Hell and the GateKeeper
My (Ghost Tiger) research is in the preliminary stage, but I (Ghost Tiger) ask those that may have more specific or contradictory information to please submit it to either myself (via missive) or leave it under the notes (talk) section to be discussed before final notes are changed.
Hell is the final resting place of the souls and ancestors of this world that is the sentient creatures. From research, Hell is actually a world, that has been “hollowed” (true meaning unknown) to use as such. To access Hell “The Gate” is used. From research, the previous civilization called the Ounish found an artifact older than any civilization they had known, older than some group known as the “Fleshcrafters” (true meaning unknown). This Gate allowed for what the Ounish called “Essence” and what others would call souls, spirits, ancestors, or ghost to pass into another world automatically. Some sort of bureaucracy was established to determine the exact results of this. A position called “The Gatekeeper” was established to maintain the integrity of this device as well as assists those who passed through The Gate. This position was held by a living being, who was infused with some sort of power conferred to him or her by specific badges of office. While most essence passed through this Gate, it was not the only means to travel to Hell.
I (Ghost Tiger) will pause to say, Hell as understood by my (Ghost Tiger) world via Gatespeak is a place reserved for punishment in the second life. If a soul did not do what was required of it in life, they would be punished in Hell. I would like to note that we of the Empire of Perfect Unity know exactly where our ancestors reside (at least the ones that are properly put to rest), this being the Courts of the Golden Halls of the Honorable Ancestors.
Hell is actually translated here in the Forest as the absolute residence of the souls, ancestors, etc… either for the good or ill. Apparently, the souls were rewarded according to their actions meaning those that were immoral were punished accordingly and those that were kind, harmonious, or whatever The Gate was instructed to consider “good” were positively rewarded.
Hell has been overcrowded for some time. As has been relayed to me (Ghost Tiger) the world the Gate connects to is not infinite in its capacity. There is also some sort of fuel required for the Gate to work properly. Two analogies would be a fire that will allow glass to be blown to its proper shape requires wood as a fuel. The fuel for Hell is not enough to properly ignite the fire that allows Hell to expand or maintain integrity for its occupants. Also, one could imagine a bucket filled with water; if more water is added than it will displace the current water, sending souls or essence to “oblivion” (meaning unsure, but a sort of non-existence).
The current Gatekeeper, while a employee (the last employee?) of the bureaucracy that regulated the transfer of essence and the Gate was only a minor functionary before an event brought about by spirits known as the Nightmare Host. As reported to me (Ghost Tiger) the previous Gatekeeper had his faced “ripped off” by Nightmare Host. It is assumed that the war or assault by the Nightmare Host caused so much death that the means by which the Gate works was overwhelmed. Whether this was due to the sheer number of dead or the quickness of the action, or a combination of both is unclear.
It has been noted that there are actually two positions related to the regulation of the Gate, one being the Gate Keeper and the other being the (a) Gardner. It has been theorized that both positions are required for the current process to work without a complete breakdown.
It is also unclear, if a person should travel to Hell by the means other than the Gate, if this will cause the current essence to be shifted to oblivion. Apparently there are doors that require a very specific key in which to accomplish this.
There are 5 current methods researched that will allow one to visit the Gatekeeper (who can apparently answer a wide berth of questions).
Death, the most common and most likely means. It has been said, that essence feels drawn more and more to the Gate. I (Ghost Tiger) have heard a song, sung by the very talented singer Coralie that awoke a very strange feeling in me. It felt very familiar although I’m sure it did not confirm to the 100 Acceptable Forms, I am told that this is a simulation of the tug the Gate places on ones soul, drawing it to its destination. After arriving, the essence spends a specific amount of time with the Gatekeeper, before being “cast out.” Being cast out allows the soul to wander for a set amount of time, but if a means of revival is not found, the soul becomes manifest as a “Hungry Dead”. Two potential means of revival from Death back into a state of “Life” are the “Decanter of Eternal Twilight” and the “Stone Tables” (please see topics relating to each). It is worth noting here, that the “Decanter of Eternal Twilight” was not originally meant for that purpose, it is not functioning as intended and does not offer a balanced recovery of a soul. In other words, it takes more of a person living to being back a person from death. Also worth noting, apparently the Sin Eater Bloody Eyes broke the Stone Tables (how many is unknown) but they are in the process of being fixed. Contrary to previous thought, fire does not prevent the dead from returning as “Hungry Dead”. It is still not known if the funeral rites of the Empire will work as they should in this world but current research would indicate not. As has been learned, the “rules” of each world, including the Forest, trump the beliefs or rituals of the population.
An alchemical process known as the Ghost Kiss Rose Tea. This seems to simulate death an allow the imbiber to visit the Gatekeeper. This is apparently a very risky venture as it may prove fatal and the process is dependent down to the second of brewing, the exact number of grains, and exact temperature of the fire. I (Ghost Tiger) am unfamiliar with the whole process so a Master Alchemist would be the best source for clarification. (Marcus, Healer and Scribe, has more specific information concerning both the ingredient and the process). Please see the notes added by Master Healer Marcus Woundbinder.
