Cottonwood Kingdom

Kingdom

A kingdom that lives near its much more urban sister kingdom, Stardust Kingdom . It is much more communal and rural, but although some urban visitors may snub the locals for being 'less technologically advanced', it is the home of many great inventors.

Locals actually tend to snub the Star Kingdom as well, due to the urban architecture being 'less unique' and harder to build, as well as it being less resistant to flooding/flash floods and other natural disasters of the sort.

It is a high crime to graverob, and doing so will bring great punishment.

It is common respect to show people the way to the belltower if requested; not only to avoid angering spirits, but also because of it simply being taboo to refuse, unless you are truly unable or doing something important.

If you see someone with a mask, never, ever, ever remove it.

If someone is lost, you must wish them luck in finding their way before parting ways.

MASKS

Masks are placed on the dead to send them off to the next life peacefully, so they don't have to suffer memories of their past life, which are often said to come in the form of nightmares.
They also give them fair judgement before all, and ensure that angry spirits will not persue them.
One of the greatest punishments is to not be buried with a mask-- an extreme punishment for the worst of people. If someone does not have a mask when they die, it's not uncommon for people to carve them a new one.

The masks are enchanted with blessings before being placed on the dead, but in a pinch, it's not required to enchant them. Although those souls are thought to lose their way often, the kindness of strangers and placement of bells is thought to guide them home.

Royals are thought to become ghosts if buried without masks, and some believe saints and martyrs become gods or demigods.

Unfound bodies become mournful haunts on the earth.
Unfound bodies from murders, however, are an interesting case, as they not only are thought to continue roaming the earth, but they're also said to be searching the world to hex their killer.

A broken mask becomes a symbol for unheard voices, due to it being associated with Sienna.

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BELLS

Bells are thought of as a guiding force for lost souls, dead and alive. The belltower is rung after wars, plagues, and many other events that cause many deaths, to guide spirits to the sky.
Bells are placed on guards at graveyards, and they are also placed on the masks of highly regarded people to bring them luck in the afterlife.

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MISSING PEOPLE AND GUIDANCE SHRINES

When someone goes missing, people set up shrines dedicated to them, decorated with any belongings left behind, and with a bell on the top to call them back. Lost children are most likely to come back.

Of course, people still actively look for them; The guidance shrines are a hope to guide the missing to where they have to be to be found or return home.

Some people set up these shrines at home, while others may set it up at the person's favorite place, and others even may make two and do both.

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THE SKY

The sky is thought to be where spirits go to reincarnate, and so burial places are at the highest points in the kingdom. There is a graveyard at the lowest point of the kingdom as well, only for the scum of the earth.

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THE DEAD PRINCE(SS)

The Dead Prince is a legend about Sienna, since she roams Cottonwood sometimes. People see her and recognize her as 'the prince', which makes her uncomfortable. She begins to correct them, causing a ripple through the kingdom.
People begin calling her The Dead Princess, until Sienna finally reveals she is alive, and returns to lead the Kingdom.

The Cottonwood Kingdom is named after its, well... Cottonwood trees.