Origin of the Soul Lotus and the Shadow Bodies
Since the earliest days of the Interworld, two living artifacts have existed that are neither plant nor flesh, neither divine nor demonic.
They arose from the first two sins of the world:
The Soul Lotus, from the sin of lusting for the lives of others.
The Shadow Body, from the sin of yearning for one's own hidden power.
These artifacts do not grow in nature—they manifest.
They appear only where extreme emotions, dying gods, or broken vows tear reality apart, and only before those whose destiny is strong enough to bear their burden.