FUNERAL OF MARRENT ARGHIVIUS SEVENTHHDAY SECOND STROKE

[Farwalker]

A charcoal sketch with the official seal of the Church of Lochwar at Thrall's Gate Hangs suspended beneath the still-rotting corpse of Corona Starfire before the Church...

Lochwar's faithful are sad to report the death and dismemberment of their brother, Father Marrent Arghivius, at the hands of some UNKNOWN FERAL BEAST in the wilds near to Thrall's Gate. He dedicated his life to Anima Varana, the true spirit of the Varanite Empire, and the adulation of it's patron god, Lochwar. A true son of the Emprie, he will be sorely missed by friends and followers.

Funerary rites will be conducted SEVENTHHDAY, SECOND STROKE (2pm US East SUNDAY, October 3rd), at the Temple of Peralia in the Valley of the Two Bridges.

arghivius2.jpg

[Farwalker]

At dusk nine exemplar carry the litter bearing the body of Father Marrent Arghivius from the Temple of Lochwar in Thralls gate to the Temple of Peralia in Two Bridges.

At the temple, Marrent's body is laid out upon an altar and prepared. His eyes are closed and his jaw held shut with a strap of linen. Caked blood is washed away from his body with salt water drawn from the sea near Thrall's Gate. The deep wounds caused by his attacker are sewn shut and dressed in gauze. His body is then dressed in a fresh set of priestly robes and a veil is used to cover his disfigured face. Finally a crown of golden laurel leaves is placed upon his head.

Sweet incense along with offerings of food are burned though out the night.

[Farwalker]

The temporizing ring ring of the guardhouse's bell signaled that it was almost time. In a very short while, he and his group of Fleetsmen would be heading out to Two Bridges to attend the funeral of Father Marrent.

The Commodore fumbled with his leather gloves, frowning somewhat in disappointment. They were worn and used with daily use; where were his new ones? "Buchanan!" He shouted, tossing the gloves back down on his desk with a grunt of disgust. "Buchanan, by the Gods where are you?"

He went to his desk, fumbling about again, this time in the bottom drawer. Perhaps he put them here? He hadn't been to a funeral in years, and as a result, his formal kit was in sore disarray. A poor mark on his station, if anything.

He had found his best uniform, and indeed, spent all morning coaxing a few more layers of polish into his worn and serviceable leather boots. Now he just needed his damnable gloves!

"Ah, Buchanan! Send for Ensign Woodruff. It's almost time."

[Farwalker]

Brother Darius Aylomen's Eulogy for Father Marrent Arghivius

"Thank you all for coming. Welcome to the Temple of Peralia. We are here for the memorial of Father Marrent Arghivius."

"The good Father's death came as a shock to me, as I'm sure it did to many of you. How could a man in the prime of his life be struck down so suddenly? As I was preparing the Father's body for this service I prayed to Peralia for understanding. And as I prayed a vision was revealed to me."

"In that vision I saw Father Marrent standing before the Divine Court. Lurking like a hungry lion was Culnul, Betrayer of Life, cloaked in his robe of shadow. And from beneath his crown of flies, Culnul fixed his hungry gaze on Father Marrent's soul."

As Culnul prepared to pounce a booming voice shook the court. "THIS ONE IS MINE!”, declared Lochwar, God of Gods. Leveling his gaze at the Court he spoke in a commanding voice.

"It was I who plucked this one from the arms of his parents while he was but a babe. It was I who raised him within the halls of my church. It was I who brought him to the Province of Dasaria. And it was I who commanded him to rebuild my temple. And where there was once weakness there is now strength! And with this I am pleased."

Culnul shrunk like a dog before the whip.

Then Etoth, The Great Judge, raised his hand in judgment.

"You will not have this one, Culnul. Into Peralia's keeping he will go."

And then I saw Father Marrent brought before the seven gates of The Underworld. And at each gate a token of his mortal life fell from him like autumn leaves. At the first gate, he dropped his heavy mace. At the second gate, he dropped his shield. At the third gate, he removed his helm. And at the fourth gate, his cloak. At the fifth gate, he removed his armor. At the sixth gate, his gloves. At the final gate, he stepped out of his boots.

As the final gate opened to him, he was covered in a warm soothing light. And he stepped barefooted through the gate onto the soft sweet grasses of the afterlife.

Darius bowed his head for a moment before continuing.

"Only a man of great faith could accomplish his life's work so quickly. And so he was taken from us, his life's work complete. May your soul rest in peace Father Marrent Arghivius. Lochwar smiles upon you."