Death and Afterlife

The longevity that the Elven race is blessed with has been a source of many legends. It is widely known that most Elves enjoy glorious long centuries of life before leaving this world. Though Elves can die by means of accident or violence, no mortal has ever seen an Elf die of old age. When Elves grow weary of walking the world and when they have experienced all life has to offer, they sail west in white swan ships or venture deep into thick virgin forest and disappear. No one knows exactly what happens to these Elves. And yet we know  their souls find their way to Valinor (also known as Arvandor; equivalent of Summerlands or Heaven to the Edanea). Eventually, every Elf answers death's yearning call; an Elf can resist death no more than a human can fend it off.

Some scholars speculate that Valinor exists in a pocket dimension of the greater plane named Olympus. Others believe it a special holy place that simply exists "West" of the edge of the world. How one can sail on a boat west, off the edge of Sosaria, is anyone's guess, but it is considered to be a part of the mystical journey.

In Valinor, unimaginable happiness lies as spirits live side by side with the deities of the Elven pantheon. It is a place of natural beauty, full of breathtaking cities and halls dedicated to each of the Valar, rich forests both wild and civilized. Sea elves mingle with land-dwelling elves in a world were there is no difference between water and air. All of good and neutral alignment are welcome in Valinor. Even Drow are welcome- Valinor is a reward for those who stayed true to the goodness in their hearts despite their color or race.

Elves, unlike most races, do not fear natural death. Instead, it is something they look forward to; it signifies a beginning of a new cycle rather than the end of existence. Natural death is accepted with ease, as it is nothing more than another part of the circle of life. However, Elves are not foolish; they do fear death by other means (violence or accidents) and take steps towards protecting themselves accordingly. Whether because of their ties with Nature and the creatures living within, or because of a deeper understanding of the unifying ties we have with Life, Elves generally do not practice violence upon another. Only dire needs can call an Elf out of their forest home to risk their life. Elves are not cowards, by any means, but they refuse to risk losing a life for things that are petty or insignificant in the grand scheme of Life.

Few fates can truly slay an elf. Accidents or violence are the two main causes for "unnatural" and final death. Those who fall victim to these terrible fates are mourned for many months. In the case of murder, blood oaths are made. The spirits of those which died an unnatural death are torn apart from the cycle of nature and the body lies cold and useless until returned to the Elf's land of birth. The spirit of the Elf can journey to Valinor only after the body is returned to the Elf's homeland.

Corruption or tainting of the spirit and the free will is also feared by Elves. Elven spirits must be pure and untouched to enter the forested realms of Valinor. And thus, any creature that feeds upon the life-force of another are greatly feared and avoided by elves. This type of creatures holds great danger for Elves because they hold the power of true oblivion. Even dark-hearted Elves, who follow evil ways, steer clear of beasts with the power to consume souls (the death of the soul is a death from whence none may return). The door to Valinor is forever barred to those who suffer the fate of un-death. The fear of un-death urges Elves to traditionally burn the bodies of those who have died the "final" death. Elves are also known to take up their arms and put the undead to eternal rest.

The relaxing splendor of Valinor makes it difficult to leave, especially after a long time of immortal and blissful existence. And yet, there are cases where an Elf returns from Valinor. An Elf may return to Sosaria through only a few ways:  reincarnation, resurrection, or specific magical rituals that rip the spirit from the realm. In rare cases, the Valar may return Elves to Sosaria as spirits to complete missions or to give message to their fellow Elves. Those who wish to return to mortal ways often do so through reincarnation. Their spirits are given physical bodies, beginning yet another circle of life. Oftentimes, these spirits do not come back as Elves, instead finding themselves reborn as animals or peaceful creatures with no recollection of their former life. Being reborn as a different creature allows the spirit to experience life through differing perceptions and learn lessons that are limited to particular form. Only have a heroic few returned to Sosaria with their Elven bodies. Usually, these elves have some unfinished business or have requested to be reborn as a new Elf.

Elves can be ripped from Valinor by powerful spells or prayers of those in the mortal realm.  This practice, however, is heavily frowned upon, as very few elves survive the shock of returning. Those that manage to return in one piece never seem quite the same person they were before they died. Furthermore, all Elves know that to be unwillingly stolen from paradise gives the Elf a melancholy they can never be released from. The Elf who is forced to return becomes weaker in mind and body. Eventually, he/she succumbs to madness and despair, and can take their own life. When ripped from Valinor, some Elves may even become banshees.

Since most Elves leave Sosaria for a joyful and veneered place, there is little mourning for those that pass on. Instead, their kin and friends celebrate the Elf's life and are grateful for the Elf's newfound joy. Though the one that passed on may be missed in body, there is no real sorrow in these ceremonies for the spirit is known to dance eternally with the Valar.

A funeral ceremony may still be held to honor an Elf's presence in the life of his/her friends and family. The ceremony is customized for each individual elf. Some are done with extensive detail and expense (especially if the elf was very important); others rid the body with little care, viewing it as only a shell for the true spirit of the Elf that has passed on. Some Elves choose to bury the body, allowing it to decompose and enrich the earth thus continuing the circle of life. Others believe that burning is the best way to dispose of the physical body. This act  not only ensures that the body will not rise through use of dark magics, but also cuts earthly ties, allowing the spirit to travel quicker to Valinor.