Spirits

Spirits in the realm of Ea do exist, and are a part of the outlook of some cultures (such as oruch, sylvanori, sith'makar, or primitive goblins). Views of spirits, and those who believe in them, vary widely across Ea although many cultures will view some spirits automatically as "evil" or "good," based on its tendencies. For someone who is "spirit-touched" (such as fae or elemental-blooded, for instance) this view may vary even more widely, as not all spirits are known for their discretion.

A classification as spirit is largely up to the culture: system-wise, spirits are usually reclassifications of existing creatures. For instance, an earth elemental might be seen as a "spirit of earth," or an incorporeal undead might be a "spirit of the dead." This does not mean that an elemental is always a "spirit." It means that for particular cultures or outlooks, it is likely viewed as one.

In general, refer to the rules sidebar in Complete Divine, page 17.

A special note should be made in the case of the fae. Some races are rumored to have their ancestry in the spirits' realms: the elves claim heritage among the lighter fae, much as the oruch possess ties to those fae with a darker or more chaotic bent. These ties are similar to how sith'makar are said to originate from dragons, and the giantborn to the giants and titans of history. To some of these races, even the most primitive may simply recognize fae as simply being fae, and not associated with spirits at all.

A few races may also see aspects of certain gods as spirits--Coyote, for instance, is particularly fond of multiple guises, though those who venture into the civilized realms will tend to see those aspects as what they truly are: faces of a greater whole.