Pillar Burial

A pillar burial is a unique form of burial for a particular faith/culture.

• A stone pillar is built using no mortar. Typically 5 to 6 ft, though some notable figures will demand taller pillars upon death. Some may even devote time and resources in life to collect, shape and decorate suitable stones.

• Stones may be decorated with engravings relating to the deceased, such as names, titles, stories, prayers etc.

• A pyre is built around this pillar and the body is burned upon it, along with possessions and offerings.

• If the pillar cracks and falls, it is seen as a sign that the soul will not enter the afterlife (or at least not the good one).

• Ashes are gathered and placed atop the pillar for the wind (and psychopomp spirits in the wind) to carry away.

• This may give rise to some sayings such as:

  • "May your pillar stand firm." (greeting/compliment)
  • "I hope your pillar cracks." (insult)
  • "A well chosen stone doesn't crack." (idiom, stating that careful choices and planning has great benefits)

Pillar Burial

A Pillar Burial is a traditional funeral rite of the <tbd>. When a person dies, a pillar of stones is constructed using no mortar. Such pillars stand around 5 or 6 feet tall, though some notable figures request higher ones. Some may devote their time and resources in life to finding, carving and decorating the perfect stones for their pillar. It is not uncommon for names, scenes of their life and prayers to be carved into these stones.

A pyre is then built at the base of the pillar, upon which the body, their possessions and any offerings are burned. If the pillar cracks and falls it is seen as a bad omen, and that soul may not make it where they wish to go. Whereas, not cracking or falling is a good omen in that regard. Those with taller or more elaborate pillars that do not fall despite this are held in especially high regard, however, many choose not to risk it and request simpler, more sturdy pillars.

After the burning, the ashes are gathered and place atop the pillar. If it is whole, the ashes are held high for the wind, or the <psychopomps>, to then carry them and soul away. Whereas, if the pillar has broken, the ashes inevitably fall the ground where they can be consumed by bugs, soil and rain.

Eventually, after many years, even a sturdy pillar will crumble and fall. This is sometimes seen as a soul having fully cut ties to the mortal world, for good or bad. Such a soul has no means of communicating with or returning to their mortal world, even via powerful magic.

A common way to respect a fallen friend, family member or even honoured foe is to donate a stone to their pillar. Some have perverted this custom by deliberately providing unbalanced stones or insiting their gifted stones be placed at the top, increasing the likelihood of falling. In constract, others have shown great humility by providing large, sturdy stones and insisting they sit at the base of the pillar, providing great support at the cost of prominance.

This ritual has given rise to several sayings such a the following:

• • "May your pillar stand firm." (greeting/compliment)
  • "I hope your pillar cracks." (insult)
  • "The worms/soil will take your ashes." (insult/curse)
  • "A well chosen pillar stone does not crack." (idiom, stating that careful choices and planning has great benefits)

Storvgr

Many of the Storgvr believe that Furvag had a mighty pillar burial, with the mountain carried by Vys forming the base stone and flames almost 3 miles high. Furvag's pillar is believed to have collapsed sometime near the end of the second war. Some have even suggested Furvag's disgust at the truce, despite his death, is what prompted him to abandon the mortal world and collapse his pillar. Others suggest that dwarvern craftiness and cruelty felled the pillar, denying Furvag a link to the mortals.