Berengarius Commus and the Journey of the Soul

"If you're going to become a priest of the Keepers of the Dead, then you need to hear the tale of Berengarius Commus, and how his journey revealed the paths of the dead, and what each person must do to avoid Niyar and eternal suffering."

A tale not often told outside of the priests who commune with the Lords of Order and the Keepers of the Dead, the myth of Berengarius Commus and the events that became known as the 'Journey of the Soul' established the practices used in funeral and death rites across the The Empire of Belyos.
Every novice will be told of the myth, and be expected to recant it perfectly before they become a fully-fledged priest; the tale reveals truths of the universe that the priesthood believe would disrupt society, should the basic understanding of the tale be better known. For this reason, it has never been written down, passed on through the generations orally.

---

Summary

The story of Berengarius Commus begins in the early days of the Empire, when Jamal Hudor still ruled, and the gods' presence in the world was part of living memory.
Of Berengarius Commus's origins, not much is known; he was priest, of that there is no doubt, but in those days there were no priests of the Lords of Order, or the Keepers of the Dead. Instead, all priests offered devotions to those august six equally, and rites for the deceased were varied and often dependent on the whims of the priests, or requests of the deceased family. The god to whom Berengarius served, if he was devoted to one specifically, is not known, nor is the location of his birth, his family's status, or where in the Empire he served.
In 45 IY, Berengarius arrived in Belyos, bearing the manner of one who had communed with the gods, and presented himself at the Temple of Yaltur to recant his tale, and what he had seen. As expected, all he received was doubts and disbelief, until the high priest of Yaltur received a vision that Berengarius's tale was true, as much as any tale could be. Scorn and ridicule were replaced with awe and respect.

---

See full tale

The beginning

Two years prior, Berengarius had been experimenting with the healing properties of various herbs and fungi, one of which was the already known Somniatoria. Creating a mixture of this fungus and a number of herbs, Berengarius slipped into a deep trance, so deep that his soul left his body and drifted away.
He became aware of a door before him, a large, arched door, made of a wood so dark it was almost black, but with no discernible handle. As he approached, the door opened silently and Berengarius passed through, into a large chamber, filled with a faint mist and with a vaulted ceiling, many columns and walls too far aware to make out. Into this room came other people, stepping through doors that would appear and disappear as they were passed through, and all walking in the same direction. Despite his best efforts, Berengarius could not get anyone to talk to him, all were focused on some distant point towards which they walked.

Before Diyoth

Following the people, Berengarius walked for what felt like hours, but time was difficult to determine in this place, and the people around him eventually forming a long queue that still moved with steady purpose. Berengarius got into line with the others, feeling it was the right thing to do. As the line progressed, Berengarius realised that those around him faded away and he found himself before a podium, on which sat a tall, thin figure in an ornately carved chair and before which was a large, black book, bound in gold and with many pages. Either side of this figure were two other chairs, smaller, but no less ornate, but empty.
Berengarius stopped, and waited to see if the figure would notice him; time passed, how long Berengarius could not tell, until eventually, the figure raised its head to focus its eyes on Berengarius, eyes that were two deep, black pits into infinity.
"You," the figure said in a deep voice that resonated around him. "You are not dead. Why are you here? Judgement is for the dead only. Leave this place."
"I do not know where I am," Berengarius said. "And I do not know how to leave."
"You are in the Hall of Judgement," the figure replied. "Before Diyoth, the Judge of the souls of mortals. I cannot judge you, as you are not dead, your Memoria Mortuorum is not finished, and Myin and Moibus are not here to share what they have seen." The figure examined Berengarius intently, the man feeling that his very core was being exposed. "Perhaps you have a purpose then, but I need Moibus. Until he returns, you shall wait."

Myin and Moibus

More time passed, how long Berengarius could not say, but he felt no fatigue. Eventually, two figures coalesced in the two chairs that were previously empty. Both were very similar, with long, flowing white hair, large dark eyes and a curious expression, but the one on the right of Diyoth was female, and the one on the left was male.
"Who is this, husband-mine?" The female one asked, her gaze piercing Berengarius in the same manner as before. "He is not one of the dead, his body resides still in the world, in a deep slumber no one can wake him from."
"I have not asked his name, Myin, I felt it inappropriate as I am not to judge him yet, and I feel here is here for a purpose, a purpose for which I require your brother." Diyoth turned to face the male figure. "Moibus, take our guest with you and visit the lands of my children. Show him what becomes of the souls of mortals and our work here. Have your wife there explain it. Then return him to his mortal body, where he can spread the word of our duty. Perhaps we too can benefit from the mortal's faith as our cousins have for so long."
The figure identified as Moibus stood and beckoned to Berengarius who approached the tall, pale one. "I am Moibus," he said. "I shall guide you through the realms of the dead and explain how your souls are judged, and where they go."
"I am honoured," Berengarius replied. "I will watch and learn whatever you have to show me."
"Do this for us," Diyoth said. "And your records will show it, when your time comes to be judged, it will be considered favourably."

