torch is then lowered to ignite the pyre, and as the flames rise, the entire kingdom kneels in respect. The flames burn with a deep, otherworldly blue, a sign that Phoena has accepted the soul.
As the pyre burns, those in attendance sing Guide the Soul, a traditional dirge that echoes through the valley, filling the air with sorrow and reverence. The smoke from the fire rises into the sky, spiraling upward before fading into nothingness, symbolizing the soul’s journey to Drenborough, where it will rest under Phoena’s watchful eye.
When the flames finally die down, the ashes are collected by the High Priest in a silver urn, which is then presented to the next of kin.
Primary Related Location
