Transcendence

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In Wraith: The Oblivion and Orpheus, Transcendence is a state where the wraith accepts his death and moves on from the Underworld to whatever ineffable existence waits beyond.

[edit] History

Historically, the Ferrymen, Far Shores and Hierarchy were all intended as mechanisms for achieving Transcendence. Charon's mandate from the Lady of Fate was to help the souls who ended up in the Underworld achieve Transcendence and move onwards. To that end, each organization served as a combination of spiritual therapy and group identity for a wraith who was hopefully making a temporary stay in the Underworld. Due to the presence of the Shadow and the ever-increasing danger of Oblivion, these organizations faltered in their missions. While the Ferrymen remain true to their charge, several far shores became corrupt Dark Kingdoms. This culminated in the Proclamation of Reason from Stygia, which declared Transcendence a myth.

Since that time, Stygia has officially disavowed Transcendence, with the majority of wraiths still officially seeking it being labeled Heretics. Most Stygians now view Transcendence as a myth, and the Far Shores and Ferrymen as sinister entities motivated by inscrutable goals.

At the same time, Oblivion's steady increase in power has made the extinction of wraiths an increasing likely event. The Underworld was designed to promote Transcendence, even ugly events like Harrowings provided a therapeutic purpose - a form of tough love to make Wraiths recognize that they were in danger of failing to say goodbye, rather than do so. While Harrowings have become increasingly sadistic over the centuries, the shadow of their original purpose is still present in the rules that govern ithem - rules that Spectres chafe against, but cannot break.

[edit] Mechanism

Transcendence is fundamentally about accepting one's death. The things that keep a wraith bound to the underworld, Passions and Fetters, must be Resolved. Once everything is resolved, the Wraith must seek some form of harmony with his Shadow through a destruction harrowing.

While Transcendence is a relatively well-defined process (in comparison to, say Golconda or Ascension), there is still a degree of ineffability to the process. Traditionally, wraiths who Transcend leave the Underworld, but this is not necessarily so - Chan, the jester of Yu Huang, has elected to not Transcend and exists with his Hun in harmony with his P'o. Conversely, Charon's Transcendence didn't involve his Shadow in any major fashion.