Soul-Bound

A Soul-Bound Elf

**Soul-Bound** are humanoids resurrected by a species known as the Val'Kyr, who previously served Kelemvor, Lord of the Dead. Due to their undead nature, they are often persecuted by holy orders, paladins, and society as a whole, resulting in them living in an underground city known as the City of Crypts.

## Appearance

Soul-Bound are around the same height as the race they were when they first lived, as they are resurrected in the same bodies they died in. However, more damaged bodies are often supplemented by spare body parts, such as metal jaws, or skeletal arms, which can result in some Soul-Bound looking more distinct and undead than others. Their skin colour is often paler than it was in their first life.

Soul-Bound eyes glow, the typical Soul-Bound has a yellow glow to their eyes, but some have red eyes, or simple empty sockets.

## Origins

The Soul-Bound were first resurrected on Karandor after a civil war ravished the south-eastern lands of the River Lords and Coast of the Seven Thrones, at the time known as the Steppe Kingdom. Kelemvor chose to retain their spirits within their broken and mutilated forms; bringing them back to life as a hybrid between a true undead and a living creature. This was where their name derived from, as their souls were bonded to their body for evermore. As the Steppe Kingdom descended into the realms of the River Lords and the Coast of Seven Thrones, the now Soul-Bond attempted to return home. Instead of being greeted with open arms by their loved ones, they were viewed as undead to be purged by paladins and holy orders. Many of the first Soul-Bond perished in the Purge of the Soldiers in 652 2E.

The surviving Soul-Bound, hailing from both sides of the civil war, fled eastward into the more remote countryside; led by General Thiessa McCoy (who previous fought on the side of the Steppe Kingdom), the Soul-Bound disappeared into the Misty Forest. Although the paladins and holy orders continued to give chase, around 100 Soul-Bound disappeared into a mysterious work-stone tunnel. Everyone there that day felt a calling to go into this previously undiscovered tunnel. Over the next few years, the Soul-Bound laid low, uncovering the City of Crypts and slowly forcing the local population to stay out of the Misty Forest. Upon uncovering an ancient temple of Kelemvor at the heart of the City of Crypts. Under a giant, perfectly intact, statue of an upright skeletal arm holding balanced scales, the first Val'Kyr appeared to the Soul-Bound, displaying their capabilities of bring recently deceased corpses back to the City of Crypts and binding their souls to their bodies. After an initial swell to reinforce their numbers, the amount of new Soul-Bond has continued to slow down, as the Val'Kyr now choose to resurrect those who will benefit the City of Crypts the most.

## Society

Soul-Bound are often quite individualistic, due to their past lives, however the typical Soul-Bound shows little emotion, and can often find themselves struggling to understand the feelings of others. Soul-Bound often find themselves fulfilling very pragmatic purposes - protecting allies, completing contracts, exploring the lands. Others seek to solve the mystery of their transition from humanoid to Soul-Bound, some even develop an intense hatred for the undead (Other Soul-Bound not always excluded). Often Soul-Bound seek to religion, and the embrace of faith and mysticism, seeking a higher purpose and deeper meaning to their circumstances. Nearly all Soul-Bound are loyal to the city, and those non-Soul-Bound who live within it. Because they have been given a second chance at life, Soul-Bound prize their free will above all else, and will not force one of their own to submit.

Some Soul-Bound keep the professions they had in life. Others, however, embrace the unique, advantages of undeath, the production of chemical weapons that the Soul-Bound tend to be resistant to is one such example. Other common Soul-Bound professions include physicians, alchemists, and biological or magical researchers. Some Soul-Bound search for a way to cure the curse of undeath, while others seek to embrace it.

Perhaps the greatest element of Soul-Bound culture, and their culture's only universal element, is their reverence of death. Every Soul-Bound respects the dead, and damns those who do not. General society coddles new Soul-Bound like children. Soul-Bound treat each other with a measure of respect, as it takes a strong soul to rise.

## Abilities

Soul-Bound are known for their resilience to poison, something that they share with most true undead, not needing to eat, drink, or breathe, being immune to disease, and not needing to sleep. Soul-Bound also possess the ability to enter an inactive, motionless state where they appear inert, however they are able to see and hear as normal. Soul-Bound have also been known to cannibalize corpses to regain their constitution.

## Notable Soul-Bound

### Campaign One: Silvered Fates

#### PCs

* Karth Aurath: A Human Soul-Bound from the Steppe Kingdom, and member of the Silvered Fates.

* Arnelle Blackwood: A commander within the Chilled Blades.
* Arther Kelsey: A Soul-Bound Paladin of Helm, protector of the Soul-Bound Safehouse in Lichendeep.
* Doctor Sanity: A rogue member of the Society of Apothecaries, and the mastermind behind the Siege of Sharkweir.
* Janiya Pyralspite: A member of the Society of Apothecaries, and mother of Mazdarian Pyralspite.
* Jorn Thackeray: A commander within the Mist Rangers.