Soul Scapes

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Soul Scapes

Type	Border Ethereal
Location	Within a creature's soul

Soul Scapes are domains in which embody a being's soul. Through a ritual known as a Soul Exposure creatures may be able to enter another beings soul and enter into their soul scape. While historically this ritual is quite ancient, it has only begun to see use in recent years.

About

Each and every Soul-Scape is different, but they do usually have some parts in common. The space within this metaphysical space has no defined shape or logic and can change without rhyme or reason based on the host's memories, personality, and other mental factors - such as trauma or extreme stress - this makes it extremally dangerous to navigate a Soul-Scape. This inner-space of an individual is maintained and protected by "Aspects," beings or entities that operate within a Soul-Scape. These Aspects can take many forms, but most commonly take on the appearance of the host themselves or individuals from the soul's past. If the soul is in a period of great stress, Negative Aspects will emerge, typically taking the form of things the soul fears or entities tied to traumatic memories. These Negative Aspects will attempt to erode the soul and will openly attack and harm other Aspects. Most Soul-Scapes will have what is known as a " Memory Center." These can show themselves in a number of ways from tapestries depicting events, the memories playing out as one explores the space, to doorways that pull you into the actual memory itself. These spaces are maintained by an Aspect or a group of Aspects known as a/the Weaver(s). When new memories are made, the Weaver can add new additions to the memory storage system that operates within the Individual's soul. If the Weaver is harmed or destroyed, it can cause irreversible damage to the soul, and may prevent new memories from being made. It has also been shown that tampering with or destroying these memories my enrage the Weaver(s), causing them to take a defensive position and change form to a more negative Aspect in order to reduce the damage done. Completely destroying a memory will cause the host to forget the events that occured within said memory - leading to unforeseen consequences.

Beings from outside the soul have also been known to inhabit Soul Scapes. There are many undocumented entities who survive by attaching onto a Soul Scape and feeding off the life energy it provides. Though this is usually a parasitic symbiosis, there have been a few occasions that defies this - simply existing to protect the host in a mutualistic symbiosis. In addition, if the soul is bound to another entity, a part of that creature can possibly be found within the Soul-Scape. These entities generally will either strive to protect or fester within the space - which may cause complications to those who enter with little information about the host. These entities can range from a deity the soul worships, a being the soul sold itself to such as a devil or demon, to alter aspects that have their own goals to achieve. Additionally, reports have stated that creatures who have participated in a Soul Exposure have been able to enter that creature's Soul-Scape once more occasionally during their dreams should the incision be left open. So far, there have been little in consequence to leaving the incision left open.

Soul Retrieval and Exposure:

This procedure is a dangerous ritual wherein a creature is able to enter another creature's Soul-Scape. The main part of the ritual is creating a small incision in the very life essence of the individual, which then opens a gateway into a creature's Soul-Scape. This is normally performed by those who carry the ability to see and manipulate the metaphysical - that is to say plainly, can wield and perform Magic. From here, a nearby willing creature may attempt to push their consciousness into the incision and enter the Soul-Scape. During the ritual, the creature that is undergoing the Soul Exposure will be in a comatose state and reportedly in great pain during the beginning of the excursion. Any creature (so long as they have a corporeal shell) that enters the Soul Scape will find their mortal body left in a comatose state. As long as the incision remains open, a creature can leave the Soul Scape and enter back into their body once their objective inside the area is complete. If a creature was to perish inside the Soul Scape and the incision is still open, their mind would be shunted back into their body - but can be re-entered so long as the Soul does not reject or barr the individual completely. If the incision is closed while creatures are present in another's Soul-Scape, they will be unable to leave - should a creature perish while traversing inside the Soul-Scape during this time, their body on the outside will also expire. The only way for a creature to leave the Soul-Scape if the incision is closed is for the incision o be reopened or if the host of the soul dies. Some memory loss may occur to the hosting of the Soul-Scape, as tampering with such a volatile and ever-changing thing can have... unexpected consequences.  

Behind the DM's Screen

The Soul Scape provides an easy way for players to engage in low consequence DMing and adventuring. It provides a chance for the player whose Soul Scape is being explored to describe what their Soul Scape is like as well as to potentially DM some encounters without having any mechanical consequences on the main story. The purpose of the Soul Scape is to also serve as a direct vessel for character development.

Note: (A word about alternative Death Saving throw Rules) - The fact that the Soul-Scape is merely an astral projection of the host's being, so are any visitors that come or go. As such - unless the entrance is closed, Players will instead roll to stay within the Soul-Scape using the Death Roll normal to D&D. Upon failure, the player is shunted and locked out of the current Soul-Scape session. Upon Success, the player will be shunted out - but can easily rejoin and catch up to any other members that may still be within the Soul-Scape Session.