For Some, there is Life after Death
Score: 243 | 8/7/22 |
When a creature dies, its soul separates from its body and becomes a mindless incorporeal embodiment of its Soul Energy, waiting, drifting until it's collected by someone or something for some purpose.
Unless the individual happens to have been a Soul Spark. While living normally requires a corporeal self, a Soul Spark leaves their dead corporeal self behind and...goes on living, complete with its memories, motivations, will, even its ability to continue generating psychic energy.
Physiology
After death, a Spark is much like a mortal, but discorporated. They still see, think, feel and hear. And they must eat. A Soul Spark requires a diet of energy. Typically, refined psychic energy, as the Gods do. However, if a Spark was a necromancer in life, or if they died through something which damages or taints the soul energy of its victims, the Spark may instead require Soul Energy, much like the Undergods do. Further, a skilled Spark can use some of its energy to perform acts of magic. It's not at all clear that there's a difference between a God and a Soul Spark beyond accrued power and a steady diet.
Metaphysically, these tainted Sparks can serve a useful purpose, collecting and consuming abandoned Soul Energy, reducing incidents of incorporeal undead in the world. However, the act of consuming soul energy incorporates some degree of who the soul belonged to; memories, personality and so forth. While the Undergods have a great deal of experience with this, and have learned how to manage, balance or merely drown the influx of influence, Soul Sparks are liable to undergo severe personality shifts from one meal to the next, especially if they consume a soul very different from themselves.
Embers
Embers are Sparks who have not yet died and discovered themselves to be Sparks. Very, very rarely, an Ember may become aware of their nature, and, depending on their skills, may figure out how to take advantage of Spark abilities while still alive.
Dark Embers are Sparks whose souls have been tainted through contact with certain nasty critters, or through necromancy.