Life Essence

An organic substance that appears necessary for life to exist.

Properties

Material Characteristics

The oily liquid is mostly colorless, but a distinct bluish-green tint can be detected against a white background. It also glows in the dark for some time after being exposed to light.

Physical & Chemical Properties

It evaporates rather quickly at moderate temperatures. Despite its similarity to essential oils, it is non-flammable.
It soaks up energy and only releases it very slowly. Most notably, when transferred from a bright space to a dark one, it glows with an intensity related to the amount of light it absorbed earlier. It also stays warm long after being heated, but only if contained properly to prevent evaporation. Records regarding kinetic or electric energy are scarce and contradictory because very few cultures have the means to conduct the necessary research.

Origin & Source

Life essence can be harvested from the blood of any living organism. The richest source are people and larger animals, such as boars or deer.
To a lesser degree, it is also found in the sap of plants. However, the extraction process is significantly less efficient in that case.

History & Usage

History

This substance is vital for Vampires, who rely on its energy-storing properties to survive in the barren landscape near the northern ice. Their bodies evolved to metabolize it from blood, and many clans have their own traditions surrounding its harvest.
In Desert Elf culture, life essence became important to golem research about 200 years ago. It is the key ingredient to manufacturing them and giving them a semblance of sentience. However, since golems are still far from becoming useful, this material plays no role outside academia and military research.

Function

Besides the substance's energy-storing properties, the connection to life itself is still poorly understood.
Some scientists propose that it allows living beings to attune to the immaterial Elements. In particular, it might make Thought and Soul accessible, since it seems to be limited to sentient and sapient creatures.
This theory is further supported by the Vampires' strong attunement to Thought. However, this might simply be a coincidence due to the strong Thought currents in their homeland. On the other hand, the use of life essence in golem research can also be seen as a confirmation.
Critics of this theory point out that this suggests the existence of other essences. So far, there is no evidence of a similar substance required for other Elemental attunements, such as Emotion or Air. Defenders argue that absence of evidence does not equal evidence of absence.

Refinement

Raw blood is challenging to process by artificial means. Elven researchers, therefore, rely on the parasitic drainroot plant that breaks it down into usable substances. After feeding on an animal or person, the drainroot produces fruits that are saturated with life essence. From those, the life essence can be extracted by a skilled alchemist.

by Kathrin Janowski

Odor

alcoholic

Taste

umami and bitter

Color

clear with a faint, bluish-green tint

Common State

liquid

by Kathrin Janowski