Memoria Mortuorum

"These are the words and deeds of Ione Cervesarius, who dwelt on Pande for fifty-eight rises of the sun. She was faithful to Yaltur and Hikis, and raised five children in the proper manner. We ask you, Diyoth, to consider her life, and judge her fairly, for she is not deserving of Niynar. Listen all you who would hear, of her life, and make your prayers to Diyoth on her behalf..."

The Memoria Mortuorum refers to two things; the first is a mythological tome that Diyoth uses when a person dies and their soul is brought before him for judgement. This supposedly contains everything that a person has done in their life, their every action, word, thought and intention, and is what Diyoth uses to determine the destination of one's soul.
The second is a document written after someone's death, detailing their life and what they have achieved, that is read from at one's funeral by the priests of the Lords of Order. How good a person's life is recounted largely relies upon a person's public image, the stories and tales told to the priests by friends and relatives and, in the case of notoriously bad, but wealthy individuals, how much is paid to the priests to provide a sanitised version.
Everyone who dies, and has the proper funeral rites conducted by a priest associated with the Lords of Order will have a Memoria Mortuorum written for them. For those who have led quiet lives, with little of note, and have no friends and relatives to tell tales of their actions, this book will be short and contain little, maybe even the basic sentiments said of every individual.
For famous individuals, or those whose friends and family are able to tell the priests many stories, the document may span many pages. Only the most accomplished of individuals will have more than one book; the likes of Jamal Hudor and Til-Yaltur have many tomes, and copies are made for people to read.

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Description

The mythological Memoria Mortuorum is said to be a large single tome, bound in a dark, black metal, inlaid with gold and other precious metals, with pages made of the very fabric of reality. Each page is filled with writing so small, only Diyoth, with his unfailing vision, is able to read it. It is also said that the language on the pages is not able to be read by mortal eyes, and would drive a person mad, should they catch even a glimpse of it.
The Memoria Mortuorum used in Imperial funeral rites vary, depending on the wealth and status of the deceased. The very richest nobles, and the most illustrious individuals will get books made before they die, with an appearance as close to the mythological book of Diyoth as possible. The moderately well off will have books made of simple leather and parchment, perhaps even vellum, so ensure that their books last the ages. Most, however, will have a parchment bound together with string, and perhaps a wooden cover. Such books rarely last more than a generation after one's death, unless the family can afford to pay for a scribe to make copies.

The mythological Memoria Mortuorum held by Diyoth

Item type

Book / Document