Bells and chimes

The Highborn hang wind-chimes in their doorways to bring back memories of those they have lost, and the echoes of wisdom from earlier days. Meditating to the sound of wind chimes is said to help to attune one to thoughts of one’s ancestors and prior incarnations, and allow the dead to “speak” to the living through their memories. The household use of bells endures for similar reason, in the belief that the wind carries the breath and words of the departed. It is commonly held that bells can speak for those who have no breath or voice. The sound of bells ringing encourages the Highborn to remember the words of dead people who are important or inspirational to them.

More practically bells and chimes exert influence over the unquiet dead. Restless spirits will not approach the sound of wind chimes, and the ringing of bells causes such creatures to flee in terror. As a consequence, most people who spend any time around the dead - especially the Stewards of the Dead and Magisters - will keep a bell on their person at all times.