Put on your shoes and throw the backpack over your shoulder! Today, once again, we are going on a long journey to visit the most amazing and breathtaking places in the gloomy world of Gimle. Fortunately, we have our cartographer’s notes with us, so this task should be a bit easier. Okay, are you ready? Good! Let’s set off on an expedition to visit…
…the Graveyards! 💀 👻 That’s right – graveyards are an integral part of the Gimle landscape and a very important element of the culture of the local population. Let us honor their customs and get to know them better… but before we go, we have to warn you – the truth about misty cemeteries we will soon visit may turn out to be much deeper than it seems at first.
Cemeteries as an indispensable element of culture
As mentioned above, people of Gimle attach great importance to the afterlife and the burial of their dead. Perhaps it is due to their deep respect for tradition, or perhaps they are aware of the fact, that life in this dangerous realm is fragile and fleeting.
Anyway, you can be sure that Vikings never give up on the burial of their loved ones, even if it is associated with high risk and danger. They always respect the bodies, do their best to bury them with honor, and guarantee them a peaceful rest… which, unfortunately, does not always happen. In a Viking grave, you can find many interesting items that the deceased used during their lifetime. These can be – weapons, ⚔️ jewelry, trinkets, favorite items of everyday life, and even the remains of their animal companions – anything that can come in handy in the afterlife. When the time of the burial finally comes, family members and friends of the deceased gather around to mourn and pay their respect for the very last time. The final stage of the ceremony is laying the body in the grave.
The greatest of this world – Jarls, wise elders, or heroes – are sent to the other side in a very demonstrative and respectful way 👑 Their bodies are placed in a decorated boat filled with all kinds of valuables and artifacts, and then are pushed out into the water and set on fire. Such burials are rare and always arouse the great interest of the local population – what a way to go!
What awaits you after entering the graveyard?
In this case, it depends on the location and purpose of the graveyard. Those near the city or other large settlement will be rather bigger and better kept than a tiny (and often forgotten) cemeteries near the small villages.
One way or another, they are most often surrounded by a stone wall that defines their boundaries. Families of the rich and important citizens can afford to build a deep, magnificent tomb, while the poorer have to be content only with a tombstone or even a wooden slab. Thanks to special boards, you can find out who is buried in a given grave – unfortunately, some of the inscriptions have already been obliterated by time and weather ⌛️
Often, in honor of the dead, people place candles on the graves of their loved ones. You will spot them easily among the fog and humidity that often prevails here. Remember, that whatever your motives are, graveyards are not good places to visit alone… when you walk on soft soil around the tombstones, always keep your eyes and ears wide open. If you’re lucky, you will never hear the tormented grunts and the sound of the rattling bones 💀 But if you do…
THE UNDEAD
As you probably already know, the inhabitants of Gimle are not easy to scare, but even the bravest warrior can feel a chill in his bones at the sight of a living dead – a real plague that disturbs the peace and natural order of life and death 
Risen from their graves, the undead seem to have only one purpose – to erase all living things. Why is this happening? What causes such hatred and a mindless desire to destroy? Well… all we know is that the Undead are somehow related to the ancient magic of the old, pre-Ragnarok world. Who knows, maybe some great adventurer will someday explore this mystery and shed light on this strange, terrifying situation…
It’s easy to conclude that the awakening of the dead makes it difficult for the people of Gimle to carry out their funeral traditions, visit graves, or even approach cemeteries. Each such attempt is risky and may eventually end up with making the army of the undead even larger… Fortunately, there are still a few brave heroes fighting on the living side 
thanks to them, the dead that rose to life can finally experience eternal peace. In some tombs, they may find a great reward for their struggles and hardships – it is said, that ancient, powerful items and astonishing treasures can be found there.
Soon we will come back to you with more descriptions of the amazing creatures inhabiting the world of Gimle. You will learn what they are, what they look like and how to fight them! Be sure to follow our Social Media channels and join the Discord server to stay tuned. Until next time!