Artwork by Andreas Rocha

The Afterlife¶

Death, as I have come to understand it, arrives with the compassionate embrace of Ōphīa, who approaches each soul with warmth regardless of their mortal standing; acting as guide rather than gatekeeper.

According to most traditions, Ōphīa personally accompanies each soul on its journey to the appropriate domain. She walks with departed spirits, leading them in conversation about their lives and choices. These discussions reveal (according to an account from a priest who claimed to have briefly died before medical intervention) not condemnation but understanding, as souls naturally recognize where they belong.

Souls whose lives embodied virtues aligned with Ilhdeinia’s benevolent deities find themselves welcomed to the Celestial Domain: a realm said to exist “above” our world, though theologians insist this represents spiritual rather than literal positioning. This domain contains individual Holds for each deity, essentially divine provinces where like-minded souls gather in communities reflecting their patrons’ values. Movement between Holds remains unrestricted, with souls free to visit different divine realms or even relocate permanently as their spiritual development continues.

Those whose lives were dominated by cruelty, selfish ambition, or deliberate harm find themselves drawn to the Fallen Domain: a realm existing “below” the mortal world that ranges from grounds of temporary purification to territories of eternal anguish. Several traditions maintain that souls are never permanently confined to The Fallen Domain against their will; rehabilitation and eventual ascension remain possible though the journey may span time-frames beyond mortal comprehension.

Necromantic Disruptions¶

The natural transition between mortal life and afterlife can be disrupted via necromantic practices universally condemned across even the most divergent traditions.

Such violations attract particular divine outrage, with Ōphīa’s siblings becoming fierce protectors when her sacred work is mocked. Necromancers who disturb the dead or attempt to harness death for personal gain often find themselves cut off from healing magicks, as the gods collectively block access to restorative power.

While Ōphīa herself might forgive, her divine siblings are far less accepting of those who bring anguish to their kind-hearted little sister.

That being said, many traditions maintain that spirits can sometimes linger in the material world or temporarily return under specific circumstances; and ghost stories exist in every culture I've encountered.