The Soul
Our Souls are what let us love. They are the reason we care and understand. Your Soul is you.
Souls are a metaphysical property of all living creatures, the culmination of all conscious thoughts, emotions, morals and beliefs. They embody one's whole being within their Aura; at rest, it's believed they envelope one entirely, but they can be acted upon by magic to manifest them physically.
The theory that describes the Soul's function is known as Soul Theory. They are thought to regulate the flow of energy throughout the body, a network with a core in the right side of the chest opposite the heart.
The origins of Souls is disputed. Some believe that they are a by-product of evolution and only certain advanced creatures like the Faelen, Humans and Dragons have them, granting them sapience. Others believe they were gifted to mortal creatures by the Primeval Trinity along with magic to the Dragons. Still others believe that Souls as they're conceptualized do not exist at all, and that magic results from something else entirely.
The Stratum
Similar to the Soul, the Stratum is intrinsic to all sentience life. Souls and Strata come in pairs; one is not formed without the other. Soul Theory posits that Strata are a more fundamental aspect of a creature than the Soul. It acts to bind one's Soul to their body, and it is believed to drive the Soul with the subconscious and pure motivation.The Stratum is no less important to life than the Soul. When one dies, the Stratum breaks down, freeing the Soul of its body and allowing it to persist. Unlike the Soul, the Stratum can not be physically manifested.
Soul Magic
Soul Magic is the first, less powerful class of magic below Signant Magic.Soul Magic refers to the most basic form of magic on Vernelis that all creatures are capable of performing with little training. It originates from the dominant magic energy that the world itself radiates, forming a background field that the Soul can manipulate.
Soul Magic allows users to manipulate aspects of nature within their Aura, the region of the Soul's influence that surrounds the user. Auras vary greatly in size, ranging from just beyond the body to several kilometers away. They even have "blindspots".
There is difficulty in performing magic with a mortal Soul, though, as it is not an instinctual power as it is for the divine. For a Fælen to perform magic takes training.
Soul Magic allows users to manipulate aspects of nature within their Aura, the region of the Soul's influence that surrounds the user. Auras vary greatly in size, ranging from just beyond the body to several kilometers away. They even have "blindspots".
There is difficulty in performing magic with a mortal Soul, though, as it is not an instinctual power as it is for the divine. For a Fælen to perform magic takes training.
In the modern day, magic is a very regulated practice, with special permission required to perform anything outside of very basic everyday uses in many places, especially in the Celestial Commonwealth. These special cases include educational practice, work requirements, and the military of most areas.
The use of magic, no matter the level of skill, can easily strain the Soul, a condition that progressively worsens as the Soul is utilized for magic. This Soulstrain can manifest in several different ways depending on the type of magic being used. At its worst, Soulstrain can put one into a coma, as the Soul forcefully takes its rest
The use of magic, no matter the level of skill, can easily strain the Soul, a condition that progressively worsens as the Soul is utilized for magic. This Soulstrain can manifest in several different ways depending on the type of magic being used. At its worst, Soulstrain can put one into a coma, as the Soul forcefully takes its rest
Music
There is evidence that magic is deeply connected to sound through mechanisms not completely understood. The organization of sound, music, through proper use, has been shown to bring about magical effects. This is often not practical at all for typical use, however, as Souls are much more convenient and efficient.Soullessness
It's just this... Burning, aching nothing.
For much of history, it was believed that the Soul was integral to life itself, and that the loss of a Soul would result immediately in death. Though, while incredibly rare, life without a Soul has proven possible.
The only known way for one to lose their Soul is if they were born with Soulrot, a very rare condition. Those who survive with Soulrot are very likely to die as their Soul withers away, often succumbing to complications before their Soul actually vanishes. However, those who manage to survive past the disappearance of the Soul are considered Soulless.
The consequences of living without a Soul affect one mentally, physically, and magically. Without a Soul to guide energy through the body, one ceases to feel their emotions, if ever in short, unpredictable episodes.
The practice of Soul Magic is effectively impossible, though only because it requires an unrealistic amount of mental strength and will to control magic with just the mind. It is also extremely dangerous, and carries a significant risk of death.
Type
Metaphysical property
Stability
Typically self-sustaining
Study
Soul Theory
Abilities
Magical manipulation
Basic
Soul-driven
Prevalence
Very common
Legality
Legal
Metaphysical property
Stability
Typically self-sustaining
Study
Soul Theory
Abilities
Magical manipulation
Soul Magic
Magic TypeBasic
Soul-driven
Prevalence
Very common
Legality
Legal
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Interesting concepts mostly related to magic use. What other philosophical extensions apply? Magic and Theology?
Under the Celestial Pantheon, Souls are believed to be delivered to a realm overseen by the Celestial Dragon of Dreams and Death, Pluto. There, they become Spirits, which roam this realm parallel to the living world and can manifest in strange ways within the dreams of the living.