Sancti

A Sanctus is the magical manifestation of one's soul. The form of Sancti varies heavily from person to person. The general rule of thumb is that it is a visual representation of the soul. It is common for Sancti to assume the animal form of their user, however this isn't always the case.

Generally there are two ways of gaining Sanctus powers, either through a Transcendance Crystal or a Parasitus Crystal. [placeholder] Demi-guardians are inherently able to turn into Sanctus, under the same logic that Transcendance Crystals use.

Transcendance Crystals

 * Transcendance Crystals are basically power-ups that Guardians create for their human followers.
 * The crystal itself is permanent--in that it doesn't vanish after one use. However, each use has a time limit--most fighters can hold it for 15-20 minutes, while those with greater endurance can hold it for around 30 minutes.
 * Most Transcendance Crystals today are from before the Guardian's fall.
 * This power is generally entrusted to rebel fighters of certain ranks.
 * They are sometimes used as rewards in rebel tournaments. For those of lower rank, winning one is considered a great honor.

Parasitus Crystals

 * Parasitus Crystals are made up of a complex set of different spells--so complex that only a Guardian could produce them with consistency.
 * Sanctus created through these methods are generally known as 'Corrupted Sancti,' 'Fallen Sancti,' or 'Class Fs.'
 * When a human is affected by this crystal, their body and mind are forced into a state of stasis. Their soul is then 'crystallized' and contained within the sanctus form itself.
 * However, as the soul is mainly used as the 'outer shell' of the Sanctus, these Fallen Sanctus have little control over their body or actions.


 * Once a Fallen Sanctus is defeated, cracking their 'soul crystal' will reconnect the soul to its body. That is, if the body still lives. See Trapped Souls for a more grim alternative.


 * Unfortunately, Parasitus Crystals have far greater power than Transcendance Crystals typically do. The reason for this is that while Transcendance Crystals work in tandem with a soul, Parasitus Crystals siphon and reprocess the energy from the soul(s) they cling onto.


 * Where Transcendance Sancti have a time limit, Sanctus created from Parasitus Crystals are practically permanent. In fact, the magic used to create Parasitus Crystals can sometimes effect the uncorrupted permanently.

Amalgams

 * One Parasitus Crystal can create one very powerful Sancti out of the souls of multiple people. This type of sanctus is generally referred to as Amalgam [placeholder] Fallen Sanct

Specimens

 * Contrary to Transcendence Crystals, Parasitus Crystals rarely create one-person Sancti. Usually this happens either under special circumstances--either an accident or through bounty-hunting those with interesting powers.
 * Unfortunately, Specimen Sanctus more often than not are still left half-corrupted even after uncorruption. In Amalgams, the curse is spread among the people--Specimens have to carry that burden alone.