Reapers

It's an inconvenient condition, at least for me.

— Kaj

When a being dies, its essence has to be cut from its mortal ties to this world. This is the raison d'etre of the Reapers. Being a Reaper is a dormant genetic condition that can become active.
There are always the same amount of Reapers active. When an older active Reaper dies, another human with this gene will become active. They are then expected to reap the now dead Reaper to go on and become a full active Reaper. If they do not, they may also pass away.

HISTORY

This condition exists in several family lines around the world, and the origin is shrouded in mystery. Only a few people in the know are even aware of this condition's existence.
As this condition runs in families, there are some family tales of the origin of this condition. These tales are painted quite heavily in the colors of the family's religion.

by Renè Müller

CALLING

By the death of an old Reaper, a new Reaper becomes active. This new Reaper will see ghosts like they do ordinary people, as well as diseases and regrets. They will also feel an urge to Reap the dead. It's a need; some can control it while others fall under and live only to Reap.

by Sierra Koder

The Reaper gene is recessive, meaning both parents need to have the gene for all their children to be born with it. The Reaper gene will only become active for those with two of the genes. Like how blue eyes work.
Many people with the Reaper gene will never be called to become a Reaper. Since there are many with the gene and only a set amount of people need to be active at all times.
Those with the Reaper gene will have an easy time learning the way of the Witches. Most actually do become witches if they are in the know.

Some humans with the Reaper gene can sense the presence of living beings. Some families believe that those with these abilities are more likely to be called as a Reaper. This is not necessarily true.

REAPING

All sentient beings need to be Reaped when they die. Usually, the Reapers have their own territory that they cover. Sometimes, their territories intersect with each other. They typically keep out of each other's way when this happens. Though, some Reapers are competitive. Some territory changes also occur when a Reaper dies or needs to move.

GHOSTS

Even though a Reaper feels compelled to Reap, it's not always a good idea to do that willy-nilly. When an essence with "unfinished business" is Reaped, it scatters, and parts of it may become a ghost. It's a Reaper's duty to reap a person wholly, but these pieces do not necessarily compel them to Reap. Thus the ghost might be left alone to torment mortals.

territory

To Reap a being that has passed, the Reaper must first find said being. This is easy for Reapers because active Reapers can sense when a being passes within their territory. Their need will start tugging on them and they will set off to find the loose essence to Reap it.
While Reapers rarely interact which each other in their capacity as Reapers they do sometimes argue over what a territory actually is. Most Reapers who have never in their life moved believe that a territory is a physical thing. Something they can touch, like the grass beneath their feet or the area of the playground they played in when they were little. Their God gave this territory to them when he called them to send his creatures home.
The few of the Reapers who have moved know that their territory moves with them. Most of them believe that their territory is the size of the ability they have to sense death. Some of them believe that their God gave them this ability, and he was the one who decided on its size. No other Reaper should interfere within it.