Solvo (sawl-vo)
Solvo is a versatile and multicultural religious burial rite recognized by worshippers of Sol and, more prodiminantly, Aiffus. Traditionally the rites are overseen by a practiced Solwarden likely with the assistance of some other devotee's, the practice varies wildly from place to place, the overseeing worshipper using their knowledge to create a burial befitting the life and loved ones of the deceased.
For example in The Mahaanision Empire it is believed that the Sol travels to the afterlife upwards, guided by wind spirits, as such most funerals take place outdoors and wind is seen as a good omen, cremation is also common in the practice. However in The Kingdom Of Fal burial rites shift wildly based on the life and profession of the deceased, for example a Blacksmith may be cremated or a sailor may be given a water burial. Warriors are typically buried in family cemateries or tombs and deserters or traitors are left for the buzzards. In Baowé the transition from life to death is treated more as a process of returning to nature and the most common funeral practice is a public funeral and then the body being left out some distance from town on a stone or packed dirt altar for nature to consume, this process is seen as the final step for a Sol to leave its body and journey to its afterlife.
Regardless of the region or culture involed Solvo is inherently a religous practice with the express purpose of giving the bereaved a period to process their grief and celebrate the transition of a loved one, it is not incredibly common nor is it rare to see, simply put, if the faith of The Twin Gods is present among the mourning then Solvo will likely be put into practice.
For example in The Mahaanision Empire it is believed that the Sol travels to the afterlife upwards, guided by wind spirits, as such most funerals take place outdoors and wind is seen as a good omen, cremation is also common in the practice. However in The Kingdom Of Fal burial rites shift wildly based on the life and profession of the deceased, for example a Blacksmith may be cremated or a sailor may be given a water burial. Warriors are typically buried in family cemateries or tombs and deserters or traitors are left for the buzzards. In Baowé the transition from life to death is treated more as a process of returning to nature and the most common funeral practice is a public funeral and then the body being left out some distance from town on a stone or packed dirt altar for nature to consume, this process is seen as the final step for a Sol to leave its body and journey to its afterlife.
Regardless of the region or culture involed Solvo is inherently a religous practice with the express purpose of giving the bereaved a period to process their grief and celebrate the transition of a loved one, it is not incredibly common nor is it rare to see, simply put, if the faith of The Twin Gods is present among the mourning then Solvo will likely be put into practice.
"From body to Sol, from Mundus to the holy river, our world to the next, speak softly in the ear of the life which now walks beyond, for death is brother to life. Wade in the waters of the Potami, til again we meet."
-Popular Solvo funeral prayer
History
Little is known about the first iteration of this practice, it has been theorized the theologists and other academics that the ritual may have ties to the early days of Humanity back when the species was first created on the Potami. While technically speaking humanity was functionally immortal while on the River Potami they were able to transition to the higher planar city of Arcadia and the popular theory is that Solva originally began as a "going away party" for Sols transitioning to a larger role in the 'afterlife'.
As time went on and the different sentient species left the other planes to populate Mundus the practice of Solvo may have been passed down by word of mouth, before eventually being penned down in the Tome of Metávasi for future generations to adapt into their various burial rituals.
As time went on and the different sentient species left the other planes to populate Mundus the practice of Solvo may have been passed down by word of mouth, before eventually being penned down in the Tome of Metávasi for future generations to adapt into their various burial rituals.
Execution
There is no one distinct way for Solvo to be put into practice; the entire purpose of the practice is to be adapted into a variation that respects the cultures and beliefs of the bereaved. However, there are several consistent elements of note, the first of which is the presence of a Solwarden who typically acts as a sort of moderator for the funeral or burial. This role can vary from a quiet supporter to a more active master of ceremonies; in any case, this figure head uses the Tome of Metávasi and their knowledge of the surrounding culture to provide emotional support and organize the more practical elements of the service, such as decor or food.
Secondly, the use of songs or other performed lamentations, like poetry, is commonplace in Solvo Burial Rites. The presiding Solwarden will likely coordinate a choice of regional songs with adjusted lyrics or even bring their own music to guide the bereaved in singing together in honor of the dead. Lyrics of transition, meeting in the next world, or a life well lived are often used to make the somber event feel more like a celebration of life.
Secondly, the use of songs or other performed lamentations, like poetry, is commonplace in Solvo Burial Rites. The presiding Solwarden will likely coordinate a choice of regional songs with adjusted lyrics or even bring their own music to guide the bereaved in singing together in honor of the dead. Lyrics of transition, meeting in the next world, or a life well lived are often used to make the somber event feel more like a celebration of life.
Components and tools
Depending on the region that the rite takes place in; sacred oils, water and fragrant flowers are often implented to clean the body and decorate the area around which it is presented, if the body is even part of the practice in that area. More often than not the body is prepared using fine scented oils or surrounded in burning incense, in order to evoke a sense of rest the body is often dressed in some kind of formal leisure wear and laid on a bed of pillows or hay to emulate that of a deep sleep. Sometimes, for more devout followers of Aiffus, a pole or staff of some kind may hang over the deceased with icons of Black Butterflies that hang over the body to symbolize Celestials presiding over the Sol to guide them to the afterlife.
Traditionally the practice of Solvo is meant to function as a celebration of life with the goal to aid the grieving in moving on and accepting the end of a life, as such food and drink are always present somewhere during the ceremony.
Traditionally the practice of Solvo is meant to function as a celebration of life with the goal to aid the grieving in moving on and accepting the end of a life, as such food and drink are always present somewhere during the ceremony.
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