Niynar

Moibus led Berengarius away from the podium and their surroundings blurred and shifted as they walked. "Diyoth judges all who come before him," Moibus explained. "All of a mortals words, deeds and intents are recorded in their Memoria Mortuorum, which Diyoth reads. Myin and I explain the world to him, and try to place your lives in context, and then he makes judgement."
"On what basis are we judged?" Berengarius asked. "Good deeds? A pious life?"
"We gods care little for that," Moibus replied, a smile flickering across his face. "Although I know this is important for you mortals. In truth, your souls matter more to us based on your faith and your devotion, not the actions you undertake." The world around shifted more, and the pair stood before three doors. The first was white, and a soft glow surrounded it. The second was plain brown, and looked well used. The last was made of a grey metal, and was surrounded by a red glow. "There are three destinations for your souls," Moibus continued. "We shall start with this one, the realm of Niynar." The grey metal door opened, and grew to envelop the two.
Once inside, they beheld a broad plain, peppered with tall pillars of rock and a sky of blackness. Faint light came from somewhere indistinct, but no source could be determined. In between the pillars of rock wandered specks that could just be made out to be people, walking around looking lost and hopeless. Berengarius was almost overwhelmed by feelings of regret and chagrin, and would have stumbled, has Moibus not supported him. "Here come all those who, in life, were judged to have not maintained enough faith in the gods, or led lives full of actions that opposed the gods and what they stand for." The god said.
"What about those who perform evil acts, and enact great injustice against their fellow person?" Berengarius asked.
"The gods care not what someone does during life, so long as they receive their dues," Moibus replied. "This is a poor place to be; one's soul is never at rest, and it is a rarity indeed that a good deems a soul that resides here worth taking into themselves."
"Taking into themselves?" Berengarius said, his brow furrowing.
"Faith is meat and wine to a god," Moibus stated. "They need no mortal sustenance, but still require power to performs their actions. Human faith is the source of their power, and souls can provide that, when the faith of the still alive is not sufficient. However, the faith of a soul who was not faithful lacks the vitality a god requires. So they sit here, eternally regretting their choices in life, whilst Niynar ensures they do not find rest." He gestured to the black sky, and Berengarius saw a winged figure gliding over the plains; its wings were tattered and its body gaunt and skeletal. Its gaze flicked towards the pair, and Berengarius shivered, as if his very core was touched by fire.
"The gods consume the souls of the dead?" Berengarius said, horror in his tone.
"It is not like your mortal consumption," Moibus said. "When a soul is taken in by a god, they become a part of a greater whole, and a part of that god. To our understanding, a soul released like this feels completion and a release from all cares. It is what your souls are meant for."
"Such an honour..." Berengarius mused, then looked around in distaste. "I pity these souls then, do they reside here forever?"
"Until Niynar deems them punished enough," Moibus replied. "Eventually all pass through to Doyom, for the faith of a soul may grow, over time, with sufficient regret. Come, onwards." They stepped back, and the dark plains were replaced with the three doors once more. This time, it was the white door with the soft glow that grew to surround them.

Lysek

Instead of a dark plain, Berengarius was surrounded by a soft white light, and the air felt warm and comforting, with a feeling of security and joy. The plain before them was similar in appearance to Niynar's realm, but the pillars were made of what looked like cloud, and the ground was covered in a lush, soft moss-like plants. The people Berengarius could see were running around with each other, talking in circles, or just lying on their backs, smiles on their faces. There were far fewer people here than in the previous location.
"Those who lead especially fulfilling lives, from the perspective of the gods, come here, under the care of Lysek." Moibus said. "Here their souls can relax in the knowledge that their gods love them especially, and are guaranteed to be a part of their god first, above all others."
"A wonderful place," Berengarius said. "Do souls reside here long?"
"As long as the gods will it, and need it," Moibus replied. "Time has a difference meaning here, and a hundred of your years can pass in a day, but it can feel like eternity. We have one more place to visit, and it is where the souls of most mortals will go." The plain disappeared, and the doors emerged once more, the middle door; the plain brown, wooden door, took them in.

Doyom

Another plain was before them, lit by a light that was neither bright, nor dim, and with pillars that looked like vast tree trunks, and ground covered in grass. The ground could hardly been seen, as the plain was deeming with people, as far as the eye could see. They appeared to be just standing, and staring into nothingness.
"This is the realm of Doyom, whom I am honoured to count as my wife," Moibus said. "Almost all mortal souls will come here and reside in unthinking limbo until they are needed by their god. It is neither good, nor bad, as the souls here are not even aware of where they are," there was a slight pause. "This is also where Turbal placed his children, the gods you know of as the Inheritors. They too slumbered for many long years."
"Why am I being shown all of this?" Berengarius asked.
"You must share your journey with others when you awaken," Moibus replied. "Ensure that people are aware of what awaits them in the afterlife, and how best to prepare them. We take no pleasure in sending souls to Niynar, and it would be good if all saw Lysek, but we must be bound by the agreement we made with the Primae. Use this knowledge to help us, and ensure that we receive the due that is accorded us."
Berengarius nodded. "I shall do as you ask, and only ask that when I die and am brought before you, you judge me fairly."
"All are judged fairly," Moibus said, his voice stern. "We judge exactly on how one's life is lived, no more, no less." A slight smile flicks over his lips. "If you do well in this, I would not worry, however, it will count as a good thing."
Berengarius woke then, taking in a deep breath, his body full of aches of one who had not moved in some time. With resolve, he began to spread the word of what he had seen and heard, his path taking him to Belyos, and destiny.

---

Historical Basis

Whether or not Berengarius Commus actually visited the realms of the dead and communed with the Lords of Order is unknown; the priests responsible for conducting the appropriate funeral rites believe that it is a true story, and all that Berengarius said and did actually happened. The few outside scholars who know the tale, and have studied Imperial funeral rites, acknowledge that in the late first century the process was refined and took on the aspects that are familiar today, especially the use of Somniatoria as a way for the priests to receive visions from their gods, and the Memoria Mortuorum used to record a person's life.
The actual historic truth of the matter means little to the priests, and even less to the common person who follows the appropriate rites. The gods know, but they have a vested interest in not sharing.

---

Date of First Recording

63 IY

Date of Setting

45 IY