Soul Energy

Within Etheriel, a pool of energy - the soul energy - spreads around the world like a net. Each living being is kept alive with a part of that pool named life energy. The amount of energy is dependent on the size and species of the living being. As soon as a living being dies, the life energy is added back into the pool. Nature wardens are chosen and destined to watch over the natural balance of the soul energy to prevent any catastrophic world destructing natural events.

Access

Sapient species can gain and increase access to soul energy with training. Used power can be restored through resting. Excessive use of the acquired amount of soul energy or magical backfire due to lack of knowledge or supervision can cause health impairments like elemental burn.

Usage

Soul energy is used for all sorts of purposes, including everyday tasks like lighting and cooking, as well as combat, protection, and healing. The available spells are divided into multiple classes and subclasses according to the used element and type of the wanted effect. Within the individual schools of magic, there are additional subdivisions according to the level of training and access to soul energy needed to perform the spell without any severe health impairments. It is possible to master spells in multiple classes. Still, it is usually advised to limit oneself to the elemental affinity they are born with or to up to three types of magic simultaneously.

Manifestation

The soul energy net consists of several energy veins that extend globally but aren't visible to most living beings. Standing on one of these veins while performing a spell can cause a boost of energy depending on the performer's energy affinity and therefore cause it to get out of hand.

Refuges

In places where an especially high number of energy veins meet each other refuges will form. Nature wardens usually inhabit refuges with a high number of energy veins, making it easier to quickly recognize and counteract imbalances on time.

Ritual Places

Places to perform rituals of any sort are usually also located where multiple energy veins meet each other but have significantly fewer veins as they won't be placed in one of the naturally occurring refuges. Ritual places manifest themselves in different forms depending on their intended usage. For example, there are stone pillars all across Etheriel in front of which people can meditate to enhance a specific trait of themselves like poison resistance or health regeneration temporarily.

Type

Natural