House of Death

A House of Death is a multifunctional building that is utilized by Death Keepers to practice their craft. These dwelling serve as a catacomb or cemetery for the dead, a place of healing for the wounded, and a place of worship for the living.
They can be found in any city and often will be found even in the smallest of Hamlets and are often the first or second building that is constructed in a new settlement and is one of the only universal buildings among races. In fact many scholars question how the building could be so widely constructed and understood, but most attribute it to the prevalence of death in all cultures.

Purpose / Function

These builds were originally cemetery's or catacombs for those who have passed. After being tended by Death Keepers to prevent the rise of vengeful undead, and protect corpses from graverobbers, they grew into much more. Now Houses of Death are a common place of healing for the sick and wounded. Some may even beseech the goddess of the underworld to return a recently deceased to the land of the living. the building will commonly have a small shrine to the Court of Autumn and Punzena. May who show fealty to these gods will use this location as a place of worship.

Architecture

The design of Houses of Death vary based on location and as such could fill any sort of structure. Houses of Death in Xirith are often large sprawling catacombs carved from stone mountains or running beneath towns. While, due to the longevity of Elves those located in Zura are decorated more as elaborate temples. The largest and most well known House of Death, the Ruined Throne, is located in Zura.

Alternative Names

Dead House, Deadry, and Bone Temple

Type

Cemetery