Essence is the coalesced manifestation of life energy from the spark(s) of creation itself and the embodiment of will – the closest analog to a “soul”. It is inherent in living things, and grows in that which is imbued with sentience – the essential part of what defines a discrete presence (a Character) in The Pattern. The measure of its strength allows it a measure of control in its passage through The Pattern. The depth of it is part of an awareness that allows Bonds to form, and Weaves which allows knowledge, power, and awareness to be shared and connected to over distances. It is reflected in a character’s Aura and the marks of it’s nature are seen with Aura Sight.
Most creatures have a Pool of Essence that binds them firmly to a continuum, while others are more connected to the Aether or even tied to the Void, as in the case of the Body Beyond and/or a Mind Beyond. Some species have a stronger or weaker Essence inherent in their existence (Order of Being), or have limits on how they can use their Essence.
Pledged Essence: This is Essence that has been set aside for Empowered Bonds and Attunements. Natural Affinity from Aptitude can offset the cost of Pledged Essence for Empowered Items.
Its presence is . Aptitude then provides a pathway of natural advancement as to what the Essence has affinity with. Sparks are then the primary expression of a type of interaction in The Pattern.
Anima (spiritual) energy allows the direction of Sparks to weave the flow of The Pattern. It all works together to form a specific material or mental interaction between a presence and the continuum it is in.
Essence is one of the ways to customize character development. Aptitude represents what strands of The Pattern it naturally follows and what anchor points a presence will be inclined to fixate around within it.
Each setting, locale, and/or race may have an Essence maximum they can spend at the time of Character Inception. Some have specific uses of their initial Essence dictated or adjusted. Unless noted, when dealing with most entities, it is the [Essential] Essence being referred to.
(Anima) = artificial will? Spontaneous will? But limited – tied to a particular space-time niche in The Pattern and has no true freedom to move about relative to its source. Its is the result of a touching of essence, a mingling of presences or sometimes it is spontaneously driven by the need for the inanimate to have expression, or those that see power in it to draw that expression forth. Anima is an expression of itself for an explicit purpose, and so is not limited to the expression of Essence. It can take any property (trait) through expression (point buy for traits).
Anima can form Essence?
Mystic Transference can use Essence to transfer spell ability to non-living constructs.