Necropolis

OVERVIEW

Wedged between the city wall, the slope of the southern hillside and its own wall, and dominated by the sober temple of Erebos Chthonios, the large cemetery of the city extends in an enclosure like a small and silent city. The entrance has a small stoa before the enclosure, dedicated to Athreos, where the faithful leave copper coins for the dead who cannot afford them in their rites, arranged in different urns. Two priests of the god, covered from head to toe, spend the hours, day and night, praying for the passage of the dead by waving censers throughout the stoa. Pantheons and crypts decorated with carved images of their occupants dot the landscaped grounds.
The rites to prepare the corpse are carried out in the Temple according to the decisions of their loved ones. Although cremation is customary, there are citizens who are buried in their family crypts, accompanying the ashes and other bodies of their ancestors. The wealthiest prepare their mausoleums years before, and sometimes their extravagance makes them stand out among the most humble and discreet. One of the most curious is the pyramidal pantheon of Anax “the fat”, a historical member of the Twelve who was an adventurer and traveler in his youth, and who claimed to have traveled to lands beyond the Dakra Isles and had himself buried here embalmed under the rites learned there and with the treasures obtained in his adventures.
Also prominent on the same hillside to the south, the circular family pantheon of the Parmexiades is famous for the legends of prophetic spirits that can be heard at night between its columns. Although few have seen it, the place is said to be tremendously beautiful and decadent on the inside, burrowing into the earth between niches of illustrious family members. It is not uncommon to see Returned standing in front of a grave, aimlessly or desperately searching for something that no one, not even they themselves, know what it is.
One tragic story told by the Aedos is that of Arxis and Taria, ill-fated lovers. When Arxis died prematurely murdered by the young woman’s father, he decided to go the way of Phenax to return to his beloved. He was confident that his love would allow him to find Taria. It didn’t. Taria committed suicide while his beloved returned. Now Arxis remains seated in front of the discreet altar of his beloved’s grave without recognizing or knowing what he is doing there. It is said that Taria wanted to return as well, but in doing so only the eidolon of her soul, in the form of pure love, came to her own grave. Now one and the other remain together, but without ever recognizing each other.

Location Description

Outside

Approaching the Necropolis, nestled between the city wall and the southern hillside, a sense of solemn tranquility envelops you. The air is cooler here, and the faint scent of incense from the Athreos stoa at the entrance lingers. The sound of murmured prayers and the gentle waving of censers by the shrouded priests creates a reverent atmosphere. The sight of copper coins glinting in urns, left for the departed who cannot afford them, adds a poignant touch. The landscaped grounds of the cemetery, dotted with pantheons and crypts, unfold like a silent city of the dead, with the sober Temple of Erebos Chthonios looming in the background.

Inside

Inside the Necropolis, the landscape transforms into a serene tapestry of memorials. Carved images on crypts and mausoleums tell silent stories of those interred within. The landscaped grounds are a mix of austerity and extravagance, from humble resting places to elaborate monuments like Anax “the fat”'s pyramidal pantheon and the circular Parmexiades family pantheon. The air inside carries a blend of earth and stone, and the feel of the cool marble under your fingertips is a stark reminder of the permanence of death. Occasionally, the tragic figure of a Returned, lost and aimless, adds a layer of melancholy to the scene. The story of Arxis and Taria, ill-fated lovers, hangs heavy in the air, their tragic tale whispered among the columns and graves, a reminder of love's endurance even in the face of death.