22nd of Ches

Last night I took the final step to become a full cleric of Kelemvor. I had the honor of performing The Passing, a simple last rites ceremony, for Darin Rhys, a local who lived his entire life in Water Deep. I chanted to Kelemvor asking him to be watchful for Darin's essence. It was his time to depart this life and several of my fellow priests stayed with and comforted his family overnight because although death comes to us all, the living still grieve the loss. We buried Darin Rhys this morning during the Remembrance.

For the last four years, I've lived at the Church of Kelemvor in Water Deep learning from Kelemvor's priests. I was drawn to Kelemvor when I was fifteen and died in a block fire. Living and working with the priests has helped me understand and accept why Kelemvor didn't welcome me in death. But I still have nightmares of that day, trapped under a beam, laying there helpless as the flames crept closer…

The experience left me with more than just nightmares. Most of the right side of my face and body is scarred, along with both of my hands. It took almost a year to teach my deformed hands to write again, so I could continue my journaling. This journal is where I get to be just me, Zira Townsend. I'm not "That poor girl, look at her face and hands. It's so terrible, you know she survived that block fire a few years back," that people whisper about with pity in their eyes. Nor the disfigured freak that people turn away from with fear or disgust in their eyes. When I wouldn't leave the house my parents acquired a hood for me to wear after my burns had healed. Here at the church my fellow priests and clerics have long learned to overlook my scarring and just see me. But I still always wear my hood whenever I leave the church and cemetery grounds.

Wow, I can feel the exhaustion settling in. Well, I guess it only makes sense, I was awake all night with the Rhys family.

This was my first time leading The Passing. And it just feels natural to write down the words I spoke about Darin Rhys this morning.

The Rhys family has lived in Water Deep for generations and passed down the secrets of their exquisite wig-making over that time. Darin, a fourth-generation wig maker, retired 20 years ago, leaving the family business to his daughters Cordia Rhys and Tressa Rhys-Armstead. Vera Rhys, Darin's wife, was an accomplished alchemist who went with Kelemvor five years ago. May they reunite in the next life. Darin also served on the city council where he worked to create funding for the city's orphanages. He always said, "All children deserve to be well-fed and cared for." Though what I'll remember the most about Darin Rhys - a man who loved life and inspired everyone around him to spread that love and joy for life and each other.

It really has been a long day, night… I just can't keep it straight anymore. Well, since I was released from all duties for the rest of today I'm going to start by catching up on the sleep I'm in desperate need of.

Z