fatal

Character Death
When a character dies, usually they are permanently
dead. However, if others care for the dead
character and are either capable of powerful magic
or have the necessary funds to pay for the casting
of revivification, it is possible though difficult to return
from the dead. If the character is unable to be
revivified, the character sheet must be passed to the
Aedile for review, and many things may happen: the
character sheet may be returned to the owner for
the memories, it may instead be ripped up to prevent
further adventuring with a dead character, their
possessions may be distributed to others nearby, etc.
Most humanoid cultures do not bury or embalm
the deceased, but instead cremate them. Below are
some facts about death:
Livor Mortis: The color of the skin of a
carcass begins to turn reddish-purple to purple
within 30 minutes to 2 hours, and the discoloration
of the corpse is complete in roughly 8-12 hours.
This discoloration is a definitive sign of death.
Rigor Mortis: This is a gradual stiffening
of the muscles consistent with the position of the
body. Rigor mortis, like livor mortis, is a definitive
sign of death. Eventually, the body will become
limp again due to decomposition. The onset of
rigor mortis is influenced by many factors including
disease processes, effects of violent exercise, temperature,
poisoning, and electrocution. In cold temperatures,
a carcass will be stiff from 8-36 hours
after death before becoming limp again. In warm
temperatures, a carcass will be stiff between 3-8
hours after death. Small muscles are affected first.
The typical order is the jaw, followed by the upper
appendages, followed by the lower appendages. Juveniles
and the elderly develop less rigor mortis.
Algor Mortis: Immediately upon death, the
body temperature begins to adjust to the surrounding
environment, usually cooling down. However,
after putrefaction begins (about 2 days after death -
- see below), body temperature increases again due
to the activity of decomposing organisms.
Decomposition: Several stages of decomposition
are noted below:
· Initial Decay: Initially, the carcass
appears fresh externally, but is decomposing
internally. The skin begins to display a
greenish discoloration. This period is from
the time of death until about 2 days afterward.
A brownish-black band on the eyes is
noticeable after 24 hours.
· Putrefaction: Roughly 2-14 days
after death, the cadaver or corpse becomes
swollen by gas produced internally, and is
accompanied by the odor of decaying flesh.
Marbling of the blood vessels is visible
through the skin. At this time, several different
insects are attracted to a corpse,
namely blow flies and flesh flies. The female
blow flies lay their eggs on the body,
especially around the natural orifices such
as the nose, eyes, ears, anus, vagina, and penis.
If the body is wounded, the eggs are
also laid in each wound. After 1-2 weeks,
maggots will be seen crawling. Flesh flies
do not lay eggs, but deposit larvae instead,
which live on the dead tissue.
· Black Putrefaction: From 14-20
days after death, the flesh becomes creamy
and the body collapses as gases escape. The
body turns a uniform greenish-black, and
the original skin color may be impossible to
discern at this point. The odor of decay is
very strong. A bloody purge of fluid often
occurs through the nostrils and other orifices.
· Butyric Fermentation: From 20-60
days after death, the corpse is drying out.
Some flesh remains and a cheesy odor develops.
Beetles are attracted to the exposed
bones.
· Dry Decay: From 2-18 months after
death, the cadaver is almost dry and there
is a slow rate of decay.
Chapter 10: Combat
HOMINIS.TOTA.VITA.NIHIL.ALIUD.QUAM.AD.MORTEM.ITER.EST
The whole life of man is nothing else than a joumey to death.
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