The Manifest Path/Rituals

Funerals

When a human dies, the body ought to be burned, so as to deny the mortal vessel to the foul undead. The full ceremony should be performed whenever possible, and involves laying out the corpse at the nearest temple or shrine with something representing their highest achievement, what they are most proud of, and a shield. The first is to show what aspect of their soul was improved the most during their life, and the second represents the guardian their soul has become. Once the pyre is lit, a time should be set aside so that those who knew the deceased best can speak as to the deceased's virtues, and try to identify where or what in the temple or shrine has taken up the soul. This should take no less time than the pyre takes to properly burn, so that all may ensure that nothing remains for the foul undead to pervert.

Often enough, alas, the burning must be a hurried affair but is very important for it weakens one of our foes. Most commonly, this haste arises after battles. In such a case, the bodies should be prepared with sword and shield to signify that they gave their life defending the Path and will now guard it, and a banner should be set near the pyre. Once it has burned out, the banner should be carefully stowed and taken to a temple to be added to the collection for the honoured dead, in the hope that the souls of those who fell will take to the banner and thus join the temple defenses.

Battle

Before Battle

Obviously, armies may only have a little time to spare from necessary preparations, and thus pre-battle rituals are by nature short. The first is that each soldier should spread a bit of their blood on their banner, to establish a link in case they fall in battle so that their souls may find their way more easily to the banner and be carried back to a temple. By the same token, all efforts should be made to retrieve the fabric of banners that fall in battle so that the souls of the dead may be brought to strengthen the defenses of the temple.

Priests, if present, should take of their blood to paint each soldier or, if there are too many, each captain and troop leader and provide some of their strength to guard the troops in the coming fight. If time allows a short sermon to bolster morale should be offered.