You place the tome on the dais. The runes once again glow with the same shadowy light, and the runes on the pages coalesce into a language you
can read.
As a shade goes through the many cycles of our world, there comes a time when they can no longer form the will to reform themselves. Truly, each time
She Who Casts the Shadows loses focus on our kind, a small amount of will is spent to reform when her focus returns. When it comes to past that a shade no
longer can reform themselves, all that is left behind is the unravelled remains of their shadow. The weave that they once were becomes disentangled and like
so many strands of a pulled garment. When such a thing comes to pass, the unwoven remains are taken to a special shadow weaver who can weave their essence into
a new form. Usually, this is a sentimental object to those who knew the unravelled the best in the form of a statuette or figurine. Generally, they will also
engrave into the weave who they were and any final thoughts they may have left in notes or writings.
This is not the only way a shade can be unravelled unfortunately. Damage sufficient enough to break the woven shadow can disrupt the form of a shade as well as
some creatures which consume weave outright. In these cases, if it can be proven that a shade has been unravelled in this manner, there usually is not enough
to weave into a reminder. In such a case, friends and family of the shade will provide a small amount of their own weave to craft the reminder. Sadder still,
in the event that there are no such other shades to provide the extra weave, then the weavers will make what is called a forgotten's relic. These small relics
act more as a record than as a specific momento for the unravelled shade.
More recently, however, a group of shades have been growing in numbers which lend weave to those who would normally have a forgotten's relic. They have setup
enclaves in most of the kingdom's villages, though some are still too remote. Their number are shades who believe all should have a shade-weave as part of their
memorial.
After the woven object has been created, a small ceremony is held in the village they called home, or at least the nearest village, in the case of nomads. Usually
run by those close to the shade, but if no close relations are available, the village elders will lead the ceremony. These range from simple gatherings to grand
parties. No matter the size, they are the same pieces, a recounting of the unravelled's time followed by a blessing to Dark Gaia and ending with a solemn vigil
for those who knew the unravelled to reflect and make peace with the reality of the situation.
Return The Book of Final Rites
Leave the Archive
Escape the Cave