Lemurians and Sending Rites

Dream Lemurian

In Arcanum Imperium

In the world of Arcanum, it is believed that when a person dies, their spirit becomes a part of the natural cycle of magic in the land. If the proper sending rites are not performed by a witch or mage, the deceased may return as a Lemurian, a vengeful and chaotic natural spirit fury. Lemurians are mystical creatures that embody the unresolved emotions and turmoil of the deceased. The longer they are unattended, the more powerful, twisted and vengeful they become.

The sending rites are a sacred and intricate set of rituals performed by witches and mages to guide the spirit of the departed safely into the afterlife. These rites involve communing with the natural spirits of the land and the Wild Ones, seeking their guidance and blessings. The specific rituals vary depending on the beliefs of the region and the wishes of the deceased and their family.

When the sending rites are conducted correctly, the spirit of the departed is released from its earthly attachments and allowed to join the harmonious energies of the Spirit World. Over time, these spirits may evolve into Wild Ones, taking on aspects of spirit creatures and becoming protectors of the natural world. The hope is that one day, these spirits will return to the world of the living as Wild Ones, bringing blessings and guidance to their descendants.

However, when the sending rites are neglected or performed incorrectly, the spirit of the deceased may become trapped in a state of unrest and anger, giving rise to a Lemurian. Lemurians are often associated with natural disasters, curses, and other calamities. They are considered a menace to both the living and the natural world.

The folk religion of the land places great importance on the proper performance of sending rites, as it is believed that this practice not only ensures the peaceful passage of the departed but also contributes to the balance and well-being of the entire world. It is a solemn duty of witches and mages to honor this tradition and protect their communities from the wrath of Lemurians.

Lemurians are fey spirits, not undead, and they transform into the magical creatures that inhabit the land when proper sending rites are not performed. Many of the monsters of the land, are in fact Lemurians who have taken on the form of various mystical beasts.

Lemurians and the Fey:

• The mistreated Wild Ones who become Lemurians after improper sending rites can sometimes find solace and allies among the Fey. The Fey, in their various aspects and totems, may aid the Lemurians in their quest for justice against those who wronged them.

Wild Ones and Umbrastone:

When Wild Ones expire after being used up in Umbrastones, they undergo a transformation into Lemurians that reflects their connection to the Spirit World and their individual nature. Here are a few examples of the types of Lemurians they might become:

1. Elemental Lemurians: These Lemurians take on the aspects of natural elements, such as fire, water, earth, or air. They may manifest as fiery spirits, water nymphs, stone guardians, or ethereal winds. Their abilities are often tied to the element they embody.
2. Totem Lemurians: These Lemurians adopt the visage and characteristics of spirit animals or totems. They could resemble wolves, eagles, bears, or other creatures. Each Totem Lemurian grants unique abilities related to the animal spirit they represent.
3. Celestial Lemurians: These Lemurians take on a radiant and otherworldly appearance, often resembling constellations or celestial beings. They possess powers connected to the cosmos, including the manipulation of stars, light, or celestial energies.
4. Plant Lemurians: These Lemurians become intertwined with plant life, transforming into tree spirits, flower guardians, or sentient vines. They can control and manipulate plant matter, using it for protection or healing.
5. Shadow Lemurians: These Lemurians are marked by a darker and more mysterious aura. They have abilities related to shadows, stealth, and illusion, making them adept at concealing themselves and ambushing foes.
6. Beast Lemurians: These Lemurians resemble fearsome or mythical beasts, such as dragons, griffins, or chimeras. They possess the strength and abilities associated with these creatures, making them formidable in combat.
7. Weather Lemurians: These Lemurians are tied to weather phenomena, taking on the appearance of storm spirits, rain dancers, or cloud riders. They have the power to control weather patterns, summoning storms, or calming turbulent skies.
8. Dream Lemurians: These Lemurians embody the realm of dreams and the subconscious. They may appear as surreal and fantastical beings, capable of manipulating the thoughts and dreams of those they encounter.

The specific type of Lemurian a Wild One becomes depends on various factors, including their affinity with a particular aspect of the Spirit World and the circumstances of their capture and imprisonment within the Umbrastones.

Lemurian Elders

A Wild One who has transformed into a more powerful Lemurian might be referred to as a "Spiritborne" or a "Lemurian Elder." These titles signify their elevated status compared to regular humanoids who have passed and become Lemurians. Spiritborne Wild Ones possess a deeper connection to the Spirit World and often exhibit greater mastery over their abilities and the elements they embody. Their increased power and wisdom make them formidable and enigmatic entities within the world of Arcanum.

