Dust to Dust
Dust/Core Dust
Dust to Dust, now there’s a curious burg, nestled in the bone-dry canyons of core Dust. It’s a place where the grey Dustmen, those gloomy blokes who fancy themselves as knowin’ a thing or two ’bout death, go to rebel in their own, hushed way. Not like the full-on ruckus you’d find in the livelier parts of the multiverse, nah, this is more like a muted gathering of souls, too stubborn to admit they’re enjoyin’ something.
The buildings cobbled together from sandstones, containing all sorts of exotic fossils of long-dead creatures, as grey as the inhabitants’ moods. Here, Dead philosophers, with their skulls packed with more questions than answers, debate the nature of bein’ dead. They’re a sombre lot, often found arguing whether bein’ dead is actually any different from living.
Then you’ve got the artists? They’re a unique bunch, paintin’ in colours so sombre you’d think they’ve never seen a sunrise. Their art’s as subdued as a whisper, but it’s got depth, if you’re into that sort of thing. And the poets! Their words are drenched in the melancholy of death, yet there’s a strange beauty in their dreary prose. But the most famous cutters are the Keeners — they sing heart-wrenching dirges lamenting the loss of legendary heroes, cities and even planes. The songs aren’t as sad as you might think though, they also touch on how achieving the True Death is a form of perfect release.
But not all the Dead are chuffed with this setup. Some reckon Dust to Dust is too close to what the Bleakers are up to, too full of emotions for true Heralds of Dust. Others shrug it off, sayin’ it’s just a phase in their deathly journey. After all, what’s the point of emotions when you’re a goner, right?
Here’s the funny bit though. For a place that’s all about denyin’ life’s pleasures, it’s got its own charm. A quiet, reflective charm, like the calm before a storm. It’s a place where even the most stoic of Dustmen can find a moment of peace, away from the eternal question of life and death.
Adventure Hooks:
- The Unwilling Revenant: A Dustman who believed in the True Death has come back as a revenant, against their will. This undead philosopher is terrified and confused, not understanding why they’ve been denied the peace of True Death. The party must investigate why this soul was brought back, uncovering a complex web of necromantic rituals, existential debates, and perhaps a secret faction within the Dustmen who are experimenting with the boundaries between life and death.
- The Paradox of Existence: Rumours swirl about a powerful artefact hidden in Dust to Dust, said to hold the secret to experiencing the True Death while still living. This conundrum draws scholars, zealots, and the curious alike. The party must navigate through philosophical debates and moral quandaries, as they discover the artefacts true nature and the potential havoc it could wreak if misused. Is experiencing the True Death in life a liberation or a curse?
- The Silent Choir: A sect of Dustmen in Dust to Dust claims they have heard the ‘Silent Choir’ – voices from beyond, supposedly offering wisdom about the True Death. The party is tasked to investigate these claims. Are these voices a true revelation, or the manipulations of a malevolent entity? This journey leads the adventurers through eerie encounters, ethereal realms, and the realisation that sometimes, silence speaks louder than words.
Source: Joshua Jarvis and Jon Winter-Holt, mimir.net
