Se Ach
A ritual of the dead performed by some Deinain worshippers, especially the Siiari of western Revellia.
The Siiari believe that a person's soul remains tethered to their bodies after death, and must be coaxed back into the element that gave it life. In most cases, this is the earth, so most people are buried after death. However, this leaves their bodies (and souls) vulnerable to invasion by spirits and devils. To guard them from invasion, those close to the departed leave their blood upon the body. Most such rituals involve cutting open one's palm, finger, or wrist, and leaving some blood upon the body's face. This is called the Se Ach of Soil, or the Se Ach of Blood. It is said that when Laoch Torin the dragon-slayer died, so many mourned his death that his body was coated in blood from toe to tip.
Some rare folk are said to have come from the Heavens rather than the earth, particular ancient kings and heroes of high birth. Such folk are returned to the sky by burning. Spirits and devils are thought to grow weaker the farther from the earth, but blood is still often given to the departed before burning, to be safe. This is called the Se Ach of Fire, or the Se Ach the Skies.
Finally, some are said to have come from the seas: sorcerers, witches, and particularly evil brigands. Such folk are thrown into seas to be tormented by the Hadrash, or else cut up and bled out if too far from the coasts. Yet even these people are given the Se Ach, often by their own victims. Despicable as such people are, it is understood that they would be far worse if possessed by a wandering spirit. This is called the Se Ach of the Seas, or the Cursed Se Ach, or even simply the Curse.
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