Death (journey)

Here the Clerk is referring to the journey of the mortal soul from the time of death until their arrival in their destined afterlife. These are specifically those conditions which occur within the sphere of Madrian's influence. In certain instances, not all recorded here holds true. Some individuals have chosen other paths.

**I. Death**

Once the moment of an individual's death approaches several things occur in the divine realm. First, Welhine prepares the shears to cut the thread of the individuals existence. Second a grim reaper is sent from Adrianna's hall to free the soul from its mortal form. When the individual's thread is cut, they die and within a moment the reaper is there to do its duty. Upon the reapers arrival several things might occur.

*Healing*: Magical healing has been known to occur at the moment of death. This holds especially true of adventurers. Sometimes this happens after the individual has seen the reaper. This is considered especially unlucky. There exist records where the sighted grim reaper continued to follow their charge and make every effort to see their ultimate fate fulfilled. This is especially terrifying for the individual as grim reapers can only be perceived by the dead.

*Defeating the Reaper*: There are stories of those who have been able to defeat the reaper before it may perform its task. Sometimes in combat and sometimes in other challenges kept secret to all but a few. Such instances are extremely rare and lack hard evidence. Individuals that have claimed such a victory often meet particularly grisly fates.

*Death*: The reaper arrives, completes its work and separates the soul from the body. At this moment if some particular bargain or divine favor is in place, the appropriate forces collect the soul. This is common for the Damned in particular. Otherwise, the soul is free to continue on to the next stage of its journey.

**II. Journey to Purgatory**

Souls that do not get trapped in their own grief or confusion and become ghosts are believed to take the form of moths. These souls must then fly to the realm of Night Everlasting where world of the living ends. They are pursued on this journey by demons in the form of bats. If eaten by these fiends, the soul is captured and taken to the Abyss. There are those who advise that the soul should follow the sound of whip-poor-wills who dwell along the river Lethe. Besides the demonic other threats exist as well. Hags and spellcasters are sometimes believed to capture these souls for nefarious purposes. Those of faith believe that one can gain the proper favor with one deity or another that will win protection for the journey.

**III. Purgatory**

Upon reaching the realm of Night Everlasting the soul will find themselves in a likeness of their mortal form. They will have to journey through Purgatory along a path to the shores of the river Lithe. There, the boat of Pergehntice will eventually approach. The soul must then get on the boat. Pergehntice says and does nothing but wait for a time before leaving the shore. With or without the soul. Those who refuse to get on the boat will wander the shore of the river until the end of the universe or some intervention occurs.

As a passenger on the boat, the soul is ferried down the river. During the journey Pergehntice reviews every sin that the passenger has ever committed by choice. No matter how small. This record is unflinching and without judgement. The Ferryman only states facts. This narration includes the consequences of each choice. Souls that accept their sins and themselves are able to continue on to their destined afterlife. Those that cannot are dropped off on the far shore of the river to wander Purgatory until such a time as they are ready to complete their journey. Acceptance does not necessarily guarantee a "good" afterlife. Some that make the landing on the far side of the river may also never accept their fate and wander till the end of the universe.

Certain cultures believe that by placing two gold pieces on the eyes of the dead individual that the soul will have these coins in Purgatory. When Pergehntice arrives, they will be able to bribe the god. He will then ferry them to their afterlife without the burden of their sins. The truth of this is only known to Pergehntice and the souls involved is such attempts.