Lemurian Pacts

The limited practice of forming pacts with Lemurians among witches, warlocks, and some hedge mages, as well as the use of onyx totems as casting focuses, adds an intriguing layer the world's magic system. Here are some additional details and implications for this practice:

1. Cultural Variation:
   • The choice to form pacts with Lemurians could be specific to certain covens, warlock circles, or even regional variations among witches and hedge mage guilds. This creates diversity in magical traditions within your world.
2. Onyx Totems:
   • Onyx totems, being associated with Lemurian pacts, might be considered rare and valuable magical artifacts. Those who possess them could be highly respected within their respective communities. Onyx Totems are the result of a bound Wild One perishing while bounded to a heart gem or crystal.
3. Wild Souls vs. Spirits:
   • The distinction between wild souls and spirits adds depth to the world's metaphysical understanding of magic. It could be a subject of philosophical debate and magical scholarship, with some arguing for the ethical use of wild souls and others advocating for the sentience and rights of spirits. Lemurians are natural souls - spiritual insticts and urges, awake and aware. Wild Ones are natural spirits - spiritual wills, sapient and self-aware.
4. Ethical Debates:
   • The limited use of Lemurian pacts might lead to ethical debates within magical communities. Some may view it as a more acceptable alternative to exploiting sentient beings like Wild Ones, while others may argue that any use of such creatures is ethically problematic. Others find it problematic because it prevents the Lemurian from passing on and leaves its vengeful soul in the waking world to carry out its malice on the common folk.
5. Conflict and Collaboration:
   • The practice of Lemurian pacts could create both conflicts and collaborations among magic users. Those who form these pacts might be at odds with traditionalists or more radical factions within their own communities. Conversely, they might find common cause with other magic users who share their ethical concerns.
6. Magic and Instinct:
   • Magic derived from Lemurian pacts might be more instinctual and primal compared to the magic drawn from sentient beings. This could make Totemforged more attuned to nature and its rhythms, granting them unique abilities or insights.
7. Lemurian Sentience:
   • Exploring the nature of Lemurians and their level of sapience (or lack thereof) can be an intriguing subplot. Are they purely instinctual creatures, or do they possess a form of collective consciousness that magic users can tap into?
8. Balance and Harmony:
   • The use of Lemurian pacts may be associated with a philosophy of imbalance and change with the natural world. Magic users who form these pacts could see themselves as stewards of the land, striving to use their powers to effect change and renewal.
9. Story Opportunities:
   • The existence of Lemurian pacts and onyx totems creates opportunities for character development and plotlines. Characters who practice this form of magic may have unique motivations, relationships with nature, and ethical dilemmas to explore.
10. Moral Grey Area:
    • The use of wild souls in magic still resides in a moral grey area, as it involves a form of exploitation, albeit of a different kind.

The Legend of the Gemstones

1. Unfulfilled Sendings: When a person dies, their soul is supposed to pass on to the spirit world through a proper sending ritual performed by a skilled mage. However, in the case of Lemurians, this ritual was either improperly conducted, neglected, or not performed at all.
2. Trapped Souls: As a result of the incomplete or botched sending rituals, the souls of the deceased individuals become trapped between the physical and spirit worlds. Unable to cross over to the spirit world, they linger on the material plane as disembodied spirits, bound by their unfulfilled destiny. Often becoming wrathful, they are not fully spirt - but instead souls of nature, more like wills or instincts than consciousness.
3. Gemstone Connection: Gemstones play a crucial role in this scenario. These trapped souls are drawn to gemstones, especially those of significant power or spiritual resonance. The essence of these trapped souls is infused into these gemstones, forming a powerful connection. This connection transforms the gemstones into conduits between the spirit world and the material plane.
4. Creation of Lemurians: Over time, the trapped souls become more than just ethereal spirits. They merge their existence with the gemstones, giving rise to a new type of being known as Lemurians. These Lemurians are, in essence, the personifications of unfulfilled destinies and incomplete journeys to the spirit world.
5. Magical Significance: Gemstones that house Lemurians become powerful magical artifacts, known as Lemurian Gemstones. They possess unique properties and the ability to bridge the gap between realms, making them central to the Arcanum's magical system.
6. Umberstone and Onyx Cores: These are types of Lemurian Gemstones. Umberstone is a gemstone with a Wild One captured and bound to it. Onyx Cores are spent Lemurian Gemstones where a Wild One has died and is a Lemurian trapped in the Onyx Core.
7. Lemurian Influence: Lemurians can influence and interact with the material plane, often taking on fantastical forms and imbuing their surroundings with their otherworldly essence. They may also forge pacts with living beings, which could involve the sharing of power or mystical abilities.
   1. Accumulation of Energy: Lemurians, when trapped in the material realm, continue to accumulate energy over time. This energy comes from the unfulfilled destiny, unrealized potential, and the lingering connection to the spirit world.
   2. Spiritual Maturation: As Lemurians linger and their energy accumulates, they undergo a process of spiritual maturation. This process can be analogous to aging or evolving in the spirit world, even though they remain bound to the material realm.
   3. Strengthened Abilities: With time, more powerful Lemurians can exhibit a wider range of abilities and greater influence over the material plane. They might possess unique skills, magical powers, or the capacity to interact with the living and the physical world in more profound ways.
   4. Changing Appearances: Older Lemurians may change in appearance, taking on more majestic or imposing forms that reflect their accumulated power. Some may even evolve into semi-divine or godlike entities in their specific domains. An example: Alaazarin and the Garnet Pontifex before him.
   5. Importance in the Arcanum: These elder Lemurians, with their immense power and experience, hold a special place in the Arcanum's magical system. They become coveted beings for mages and spiritualists, as forming pacts with them could bring immense magical abilities or wisdom.
   6. Moral Dilemma: Mages and spiritualists may face a moral dilemma in deciding whether to send these powerful Lemurians to the spirit world, as doing so could potentially reduce their own access to their unique abilities.