🤝 IN SOCIETY 🤝
🡆 Bonding 🡄
Bonds is a term to describe the relationship between a Reaper and their charge. It is an unseen force of energy that binds the two beings to each other. The Reaper can feel their charges energy, which in turn, carries their emotions. They feel if their charge is hurting, happy, or any other type of feeling/emotion. It's so the Reaper can find their charge and address whatever situation is making their charge feel that way. A bond is incredibly strong and something that cannot be interrupted or broken easily. The only known way to disrupt a bond is through another Reaper who possess the ability too. This won't break a bond; it'll simply create a white noise effect that numbs both the Reaper and charge to their bond.
🡆 Bond Breaking 🡄
While Reapers and their charges are integrated deeply, bonded at birth, it doesn't mean the bond is permanent. There is a way to sever the ties of the bond, and once severed, they can never be rebound. Both parties must agree to the sever, and wholeheartedly mean it. The Reaper then initiates the process of stabbing himself through the chest with his scythe only for the end of the scythe to slightly pierce the chest of his charge. Scythe’s do not act as a physical object during this process and more ethereal. The scythe almost fades through the body, but the effects still happen. Once the Reaper pulls his scythe out of his chest, a searing pain will erupt through both the beings, usually resulting in them blacking out. At this point the bond is severed and the both may go their separate ways, never to be bonded to another again. Bond breaking is considered taboo at this point and only done if the two beings truly want it. There must be no hesitation. Both the Reaper and the charge will forever feel emptiness inside them if they do go through with the break. They will feel empty, knowing they can never feel whole again. It's a large reason why bond breaking is so rare. Better to grin and bear sometimes, then to spend the rest of their days feeling... empty.
🡆 Bond Enhancing 🡄
On the other side of the spectrum, two beings who wish to enhance their bond, resulting in psychic connection (such as mind reading, etc) and the ability to breed together can do a ritual themselves. Like the sever, both parties must agree, and wholeheartedly mean it too. It is the opposite in a bond, as a Reaper cannot kill their charge (unless they've been severed) and their scythe does not affect them, they will pierce their charge through the chest and have the tip connect to said Reaper's chest. Like in bond breaking, the scythe operates as more of an ethereal object, fading through the body not physically piercing it. This act is considered incredibly intimate, unlike a sever, and often done in throws of passion. Contrary to bond breaking, enhancing a bond is often looked upon with pride and endearment. It is something that many people strive to achieve with their Reapers, with the hardest part is letting go of any hesitation and to fully embrace the bond.
🡆 Intimacy & Breeding 🡄
When a charge and their Reaper form a larger bond, normally called "connected" they are able to reproduce. Before a Reaper and their charge could have intercourse, but it would never result in a child. Once the connection has been established, a child is a possibility. This child is essentially a fusion of both species. They are not assigned a Reaper at birth as they possess the ability to safely pass into the afterlife due to the power they inherit from their Reaper parent. They also gain a small amount of strength from their parent. Their appearance is a mix of Reaper and their charge. The children are often described as the "pinnacle" of evolution as they gain all the positive traits from their parents.
It's worth noting that the child of a Reaper and their charge has been hailed as a dawn of a new era (contradicting those who believe judgement day is upon them and considers these hybrids the first sign of it). These children, once adults, may breed with each other as well, and their offspring will be the same as them; a fusion of a Reaper and their charge. Many people and Reapers surmise that eventually Reapers and other sentient beings will go extinct and the only thing remaining will be these "perfect" offspring, who no longer need Reapers. It's hard to say if this will happen, as of now, these hybrids are incredibly rare, making up less than 0.1% of the population.
Two Reaper's cannot breed together, however. They can be intimate, but not produce a child. Another capability of Reapers is their ability to change their sex whenever they desire. This trait has only happened recently, mostly in case their charge wishes to have a child with their guardian or for more simple pleasures. It's not a long process by no means and happens instantly. Like stated, they can change back and forth at will. While this primarily only alters their sexual organs, small things to make said Reaper more feminine or masculine is entirely possible (ie more curvy or blocky builds). This ability to change their sex and slight adjustments to their body carries over to their offspring as well.