Intense Mediation has been reported as a means to disembody ones mind or consciousness from ones body. I (Ghost Tiger) am unclear the exact metaphysics behind this and have no current reports on the success of this.
Thought spires are devices that allow communication from one device to another. They are also capable of storing information to be verbally and visually repeated back. I (Ghost Tiger) am unclear the exact metaphysics behind this and have no current reports on the success of this.I (Ghost Tiger) have been told be many (if not all) of the residence of the Forest that these are very advanced but have come under attack as of late.
The “Merchant Prince” is reported to be able to set up meetings with the Gatekeeper. I (Ghost Tiger) have not had dealings with this person. Nor do I (Ghost Tiger) know if his means of doing so include one of the previously mentioned methods. Apparently they (Merchant Prince and Gate Keeper) are/ were friends, but it is unclear if this holds any bearing upon that either. (Noted my Marcus, healer and Scribe).
I (Ghost Tiger) have become very interested in this particularly because there are very similar aspects between this world and the Empire of Perfect Unity. The Hungry Dead are a plague that should be wiped from whatever world they are found. If they occur in this world due specifically to a deficiency or a particular device, it would seem
It has been confirmed that the “Folk” of the Enchanted Glade, called Fairies or Fair Ones (of which there are several sub-races) can not pass through the Gate to Hell. Their essence is still drawn to the Gate Keeper, one would assume the “rules” of the afterlife still apply, thus they must journey. It has been described by several accounts, that the “souls” of the Folk reside in “globes” of light. The Garden (as tended by the Gardner mentioned above) is responsible for their upkeep. Apparently, one could interact with them if one could stay long enough to do so (see notes below on remaining). It has been suggested that a souls integrity can only be reformed (brought back from death) four times. Five times with a “boon” (see notes on the 11 Change of the Thirteenth Changes). This applies to both mortals and Folk.
In relation to the pull and amount of time one receives to and from the Gate. As has been reported above, the pull is undeniable, but may be altered or redirected. There is a “magical” circle that does this and the “Dirge of the Dead” (as noted above and in the notes). It is worth noting that when preformed properly, the 11th Change “Parting the Veil” will extend the time in which a soul passes up to an hour (see notes on the 11 Change of the Thirteenth Changes). Once a soul travels to the Gate, there is a specific amount of time it may spend there before it must pass beyond the Gate to Hell (which is currently not being allowed) or be sent back into the Forest. The more times a person dies (and their essence degrades) the stronger the pull to the Gate and thus the longer they may remain to “talk” to the Gate Keeper (or interact with the residence). It is also worth noting, that when one arrives to “see” the Gate Keeper he must give his name which is checked in a book. This is a compulsion that is irresistible. Apparently, a “boon” will be noted if given in this book as well.
Further investigation has revealed that there are potentially two methods to “fix” Hell. First, one must understand that, as stated previously, Hell is a location accessed through the “Gateway” or “Gateway to Hell.” The world it connects to was “selected by World Striders (process or reason unknown). Thus there would be a means similar to other means to travel to this world a.k.a. access Hell. In other related research, it has been stated that the World Striders could influence or completely alter worlds to fit specific design models. What the model for Hell may be is unknown at this time, but one would assume (or hope) it would be completely empty. For Hell to be fixed in a manner which it operates currently, one would need more “energy” as listed above. In general… (more to come)
Another option would be find a more suitable world, purportedly one that could be handle the current load and “grow”. This would entail, cultivating another world in some way (as the previous World Striders did) so that it fit the required model. It is unsure if moving the current population would be an option.
It should be noted that in a meeting with the Lord of the Worm Eaten City, he (Lord of Worms) stated he attempted for many centuries to fix Hell and was unable to. He suggested that it would be impossible to do (or was impossible for him to do, a fine distinction). He also suggested that the Current Gate Keeper of Hell was not ready for that position, nor would he (the Gate Keeper) be able to maintain that position for ever. It is unclear the time frame with which the Lord of Worms is speaking for two reasons, he is likely on the verge of insanity, and he is for all intents and purposes immortal (the two may or may not be related). Both of which do not diminish the validity of his information, but make comprehending his reasons and reasoning difficult, to say the least.
Three related topics which I [Ghost Tiger] will be pursuing are: 1. The manner and consequences of a World being fit to populate as Hell. 2. The specific requirements of and by-products of processing more energy for Hell. 3. What specifically the “Gate” was used for prior to it being used by the Ounish and in this regard, what previous civilizations did or understood in regards to the afterlife.
Penned by the 3rd rank Scholar, Explorer Bai Guey-hu,
called the Ghost Tiger