A book with bloodred binding sits on the table. Although it has a spooky image, it seems almost warm and friendly. Filled with curiousity, you crack it open.
{__Guardian Spirits__}
Perhaps the more politically correct term would be ghosts. Guardian spirits are the souls of those who have died an untimely death. It is interesting to note that no guardian spirit has ever come from Avryn, but are all from outside worlds and dimensions. Whether this is premeditated, or simply by chance, is unknown.
Before coming to Avryn, the person who becomes the guardain spirit must die, most likely in an unexpected way. This person must be unable to accept death, for any reason. If they are too young to die, still trying to hang on after a difficult lead up to death, murdered suddenly, or otherwise, all are capable of becoming a guardian spirit.
It is also unknown of how the guardian's soul comes to Avryn after they die on their world. Many of the spirits have spoken of a strange voice and a dark space, but whether this has any significance is unknown. Some speculate that this voice is the being known as "Mother", the personification of the planet itself.
When a guardian spirit is bonded to a Zahdl, they become capable of speaking pscychicly to one another. Although the Zahdl can speak out loud to their guardian and have them hear them, the guardian is uncapable of making any noise. In fact, the guardian themselves is invisible, hovering as a cloud-like aura around their chosen Zahdl. Guardian spirits are also capable of communicating with other guardians spirits and Zahdl.
One of the duties of the guardian spirit is to help the Zahdl with their magic. In the early stages of a Zahdl's life, they are incapable of performing magic without the aid of their guardian. Even later on, as the Zahdl grow in power, the more complicated and powerful spells require guardian aid. Guardian spirits, however, do grow tired just a normal person does. If they lend too much energy to their Zahdl, they may find themselves in a state of exhaustion, unable to communicate or lend power for days.
Some guardians also have seperate powers from their Zahdl. One of the most interesting abilities that all guardian spirits possess is known as the guardian shield. With this, the guardian spirit is capable of forming a barrier around their Zahdl, protecting them from harm. However, taking direct hits while in this form can, and most likely will always, tire the spirit to exhaustion, leaving them out of commission for days. The guardian may also have other abilities, based on their element. However, with the exception of guardian shield, all Zahdl abilities are severely limited, causing barely any effect or having a highly limited range.
It should also be noted that the guardian does not neccessarily have to be of the same element as their Zahdl. However, having two of opposite elements can cause issues magically in the long run.
There have been rumours that when a Zahdl reaches magical maturity, a guardian may become capable of manifesting itself more in the world. Several old murals and legends suggest such a feat. However, we can not say more until there is greater concrete proof.
