The Voice of the Dead

The Voice of the Dead was a spiritual occupation from the Hubraic Era. They were typically a Priest or Priestess of the Phoenix who operated out of the Cradles of the Dead. There was one located in each of the four Saeric Lands. These temples have now been stripped bear and branded the Gates of Perdition. They are largely abandoned, save for the one in Raskvaeric, which is used to mine Perdition Sand.  

Selection and Training

While the position of a priest or priestess was theoretically opened to everyone, the Voices of the Dead occupied a unique position within the temple heirarchy. Communities were encouraged to bring any children displaying any clairvoyant talents to their nearest Cradle of the Dead. They underwent the same fifteen years of training required of novices to become priests, which included learning to read and write, theology, politics, etc. Their spiritual gifts be cultivated during their mentorship by one of the older Voices of the Dead. Those who developed these to a reasonable level were elligable to become Voices; those who could not were given the option of joining the priesthood, becoming a teacher, or leaving the Cradle altogether.  

Role

The role of the Voices of the Dead were simple. Mourners from all across the Saeric lands would travel to their nearest Cradles of the Dead, hoping to reconnect with a lost loved one. They would be charged a small fee for an audience with a Voice, and led into the deepest parts of the temple's cave complex. Here, the mourners were advised to present the Voice with a personal item belonging to the deceased, although higher fees were charged for the services of a Voice who did not need such a focus. The Voice of the Dead would then enter a meditive state, inviting the Soul to emerge from the Phoenix's realm to meet with the living. Sometimes, this would result in a physical manifestation; othertimes, the deceased would speak through the voice.