Ahman
Ahman is a mysterious, primordial substance believed by some scholars to have existed since the dawn of Creation. Its true nature remains largely unknown, although its influence can be observed throughout Sepulchra, where it manifests in numerous forms and plays a fundamental role in supernatural phenomena, living beings, and technological advancement.
Following the Great Cataclysm, Ahman emerged through fissures in the fabric of reality, forever altering the world that would become known as Sepulchra.
Known Forms of Ahman
Although Ahman's true nature remains a subject of considerable debate, scholars and practitioners have identified several distinct forms, each exhibiting unique properties and behaviors. In its natural state, Ahman is extraordinarily powerful but notoriously unpredictable. Through specialized refinement processes, it can be stabilized and adapted for magical practices, technological applications, and other purposes.
Raw Ahman
Raw Ahman is the substance in its natural, unrefined state. Characterized by its swirling purplish-red appearance, it possesses immense supernatural potential but is highly unstable. Exposure to uncontrolled Raw Ahman can produce unpredictable phenomena, including the manifestation of supernatural entities. Such manifestations may be benevolent, malevolent, or extraordinarily chaotic in nature.
Refined Ahman
Recognizable by its distinctive emerald-green coloration, Refined Ahman is produced through processes designed to stabilize and regulate the volatile properties of Raw Ahman. Much of this refinement occurs within the great Ahman Towers, originally cultivated by Druids with the assistance of the Fae. Its more predictable behavior makes it suitable for controlled supernatural applications, primarily spellcasting, but also specialized equipment such as Ahman Blasters.
Industrial Ahman
Industrial Ahman is a further-processed form developed primarily for technological applications. Distinguished by its golden-amber appearance, it exhibits greater stability and more uniform energy output than other grades. It serves as a vital power source throughout Sepulchra, operating machinery, transportation systems, and numerous devices that have become integral to everyday life.
Soul Ahman
Soul Ahman is the term used to describe the Ahman Essence naturally bound to the soul of a living being. Its precise nature and relationship to consciousness remain subjects of considerable debate among scholars of Sepulchra.
When Soul Ahman is forcibly extracted, the victim undergoes a gradual deterioration of identity, personality, and free will. As the process continues, the individual becomes increasingly detached from their former self, eventually degenerating into a zombie-like undead creature known as a Remnant.
Some Remnants retain fragments of their former identities and a limited capacity for independent thought, while others become little more than mindless shells of the individuals they once were.
Ahman Dust
Ahman Dust is an unstable supernatural residue produced when certain undead creatures, including Remnants, are disintegrated by specialized weapons such as the Ashbringer PX-10.
Although these creatures may have been deprived of much of their original Soul Ahman, residual essence remains bound to their undead forms. Upon disintegration, this remaining essence is released as a fine particulate substance known as Ahman Dust.
Ahman Dust is inherently volatile. When left unattended or improperly contained, it can produce unpredictable supernatural phenomena, including the spontaneous manifestation of minor, often chaotic entities such as demon pixies. The nature and severity of these manifestations are difficult to predict, making even relatively small quantities potentially hazardous.
Bone Harvesters are specially trained to recover and safely contain Ahman Dust before such phenomena can occur. Once collected, the material can undergo specialized refinement to extract its usable essence, which has several applications, including sustaining individuals whose continued existence depends upon an external supply of Ahman Essence.
