Harbinger Born
No one knows quite how to classify the Harbinger Born. Some call it a condition or disease but some go so far as to say it is a gift. There are also those that call it a curse; however, what is known is that it is extremely rare and how it affects the Harbinger Born varies from person to person, depending on their experience. Despite its rarity, any mortal can become a Harbinger Born because of how it can occur.
A person becomes a Harbinger Born through death. When a mortal dies, they are taken by a Harbinger of the Raven Queen so that they can be taken to their appropriate place in the afterlife. There are those in the planes of Aither that can revive those that have passed on, forcing their souls back into their bodies, ripping them from a Harbinger's grasp. A person that is revived, when their mind is physical, rather than spiritual, it can not always rationalise what it has seen, and the experience can change a person, effectively cause them to be reborn, hence the name Harbinger Born.
Being a Harbinger Born will affect the mind of the individual differently, depending on what the person has done in life, as the experience will be very different depending on their final resting place. Those that would have been brought up to Elysium would have a far greater experience, and may even benefit from it, possibly being given some kind of peace, knowing their place in the esteemed part of the afterlife is assured. Those that would have been dragged down to the Underworld may be scarred, or even driven mad from seeing the place, falling deep into the endless pit, or interacting with the denizens of the Nine Realms of Hell, before being brought back.
What is known about Harbinger Born is that they have a unique connection with the damned, able to see the souls of those yet to be taken by a Harbinger, and even, in some cases, are able to see Harbingers as they work. They are granted a kind of spiritual sight, which can often extend, usually in time, to a greater spiritual understanding, although, in some cases, it can lead to a sense of existential dread. They can also better interact with the dead, being able to interact with the damned in some cases, depending if they have realised that they have passed on. They can also interact with Harbingers; however, the Harbinger Born that do exist in the world have warned against this, as they may be recognised and be taken to their place in the after life, despite the revival. A Harbinger will eventually find one that is a Harbinger Born, and if their death is necessary, they will be taken to the afterlife, causing those that are Harbinger Born to die soon after they are revived. This is more so the case with those that were meant to go to the Underworld, however.
Harbinger Born are so rare that those who have been affected by it rarely find another that has been affected as well, especially because it is extremely difficult for anyone to revive another, even if they know how its done. Those that have been affected may not even want to be open with their experience, as it may be difficult, or even painful in some cases, so many feel lost when they become Harbinger Born. The only widely known Harbinger Born is Candorran Fellon, whose death and revival has become quite the romanticised tale, which has led to a warped, public perception of the condition. Those that have been affected; however, know that it is not something that should be taken lightly.
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