Soul

= Souls =
== Introduction ==
A written guide on souls, spirits and other similar existences. This document is a main directory and outline for what exactly a Soul is, how it works, and what other stuff needs to be detailed. Now, considering the universe and its many clashing properties, this is but one interpretation written up by the author to use as a reference for certain roleplay scenarios and actions pertaining to this knowledge. Others have their own ideas as to what exactly a "Soul" is and how they go about it, so take this guide with a general grain of salt and view it as another streamlined idea. It is also a work in progress, so there might be future changes and new sections added in should the mood strike my fancy.
== General Meaning ==
Now, what is a Soul? A Soul is an incorporeal, eternal and indivisible aspect of a mortal creature and living being. The major, spiritual essence of that gives them life and consciousness, the intangible factor that sets one apart from all the rest. It is what gives us our personality, our hopes, our fears, our dreams. It is what connects us to the world around us, with organisms from the smallest of bacteria to the biggest of creatures having their own spiritual essence. There are even those who believe that the world around us and everything in it has a Soul, from the plants and trees to the rivers and mountains. The Soul is a unique and immortal essence, where some may see it as foolish and childish. However, do not be mistaken. You may bend a Soul, you can change a Soul, you may break a Soul, you can recycle a Soul, and you may even try to extinguish a Soul, but you know what they say? You can never ever truly destroy a Soul. Not unless it involves a truly heinous affair most mortals could or would not be able to achieve through mortal means. Even then, trying to destroy one is tricky and almost inconsequential to the greater workings of reality.
It is said that a soul still carries on even after a being's death in the physical world, and that is true. Even if left damaged and worn out to a point where it seems as if nothing is left, their essence lingers on in a different form and shape. These lingering essences essentially go through their own journeys in the Afterlife beyond the physical realm, whether it be to rest in peaceful, eternal slumber or haunt the world as some sort of apparition is one of their many choices, intentional or not. Most souls may choose to go through the foundational cycle of Life, Death and Rebirth. Typically having their own souls cleansed of their original "identity" and going through the process of "Reincarnation" to become a new entity or person. Whether they get to keep their memories or not is an aspect that is almost not a certainty, but there have been unique cases regarding this type of situation before.
In terms of Christianity, a Soul after passing on may receive judgement based on one's characteristics, deeds and karma in Life to determine if they would be given reward or punishment. Going either to Heaven, Hell, Purgatory or the planes beyond if need be. It is not the only afterlife, however. There are many, many afterlives one may go to, usually depending on who they believe and worship. Throughout history, the Soul has been the subject of much debate and introspection. Different cultures and religions have different views on the nature of the Soul, but one thing is clear: the Soul is a vital part of what makes us human. It is the essence of a being as a whole, giving our lives meaning and purpose.
== Structure of the Soul ==
The Soul is the fundamental spirit and "power" of a living being. Some may even see it as a main entryway for the sacred and divine to come and meet, acting as a major link between the physical world and the world beyond. Its unique properties allows it to connect with the Divine in ways that those who do not have souls cannot, and it also allows one to connect and interact with the world of spirits. Of course, that does not mean it was an easy or manageable feat to actually accomplish if you do not actually know what you are doing, especially if you do not have the main requirements or capability to see or meet them in the first place. A few rare examples able to explore this side include the likes of mediums, exorcists, psychopomps, etc. There is a reason why most living beings or entities consider the existence of ghosts or spirits to be hoaxes or delusions, for the world of the living and the dead are both not meant to naturally meet in the first place.
It is a complex and multi-layered metaphysical entity made up of multiple concepts and different sides. When one is born their soul is pure and untainted, free from the weight of the past and the burdens of the future. It is a blank slate, a vessel that waits to be filled with the colors of life and the stories of their existence from the very moment their journey began. It is not static but dynamic, constantly evolving and changing as it is shaped by the experiences and emotions one goes through. It is both fragile yet resilient, fleeting yet enduring. It is a flame that can be easily extinguished, but it is also a light that can illuminate the darkest of nights.
The core of the soul is the main essence of the being, the truest and purest form of its character. It is the part that is eternal and unchanging, solely persists beyond the physical realm after one's death. The shell of the soul is where the being's experiences and emotions are stored and shaped by the events and experiences of life, being the main part that gives a being its unique perspective and personality. Finally, the coating of the soul is the part that connects the soul to the external world, represented by a person's body in the physical realm. It is the part that allows the soul to interact with the world around it, where the being is able to influence the world and be influenced by it. 
Ultimately, the soul is an eternal and timeless force that transcends the boundaries of the material realm, a force that connects us to the cosmic web of life and all that is beyond.
