Nature of the Soul

There is no known universal, factual answer to that most ancient of questions. Everyone thinks they've figured it out, and some have had good insights, but the nature of the soul and consciousness itself is still an ongoing mystery in the setting.

To those born of the Nether, the soul is the birthplace of emotion, feeling, empathy. Without the soul, there is no meaning in existing; a thinking automaton is to be pitied rather than praised, an existence that does not return to the world from whence it came. The same is true of men and succubi alike; it is in feeling, experiencing the world in your own way, that your own subjective truth is formed. The truth is not an objective fact, but subjective; "I feel, therefore I am."

Humanity has as many truths as there are stars in the sky, but academics seeking to create a Theory of Everything are forced to recognize that humanity is not special. They are not the only creatures with souls, nor the greatest, no matter how many there may be. Emotion cannot be quantified; willpower cannot be extended forever. The only truth of reality, say some, is that there is no sapience without thought, that recognizing your own existence is enough to prove that you exist. "I think, therefore I am."

To those born of the Aether, the soul is information, willpower, existence itself. Born of clay and forged by light, their very nature born of the magic they wield. To question your own existence is to cheapen it, accepting you are no more than a cosmic fluke. Therefore, to say 'I think, therefore I am' is to accept that without thinking you would not be - an existence so fragile as to fall apart at a feather's touch. Instead, there is but one truth; "I am."

Beastkin are often viewed as being incapable of such introspection, but even they have their own views of the soul. Always more at home with the world than humans born of it, most take their own existence as a matter of fact, believing that it is what one does with the gift of life that decides who they are. Often believed to solely seek strength, it is perhaps more accurate to say that many beastkin pursue perfection, albeit often through the lens of strength. Ever seeking to better themselves, with their own truth; "I grow, therefore I am."

Which is correct? Well, that just depends on your point of view.