"straw death"

"Straw Death"
A "straw death" is a death by natural causes. The name comes from the idea of dying in bed, since in the North of Midhgardhur, most "beds" are fairly rough affairs, essentially wooden pallets with mattresses of straw. The term "straw death" is somewhat pejorative, a death in bed by natural causes being contrasted with dying on one's feet, in battle, for a worthy cause. Not everyone in the North thinks a "straw death" is lacking in honor, but the mere existence of this expression is very telling of the strong warrior ethos of the North.