The Otherworld
"Yvidra, the Otherworld, the Realm Beyond All Knowing. Even the gods are forbidden to cross into its reaches. Only Malorel himself can step beyond the Gate and speak to those who have passed on."
The Realm of the Dead lies on the border of Ímlæs. Although its name and description varies culture-to-culture, belief in the Otherworld is universal across Dálnaes. Besides the Gate which leads to it, the Otherworld has no true form, but shapes itself to suit the souls that dwell there. The Otherworld has two layers: souls of those who honor the gods and live virtuous lives go to Shiinrala, while depraved souls go to Rejh.
CREATION & THE OTHERWORLD
At the end of Creation, Malorel looked upon the world and furrowed his brow. Something was still not right. Water flowed, plants grew, mortal creatures lived and died. Yet there was a faint whisper of despair, echoing within the chords of existence. Determined to find the source, he called on the other gods.
"Verdant Florian, is it your creations making that sound?" he asked of the Green Lord.
"Nay," Florian replied. "I hear not but the healthy growth of my children."
Curious, Malorel turned to the next god. "Drakala, what beast is making such a sound?"
"None of mine," the Queen of Beasts purred. "This noise you describe does not grace my ears."
"Zephyrus," Malorel continued, "have you caused strife somewhere that I cannot see?"
The God of War looked almost offended. "What cause have I to create strife beyond your sight?"
One-by-one, the Lord of Life asked each of his fellows about the strange sound, yet none could tell him its source or even confirm that they heard it as well. Disheartened and concerned, Malorel drifted in seclusion at the border between the Realms, searching for the answer. For years he remained there, until Time herself approached.
"Lord Malorel, you neglect your duties," she chided.
"How so?" he replied, angered by her accusation.
Time gestured at the world below. "You have not completed the circle. You have given mortals a world to live in, but you have not considered where they go when their time on Dálnaes is done.
"They are mortal. Their time ends when it ends."
She chuckled. "Time is infinite, even for them. You gave them each a breath of your essence, and so they all carry a breath of eternity. When they die, your breath is left behind, lost and without purpose. It is your own cries you hear, the cries of thousands of souls left adrift. Since you can't take it back, you must give that breath a place to return to, and a guide to lead it there."
And so Malorel set to work. In the shadows of Ímlæs, he drew upon the Void once more and summoned forth a new Realm. He left this Realm shapeless but split in two, one for the shards of him that served Creation well and one for the shards that turned to Destruction. At the place where the new Realm met Ímlæs, he placed a great Gate, guarded by a powerful entity.
"None may cross this threshold save my own essence," he commanded of the Gatekeeper.
He then dreamed into being a second custodian. "Take measure of the souls as they come, and send them on to their place in the Realm Beyond."
Satisfied, he left the new Gatekeeper and Soulwarden at their posts by the Gate and went in search of the final piece he needed.
"Noxera," he called to the Goddess of Darkness, "I seek a being to carry the souls of mortals beyond the shadow of death to the new Realm I've created. Which of your creations can serve me thus?"
But the Dark Lady shook her head. "I have no servant who can touch a mortal's soul, only their eyes and mind. Should you seek such a being, I can lend you my essence to create a new god for this purpose."
Thus, Malorel wove his essence with Noxera's, and from it emerged a new god.
"Neveros," Malorel commanded, "you are the overseer of Death. Your task is to fetch mortal souls when their time on Dálnaes is over and convey them to the Gate of the Realm Beyond. They will spend eternity in this Otherworld, at peace within the Void.
The new God of Death bowed and took on his purpose in earnest. Across Dálnaes he rode in a chariot formed of deepest shadows, pulled by Desolation and Sorrow. He plucked the shards of Malorel from their endless wandering and carried them to the Gate, where the Soulwarden took their measure before sending them past the Gatekeeper.
And Malorel looked upon Dálnaes and smiled, for at last Creation was complete.
by Etherean scholar Juliana Vedari
THE LAYERS OF YVIDRA
Shiinrala
A realm of misty landscapes and star-filled skies, from Shiinrala, one can see all other worlds in existence. Souls admitted to Shiinrala have lived their lives honorably, if not heroically.
Also called Shinra, Zynra, or Chûra.
Rejh
Like Shiinrala, Rejh shapes itself to suit those who dwell within it. However, the souls sent to Rejh have no control over their eternal home, and are subjected to endless torments fit to punish them for their depravities in life. It is said that if a Rejh-bound soul shows true remorse for their mortal actions, Malorel may elevate them to Shiinrala.
Also called Raja, Juraj, or Krèvnök.
"Neveros, carry this soul as a mother carries a babe. Let its journey to the Gate be one of ease and safety. Bid the Gatekeeper admit them to Shiinrala, where they may dwell in eternal serenity."
FUNERARY RITES & CUSTOMS
Etherea
Burial is almost unheard of in Etherea. Those few that are - such as royalty, heroic figures, and the most powerful of nobility - are entombed in stone. The primary practice is cremation atop a funeral pyre. Etherean funeral prayers speak of the importance of fully letting go of life in order to return to Malorel's embrace. Ethereans usually wear black or gray when attending funerals. Elbrith
While not as rare as in Etherea, burial is still uncommon, reserved for wealthy nobility with land to spare. Commoners are burned on funeral pyres, sometimes in large groups as a result of plagues. Elbri funeral prayers emulate the ways of their nelfyn ancestors, emphasizing their relationship to the Song of Creation and the belief that stars are the souls of Shiinrala looking back at them. Funeral attendees almost always where black, usually accompanied by some sort of hood or head covering.
Alternate Names
Yvidriin, Yvidra, Kaliva, TôrvonukRelated Articles
Malorel, God of Dreams and Life
The Gatekeeper
The Soulwarden
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