
Veliae
Closed species by Comatose
Everyone Has one
Sentient creatures all have a guardian granted to them by the deity of Life. The veliae.
(vel-ee-ay)
The spirits known as veliae were originally created to assist Life in the maintenance of the forest of souls nestled safely in the life domain. They were majestic, large creatures with crowns of antlers or horns that would assist them in pruning branches. Pouches which they could safely tuck soul fruit in when ready for harvest with their dexterous paws. Thick manes and long necks which helped keep fresh souls safe as they were transported to the roots of the Life Tree.
One day, a veliae started to speak to the souls as they transmuted from the fruits of the forest. They became more invested with the ones reborn than the newer souls, learning of their past lives and eagerly awaiting them to return to the domain. Life took notice of their behavior and observed from a distance, noting how they took to one in particular. They had tried to whisper to the soul on what could be done to be better than the soul had done in their last incarnation. After witnessing this behavior over a few generations, the deity approached the veliae and offered to send them off with the soul on its next rebirth. The catch was, they would not be seen and must agree to revert to a smaller, less powerful form. Excited at the idea, the veliae agreed. They became the first positive aspect of their kind.
Seeing this, a few others stepped forward and asked if they could follow their favorite souls as well and Life agreed, changing them into positive and negative aspects and sending them off to the mortal realm. As it proved to be beneficial to mortals, Life begun creating more veliae specific for each soul, their aspects determined by their personalities. So it went with each reincarnated and new soul.
They were unique in their shades and shapes; and when their charges died they assisted the souls to Death's open door to be judged and reborn. They whispered in their charges' minds, trying to direct them as best as the spirits could. Some grew in power over the centuries and managed to ascend back into guardians, while the majority stayed in the smaller, invisible forms. Positive or negative, the creatures love their duties and do them without fail or complaint.