🡆 Diet 🡄
Reapers need no sustenance to survive. They, however, are able to eat, drink, sleep, etc despite not needing it. Their biology is identical to a human, possessing the same organs which operate in the same way. They are absolutely able to enjoy foods, drinks, sleeping, etc even though they don't need it. They consider it a luxury and are happy to indulge in it. Their bodies operate like humans, meaning while they're perfectly capable of enjoying these things, they also suffer the same side effects should any occur (nausea, upset stomach, weight gain, etc).
Reapers possess the unique ability to devour souls, however. A devoured soul is described as being delicious and very few things of mortal creation come close in taste. It's not unheard of for some Reapers to become addicted to the taste. It's described like a drug, where all it takes is one consumption to start a chain reaction. However, this is an incredibly rare instance, as many Reapers and charges make it their goal to stop these addictions before they can ever take root. It's mostly reserved for unethical Reapers who follow the ways of Erebus or to those who have been through torment. If a Reaper is found to be addicted, many will offer help and rehabilitate the Reaper, most of which gladly accept the help. The temptation of a momentary tasteful bliss is usually what results in addiction. There is no gain to devouring a soul aside from the taste, however. Reapers cannot devour souls of those they are bonded too.
🡆 Equality 🡄
Reapers for the most part are considered equal to the beings they protect, with some revering them as something more holy (being worshiped, etc) or in some cases them being treated as slaves or less than (often by the one's they are bound too). It's common that if a charge gets a job or hobby, their Reaper will be hired on in addition, but this is not universal. They faced much harsher discrimination in their earlier years, when they were still new to the beings of their world. Progress over the years and the pushing for equality by their charges is what changed things drastically and much faster. Surprisingly Reapers are often sought after for their lack of needs. Since they don't need to sleep or eat, many employers try to exploit this by making them work endlessly. This is the newest threat Reapers are facing, but the opposition to this unethical practice is strong and advocates for Reapers to have the same treatment as their charges.
🡆 Fear 🡄
Not surprisingly, while most accept Reapers and treat them like anyone else, there is an underlying stigma of fear, that they will turn. While Erebus and Anora may be gone, there are rumors that they truly are not. Legends say they fought to death, but being versions of death themselves, it's hard to surmise. It is known that there are still soldiers from both light and dark that exist after the feud, but most of those sightings have been conjured to be urban myths and cryptids. These rumors only fuel the flame of fear.
🡆 Will 🡄
It is good to keep in mind Reaper's are still their own beings. They have minds of their own, control their actions, can disagree and go against their charges. Even going so far as not to protect them or outwardly defying them if they do not agree. Sometimes this will lead a charge and Reaper in an endless struggle when one doesn't want to be bound and the other does. This is often found in illegal activities, such as a charge trying to order their Reaper to commit a crime. When a charge passes and is escorted safely to the afterlife, their Reaper goes with them gladly, and both perish from the mortal realm. That Reaper will not be reassigned a new charge, as they are bounded to their one and only (severed or not).
🡆 Severed 🡄
Since severed Reapers no longer have a charge, they cannot pass away in the normal sense. They are still immortal, so they either choose to wander life for eternity, or to take their own life (suicide, request of a doctor, etc). Severs are very rare in this day and age due to the cons of them. Most charges and guardians grin and bear each other, knowing the whole thing is voluntary.
🡆 Morality 🡄
If a charge dies and a Reaper refuses to help them, their soul will be trapped, and the Reaper will continue to exist as long as the soul does. If the soul is devoured then the Reaper will perish (if they are bonded that is, severed Reapers are not affected). Like anyone, Reapers are capable of being cruel and selfish, so some choose not to help their charges pass on, so they may continue to exist.
