Stone Remembrance
Physical Remembrance
Small colored stones are simply stacked atop a gravestone, a rainbow of shades denoting loved ones and others showing their respect for the departed. Some shine with a magical light, a simple enchantment placed upon them to keep their brightness even as the elements try to dull their shine. On the day of Remembrance, these stones will be gathered, some being replaced by those who placed them, others being stacked neatly into designs. This cleaning will preserve what has been placed throughout the year, a silent reminder that the departed are still loved even though they are gone.
Battlefields and shrines also become home to these colored stones, left in memory of those that do not have a final resting place or by loved ones unable to travel home on the day of Remembrance. These stones are left scattered like discarded flowers, placed exactly where one passed or a location that begets memories. In such sacred places, it is an unspoken rule to leave the stones where they lie, in respect to the lost souls and those who find solace in their memories.
Stone Remembrance is a specific symbolic language that is often associated with Lok, the God of Gravestones, and the day of Remembrance. It is a way for loved ones and others to show their respect to the departed in a tangible way that will also stand the test of time. The shining stones will last longer than any candle or flower, reminding those who visit these final resting places that the departed are not forgotten.
History
It is unknown when the observance of Stone Remembrance began, as no race or culture in the world solely worships Lok. Some believe that the practice began with the only mortal race of the Divine Races, the Dragons, as colored stones would often appear at the locations of the Last Flight, but it was uncertain whether other Dragons were placing these stones or not. When the Elder Races entered the world, the Dwarves started a similar tradition, placing small pieces of metal on the graves of their departed, but even that tradition would slowly morph into the placing of colored stones. Throughout the ages, this tradition grew, creating an unspoken color code for the stones placed, each color representing the relationship between the living and the dead. The language of Stone Remembrance seemingly disappeared for a time before the Eldritch War, but was brought back in its aftermath. The edges of specific Deadzones were littered with colored stones. What used to be the Mystic Jungle was bordered with a small wall of black stones that were left in remembrance of the Minotaurs that were lost when the war began.| Color | Relation to Departed |
|---|---|
| Red | Spouses |
| Pink | Lovers |
| Green | Children |
| Blue | Grandchildren |
| Orange | Nieces & Nephews |
| Yellow | Cousins |
| Purple | 2 Generations or More |
| White | Acquaintances |
| Black | No Relation |
Colored Stones
Colored stones are key to Stone Remembrance as the colors often correspond to a living person's ties to the departed. Families may refresh their colored stones yearly unless they have the magic capabilities to keep the stones' colors vibrant.
A language of love tied to loss, its very sad but beautiful in its own way.