On the Science and Possibilities of Soul Bindery

A treatise, written during the Drankorian Era, by an early member of the Arithrimos Lamperum

The author, an early member of the Arithrimos Lamperum, argues that after a mortal dies, the movement of their soul toward the plane of souls (or wherever they might move on toward) creates a kind of magical force or pressure that can be tapped and used. He enthusiastically hypothesizes on the various uses of the energy of a bound soul. Binding souls to a phylactery to create a lich-form is known, but, he writes, this represents only the most obvious application of such power. “One can drink from a stream, but the wise man builds a waterwheel and binds the force of moving water to use. Such a phylactery is like a millstone set to the water of souls: useful, but only the barest beginning of the possible. Imagine for example, a golem or automaton or ship or weapon powered by such motive force.”

The book also speaks disparagingly of what the author calls soul hoarders: "A soul hoarder is like the greatwyrm whose hoard-lust has become its master. Whether it be the spice scented timbers of Illoria or the gold wrought statues which the forest people create when they wish to fashion a new god, such treasure ought not merely be sat upon and counted, but put to use. Eucaustis relates a story (on a scroll since destroyed) that Yendalo once met a sojourner who had themself escaped from such a soul-hoard the door to which sits inside a tree root beyond the setting sun.” Leaving aside the veracity of such a story, I will comment merely on the absurdity and waste that such fecundity of soul energy should sit idle.”