Gates of Judgment
I don't like the looks of this place. Yes, yes, I know I've been saying that for the whole trip. But this place? It feels like we should not be here.Deep in the reaches of the Umbral Realm, there lies a forbidding edifice of white marble and black iron. Reaching it is very simple for some, yet borderline impossible for others. The front doors have no hinges or latch, and there is otherwise no apparent entrance - for the living. Only the dead may enter in order to reach the afterlife. Once inside they are met by Saint Aronae, the Guardian of the Gates, and have their soul judged on whether or not they have lived in a good fashion. Only after they have managed to pass this test of quality may a soul travel into the afterlife.
Many cultures once considered the tale about the Gates of Judgment to be a simple fabrication of the Rhyliss priests, especially considering Saint Aronae's connections to Opalis. Then as exploration of the Umbral Realm began in earnest, the structure was found to exist in accordance with descriptions in many holy texts. Further investigation turned up suggestions this structure was indeed the 'Gates of Judgment', but it is notably difficult to reach the location within the Umbral Realm. As with The Faeweald it is difficult to travel reliably within the Umbral Realm. The terrain and relative locations remain fairly stable in comparison, but an individual's sense of direction can be completely muddled. Any external means of finding a heading also tend to be off by just a small magnitude of error, but it is enough to completely miss an intended target. In this fashion, the Gates have been difficult to locate for many who remain alive. The wandering dead, of course, are inevitably drawn there on their own when the desire for a final rest strikes.
The Weighing of the Soul
Every culture has different ideas on how to reach the afterlife, sets of rules on how to behave to ensure a good place is waiting after death. But when cultures have several different deities, each with their own ideals of conduct, the idea of a singular gate and trial for passage seems silly. Or, alternatively, to suggest there is "one true faith". The answer is much simpler: each soul is weighed and judged against the ideals of their patron deity. Saint Aronae is the current Guardian, but there have been several throughout the expanse of time. Furthermore, they insist the duties of the Gate come before all others - Opalis has no particular influence on how the trials may be held and judged.A soul reaching Saint Aronae will be allowed to prepare before presenting itself, but once a soul has requested judgment to pass through the Gates there can be no refusal. They must declare who their patron deity is, and have this declaration accepted by said deity. Then the judgment begins, weighing the actions and statements the soul made in life - and even after death - against the codes and virtues of their patron deity until a decision can be reached. Those who have lived their lives mostly (though not necessarily completely) in accordance with the wishes of their God may pass through into the afterlife and enjoy a peaceful respite. Those who fail to measure up are doomed to continue wandering Erisdaire until they have proven themselves worthy. Such a fate is not uncommon, and this is often the source of restless souls left to haunt the living.
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