Wandering Soul

Death was only the beginning. Now that your body has bit the dust, you have been ejected into the ether, an untethered spirit in search of a host. But don't delay, for you won't last long without a corporeal form.

Causes

Death.

Prognosis

Not good. You can exist as a spirit for a number of days equal to your charisma modifier (minimum 1 day). Past the grace period the spirit must pass successive Will saving throws, the DC of which is equal to 15+ total # of days passed. If the saving throw is failed then the spirit moves on to their eternal reward, such as it may be, or is consumed by madness and becomes an undead(not under the players control).

Sequela

If a body is located then the native soul must be cast out by the invader. Opposed Charisma checks, first to three successes wins. Each attempt takes a round, and the defender can only take Move actions while defending. Certain empowered items can provide a bonus to the defender (holy symbols, family crest, Circlet of Telepathy, Circle of Protection from Evil/Good, etc.). If the invader loses then they may not attempt to posses that victim again, ever. If the possessing soul wins, then the loser must choose to evict the soul (making it a Wandering Spirit in turn) or make the defender a passenger in their own body, helpless to interact with or control the body.
Transition to reform the possessors body is not exactly fast, and requires both time and resources to accomplish. Every day the body's stats will move one point towards the original stats of the possessing soul. Height will change by up to 3" per day. Hair will change and grow over time, with the full transition complete once the stats are complete. The transformation is exhausting and requires quite a bit of matter to accomplish. Until the transition is complete the subject requires quadruple normal rations, double sleep, and is always has a point of level of Exhausted. Once the transition is complete, the body is treated as the original creature for all intents and purposes. Abilities and powers are not available until the transition is complete.
The body and soul are vulnerable during the transition. If the food or sleep requirements are not met then a new contest for control occurs, either against the original soul or against a passive DC (15 + # of days left in transition) if no other soul exists.
Certain herbs, spells, or rituals are rumored to aid a soul in claiming a body, as well as warding against it.
If the possessing soul is ejected by any means during the transition, the changes immediately begin to revert at the same rate. If the original soul was ejected, then the body will wither slowly until it dies of natural causes. If the original soul survives, then it reclaims control of the body and can act on its next turn.

Prevention

DON'T DIE.
To avoid being possessed: wear holy or empowered items to bolster your defenses. Bind or banish the souls of your enemies so they cannot come back and take vengeance. Sleep on hallowed ground. Anoint your brow with holy oil. Pray to Pharasma to shield yourself from the souls that seek new homes.

Epidemiology

Only the souls of the exceptionally strong can linger without going mad. Most simply pass to their afterlife without too much fuss.

History

Wandering Souls are new to those of Ardach, but well known to those of Ys. Though the legends all state differing reasons, souls in the primeval lands are a bit more tenuous and the transition to the next world more relaxed.

Cultural Reception

Various faiths and cultures feel very differently about migrating souls, depending on their exact circumstances. Of those from Ardach however, the possessors are treated with revulsion and disgust. Death breaches even the most robust magical bindings, rendering a Contract null. There are those who don't like being cheated by the fates, and those people hire Pact Hunters to find those elusive souls and extract their due rewards.

Type

Supernatural

Origin

Divine

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Extremely Rare