Held on Koaratos 13, 5118 (7/13/18) by Yhtrin Faelrlyn.
Yhtrin says, "Let us start by talking about worship. Actual Arkati worship is considered by the Faendryl to be gauche at best or openly derided and discriminated against at worst. If they venerate anything, it is their Patriarch, whom they believe will guide them to ever-greater heights in power and knowledge."
Yhtrin says, "There are a few notable exceptions to this, though. These are Fash lo nae and Amasalen. Fash lo nae is arguably the most respected of the Arkati by the Faendryl. Seen as the father of knowledge, many view Him as the embodiment of the Faendryl drive for knowledge at all costs. Amasalen is respected and considered by many an example of what Faendryl can achieve."
Yhtrin says, "Most Faendryl see no difference between Lornon and Liabo Arkati, even though some outside perceptions are that they favor the darker Arkati. Most of the other Arkati that outsiders might associate with the Faendryl (Mularos, Sheru, etc) are barely thought about by most Faendryl at all. In reality, Faendryl society reflects both aspects of Lornon and Liabo Arkati equally, as do most other societies. It is just that the Faendryl do not attribute these qualities in their own lives to a connection with the Arkati, making them unique."
Yhtrin says, "In addition, the Faendryl do not see the Arkati as gods at all, only beings with greater power that the Faendryl know they can achieve. They see the flaws in the Arkati as reflecting exactly those of the mortal races. It is merely power that seperates a Faendryl from an Arkati, and many a Faendryl have dreams of this apotheosis."
Yhtrin says, "Faendryl clerics are a bit of an enigma. Most clergy in other societies worship other gods, having their holy powers granted by such beings. The Faendryl priests do not consider themselves followers of any deity, most claiming that they work their magic like any sorcerer or empath might. The power to turn the Undead, they explain, comes from having learned to manipulate the energies around Rhoska Tor, as that was where the Undead were first created. Resurrection and the power over life and death is an elementary exercise of will and magery."
Yhtrin says, "Now let us talk about the beliefs of certain Faendryl Clerics. These clerics, who profess to worship nothing, see their powers coming from their own spiritual beings. They also believe that they can eventually achieve immortality and apotheosis."
Yhtrin says, "This argument is largely derided by their Sorcerous peers, as it is common belief that such transcendence can only be achieved by means of Sorcery. Both sides of the argument have merit. Amasalen certainly ascended before or during the infancy of Sorcery. However there is no doubt in most Faendryl s minds that Sorcery has moved their people closer to Ascendancy."
Yhtrin says, "Some of these clerics, In their beliefs, have highly codified the different parts of the soul as well as what they represent and interact. There are those Necromancers have taken notice of these beliefs and find that they accurately represent the arcane process of how many undead are created. I will summarize them."
Yhtrin recites:
"Sangin is the spiritual representation of the body that forms once the soul has separated from the host body. This is how you are able to interact on the spiritual plane once soul separation occurs."
Yhtrin recites:
"Kateel is the vital essence that connects the soul to the host body. The Kateel is the energy linking the ethereal spirit to physical body. Death occurs when the Kateel leaves the body."
Yhtrin recites:
"Balefic is everything unique about an individual, their personality . It is believed by these Faendryl to be housed in the brain. These clerics go out of their way to preserve the brains of the dead, by means of a combination salt bath and alchemical components. They believe an intact brain is required to come back from the dead when the race reaches apotheosis."
Yhtrin recites:
"Khaebyl is the shadow self, subconscious self and emotions, thought to be proof of physical existence and a signifier of mortality. The shadow self exists only in the light, and only disappears in true darkness. This metaphor does not escape the Faendryl."
Yhtrin recites:
"And last is Animus. Animus is life force, the soul fire, literally the connection a soul has to mana and the ability to use it."
Yhtrin says, "A living being will have all of these parts of the soul in abundance. Imbalance of these parts causes an unhealthy soul, which will reflect in the mystical, mental and physical imbalances of the host in a myriad of ways such as mana leakage, spiritual hemorrhaging and enervation."
