01. TEXT

[quickquotes]

( It has taken Rita most of the time she's spent in Lunatia thus far to understand enough of this 'technology' to send out a broadcast. She's not the type to let such a little hurdle as unfamiliarity get in the way of reporting the news, and she is glad to announce her success with her very first article! )

UNDEAD YET DEADLY
The inhabitants of Lunatia might seem an uncouth lot, with their scales and their horns and other extraneous appendages. However, the natives of this world appear positively genteel when compared to who, or should I say, what walks amongst us, attempting to blend quietly into the shadows. Fortunately, I, Rita Skeeter, freelance journalist-for-hire, am here to shed light on the situation.

The Moonblessed by the name of ‘Ambrosine’, is a self-confessed practitioner of the Dark Arts. She is also known to post on this network under the alias of ‘undyingsoul’, which should tell you everything you need to know already. If you still require an explanation, know this: every magical child from the youngest of ages is taught that death is permanent. Any individual who attempts to meddle with mortality is faced with a fate worse than death: the eternal corruption of the soul.

Why does this matter, you might ask?


Those of you from my own world might know of the evilest Dark Wizard of our time, a man so evil that even after his defeat we still refuse to speak his name, only referring to him as He Who Must Not Be Named. In the name of ideological superiority and in search for the secrets of immortality, this Dark Wizard murdered thousands of people, witches, wizards and Muggles alike.

To use a more local frame of reference: as many of you will know, the city is still recovering from the aftermath of the rampages of another Dark Wizard, Asmodeus, who used his powers to control the minds of many innocent bystanders. Could Lunatia withstand another attack so soon?

While Ambrosine has not shown any untoward predilections to violence yet in her time here, evidence suggests she has so far murdered one innocent person in her quest for immortality thus far, as well as a unicorn (a most sacred magical animal).

How many more deaths will she cause? Can this type of individual truly be allowed to walk around our society unchecked? My recommendation would be to lock her up and throw away the key before she can cause any more harm to befall others.

After all, there’s enough to get used to in this new society without wondering about murderers in our midst. As so succinctly put by local resident, the charming thirty-six-year-old Mr. Valmont: it’s positively exhausting!

( After the main text in the article, smaller lettering reads: if you have leads which require any further investigation, or any information you would like me to know, please contact me here.

The name, again, is Rita Skeeter. )

Comments

[clodpole]

I apologize. It has been

Less than pleasant in my experience, but I understand that that is not necessarily reflective of yours.

So long as you are certain no harm will come to you or anybody else, I am willing to place my faith in you.

[necroyalty]

I undertook the process of becoming a lich at great personal risk to myself. But the peril is behind me now that I have achieved what I set out to do.

As for the rest.

Those who choose to simply rest after they die in Vanth are left to do so.

But it has also been accepted for centuries that some of us will choose to have our bodies carry on some duties after our souls depart for the afterlife. Mostly for the purpose of civic duty or as a mark of religious devotion.

[clodpole]

Do they remain the person they were while they were living? Do their friends and family not miss them when they see what’s left of them?

Pray forgive me if I’ve been too forward. I ask out of my own personal interest, not to criticize you and yours. But you needn’t answer if you aren’t comfortable doing so.

[necroyalty]

In the woodlands and marshes of my home live a peculiar beetle that can strip flesh, skin and fat clean off a bone until only the skeleton remains. It's something we nearly always do for a body to give them a touch of dignity that a rotting cadaver lacks.

[A skeleton is more sanitary and aesthetically pleasing than a putrid corpse. And most people are less unsettled by their dead relatives when there's that degree of separation.]

They are not the same. Once a soul has left for the afterlife, what's left behind, by definition, cannot be the same person.

But the souls are at peace, unless the departed did something in life to deserve otherwise.

Most of us understand that the body is but a mere vehicle for what the soul needs and desires in life. And a good number of us choose to leave that vehicle behind as a parting gift after we die.

I have never been terribly religious, but the Dawnfather is one of the only gods who has a particularly strong stance against the undead. But his domain is fertility and light. The reins of death itself belong to the Ruby Witch.

And she is only concerned about the fate of a person's soul. For it is her who acts as the judge and determines the home you reach after your time in the mortal world has ended. She has no qualms about the body being animated if you show some respect about it.

[clodpole]

[ So they aren’t the same. A part of Ophilia is a little disappointed, but she figured as much. ]

To leave something behind for those who would come after [ even if it is… a body, of all things ] is a wonderful thing. It truly is admirable—that willingness to help and provide for those that yet live.

If you do not mind my prying, might I one day discuss their faith with you some more? They sound nothing like the teachings I am familiar with, and I am ever so interested in hearing more about them.

[necroyalty]

As I've said before, I have never been particularly religious. But my mother was a theologian and archivist of sorts, even if I don't have access to her writings.

There are many gods in my world.

I'd be more than happy to talk about all of them.

[clodpole]

Whatever you are able—and willing—to tell me, I would appreciate.

Shall we save it for a time and place less

[ Less public, less accessible to Rita, less in the wake of the chaos she’s wreaked, less… ]

Unpleasant?

wrapping up here

[necroyalty]

I'd be more than glad to.

Until then.