Spirit

Spirits in Adaris represent the coalesced consciousness of the elements. As the Primordial Elements and the energies of the Primordial Spirits intertwine, as new beliefs and traditions arise, as language develops, new spirits form. These spirits, in their various stages of development, form the foundational consciousness that shapes all matter and life in Adaris. All things in Adaris, from the smallest creature to the largest mountain, are composed of spirits, each carrying sparks of consciousness derived from Daathir, the first consciousness.

As these spirits coalesce, their consciousness grows and becomes more distinct. Some spirits remain in a nascent state, while others evolve over time, becoming self-aware and powerful. These spirits are categorized into Nascent Spirits, Mature Spirits, Ancestral Spirits, and Primordial Spirits, with the original Primordial Spirits acting as the progenitors of all others.

Types of Spirits

A depiction of various spirits, from nascent to ancestral, representing the layers of consciousness within Adaris.

Nascent Spirits

Nascent Spirits are the youngest and most malleable spirits in Adaris. They exist in a state of pure potential, with limited consciousness and awareness. These spirits are often the embodiment of minor environmental phenomena, such as flickering lights, gusts of wind, or small elemental creatures barely distinguishable from their surroundings. Nascent spirits are influenced by the beliefs, actions, and environmental changes around them, and their form and function are fluid.

Nascent spirits are the building blocks of the natural world, forming the foundation of all matter. They lack self-awareness but are essential to the functioning of the world, as they coalesce to create more complex spirits. Osiari—practitioners of Osia—primarily manipulate these spirits to influence the elements and physical reality.

Mature Spirits

Whereas Nascent Spirits represent transient and undefined moments—such as a gust of wind or the ripple of water—Mature Spirits emerge when those fleeting moments accumulate and solidify into a more lasting concept. Mature Spirits are often born from long-standing natural phenomena, human constructions, or widely accepted ideas, where nascent energies coalesce and evolve over time.

Mature spirits can have a significant impact on the world, influencing natural events and playing active roles in Adarian myths and rituals. While they retain some connection to their elemental origins, their increased consciousness allows them to act with greater autonomy and intent.

Ancestral Spirits

Given enough time and cultural recognition, Mature Spirits can evolve into Ancestral Spirits. This occurs when a spirit’s concept becomes deeply rooted in the collective consciousness of Adaris, transforming it into a powerful, godlike being. However, Ancestral Spirits can also emerge from the merging of multiple Primordial Spirits, forming entirely new, stable entities that are neither wholly elemental nor purely conceptual.

Ancestral Spirits that arise from mortal belief often become patrons of communities, regions, or entire cultures, holding immense power over their followers. Others, such as Sethis, the Spirit of Mirages, are the result of Primordial Spirits fusing together—in this case, Veyatha (Illusion) and Arenam (Sand and Glass).

These spirits are considered the embodiments of ancient knowledge and wisdom, often outlasting the cultures that created them. Their power is such that they no longer require active worship to maintain their existence, having become fundamental parts of the world.

Ascended Spirits

Emerge from the combination of multiple primordial spirits.

Primordial Spirits

Primordial Spirits are the original forces of creation, born from the chaos of the Primordial Void. These spirits are the most powerful entities in existence, representing the raw, untamed elements and abstract forces of the universe.

The first and most powerful of these spirits are Daathir (Consciousness) and Awenlas (Imagination), who together wove the first threads of reality. From them, the Primordial Elements emerged:

• Dharas – The essence of light, illuminating the unknown and bringing order.
• Arafia – The veil of darkness, embodying mystery, the unseen, and the infinite.
• Oras – The spirit of earth, forming the physical foundation of Adaris.
• Tejas – The flame of transformation, creation, and destruction.
• Shasae – The breath of the world, freedom, and the currents of change.
• Jala – The waters of life, adaptability, and the flow of existence.

However, beyond these elemental forces, other Primordial Spirits emerged, embodying fundamental concepts that shaped existence itself:

• Kairos – The Spirit of Time, governing the flow of past, present, and future.
• Veyatha – The Spirit of Illusion, weaving perception, deception, and hidden truths.
• Sethis – The Spirit of Mirages, a fusion of Veyatha (Illusion) and Arenam (Sand and Glass), blending reality and deception.
• Zerathis – The Spirit of Paradox, existing within contradictions and impossibilities.
• Eryon – The Spirit of Knowledge, embodying understanding, memory, and discovery.
• Velthara – The Spirit of Fate, overseeing destiny, choice, and inevitability.
• Esmora – The Spirit of Emotion, shaping feelings, passion, and connection.
• Thanis – The Spirit of Death, embodying the end of cycles, transformation, and rebirth.
• Neyara – The Spirit of Will, governing determination, ambition, and perseverance.
• Xilthar – The Spirit of Perception, shaping how beings interpret reality.

While the original elemental Primordial Spirits shaped the material world, these newer conceptual Primordial Spirits influence the metaphysical and abstract realms, forming the intangible forces that govern thought, destiny, and existence itself.

The Ratio of Consciousness

In Adaris, everything contains a spark of consciousness, from the smallest insect to the tallest mountain. However, the ratio of consciousness varies widely. A thinking humanoid, for example, may be physically small but contains a significant amount of consciousness due to their self-awareness and complex mind. In contrast, a mountain may be massive but composed of many nascent earth spirits, each with limited consciousness.

This balance of consciousness influences how beings interact with the world. While a mountain may be vast and imposing, its lack of complex consciousness makes it less dynamic in its interactions. Conversely, beings with higher levels of consciousness, such as humanoids or Osiari, can manipulate the world around them through their connection to the spiritual and elemental forces of Adaris.

Significance and Worship

Spirits are central to the culture and philosophy of Adaris, influencing everything from daily life to religious practices. Many societies revere spirits, from the humble nascent spirits that ensure the fertility of crops to the ancient ancestral spirits that offer protection and wisdom. Temples, shrines, and rituals dedicated to these spirits can be found throughout Adaris, each reflecting the unique relationship between the people and the spirits that govern their world.

The practice of Osia is deeply tied to the understanding and manipulation of these spirits. Osiari are often called upon to mediate between the spirits and the physical world, ensuring balance and harmony are maintained.