Death Straw
What if the way people in your setting mourn the dead could spawn new adventures?
In response to this world-building detail about knocker-uppers, I received a nice tip from RPT GM Cheryl the Shadow:
Hi Johnn,
When someone died, it was considered respectful to keep it quiet around their home, so straw or hay was laid down on the cobblestones around their home or street so the clopping of shod hooves on stone would not disturb the mourners.
Soooo, straw in the street or in front of some particularly important NPC’s house might mean an impactful death.
Good one, Cheryl!
I love this detail. I like how the straw is easy for a GM to use as a signpost or clue. And also how the straw has a functional purpose in addition to a cultural one.
Riffing off this idea, here are a couple more, substituting other materials for straw:
Copper Pieces
Instead of straw, people toss copper pieces on the doorstep or area near the entrance of the home of the recently deceased.
Why?
- Copper helps conduct the soul safely to its destination.
- Repels demons or monsters who might try to eat or take the soul.
- Financial support. Perhaps merchants toss silvers and nobles toss gold.
- The tinkling coins as they land are seen as prayers for the departed and noise that repels evil spirits.
- The copper tarnishes black when evil spirits approach, warning mourners.
Plot Hook Ideas
- Last week, a cult cleaned the region out of almost all its copper pieces. No one thought much of it at the time, and people are only just realizing now that there’s no copper pieces to toss for the mourning of a powerful NPC. Did the faction do this on purpose so the deceased cannot be protected from evil spirits? Or maybe the cult is hoarding copper to build a massive spirit-conducting device?
- A VIP’s soul hasn’t passed on despite the copper ritual. Investigation reveals counterfeit copper pieces were used – someone deliberately sabotaged the funeral to trap the noble’s spirit for nefarious purposes. Alternatively, this event reveals someone has almost completely replaced regular copper coins with fake ones. Why?
- The copper pieces around the deceased’s house have started to change. Maybe they’ve begun floating, have become powerful magnets, are coalescing into something, or are trying to communicate. What’s the cause of this strange effect?
Blood
Rather than straw, mourners flick blood at the home of the deceased. Or maybe the building’s foundation or doorway is painted with blood.
Why?
- When the blood of a good person or creature is used, it helps protect the spirit as it leaves the mortal realm.
- The blood’s scent repels evil spirits or creatures.
- The spirit emerges as a type of undead that feeds on the blood to give it enough strength to make it to the plane of their afterlife.
Plot Hook Ideas
- A charlatan sells mourning “dragon’s blood” that’s actually pig blood mixed with red dye. When the fake substance fails to contain a powerful NPC’s death energies, the leaking and unbound magic begins warping the neighborhood.
- A magicking thief steals the blood or takes samples. They later use the blood like voodoo, controlling people or afflicting them with curses.
- One notable mourner refuses to give their drop of blood. This makes people suspicious and angry, but the NPC refuses to say why. The characters are asked to investigate because they are neutral third parties.
Blessed Candles
Instead of straw, mourners place and light candles, blessed by clerics of the deceased’s religion, around the deceased’s home.
Why?
- The candle smoke forms a barrier that blocks malevolent spirits and evil entities.
- The candlelight shows the soul the way to the afterlife through the darkness.
- The wax absorbs negative energy that might corrupt the soul or sabotage their afterlife.
- The flames flicker in patterns that priests can divine to confirm the spirit’s safe passage or maybe to glean any last words.
Plot Hook Ideas
- The blessed candles used for a powerful NPC’s passing have been tainted. Their smoke secretly collects the deceased’s memories, powers, or life energy. Who put these candles here and why?
- During the funeral, every candle suddenly burns green and shows visions of a coming catastrophe. However, it turns out mourners saw different versions of the future.
- The melted wax coalesces into a disturbing symbol or image. No one knows what it means, and the clerics have devolved into dogmatic arguments. Relatives of the deceased ask PCs to help uncover the true meaning of this unsettling event.
Whether you use straw, copper, blood, candles, or something else, mourning customs add depth to your world while creating opportunities for mystery and adventure.
Consider how practical solutions to death-related problems might have evolved into cultural traditions in your setting, then use those traditions to spark new stories.
Thank you for the inspiration, Cheryl the Shadow!
Cheers,
Johnn
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