Bonds is a term to describe the relationship between a Reaper and their charge. It is an unseen force of energy that binds the two beings to each other. The Reaper can feel their charges energy, which in turn, carries their emotions. They feel if their charge is hurting, happy, or any other type of feeling/emotion. It's so the Reaper can find their charge and address whatever situation is making their charge feel that way. A bond is incredibly strong and something that cannot be interrupted or broken easily. The only known way to disrupt a bond is through another Reaper who possess the ability too. This won't break a bond; it'll simply create a white noise effect that numbs both the Reaper and charge to their bond.
🡆 Bond Breaking 🡄
While Reapers and their charges are integrated deeply, bonded at birth, it doesn't mean the bond is permanent. There is a way to sever the ties of the bond, and once severed, they can never be rebound. Both parties must agree to the sever, and wholeheartedly mean it. The Reaper then initiates the process of stabbing himself through the chest with his scythe only for the end of the scythe to slightly pierce the chest of his charge. Scythe’s do not act as a physical object during this process and more ethereal. The scythe almost fades through the body, but the effects still happen. Once the Reaper pulls his scythe out of his chest, a searing pain will erupt through both the beings, usually resulting in them blacking out. At this point the bond is severed and the both may go their separate ways, never to be bonded to another again. Bond breaking is considered taboo at this point and only done if the two beings truly want it. There must be no hesitation. Both the Reaper and the charge will forever feel emptiness inside them if they do go through with the break. They will feel empty, knowing they can never feel whole again. It's a large reason why bond breaking is so rare. Better to grin and bear sometimes, then to spend the rest of their days feeling... empty.
🡆 Bond Enhancing 🡄
On the other side of the spectrum, two beings who wish to enhance their bond, resulting in psychic connection (such as mind reading, etc) and the ability to breed together can do a ritual themselves. Like the sever, both parties must agree, and wholeheartedly mean it too. It is the opposite in a bond, as a Reaper cannot kill their charge (unless they've been severed) and their scythe does not affect them, they will pierce their charge through the chest and have the tip connect to said Reaper's chest. Like in bond breaking, the scythe operates as more of an ethereal object, fading through the body not physically piercing it. This act is considered incredibly intimate, unlike a sever, and often done in throws of passion. Contrary to bond breaking, enhancing a bond is often looked upon with pride and endearment. It is something that many people strive to achieve with their Reapers, with the hardest part is letting go of any hesitation and to fully embrace the bond.
🡆 Intimacy & Breeding 🡄
When a charge and their Reaper form a larger bond, normally called "connected" they are able to reproduce. Before a Reaper and their charge could have intercourse, but it would never result in a child. Once the connection has been established, a child is a possibility. This child is essentially a fusion of both species. They are not assigned a Reaper at birth as they possess the ability to safely pass into the afterlife due to the power they inherit from their Reaper parent. They also gain a small amount of strength from their parent. Their appearance is a mix of Reaper and their charge. The children are often described as the "pinnacle" of evolution as they gain all the positive traits from their parents.
It's worth noting that the child of a Reaper and their charge has been hailed as a dawn of a new era (contradicting those who believe judgement day is upon them and considers these hybrids the first sign of it). These children, once adults, may breed with each other as well, and their offspring will be the same as them; a fusion of a Reaper and their charge. Many people and Reapers surmise that eventually Reapers and other sentient beings will go extinct and the only thing remaining will be these "perfect" offspring, who no longer need Reapers. It's hard to say if this will happen, as of now, these hybrids are incredibly rare, making up less than 0.1% of the population.
Two Reaper's cannot breed together, however. They can be intimate, but not produce a child. Another capability of Reapers is their ability to change their sex whenever they desire. This trait has only happened recently, mostly in case their charge wishes to have a child with their guardian or for more simple pleasures. It's not a long process by no means and happens instantly. Like stated, they can change back and forth at will. While this primarily only alters their sexual organs, small things to make said Reaper more feminine or masculine is entirely possible (ie more curvy or blocky builds). This ability to change their sex and slight adjustments to their body carries over to their offspring as well.
