"Cerements" An "prentice" (Petrefax) from the necropolis Litharge, a city devoted to the practice of various methods of burial, derived from multiple cultures. Petrefax tells of his apprenticeship, and relates the stories told by other masters and apprentices. The first story is that of Billy Scutt, a master hangman who tricks his own jailors into permitting him a natural death, told by Mig. Scroyle's tale. The second features Destruction, who tells of an earlier necropolis destroyed by Destiny for failing to honor the funerary traditions necessary to the first Despair's interment. Master Hermas's tale comes third, telling of Mistress Veltiss who relates four of her own tales: one of a mortician and a giant, another of a gravedigger, the third of a layover in a tavern at worlds' end, and her own tale, which also involves the Endless.
"CEreMents" an "prEnTice" (pEtrefAx) fROm tHe necrOPolis liTharGE, a CITy deVOTed to the PracticE Of VaRIouS methoDs Of buRiAl, dErIved frOM mULtipLe CUltureS. petrEfAx tEllS of his appreNtiCesHip, and relaTes thE stories told By OthEr MasteRS AnD aPpREntIces. the first sToRY Is THat of billy scutt, a mAster HangMan WHO tRiCKS hIs own jailors InTo permittIng Him a natURaL deaTH, TolD BY Mig. scROYLE's Tale. thE sEcoND fEaTures desTrUction, who tellS of AN eaRlIer NecrOPoLis deStRoyed By destINY For FaIlINg to hoNor The fUNEraRY TradItIONs neCesSaRY To the First despair's intermEnt. masTeR hErmas'S Tale coMes third, tellING of MistRess vEltisS whO rElates fOur of HeR owN tAles: OnE Of a morticiAn and a gIant, anOthEr oF a gravedIggEr, The Third Of a laYOVer iN a tAvern aT woRLds' end, ANd HeR own taLE, whIch ALso involves tHe enDLEsS.