Elven Embalmer

In the times before Valen'aeris took their place as High Elven Godking, life in Ley-Lhoris was a very different place. High Elves operated with a dramatically different government, songs were sung not of a God but of the ancient past, and their dead were preserved and buried in an elaborate ritual. Sadly, with the emergent use of Elven corpses as footsoldiers and simple servants, the art of embalming has been mostly lost to time, though parts of the tradition have been brought forward to help the new Golden Order of the Empty .

In years of old, the fallen corpses of High Elves were embalmed and entombed deep below the Spire's ground level. This allowed their relatives to visit and show their reverence, often asking their ancient ancestors for wisdom or blessings. Elven embalmers were tasked with keeping the bodies of the dead preserved, ensuring no rot be able to invade the calm sleep of the fallen. Embalmers were also required to keep the corpse presentable, even centuries after it perished so that to any visitor, it always seemed as though their ancestor was simply in a deep rest but nonetheless alive. Finally, embalmers were to keep the crypts clean and homely, maintaining the decorum, keeping candles and fires lit and ridding the environment of any dirt or dust. Embalmers were seen not as bringers of final death, but as maintainers and stewards to the dead, there to keep the deceased comfortable and happy.
Most embalmers were cleaners and decorators, as only the highest-ranking embalmers performed the actual rituals of preservation. These embalmers had a strong understanding of the study of magic, especially in the fields considered "Necromantic". Though not quite as extreme as the modern method, this magic was used to gently preserve a corpse and prevent it from rotting or ageing in any way, keeping the dead looking almost exactly as they did in life. After this preservation ritual was complete, the rest of the embalmers would begin their work, dressing the deceased and applying light makeup to bring back the flush of life. Finally, they were laid to rest, hands on their chests as though in a deep and restful slumber. 
Today, few of these traditions are continued, as after the appearance of Valen'aeris, attitudes have changed regarding the dead. Now it is believed that all souls return to Valen'aeris after death and that the corpse is left behind as an empty husk, much like an empty container that once held the waters of life. Since these attitude changes, corpses are no longer preserved in the same way to be revered by their descendants. Instead, the corpse is preserved and partially reanimated, sealed into a suit of golden plate armour and used as foot soldiers in the endless battles against the Night-Creatures of the Great Forests, or as mindless servants to complete tasks viewed as below the common Elf.

Career

Qualifications

An Elf did not need any qualifications to become an embalmer, and many young Elves took up embalming as a trade from a very young age, first learning how to decorate and upkeep the chambers of the dead, then learning how to bring back the appearance of life to a deceased body. To become a high-ranking embalmer, however, a strong understanding of magic was required in order to complete the ritual of preservation to make sure a cadaver did not decay.

Type

Healthcare