The Underroad

The barrier of the All-Mother ensures that no living soul may travel across realms except by Her power, and so it is believed that the distant realm of the Children is completely separate from this world, yet that is not the whole truth of it. Vædra is indeed divided from Isesda and only the few mortals who have attained the magical capability are able to enter the realms of the gods while the gods themselves are barred passage to our world, yet one is always present amongst us. Tyn, who stands at the end of all mortal existence, is the truth of this world incarnate. When breath ceases, senses end, and body grows chill, she is with us, as promise and guide. Whence spirits travel is beyond our comprehension, be it a new godly home or born of new flesh, says the priests at the wake, but there is a place where some may go and dæmons are said to dwell. This place is of Tyn and bound to her even as it is to the world itself, yet the only path there is in death, or so it is believed. Yet there is another. Once cannot find it, nor can one walk it unknowingly. It is not in the world always, nor does it appear upon specific days or through rituals performed and sacrifices made. This is the Underroad. The way to the Underroad can only be walked while the godly realm of Tyn in Vædra aligns with the path to her realm below. When this alignment occurs or for how long not even the Everwise can say with certainty, for there is a will about the Underroad itself, and this perhaps is why it cannot be seen except by those who already know it is there. Those who walk the Underroad may enter death while living and leave there again, yet none can tell of what lay there for none have walked twice upon the path.