Crystal

Crystal has lived with her clan in the vast mountains since childhood. Despite their Beastkin bloodline, they have little special powers besides a strong physique. As a result, they wandered the remote and barren mountains uninhabited by other clans, making a peaceful life gathering plants and herding animals.

But Crystal had always kept a secret to herself, fearing that her kinsmen would shun her were it ever come to light. Every night, as she sat by the bonfire under the starry sky, she could see many green shadows floating in the air. She didn't know what they were, but as she grew older, the shadows became clearer, and some even began to interact with her. Sometimes, they would swing back and forth over her head, while other times, they would rest on her shoulders.

It was not until she saw the same shadow floating out of a dying marmot that she realized they were all wandering animal souls. Crystal had no idea why they came to her, but she had a feeling that they meant no harm.

From that day on, Crystal began to explore the areas around her home after her daily tasks. Though there seemed to be nothing but endless ridges and valleys around, she had a feeling that one day, she would uncover the secrets of these shadows.

As the dust-covered moss on the ruins was pushed aside, Crystal finally learned the truth. It turned out that her clan did have a special power of their own, but it had been lost at some point in history.

Known as the Orvis Amons, her ancestors were once considered the pinnacle of a nomadic and pastoral clan at the height of their glory. Legend has it that they guided every stray animal back to their herd and led them in search of the most fertile land in the vast mountains and grasslands. Heralding homecoming and peace, this Beastkin clan acted as guides for all animals.

A deeper story revealed that the Orvis Amons served as guides not just for the living but also for the souls of the departed. Influenced by their own emotions, the energy in the air, and Yggdrasil, many departed souls could lose their way back, doomed to become wanderers in their deaths. The clan's soul ferriers would have these souls find their way back home.

To become a soul ferrier, one must first be able to see the souls, which was an extremely rare ability even amongst the Orvis Amon.

The second thing one needed was a Soul Lamp, which enhances the power of soul ferriers and can be used to store wandering souls.

Feeling the warmth emanating from the Soul Lamp, Crystal understood her mission but was also beset by confusion and contemplation: this “way back”... just what was it?

In fact, this enigmatic “way back” was actually “letting go of regret”. Though animals may not be as intelligent as humans or elves, they can also be trapped by a singular regret.

When Crystal placed a grass cake next to the marmot's soul, she could feel that even though it couldn't eat the cake, its soul was filled with joy. The originally deep, dark green soul gradually grew lighter and lighter, then eventually disappeared in joy.

Crystal knew that her first experience as a soul ferrier had been successful, and the marmot's soul was on its way back. But not all regrets were as simple as “not eating a grass cake”.

Another creature was a small deer from the distant Yggdrasil. When the Void attacked, it fled to these lands to seek refuge but eventually died of hunger and thirst. Its dying wish was to return to its homeland.

And so, Crystal embarked on an arduous journey to help it return home. As she traveled across the world, the number of souls stored in her lamp only grew. Crystal had no choice... she would just have to fulfill their wishes one by one.

The Soul Lamp had another feature... the more souls it stored, the more powerful its magic became. Though the journey was full of dangers, Crystal managed to take care of them all. She gradually earned herself a reputation and the moniker of “Lamp Mage”.

The Lamp Mage had a mysterious protective power that could weaken any magic that came near her.

None knew that this aura was a barrier of grateful wandering souls who kept her safe as she guided them on the way back.