Death Rituals

Death Arcana: Powers, Paths, and Perils

  Death arcana represents one of the most controversial and closely regulated forms of metaphysical manipulation on Terra. By its nature, it manipulates the boundaries between life and death, granting practitioners limited control over life force and soul energies. Unlike most arcana types which emerged naturally when the cosmic filter was established, death arcana exists in a carefully controlled state, directly overseen by Anak'shi, the god of death and reincarnation.  

Fundamental Nature

  At its core, death arcana concerns itself with the natural cycle of endings that complements life's beginnings. It allows practitioners to perceive the life force in living beings, communicate with lingering spirits, and in some cases, manipulate the flow of life energy itself. Those with aptitude for death manipulation can sense when death approaches naturally, making them valuable in medical and hospice settings when used ethically. The more advanced practitioner can drain life force from subjects, transfer arcane powers between individuals, and even enhance their own capabilities using the energy of others.  

Sanctioned Path

  Most legitimate practitioners access death arcana through the Sanctioned Path, performing specific rituals that have Anak'shi's tacit approval. These rituals typically involve offerings, meditation, and careful adherence to ethical boundaries that respect the natural cycles of life and death. Sanctioned practitioners understand that their power comes with significant responsibility, and they maintain regular spiritual practices to ensure they remain worthy of Anak'shi's continued tolerance. Their work often involves easing transitions for the dying, helping lost souls find their way to the proper afterlife channels, and occasionally negotiating with Anak'shi for specific interventions in truly exceptional circumstances.  

Unsanctioned Path

  Despite Anak'shi's oversight, determined individuals have discovered ways to access death arcana through unsanctioned means. These dark rituals bypass divine approval through blood sacrifices and forbidden knowledge preserved in hidden texts. Practitioners of the Unsanctioned Path risk not only their current lives but their future ones as well, as Anak'shi takes particular notice of those who circumvent his authority. These black practitioners typically seek power above all else, using sacrificial rituals to harvest arcane abilities from unwilling victims, creating reservoirs of stolen life force, and in the most extreme cases, attempting to create or control undead servants.  

Forbidden Applications and Consequences

  The most dangerous applications of death arcana include mass sacrifice to gather power, permanent soul binding or entrapment, creation of undead, and attempts to create reservoirs of stolen life force. While possible, these practices invite severe consequences. The creation of undead, while theoretically achievable, remains extremely costly and difficult to maintain, requiring constant energy input and ritual reinforcement.   Misuse of death arcana invariably corrupts the practitioner's own soul, creating metaphysical stains that persist through the reincarnation cycle. Those marked by significant abuse find themselves under Anak'shi's direct scrutiny, often leading to intervention by his mortal or immortal agents. Beyond personal consequences, unsanctioned death arcana creates distortions in local alkos flows that sensitive arcanists can detect from considerable distances. The most dangerous outcome involves the creation of void spaces in the cosmic filter—tears in reality's fabric that can attract holifenar entities seeking entry points into Terra.   Throughout history, numerous cults and power-hungry individuals have misused Anak'shi's name and teachings for selfish purposes. These abuses have contributed to death arcana's fearsome reputation, despite its potential for compassionate application in the right hands. Those rare practitioners who maintain Anak'shi's favor while wielding death arcana responsibly are among the most respected and feared individuals in Terran metaphysical circles, walking a precarious line between power and restraint.