Persistent Souls

Any non-Rai soul or 'spirit' that exists after the death of a body counts as a persistent soul.

Upon the death of a being the soul is usually released and it decomposes into the surrounding universe naturally. It's currently unconfirmed what allows them to persist after their bodies or anchor has perished, but it is hypothesized it has something to do with excessive life force, inert ichor within the soul, or other sources of ichor preventing the decomposition.

Souls will not dissipate as they should naturally if their body dies within a Morlynth, as they are trapped. This leads to a high chance any passed individual will eventually manifest into one of the types of Persistent Souls. However, if the soul were to escape into the outside world it is likely it will fade away as expected, though different types of Persistent Souls have a better chance of remaining outside of the spirit-farms that are Morlynths.

### Important Terms

#### Anchor

An Anchor is something a Soul fixes to. Usually, at the loss of an Anchor, this includes a body, the Soul will decay. Persistent Souls might adhere themselves to objects of importance or significance to continue their existence in the physical.

#### Phylactery

A Phylactery could be something as simple as a key, or a legitimate ritual Phylactery, and these allow for Revenants to possess a physical form and spend their time in the physical plane. Phylacteries are connected to Revenants via a 'leash' in the spirit plane.

There are two planes, Physical and Spiritual. These are not different dimensions but they are layers of the same one and exist simultaneously.

#### Soul-Nerves

Extensions of the soul that often follow the shape of limbs and the body. Psychics and those sensitive to the spirit plane often have Soul-Nerves that expand beyond the body allowing for a "sixth sense".

### Manifestations

Persistent souls can manifest or develop into various states. Some are natural if circumstances are met while others are formed only with outside intervention.

#### Soul

The baseline, a soul that persists after the death of the body. Perhaps no more than a detached soul lasting a little longer than average before being snuffed out. These cannot interact with the physical in any way, but can be detected by those who are sensitive to the other plane.

Disembodied voices, orbs, or flashes of light are often attributed to these, and interestingly enough they often appear to be attempting to congregate with each other, strangers in life or no.

#### Shade

A step up from Persistent Soul, this spirit is volatile and shifting. Often a soul that's been detached for awhile, shades can develop rather quickly if inside of a Morlynth which prevents their decomposition.

Often appearing as wispy flashes of shadow out of the corner of one's eye, Shades are often dubbed as 'Shadow men'. Their Soul-Nerves are frayed and often resemble something similar to what the body was in life. Their soul is always clearly stark against their dark shifting miasma, and often the cause of their demise is highlighted, in either the pose of their shadow or via the fraying of the nerves, making them everlasting echoes of their own demise.

Despite not being able to interact with the physical, Shades are visible if someone passes close enough to make contact with one of the Shade's Soul-Nerves. Shades are able to latch onto the Soul-Nerves of the living for long periods of time allowing them to be seen, and possibly heard. Though not all will, they are capable of attacking the souls of the living, and even intruding their soul to some degree allowing for something resembling possession.

Shades often linger close to where they died if possible, and will occasionally attempt to herd people to the place they, or people they were close to, died. The reason for this behavior is unknown, but some believe they seek some form of closure be it just being not forgotten entirely, having their stories told if someone were to find out the cause, or possibly so someone might preform specific tasks that would allow them to find peace. However, this unfortunately can result in the death of the living if the cause is still there.

A shade that can begin to manipulate the physical world is usually dubbed a Poltergeist. They are often more solid in appearance, sometimes having defined faces or bodies. Though only able to have a minor impact on the physical world, Poltergeists make quite the reputation for themselves when they lift items or throw them.

#### Wraith

Able to traverse the planes freely via the use of Anchors, Wraiths take full advantage of their abilities. Known often for their ferocity, they are energetic and often highly mobile spirits. They are the most likely to find outside of a Morlynth due to their ability to anchor themselves to points in space or objects freely.

Wraiths vary heavily in their appearance, however they often develop into a form similar to how they appeared when they were alive, or how they looked upon the moment of their death. Interestingly enough, Wraiths are capable of flight while in the physical plane and usually forsake legs for mobility. Long draping strips of ectoplasm and 'particles' are common to see on Wraiths, who commonly leave ectoplasmic traces on whatever they touch in the form of a dusty substance.

Wraiths are commonly seen as violent, vengeful spirits seeking to avenge their deaths, however that is not the case for every Wraith. Wraiths are known to bite, scratch, carry people, and give them glimpses into the spirit plane to torture them with hallucinations. Wraiths also happen to be the most vocal of the Persistent Souls, known to carry on conversations for a surprising amount of time, but also known to scream and shriek excessively if they aim to intimidate. If a Wraith wishes to interact and travel to the physical plane, it must plant an 'Anchor' like the guide line of a diver.

Wraiths are often territorial or protective of the place of their death, and if that is no longer present, Wraiths will latch onto objects of importance to them in life and protect them ferociously. Though incapable of possessing objects, Wraiths can anchor onto an object- however they themselves cannot move the object if they are anchored to it.

#### Revenant

These Persistent Souls accomplish something that most among their own kind would dream of, and that is returning to the physical plane via the use of phylacteries and having a body. Often forming in and patrolling Morlynths, they are seen as unwavering guardians or tormentors.

Despite returning to the physical Revenants are not what they once were; often induced to form within Morlynths, Revenants are twisted constructs of what was once a person. Revenants sport corporeal bodies that usually only slightly resemble what they were in life. Often having twisted, discolored, or strange proportions and features, a Revenant's appearance alone can be terrifying. They vary widely in appearance and behavior, but always seem to resemble the species they were in life. Revenants, however, require bodies and have legs in order to traverse the corporeal plane. They often carry improvised or provided weapons and attempt to clothe themselves, however this is not always the case. Some Revenants develop physical attributes that could be classified as weaponry or armor.

    The souls of Revenants are bound by what seems to be a string to what is known as a Phylactery, which falls under the term of an Anchor. When the body is destroyed, the soul is still secured so it is unable to decay, and will be pulled back by the leash-like string to the Phylactery to regenerate and become physical again at a later time. The distance which Revenants can travel away from their Phylactery varies between each one, and it does not seem to be able to be reliably predictable. When any other soul passes through a Revenant's 'leash', or touches its Phylactery, it will know.

Some Revenants behave differently when their Phylactery is being handled and will obey whoever holds it, however some will simply follow, seemingly wanting something. Other Revenants have been known to ferociously defend the location of their Phylactery and will cut down anyone who attempts to access it. Regardless of how the Revenant acts when the Phylactery is held, it is known they can, somehow, be controlled.

Revenant behavior is often strange and inhuman. They seem to follow strict behavioral patterns and routine, and are often violent to anything alive, however some have been known to be harmlessly belligerent, or passive. Most Revenants seem unable, or unwilling, to speak or communicate in any way, however they have proved to be able to understand speech and some are capable of improvised thinking and problem solving. Each Revenant seems to have a factor that drives it forward, however it has never been proven to be the cause of their persistence.