== Heirarchy of Souls ==
In terms of spiritual beliefs and culture, souls are typically tiered into a sort of hierarchy based on their strength and "weight", as you put it. It can vary depending on the specific religion, spiritual belief, or magical system being discussed, but some general trends and similarities can be found throughout. For some beings and creatures, it is important to categorize and grade these souls in terms of organization and memorization. Specifically, ones meant for the collection and gathering of souls depending on the collector at hand, as they can be truly impressive and wondrous things no matter the position they are in. A common Reaper collecting their due, a Demon making pacts, or a Celestial Divine garnering faith from worshippers.
The Hierarchy of Souls in question is a complex and intricate system that classifies the different types and strengths of souls based on their unique potency, quality, power and abilities.  At the bottom are the Low-Grade Souls, considered mundane and simple by a majority of creatures and beings. These souls start out as the most common kind of essence in terms of quality and weight, yet their relative abundance and "lighter" forms make them the easiest to understand with a large variety of uses, making them inherently important to the world. They are typically composed of animals, plants, ordinary humans, etc.
Moving up in the rankings we have the Mid-Grade Souls, the rudimentary level where a variety of spirits and essences are considered distinctively unique from most souls but still low enough on the totem pole that they are not strange to find wandering around, making them the solid foundation of potency and quality to be expected. They are not all too important or valuable in the grand scheme of things, but they can make their own impacts on the web of life to leave behind a remembrance of who they were. These ranks are composed of talented humans, basic supers, magically awakened sorcerers, living elementals, and many more. Moving past them, is where the real fun begins. High-Grade Souls are typically the most strongest, potent and widely influential of essences to have at hand, making them a unique rarity most creatures and beings wanted to have and collect for themselves. They possess the kind of amazing gifts and sensational capabilities that most cannot match, being considered quite precious as they stand above most beings in their lifetime.
They are the sharp geniuses, wise kings, incredible superhumans and great sages who far outstrip the lower rankings in value and worth, with extraordinary creatures and monsters being placed among them. They are the ones who can really make a difference, the Heroes and Villains who make their own stories to be told and remembered by the common majority. But even among the High-Grades there are many ranks and stratification, the hierarchy truly revealing its majesty and depth when viewed as a whole. Standing above even them are the Rare-Grade Souls, souls so rare and powerful that they are zealously guarded by those who want or need to have them. Where most higher beings, factions and even countries are willing to wage long wars and slaughter millions of souls for them, standing at the peak of strength and potency.
Rare-Grade Souls are almost once in a life-time, truly immense figures who can make their own fates and destinies in the grand scheme of things. The figures who went down in history as one of the greatest influencers foretelling a legacy of their own unlike any other. They are the prodigal geniuses, the superhumans who can stand against the world and make it break, ethereal wizards who can dictate terms in their own part of reality, the immense creatures of myth who make natural disasters and catastrophic changes in their path. This rank even contained those who were considered demigods, Archdemons and celestial beings with their own religions, making it all the more telling that they are one of the hardest to find, as their existence can shape the very ground of the earth to what they desire.
Finally…we have the Mythical-Grade Soul. Standing at the very pinnacle of the hierarchy as legendary entities and beings, their deeds, actions and strength are exactly the stuff of legends and myth. They are unlike any other essences out there, being the greatest and grandest of them all to the point where they are considered either divine miracles or revelations to the immense apocalypses. Their presence alone can alter the course of history, their influence much to a point where some can even their own terms to Reality as a whole. They are the Omnipotent Gods, the Aspects of Sin, the movers and shakers of the universe where most would very much need to spend their entire lives or multiple life-times to find, but even to no avail. They are unrivaled and unmatched, the meaning of their essence beyond fathom or comprehension.
The Hierarchy of Souls may be a complex and abstract concept, but its importance to those who seek power and influence cannot be overstated. With the proper motivation, knowledge and resources at one's disposal, these souls can be elevated to greater heights. The main scope and perspective of the system is vast enough that each tier is further divided based on the complexities and value of their spirit. The levels can indeed vary in those tiers, with certain souls being stronger or weaker than those in the same category as them. Even lower grade souls may possess unique characteristics and values that make them stand out to a degree. 
