Death Rites

There were once three thieves who stole a great war chest and so happy were they with their ill won gains that they had become rather drunk.

The first man had stolen the money so he could become the richest man in the world, he wanted no other to be as rich as he. The second man had stolen the money because he thought money to be an abhoration of the Goddess. The third man had taken it to open a hostel to help the poor, which were starving to death in his parish.

The first man wanted to keep all the money to himself so he poisoned the beer the others had drunk. The third man was the first to die, him being the weakest. The Goddess spoke to him and said, you are a good man and even though you did wrong to take from others, I see why you did it. Your body will rot down into the elements and new life will spring from it. Your spirit may reside here with me if you choose it. The man nodded and his spirit stood by her side.

By now the second man was nearing death from the poison, he turned to the first man and screamed "You murder us, now I will avenge myself in the name of the Goddess!" He took his dagger and with his last dying breath plunged it deep into the first mans chest. Then the second man found himself confronted by the Goddess. She spoke to him and said that although he could be a good man, he had much more to learn of her ways, he would be returned to the world newborn to learn more.

Finally, the third man died and the Goddess spoke to him, you have lived your life as an evil man. I have given you life many times and many times over have you failed to learn my lessons, I can do nothing for you. Henceforth shall you be banished from my realm. The man's spirit began to dim and turn black. He was no more than a creature of the Void in his spirit. His spirit floated off to rejoin his comrades deep in the Void. The Goddess was sad, but she knew there was nothing more to be done.

Then along came a passer by, a simple Priest of the local village. Immediately he set about trying to save the three men, even though he knew they had stolen from the war chest. Eventually he gave up and picked up the war chest to return it to its rightful owners. The Goddess knew this was a spirit she could return to the world to help others find the right path. His time was not yet, though she knew it was close and her eye would be upon him. She appeared to him in a dream and told him what must be done.

When you come to death, do not be afraid, I will be with you. Ask those close to you to perform the sacred rite, which I give to you.

Get as many believers to kneel by your body as you can, get them to form a circle or draw one to place your body into. Then they should cry out these words so that I can hear them;

Circle of Blood and Bone and Soul
Now hear the Goddess, heed her call
Blood and Bone to the Land return
Keep the Soul from the Voids concern

Circle of Blood and Bone and Soul
Now hear the Goddess, heed her call
This soul now, clearly departed
We will finish what they started

Circle of Blood and Bone and Soul
Now hear the Goddess, heed her call
All Druids, Priests together band
And Fight the Void, Protect the Land