Ideas for Burial Offerings for important NPC

[AlphaOmega]

Let's say an important NPC died... well-respected among all races. And there's a long-standing tradition that each race sends an ambassador to attend. Assuming its a standard D&D world...

What would an elf, dwarf and human bring??? What fits??? Anyone out there do anything similar???

 

[Mark]

After coveting it for months, Krusk approaches the open coffin and respectfully sets inside the Wish scroll he never could read...

I think we need to know more about the NPC to make this call.

 

[AlphaOmega]

I didn't say anything about the NPC on purpose... the focus in on the PCs not the NPC - as it should be...

It's also about the races they represent. The tradition wouldn't be about modifying the offerings to fit the departed instead every one who "qualifies" for this ceremony receives A, B, and C. This is a rare honor type of thing. Doesn't matter if the dead NPC is a human, elf or purple worm. They were so respected during life ... yada yada...

 

[Barak]

Exactly how rare are we talking about? Was he so respected that it's the kind of thing that happens every 5000 years, or was he just some well-like dking, but there's a few of those, and it happens every 20 years?

 

[AlphaOmega]

every generation or so... so 20 years sounds about right...

I wasn't expecting many questions... I guess I didn't explain this in the right manner... I was hoping to get a few ideas as to what an elf would bring to a funeral as an offering no matter who it was as long as they qualified for this highest honor. And doesn't matter how one qualifies... just think of it as something special that's usually reserved for kings... the hero that saves the world from evil... that sort of thing.

 

[Mark]

Let's say an important NPC died... well-respected among all races.

I didn't say anything about the NPC on purpose... the focus in on the PCs not the NPC - as it should be...
...

Doesn't matter if the dead NPC is a human, elf or purple worm. They were so respected during life ... yada yada...

I'm at a loss. Usually I try to equate D&D cultures with bits and bobs from various real world cultures. I know of no real world culture where a highly respected personage dies and the memorial service focuses on whoever happens to be sent by the neighboring communities.

When my mother passed last October (though she wasn't a highly respected "head of state"), I can tell you that though she was a relatively, ordinary person there was no one more important on that day than her to those of us who were left behind.

Is this ceremony being based on one with which I may not be familiar?

 

[Krieg]

The Dwarven ambassador marches straight to the deceased "heir" (son, wife, apprentice whatever) & presents a mithril, diamond encrusted goblet filled with rubies & made from the skull of the assassin who murdered the NPC.

 

[D+1]

Let's say an important NPC died... well-respected among all races. And there's a long-standing tradition that each race sends an ambassador to attend. Assuming its a standard D&D world...

What would an elf, dwarf and human bring??? What fits??? Anyone out there do anything similar???

Interesting question, although as indicated by others it does suggest a rather alien sociological take on death, burial and so forth. Or more accurately that the take on death, burial and so forth IS dictated to a great degree by the society of the deceased. So let's go with what little we've been given.

It is an expectation of tradition that at least these three races send an ambassador to present... something upon his death. This would suggest that it's not a sociological expectation but a political one since it crosses race/societal boundries, but the gifts/sacrifices/tokens would be the same. The possibilities are pretty wide depending on what, if anything, you have set up regarding how these races/cultures treat their OWN dead. Do they pile up the confiscated weapons of conquered enemies or their skulls? Do they compose an original poem or song regaling the deeds of the deceased, or perform ancient and unchanged recitations? Do they bring gifts to be buried with the dead or gifts to be given to the family of the deceased? Do they drink and feast in celebration or weep and wail? Would they want to annoint the body with oils and leave it for the crows, preserve it, bury it, entomb it, or burn it and scatter the ashes? Would they bring tokens of great symbology or offer simple wealth in gold, jewels and trinkets?

I'd say that the dwarf brings an intricately carved death mask intended to frighten away the demons of the nether world as the body begins its journey to the afterlife when buried. The elf brings a sacred plant, a rare tree to be the centerpiece of a memorial garden where the other flowers and shrubs chosen tell the story of the life of the deceased for those who know the symbology involved. The human gives a highly valuable item of some sort that represents the deeds or qualities of the NPC - a jeweled sword if the NPC was a mighty warrior; a crystalline case containing an olive branch for a great diplomat; and so forth.

 

[Mark]

Well, I'll admit this one still has me vexed but I'm loathe to give up on it.

I guess it boils down to motivation of the leaders being represented by the ambassadors, perhaps?

Are the foreign leaders sending their ambassadors with some sort of item that impresses everyone else with how important they are? (I suppose in that light we can just ignore the ceremony all together, since that's just a plot device to bring the ambassadors to the same place.)

Is it enough just to choose three artifacts, magic items, or expesive gifts that are related to elves, dwarves and humans?

Maybe one of each, one each from the three factions?

Are these being used as part of a background for an adventure?

Will they simply be mentioned and forgotten, or will these items be used as the focus of a further adventure?

Is there some level of value or power that should be considered for these items or is the sky the limit?

 

[Painfully]

I must presume that each of the races share some common tradition that goes back far enough that they value it more than any current conflicts. For the purposes of answering the post, I'll presume that there is some common desire for peace/goodwill which can overcome small conflicts.

Tokens.

Let the tokens be something that call upon the cooperation of the races. The dwarves might craft fine amulets, capable of being charmed. The halflings might perform the intricate carvings/artwork. The elves might enchant them with a protection against evil outsiders, or undead spirits. The gnomes might bind those amulets to the earth itself, as they act together to surround the body completely.

Essentially, it boils down to a charm of protection for the afterlife, and the ritual to create that protection calls on the good intentions of each of the races. To gain that kind of friendship, is perhaps more important than the charms themselves. Should any of the races fail to send an appropriate craftsperson to complete the ritual, then the charms are useless.

Visitors of other races might be unwelcome in a foreign city, but they might say something like, "if your kin were ever a true friend of ______, then you would be my friend." Of course, such lines could just as easily be abused by those who haven't the desire to reciprocate such kindness. But, it is there nonetheless.

While few should be so presumptious as to expect such an honor when they die, when one of the races does not show up to an important burial, it might be the kind of insult that can start a war. It's important to think of the possible implications of not sending an ambassador.

Alternatively, each race can completely craft their own charm. Dwarves craft one to repel undead; elves craft a charm to repel demons/devils; halflings craft a charm which symbolizes abundance (of food, cheer, friendship); gnomes craft a charm which protects from the elements of nature and time.