souls

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souls [2024/03/15 09:18] – shtosouls [2024/03/15 09:21] (current) – shto
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 ===== Cycle of the Soul ===== ===== Cycle of the Soul =====
-Even the smallest blade of grass technically has a soul. However, its soul is so small and weak as to be functionally imperceptible unless one looks very closely. Similarly, the soul of this blade of grass puts out nearly no energy at all - but it does indeed put out the tiniest bit. This little bit of energy, when multiplied against the countless blades of grass that exist in the world, begins to add up over time.+Even the smallest blade of grass technically has a soul. However, its soul is so small and weak as to be functionally imperceptible unless one looks closely. Similarly, the soul of this blade of grass puts out nearly no energy at all - but it does indeed put out the tiniest bit. This little bit of energy, when multiplied against the countless blades of grass that exist in the world, begins to add up over time.
  
 Further, the more complex a creature is, the more powerful its soul and the more energy that soul puts out. A tree's soul is more powerful than the soul of a blade of grass, the soul of an animal is stronger still, and the soul of a humanoid even more powerful still. When examining the beings that naturally reside in the mortal world, those creatures that tend to rest at the top when it comes to soul power are those one would likely expect - dragons, krakens, and other creatures that are singularly considered extremely powerful. Further, the more complex a creature is, the more powerful its soul and the more energy that soul puts out. A tree's soul is more powerful than the soul of a blade of grass, the soul of an animal is stronger still, and the soul of a humanoid even more powerful still. When examining the beings that naturally reside in the mortal world, those creatures that tend to rest at the top when it comes to soul power are those one would likely expect - dragons, krakens, and other creatures that are singularly considered extremely powerful.
  
 ==== Unclear Origins ==== ==== Unclear Origins ====
-Souls seem to, for lack of a better term, simply spring up. The exact mechanism behind their creation is a mystery even to the gods, or at very least, the gods claim this to be the case. At very least, it seems unlikely that the gods are responsible for the creation of souls - the Old Gods were once mortals, and as such, most certainly have souls of their own. The New Gods, meanwhile, emerged well after souls were an identified phenomenon. Where, then, did souls come from?+Souls seem to, for lack of a better term, simply spring up. The exact mechanism behind their creation is a mystery even to the gods, or at very least, the gods claim this to be the case. In any case, it seems unlikely that the gods are responsible for the creation of souls - the Old Gods were once mortals, and as such, most certainly have souls of their own. The New Gods, meanwhile, emerged well after souls were an identified phenomenon. Where, then, did souls come from?
  
 The leading theory among mortal scholars is that souls are not created intentionally, but are simply the result of interactions between the membrane of Baltia and the realm of the Outside that surrounds it. These scholars, and the textbooks they write, theorize that souls materialize within the Outside. Should a soul that is materialized within the Outside be close enough to the membrane of the world (as much as the concept of distance can matter in the Outside) then it has a chance to filter into Baltia. The leading theory among mortal scholars is that souls are not created intentionally, but are simply the result of interactions between the membrane of Baltia and the realm of the Outside that surrounds it. These scholars, and the textbooks they write, theorize that souls materialize within the Outside. Should a soul that is materialized within the Outside be close enough to the membrane of the world (as much as the concept of distance can matter in the Outside) then it has a chance to filter into Baltia.
  
-It's speculated that only very small and weak souls, like those of plants, could filter through this membrane. However, once they've done so, these souls find themselves within the realm of the Afterlife.+It's speculated that only the smallest and weakest of souls, like those of plants, could filter through this membrane. However, once they've done so, these souls find themselves within the realm of the Afterlife.
  
 ==== Existence in the Afterlife ==== ==== Existence in the Afterlife ====
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 ===== Creatures of the Soul ===== ===== Creatures of the Soul =====
-Once a soul is able to be reincarnated, it will be bound to the next available vessel that is capable of holding this soul. The mortal form of a sapling is completely unable to hold the soul of a human being, and so that human will never be reincarnated as a plant under normal circumstances. However, some souls are more flexible than others - it's not uncommon for some beings to have many lives as different races, while another soul may only ever find itself contained in the flesh of beings that share very specific traits.+Once a soul is able to be reincarnated, it will be bound to the next available vessel that is capable of holding this soul. The mortal form of a sapling is completely unable to hold the soul of a human being, and so that human will never be reincarnated as a plant under normal circumstances. However, some souls are more flexible than others - it's not uncommon for some beings to have many lives as different races, while another soul may only ever find itself contained in the flesh of beings that have much in common.
  
 ==== Mortal Beings ==== ==== Mortal Beings ====
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 === Fiends === === Fiends ===
-However, reincarnation is not a process lacking in danger. While it is difficult for a soul to be harmed while inhabiting a body, though doing so is very difficult, the soul is quite vulnerable in the afterlife where it has no such protective vessel. The greatest threat posed to a soul in the afterlife is the threat of Fiends. These aberrant souls have forsaken normal growth in favor of destructive shortcuts.+However, reincarnation is not a process lacking in danger. While it is difficult (but not impossible) for a soul to be harmed while inhabiting a body, the soul is quite vulnerable in the afterlife where it has no such protective vessel. The greatest threat posed to a soul in the afterlife is the threat of Fiends. These aberrant souls have forsaken normal growth in favor of destructive shortcuts.
  
