Book:Post-Death Traditions and Myths

Metmer'ah, the Everhall

Every developed culture that academia is aware of has some element of an afterworld or post-life. One of the more well-understood is that of the Dwarves, which tells of Damidra Danii, the Everhungry. Damidra Danii are said to be natural denizens of the dwarvern afterworld, Metmer'ah. Most Dwarven ecclesiastical philologists describe them as tall, gaunt, humanoid figures, whose lower abdomen is essentially missing, leaving a void forward of the spine and pelvis, below and extending up behind the rib cage. Per the relevant students, these beings were created to inhabit the afterworld, as our more commonly encountered beings were created to inhabit our plane of existence. However, as neither hunger nor physical damage are a considerable threat in their realm, they had no reason to develop any kind of civilisation, and most are content to wander and talk.

It is said that, when a being enters Metmer'ah from our world, they will be met with disdain by the inhabitants. Whether this is because they desire to live with us and cannot, or we are simply interlopers in their land, is unknown. Part of the dwarvern funeral rite is to provide fresh fruit for the deceased to carry with them. It is said that this fruit can be given as a gift to the first Damidra Danius they strike a conversation with, which forms a bond with the being that can assist in allowing their continued passage without interruption. The fruit will be consumed by the being, via the normal oral orifice, and proceed to pass through the void in their trunk, falling to the floor as so much dust. This same transformation can be seen in the conlocal (as opposed to contemporal) counterpart; observers can witness the fruit decay in a manner unlike that of normal spoiled fruit.

There are three accepted practices in selecting the fruit provided for offering; the rarest, such that the offering is unique, the most expensive, such that the offering is prestigious, or the most intensely pungent/flavoured, such that the offering is impactful. It is the opinion of the author that, as these beings are said to be ageless and have no significant threats, intensity is the better selection criteria; they must all, over time, encounter every flavour.

It is not well understood why fruit specifically must be offered, where other sensorally intense objects are not accepted. Sight and touch are often described as diminished within their realm, and loud sounds may be considered rude; it would not be enjoyable if a being entered our reality and began yelling constantly. Appealing to the senses of taste and smell is logical, therefore, as they are both more personal and not diminished. However, incense, vegetables, meat, stock, pastries, etc, cannot fulfil the same role within these rites, by tradition.

— Unknown Scholar , Post-Death Traditions and Myths , c2158