Spark

'Spark' is the name for the mortal soul of Visctheria, the incorporeal spark of life that makes mortals different from the Visctherian Pantheon and the monsters of the world. While much study and research has been put into Sparks, few points of interest have come up; how does one study what one cannot experience? Despite this, Arcanists have continued to study the Spark as much as they can. Some cultures have even unlocked interaction with it.

Religion

by sunnybirdboi via MidJourney

"We are but clay in the hands of the Gods, built to follow and adore our creators. What do we say to those who gave us life; begone, or how may we serve?"

— Enchirydion, Book of Mortals

Visctherians believe that Sparks are gifts from Athos, the God of fire. They commonly worship the gift of life alongside fire, and view life as something to be celebrated and given back to the Gods who gifted it to them. Most Visctherians believe in reincarnation, saying that Sparks go from one life to the next in mortal bodies alone.

Science

Sparks are interdimensional pieces of the Weaver herself. Because they are interdimensional - and literally bits of the creator of the Tethered Realms - they have access to each of the Planes of existence within the Tethered Realms, and can roam freely between them, when not tied to a mortal body.

by sunnybirdboi via MidJourney

Sparks' only natural predator is their own mortal bodies, known for twisting Sparks beyond recognition with descpicable acts and torture. Without this threat, they would exist freely and easily travel from one existence to the next. When a Spark has learned all it can from the world, it returns to the Weaver with its new knowledge, and enlightens Her.

Arcanists' Research

Spark Twinning is a process of binding two Sparks together, most famously done by Cadoc Godriath and Ascian Thaerdroth before the Magic War. Spark Twins are both subject to the fate of the other, suffering harm and experiencing healing at the same time. They can feel each other's feelings, locate the other easily, and even detect and cure sickness. While almost all of Agryae consists of Spark Twins, few outside the country take part in the practice.

Spirit Jars are torture devices from Abrana that physically bind a Spark to the mortal Plane, trapped forever in a jar of horrendous pain. While intense and intricate spellwork is required to create these Jars, few Visctherians truly know how they work - by severing a Spark's access to the other Planes. How this is done has been lost to the Ages, even to those who still know how a Spirit Jar functions. This mystery keeps Arcanists on their toes, as both this ability and the possibility of worse things is a looming threat in the hands of a backwards country.