Corpses and Caches

[Mark Hall]

I wrote an article called "Corpses and Caches", regarding the metaphysical whys of burial traditions in D&D (and related games). It's edition-neutral, but I'd appreciate some feedback on it.

Corpses and Caches

[AGNKim]

While reading it, I thought it was very well done and, while I may disagree on a few points on the subject, it was hard to find fault in the writing style and mechanics of the essay. I was thinking B+, maybe an A. Then I got to this:

"What’s So Funny About Wights, Ghouls and Necromancy?"

Which bumped it to a solid A+. I'll be singing that all day. Thanks.

I have always believed that the world we, as adventurers inhabit, is vastly different for the other 99% of the world. We see goblins and ghouls, evil wizards and heroic Paladins daily. We believe THIS is the real world. But, in fact, it isn't. Our view is so extremely skewed as to border on the ridiculous. If we started telling the common villagers, "Don't bury your dead whole! Cremate them so they aren't raised as undead. Also, don't bury them with their worldly possessions because someone (like me, I may add) might steal them!", we'd be run out on a rail. Civilized societies have buried their dead for centuries, it shows respect while maintaining a form of decency.

Also, I think evil creatures do go to a horrible place after death. They are cast in the depths of hell, where they are tortured and tormented for decades. But the upside is that they can rise above it after a while. Using cunning and wile, they can become lieutenants, then captains and eventually usurp a place of power. The extremely talented can even eventually battle the demons and devils that rule these planes. The Good, while not cast in a fiery hell, also never aspire to rule their respective planes, for they never will. Its a trade-off the thoroughly evil are willing to take.

Anyway, great read, I enjoyed it.

[Mark Hall]

Also, I think evil creatures do go to a horrible place after death. They are cast in the depths of hell, where they are tortured and tormented for decades. But the upside is that they can rise above it after a while. Using cunning and wile, they can become lieutenants, then captains and eventually usurp a place of power. The extremely talented can even eventually battle the demons and devils that rule these planes. The Good, while not cast in a fiery hell, also never aspire to rule their respective planes, for they never will. Its a trade-off the thoroughly evil are willing to take.

In a way, that's what I wanted to convey. However, it is not that some universal force sentences them to punishment... they go there because they are evil, but not as punishment for crimes, but because that is the world that they want to live in. There is torture and pain and assorted horribleness... but it's not punishment. It is because they are surrounded by evil, by people who think exactly the way they do, and they are on the bottom of the pile.

Anyway, great read, I enjoyed it.

Thanks.

[clavis123]

I think you've created a well-reasoned explanation for continuing to bury and entomb the dead, given the basic assumptions of most popular fantasy RPGs. Your explanation is actually consistent with the real-world beliefs of the ancient Egyptians regarding the connection between the corpse and the soul in the afterlife. Where you influenced by those doctrines?

[Mark Hall]

I think you've created a well-reasoned explanation for continuing to bury and entomb the dead, given the basic assumptions of most popular fantasy RPGs. Your explanation is actually consistent with the real-world beliefs of the ancient Egyptians regarding the connection between the corpse and the soul in the afterlife. Where you influenced by those doctrines?

Perhaps subconsciously; I haven't looked into them in a while. What actually inspired me the most was the "Why the heck would we bury dead if a necromancer is just gonna come make him a zombie" and "Why do people keep leaving these valuable magical weapons lying around with dead people?"

[western watcher]

Nice article. I concur on your viewpoint regarding why undead with the ability to drain levels, or life from their victims leads to a weakened soul in the afterlife.