Free dead
The free dead are the only dead allowed to interact with the living, because, as their other name, Oblivious (Nai'riomum), suggests, they have completely forgotten their past lives. They are usually walking skeletons with fragile hollow bones, sometimes protected by metal and leather cases. Oblivious do not need food, water or air to exist. More so, they understand the world around them well, but can't distinguish colours, sounds, smells, even shapes. They can "see" the object, but not its individual characteristics. Therefore, the free dead can't feel pleasure of either satisfying basic needs or appreciating art.
What drives them to "live" is the pleasure of creating. Every single one of Oblivious is some kind of craftsman or artist, no matter what other profession they might have. They carve their bones and paint them with bright patterns, they sew clothes compared to birds of paradise, sea and wind. They frequently trade what they make for more exotic materials. The free dead are generally open and tolerant of other peoples, and their desert cities are bustling with life.
Khe'nairum Ayee - the free dead ("dead, who are free")
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Author's Notes
If you want to learn about some aspect of the free dead in particular, feel free to ask! If you liked what you read, have any suggestions or spotted some errors or typos, let me know!