Soulcleaving

Soulcleaving is a term that appears in some fictional contexts, particularly within certain role-playing games and fantasy literature, to describe a potent magical or spiritual act. It generally refers to the severing or forceful separation of a being's soul from its physical body or from another soul. This is often depicted as a destructive or violating process, distinct from natural death or spiritual transcendence.

The exact mechanics and consequences of soulcleaving vary significantly depending on the fictional universe. In some narratives, it might be a ritual performed by powerful sorcerers or divine entities. The result could be the instant death of the victim, the imprisonment of their soul, or its fragmentation. Other interpretations might describe soulcleaving as a consensual act, a form of spiritual union or separation undertaken by advanced practitioners for specific purposes, though this is less common.

The concept often carries heavy thematic weight, exploring ideas of identity, consciousness, and the fundamental nature of existence. It is typically portrayed as a forbidden or highly dangerous act due to its potential for catastrophic and irreversible damage to the individual or to the fabric of reality within the story. The term itself suggests a violent tearing or cleaving, emphasizing the severe and fundamental nature of the separation.