Post by Admin on Jun 30, 2012 0:47:02 GMT -5
Litharian Afterlife and Ghosts
When any living creature within Litharia dies, their souls are released from their bodies. But what happens to them after that?
Note: Ghost familiars are considered magical and may or may not follow the below guidelines.
Judgment
If a funeral rite is observed, then the soul may be transported to Sezorel’s Hall in order to await judgment. It is said that traveling souls may hitch rides on the back of birds, servants of Reikuani. Once in the hall, Sezorel will pass judgment on the soul. If he feels they have completed their life, then they may choose to (a) live in peace within The Realm of the Dead, (b) live with a god or goddess they served faithfully while alive, continuing to serve them, or (c) dissipate their life force, returning it to the earth. If the god determines that they have more to learn and experiences to complete, then he may choose to reincarnate them. They may be reincarnated as whatever form the god chooses and will have no memory of their previous life without magic or divine intervention being involved. If he decides that the individual is corrupt beyond reasoning and the soul cannot be saved, the soul’s life force will be pulled apart and cleansed before being returned to the earth. Note that this is not a matter of good and evil. Gods are neutral creatures, so it is difficult to determine what Sezorel may deem corrupted.
Ghosts
If a living creature dies and no funeral rite is observed, they may travel Litharia in ghost form until such a rite is performed for them. A funeral rite may be performed by any family member, priest or priestess, loyal friend or servant, or anyone with a spirit/death or avian affinity who is aware of the ghost’s existence and who has faith in and respect towards the Litharian gods. Ghosts may feel cold to other Litharians, but cannot be seen or heard by anyone without an ability to do so. On rare occasions, a particularly strong ghost may appear to OR speak with kin related by blood. Particularly strong ghosts may move small objects, but it does exhaust their energy. Felines, canines, birds, and equines may see ghosts. Ghosts are always attached to a person, place, or thing. If the object of their attachment dies or is destroyed, the ghost may either remain attached to the remains or the ghost may be set free, able to finally hitch a ride to Sezorel’s Hall.
Funeral Rites
A funeral rite can be something long, elaborate, and emotional, or it can be something small and simple. A murmured, “Gods guide you,” would suffice. It will depend on species and culture. Pets and animals may also be given a funeral. Mass funerals may be performed by both Reikuani and Sezorel’s priests and priestesses. It is not uncommon for elaborate rituals to be performed in order to rid entire villages of their ghosts. Strong ghosts may choose to stay behind even after they are released, for personal reasons. Such ghosts may hitch a ride to Sezorel any time they wish.
Magic
In general, a ghost’s abilities and strengths will depend on their experience as a ghost. Were they to have an affinity of their own, it would look something like this:
0 Posts – Chill: The ghost may chill a room with their presence.
50 Posts – Family Ties: The ghost may appear to OR speak to blood related kin.
100 Posts – Poltergeist: The ghost may move small objects. A cumulative amount of fifty pounds may be moved per day before the energy is exhausted.
150 Posts – Memory: The ghost may project their feelings and/or memories into blood related kin or those with a spirit/death or avian affinity if the target’s post count is lower OR if they have permission to do so.
200 Posts – Animal Possession: The ghost may possess a feline, canine, avian, or equine for an amount in minutes equal to their post count.
250 Posts – Telekinesis: The ghost may move a cumulative of one hundred pounds per day before their energy is exhausted.
300 Posts – Invisible Body: The ghost may create a solid body, though it will remain invisible and can only be sustained for an amount in minutes equal to their post count.
Or
300 Posts – Body of Mist: The ghost may create a body of mist for themselves to be seen by others. It can be sustained for an amount in minutes equal to their post count.
350 Posts – The ghost may recreate scenes from the past for anyone to witness. Only one scene, thirty seconds long, per thread.
400 Posts – Sentient Possession: The ghost may possess anyone with a spirit/death or avian affinity, any priest or priestess, or any family member if they have permission or a higher post count.
NPC ghosts may not have a theoretical post count greater than the PC whose account they are sharing.