Inexistence/Previous Incarnation

> "...and so the reaper enters, with eyes as pale as moonlight. With one touch, your very existence shatters into countless pieces as your soul leaves your body. All the while he stands over you, and laughs." - *Unknown*
>
>

**Inexistence** also referred to as **The Grim**, is one of the Ten Continuance. Inexistence is often considered the most dark of the Ten, with the holder often being seen as the living incarnation of the Grim Reaper.

Inexistence, like the other Continuance, is a unique ability that is passed from lifeform to lifeform either directly or indirectly. Like the others, the holder of Inexistence is able to tap into surface level neural energy manipulation, granting them a unique ability so powerful that some would come to view it as being "like magic".

Inexistence is associated with the aspects of death, ending, and pain.

## Abilities

### Killing factor enhancement (Awakened/Active Stage)

Beginning at the awakened and active stages, the holder gains access to the primary ability of Inexistence. This is sometimes referred to as a 'killing factor enhancement', as it amplifies the holders ability to kill. This power manifests in the form of flat power enhancement, channeling neural energy through the holder's weapons, causing them to become more deadly. Additionally, this also amplifies the holder's ability to kill, amplifying their reflexes and aim to supernatural levels, allowing holders using a ranged weapon to make shots that would be considered impossible, and those using melee weapons to have pinpoint reflexes.

### Death Vision (Evolved Stage)

When the holder reaches the evolved stage, they gain access to the evolved power of Inexistence. This power, referred to as 'Death Vision', allows the holder to see the three most likely deaths of the person they are looking at. This takes the form of brief visions while looking at the person. This allows the holder to effectively see if they are likely to kill the person they are looking at, as if they are likely, they will see a vision of them killing the person as the most likely death that person will suffer. Additionally, this power can also be used on the holder, should the holder look into a mirror and therefore at themselves.

### Touch of Death (Mastered Stage)

When the holder reaches the mastered stage, they gain access to the ultimate power of Inexistence. This power is referred to as 'Touch of Death', and allows the holder to instantly kill other beings by simply touching them. This can be manifested by touching an individual and willing them to die, causing the person to die of simple cardiac arrest (or an equivalent, depending on the species). Additionally, this power can be manifested by being touched by someone too.

## History

It is said that the universe must always have a reaper, someone who can ensure that death is brought to all mortal beings; the wielder of inexistence is said to be that reaper. Much like the other Ten, little is known about how Inexistence truly came to be. According to the myths and legends, the Ten Continuance were unique traits that evolved in the members of the first species in the multiverse. This unnamed species was said to have done battle against the full fury of the fledging multiverse, as it attempted to wipe life out.

The wielders of inexistence throughout history have used their powers sparingly and they have made no attempts to reveal themselves. Not much is known about Inexistence before the Great Galactic Reset, as it is one of the few Continuance that the Precursors did not sieze during their expansion.

Details about the existence of Inexistence after the Great Galactic Reset however are more well known. The first recorded instance of the appearance of Inexistence was within a Human male referred to as "The Reaper". His real name unknown, the Reaper gained the power of inexistence early in his life and possessed it for over 80 years. In this time, the Reaper saw himself as the incarnation of the Grim Reaper, and took it upon himself to deliver death to mortals on his homeworld of Shimmerwater. Eventually, after reaching an elderly age and unable to carry on his work, he sought a successor. He found a successor in the form of famous Gang member, James Crookshank, otherwise known as "Brother Death". The Reaper watched the young Crookshank in his many fights, he became particularly interested as Crookshank never seemed to lose, and brought more death than the Reaper ever could. After taking Crookshank in and training him, the Reaper passed Inexistence to Crookshank and passed away not long afterwards.

Crookshank, or Brother Death, the next wielder of Inexistence, was a notorious gang member on the Western-themed planet of Shimmerwater. After recieving Inexistence, Crookshank became the deadliest killer on the planet. He soon rose through the ranks of his gang, the Gunmen of the Apocolypse, to become its leader. As a result, Crookshank became the undisputed leader of the planet for two decades. However, Crookshank's power and reputation made him a target for challenge. Crookshank's mastery over inexistence was becoming more clear as much of the left side of his body was scarred due to overuse of the ability. Eventually, after many challenges, he met his defeat. A young Deathslinger, on a hit nearby, sensed the great power that Crookshank possessed and was drawn to him. The Deathslinger looked like he was going to lose at first, but thanks to his superior Deathslinger abilities, the Deathslinger was able to best Crookshank. However, to the surprise of Crookshank, the Deathslinger used an unknown Deathslinger ability to steal inexistence from him, therefore making the Deathslinger the new holder of Inexistence.

The young Deathslinger has had the power ever since. He is now known to be the Grandmaster of the Order of the Black Cloak in the Deathslingers, Xerxes.

More recently, Xerxes was bested in combat by the group known as TASKFORCE. A temporary alliance between TASKFORCE and former holder, James Crookshank, allowed them to best Crookshank. Azaria, another holder of one of the Ten, used his power to undo the tattoo that Xerxes was using to keep the piece of Crookshank's soul bound to him. When he did this, Inexistence returned to James Crookshank. Although this wouldn't last, as Xerxes fatally shot Crookshank.

Crookshank transferred Inexistence to Jack Franz, a member of TASKFORCE and a bounty hunter. Seeing something of himself within Franz, Crookshank gave him the power and told him to do something good with it. Satisfied his fullfilled his promise to his master, Crookshank passed away not long after.

## In game abilities

### Generic Abilities

* +1 to AC
* Advantage on Death Saving Throws
* +2 to Perception
* Gain Darkvision (60ft)
* Gain a resistance to the abilities and effects of the other Continuance.

### Active Stage

* +3 to all attack rolls
* Deal an additional 1d10 necrotic damage

### Evolved Stage

* Additional +1 to all attack rolls (+4 total)
* Additional 1d10 necrotic damage (2d10 total)
* Gain 3 uses of *Death Vision* per long rest.
	+ *Death Vision* You are able to see the most likely death of a creature you can see within 10ft of you, you can then either keep this information to yourself and gain advantage on attacks against that creature for 1 minute, or reveal this to the creature, requiring the creature to make a Wisdom Save or suffer from the frightened condition. The creature can repeat the save at the end of its turns.

### Mastered Stage

* Additional +1 to all attack rolls (+5 total)
* Additional 1d10 necrotic damage (3d10 total)
* Gain 3 uses of *Death Vision* per long rest.
* Gain 1 use of *Touch of Death* per long rest.
	+ *Touch of Death* Touch one creature within 5ft of you, if the creature has less than 100hp, then the creature dies instantly. If the creature has more than 100hp, that creature must make a successful Wisdom Saving Throw or suffer necrotic damage equal to half of the creature's remaining hp.

## Known wielders

* Necral (Currently)
* Plon P'lonk
* Jack Franz
* "The Reaper" (First known wielder)
* James Crookshank
* Xerxes
* The Farmer (Briefly)