Yhtrin says, "When a being dies, their Sangin is created using the Balefic to guide the Animus to create a proxy body for the host so that they can interact on the spiritual plane. This body (Sangin) is joined with the Balefic so that the soul may be self aware."
Yhtrin says, "This is the most dangerous of states for the soul as interrupting the process of the Balefic rejoining the soul is believed to be how most incorporeal undead are created. If the Balefic is not joined with the soul matrix, it is believed that is how non sentient undead are created. If the Balefic is joined with the soul matrix but placed within a dead body, this would create a sentient corporeal undead."
Yhtrin says, "These are beliefs that I share with these clerics, and so I am happy to answer questions on that or any other subject I covered."
Ysharra asks, "What about the higher-order undead, like the spectral monks and liches?"
Ysharra says, "They appear to maintain much of their agendas and motivations."
Yhtrin nods.
Yhtrin says, "The higher order undead have a more complete "set", as it were. A lich would have quite a bit of animus involved in it's creation, showing in its superior spellcasting abilities."
Lylia says, "How does this relate, then, to sorcerous animation? I find it akin to puppetry, of a sort. The soul is intact and conscious as the sorcerer works his or her will on the body, yet some people look upon it with superstitious dread."
Lylia sets her mouth in a thin line of disapproval.
Ysharra asks, "D'you think there could be some element of choice, there, too? An active role in the reanimation?"
Lylia whispers something to Xorus.
Ysharra says, "Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to cut off Lady Rashere."
Lylia says, "Oh, no no, I should have waited to ask."
Speaking to Ysharra, Yhtrin says, "With undead, no. There is always an agency."
Rovvigen softly says, "I have a question when it is my turn."
Speaking to Lylia, Ysharra says, "I was...perhaps, running about with an idea, I had no real need to keep going. I am curious about your question, indeed."
Speaking to Lylia, Yhtrin says, "Sorcererous battle animation seems to only be Kateel returned to the body, and nothing else. Making it much like a puppet, as you said."
Taelarn whispers something to Ysharra.
Lylia says, "In other words, people who inveigh against it are credulous simpletons."
Lylia simply says, "As I thought."
Lylia nods once.
Yhtrin says, "I suppose that greater techniques, hinted about in Faendryl histories, are available to Sorcerers. But I, of course, know little of that."
Yhtrin asks, "Any other questions?"
Ysharra says, "Not right at this moment, but I might later."
Ysharra says, "After I've had a chance to think it over more."
Ysharra takes a bite of her pomegranate ice.
Speaking to Yhtrin, Taelarn says, "I think my questions have been answered already."
Yhtrin says, "I am happy to talk about this whenever. It helps me explore the beliefs myself."
Speaking to Yhtrin, Ysharra says, "Thank you, Yhtrin. It was fascinating."
Speaking to Yhtrin, Taelarn says, "Yes, thank you. I enjoyed it greately."
Nazarr says, "That was informative. Thanks, Yhtrin."
Yhtrin nods sagely.
Eiliriel says, "I look forward to hearing more in the future. Or, I suppose, reading it if you choose for that."
Yhtrin says, "I do plan on expanding upon the different types of undead and how they are composed and created."
Lylia says, "I am sure I shall have half a hundred questions, once I sit and think upon it a bit more. It is fascinating to see how others within the Clerisy and beyond it perceive matters of the spirit and how it is bound to flesh."
Speaking to Yhtrin, Taelarn says, "I have a question, actually."
Speaking to Yhtrin, Taelarn asks, "Do you consider the state of the soul, as mentioned in your lecture, when you perform your divinations?"
Speaking to Taelarn, Yhtrin says, "No. They are different realms."
Speaking to Yhtrin, Lylia says, "The talk was genuinely fascinating. I hope you intend to write more on the topic."
Speaking to Lylia, Taelarn says, "I hope so to, it is a fascinating subject to explore."
Speaking to Lylia, Yhtrin says, "Thank you."