 == Demons == == Demons ==
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 When this occurs, a demon is born. In the afterlife, their forms combine into one being that is often the physical manifestation of their most based instincts or fears. Most demons take on gruesome or terrifying forms as a result. However, the collective energy of these multiple souls grants the demon greater power to protect itself, and the demon will often seek to grow further so it can increase this power. They then often go on to hunt isolated souls that they can add to themselves, or even lesser demons should they find any. When this occurs, a demon is born. In the afterlife, their forms combine into one being that is often the physical manifestation of their most based instincts or fears. Most demons take on gruesome or terrifying forms as a result. However, the collective energy of these multiple souls grants the demon greater power to protect itself, and the demon will often seek to grow further so it can increase this power. They then often go on to hunt isolated souls that they can add to themselves, or even lesser demons should they find any.
  
-A demon remains unique in that it is still technically a collection of beings - while it shares a single physical form, it technically can have a multitude of identities. However, one is unlikely to see strong influence from any single soul, as the whole is far more powerful than any single member. As a result, its actions tend to adhere to the "lowest common denominator" so to speak, resulting in very simple motives and expressions.+A demon remains unique in that it is still technically a collection of beings - while it shares a single physical form, it technically can have a multitude of identities. However, one is unlikely to see strong influence from any single soul, as the whole is far more powerful than any single member. As a result, its actions tend to adhere to the "lowest common denominator" so to speak, resulting in simple motives and expressions.
  
 == Devils == == Devils ==
 Much like demons, Devils are fiends which hunt for the souls of the weak in order to strengthen themselves without going through the process of reincarnation. However, unlike demons, devils maintain a singular soul and identity. They do so by combining their souls with those of weaker beings, fusing the two souls together into a singular more powerful entity. This allows them to maintain a sense of self that demons lack, while still absorbing the majority of the power of the "victim" soul. Much like demons, Devils are fiends which hunt for the souls of the weak in order to strengthen themselves without going through the process of reincarnation. However, unlike demons, devils maintain a singular soul and identity. They do so by combining their souls with those of weaker beings, fusing the two souls together into a singular more powerful entity. This allows them to maintain a sense of self that demons lack, while still absorbing the majority of the power of the "victim" soul.
  
-However, this process is not without its drawbacks. All souls have traits and personalities, and when one soul absorbs another, their traits are combined. This results in a personality shift within the devil, the magnitude of which depends upon the relative power of the two souls. A devil which has consumed a soul close in power to its own may change radically, while a devil harvesting weaker souls may change very little from meal to meal.+However, this process is not without its drawbacks. All souls have traits and personalities, and when one soul absorbs another, their traits are combined. This results in a personality shift within the devil, the magnitude of which depends upon the relative power of the two souls. A devil which has consumed a soul close in power to its own may change radically, while a devil harvesting weaker souls may change little from meal to meal.
  
 Even if the change is small, a change has occurred. Traits that the devil share's with its victim soul are magnified, while any traits the devil has that are contrary to those of its victim are diminished. If a devil favors a certain type of prey, the result will often be personality traits that are taken to sometimes comical extremes. Even if they do not have any preferred type of victim soul, there are some traits that simply make one type of soul easier to hunt than another. Even if the change is small, a change has occurred. Traits that the devil share's with its victim soul are magnified, while any traits the devil has that are contrary to those of its victim are diminished. If a devil favors a certain type of prey, the result will often be personality traits that are taken to sometimes comical extremes. Even if they do not have any preferred type of victim soul, there are some traits that simply make one type of soul easier to hunt than another.
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 The last major category of fiend is the yugoloth, which is considered to be the most depraved and vile of the fiends. Unlike devils, which preserve some manner of their victim in themselves, yugoloths show no such mercy or respect. They simple consume the souls of their victims, shredding them into scraps of energy that their own soul then consumes. This process means they do not see personality changes in the same way that the other fiends do, but is far less efficient - a yugoloth only grows by a fraction of the consumed soul's overall power. This lessened growth is worth it to them, though, in exchange for remaining their true selves. The last major category of fiend is the yugoloth, which is considered to be the most depraved and vile of the fiends. Unlike devils, which preserve some manner of their victim in themselves, yugoloths show no such mercy or respect. They simple consume the souls of their victims, shredding them into scraps of energy that their own soul then consumes. This process means they do not see personality changes in the same way that the other fiends do, but is far less efficient - a yugoloth only grows by a fraction of the consumed soul's overall power. This lessened growth is worth it to them, though, in exchange for remaining their true selves.
  
-Unfortunately, the true self of such a being often leaves much to be desired. There is much to be said about a being who believes itself entitled to destroy the souls of other sentient beings to fuel itself, and very little of it is pleasant. Such beings tend to value their own existence above all others, and even further, often value their wants or fancies above others as well.+Unfortunately, the true self of such a being often leaves much to be desired. There is much to be said about a being who believes itself entitled to destroy the souls of other sentient beings to fuel itself, and little of it is pleasant. Such beings tend to value their own existence above all others, and even further, often value their wants or fancies above others as well.
  
 === Angels === === Angels ===
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