== The finer details ==
Now, let's get things straight here. Souls aren't exactly physical things, for obvious reasons. Unless you somehow got something to mess with them on a fundamental level, most mortals and beings cannot even grasp or try to mess them in most aspects. In many cultures and traditions, they are naturally considered the spiritual essence of a living being that essentially makes them who they are at their core. Take that away, and you leave nothing but a spiritual husk mostly void of personality and beliefs who can turn into a catatonic mess or a living zombie in nature. Some can very well live without them, but it is such a great aspect of their being that they could physically or mentally wither away as time goes on. In some religions and spiritual practices, souls are believed to exist independently of the body and persist after death, either to merge with a universal consciousness or to reincarnate into another person or being. 
Those who do not naturally have souls like robots and non-organic lifeforms may not suffer from these consequences, but they are simply considered an outlier and not the common denominator. Through these beliefs, souls have been given a special significance in terms of their spiritual and supernatural abilities. In addition to their spiritual significance, souls have also been regarded as powerful objects in certain cultures and traditions. Some cultures for example have the hunting and collection of souls be seen as a way to gain power and immortality, while in others certain souls have been believed to possess unique properties or abilities that can be used for magical purposes. Compared to things such as property, wealth, power, things like that, the Soul itself is the main essence of what a person is and can be. It's the main reason why some beings like demons and the Fae covet and want them. Using them to obtain favors, manpower, and other necessities. 
Demons feast on them to gain power and strength. Some Fae are fascinated by them, where even if they do not necessarily need them they may toy around with them like playthings. Souls are also one of the main aspects that generate belief, thus requiring some Gods to naturally want and need followers to continue their existence and grow their powers to an increasing level of authority. In the ever expanding multiverse of universes, Souls can even appear unique and different from one another in how they work in terms of function, properties and many more. Take for example, a child's soul. It's pure, innocent, and blank. It has a natural characteristic that's mostly found through them, causing more malevolent creatures to take hold and seize them for their own wicked ways.
In comparison, a murderous killer's soul is dirty, sinful and wicked. It is quite the common commodity and is usually found through those tempted and corrupted by malefic forces of evil who see them as regular manual labor or foolish mortals they can easily dispose of. These internal differences can even collide with souls from different realities that somehow cross paths with one another. The soul is also the main portion of a person that grants them the ability to possess magic, powers and other similar concepts. To grab examples from famous media, think of the Shinigami and Hollows from Bleach or Auras and Semblances from RWBY. An intricate part of their powers that if tampered or mess around with, may change, bend or fracture in certain circumstances. Without a soul, this makes it easier for an otherworldly presence to take a hold of their body and use it for their own purposes.
Now, Souls do not have to be inherently specific to a person. Should a being lose their soul in general, they can try to gain and have another one which is sufficient enough to restore and revitalize them. Once a soul is replaced, the negative effects of soul loss quickly goes away. Those non-organic beings or creatures given souls of their own when they do not need them can even profit from them, such as making certain objects come to life, gain access to special traits that they could not before, or use them as bargaining tools for favors and deals by those who want them.
Souls additionally do not have to be intricately natural, with cases of man-made artificial souls being apparent as well. Able to be used on a body with no soul to make them come to life with their own personality or operate in a pre-programmed manner until they are given a new order or have been removed. All in all, Souls have many, many traits and uses that makes them versatile and widely acknowledged as an important commodity
== Economic System ==
In the main context of those who see spiritual essence as a resource, the market for them is quite special and unique. For those who dabble, collect, and use souls, it can be a lucrative and dangerous endeavor that requires a great deal of skill and knowledge. One of the biggest driving forces in the economy for souls is the demand for strong, powerful and rare souls that possess exceptional quality, potency, abilities or strength. These souls are highly sought after by collectors and hunters, who will often pay a premium price for them which then creates a competitive market where collectors are constantly seeking out and bidding on the most valuable souls. Almost none are more prevalent in this kind of business than Demons, specifically those who make bounded pacts with their victims or clients that use their souls as the main payment. Of course they do not have to exclusively ask for their souls, it's considered a stereotype for a reason, but it does sweeten the deal and makes it more serious.
In some cases, the use of souls in magical rituals or spells can be a valuable source of income for those who are skilled in the arcane arts. For example, a skilled sorcerer or witch may be paid to perform a ritual that requires the use of a strong and potent soul, or they may be hired by a collector who is interested in acquiring a particular soul for their collection. However, the economy for souls is not without its dangers. The trade in souls can often lead to conflicts with other collectors and hunters, and there is always the risk of crossing paths with powerful and dangerous beings who control the market. Additionally, the use of souls for magical purposes can be risky and unpredictable, and those who dabble in the market must be aware of the potential consequences of their actions.
The economy for souls can be a complex and treacherous landscape for those who choose to dabble in it, but it also offers the potential for wealth and power to those who have the skill and knowledge to navigate it successfully.
Category:Life_Fundementals