Ideas for Burial Offerings for important NPC

[AlphaOmega]

Krieg: I knew someone here would understand what I was looking for.

D+1: I never meant this to become a discussion on "alien sociological takes on death" but thanks for the reply. The last paragraph was very helpful, seriously.

Mark: I don't know quite what to say. I didn't mean to "vex" you. But you asked, "Is it enough just to choose three artifacts, magic items, or expesive gifts that are related to elves, dwarves and humans?" and the answer to that is yes. Just a simple thing I was looking for but I guess it came across in a way that prevented others from understanding. I'm not trying to create Shakespeare here, just some background for a story.

Painfully: Your posts also gave me some ideas. Thank you.

 

[BlackMoria]

I think it depends on the culture's view of the afterlife or the journey to the afterlife.

In our world, ancient cultures had the viewpoint that the afterlife was just an extention of this life. As a result, the deceased was usually 'gifted' with items to facilitate his 'journey' into the afterlife. This would translate into gifts of food and other items associated with a long journey. Warrior societies would ensure the deceased warrior undertook his final journey with his armor and weapons and any trophies of his conquests during his mortal life.

In some cultures, the person's spouse or servants were put to death so the the deceased has company and companionship for the afterlife.

Getting to your original guestion - the gifts are likely dependent on the viewpoint of what the afterlife or the journey of the afterlife entails for that culture. If the afterlife is viewed as a 'different' physical existance then offering of fine food and wine would be appropiate. Weapons, armor and tools would be appropiate (in the belief that the deceased would have need of such in the afterlife).

Conversely, if the view of the afterlife is that is spiritual and non-temporal, likely offering will be ornate parchments of inscribed prayers, beseeching the gods to allow entry into the spiritual realm and to safeguard the spirit of the deceased during his journey; and to ward off evil.

So, answer the question of how, in your game world, the afterlife and the journey to the afterlife is viewed and you will have ideas as to what gifts are appropiate.