🡆 Diet 🡄
Reapers need no sustenance to survive. They, however, are able to eat, drink, sleep, etc despite not needing it. Their biology is identical to a human, possessing the same organs which operate in the same way. They are absolutely able to enjoy foods, drinks, sleeping, etc even though they don't need it. They consider it a luxury and are happy to indulge in it. Their bodies operate like humans, meaning while they're perfectly capable of enjoying these things, they also suffer the same side effects should any occur (nausea, upset stomach, weight gain, etc).
Reapers possess the unique ability to devour souls, however. A devoured soul is described as being delicious and very few things of mortal creation come close in taste. It's not unheard of for some Reapers to become addicted to the taste. It's described like a drug, where all it takes is one consumption to start a chain reaction. However, this is an incredibly rare instance, as many Reapers and charges make it their goal to stop these addictions before they can ever take root. It's mostly reserved for unethical Reapers who follow the ways of Erebus or to those who have been through torment. If a Reaper is found to be addicted, many will offer help and rehabilitate the Reaper, most of which gladly accept the help. The temptation of a momentary tasteful bliss is usually what results in addiction. There is no gain to devouring a soul aside from the taste, however. Reapers cannot devour souls of those they are bonded too.
🡆 Equality 🡄
Reapers for the most part are considered equal to the beings they protect, with some revering them as something more holy (being worshiped, etc) or in some cases them being treated as slaves or less than (often by the one's they are bound too). It's common that if a charge gets a job or hobby, their Reaper will be hired on in addition, but this is not universal. They faced much harsher discrimination in their earlier years, when they were still new to the beings of their world. Progress over the years and the pushing for equality by their charges is what changed things drastically and much faster. Surprisingly Reapers are often sought after for their lack of needs. Since they don't need to sleep or eat, many employers try to exploit this by making them work endlessly. This is the newest threat Reapers are facing, but the opposition to this unethical practice is strong and advocates for Reapers to have the same treatment as their charges.
🡆 Fear 🡄
Not surprisingly, while most accept Reapers and treat them like anyone else, there is an underlying stigma of fear, that they will turn. While Erebus and Anora may be gone, there are rumors that they truly are not. Legends say they fought to death, but being versions of death themselves, it's hard to surmise. It is known that there are still soldiers from both light and dark that exist after the feud, but most of those sightings have been conjured to be urban myths and cryptids. These rumors only fuel the flame of fear.
🡆 Will 🡄
It is good to keep in mind Reaper's are still their own beings. They have minds of their own, control their actions, can disagree and go against their charges. Even going so far as not to protect them or outwardly defying them if they do not agree. Sometimes this will lead a charge and Reaper in an endless struggle when one doesn't want to be bound and the other does. This is often found in illegal activities, such as a charge trying to order their Reaper to commit a crime. When a charge passes and is escorted safely to the afterlife, their Reaper goes with them gladly, and both perish from the mortal realm. That Reaper will not be reassigned a new charge, as they are bounded to their one and only (severed or not).
🡆 Severed 🡄
Since severed Reapers no longer have a charge, they cannot pass away in the normal sense. They are still immortal, so they either choose to wander life for eternity, or to take their own life (suicide, request of a doctor, etc). Severs are very rare in this day and age due to the cons of them. Most charges and guardians grin and bear each other, knowing the whole thing is voluntary.
🡆 Morality 🡄
If a charge dies and a Reaper refuses to help them, their soul will be trapped, and the Reaper will continue to exist as long as the soul does. If the soul is devoured then the Reaper will perish (if they are bonded that is, severed Reapers are not affected). Like anyone, Reapers are capable of being cruel and selfish, so some choose not to help their charges pass on, so they may continue to exist.