Deathlock

Deathlock is a forbidden grim spell that was discovered by Suul Barat near the end of the Myriad. It is one of the most complex and powerful spells ever known. Since the end of the Myriad and the disappearance of Suul Barat, knowledge of deathlock has been lost.

Deathlock can only be cast on a person or creature at the instant of their death, and it may only be cast on a person or creature that has a reflection in the grim dream. Upon death in the flesh, such souls may naturally consolidate in the dream to become maere. Deathlock "catches" these souls during their transition through the Between and "locks" them there. As a result, the flesh enters an undead state where the mind and soul are disconnected from the body, but the body continues to exist. The body may then be magically manipulated by the deathlock caster, and the caster may "feed" off the body's decaying life energy.

As a result, the deathlocked victim becomes an unwilling slave to the caster. The victim's mind hangs in limbo. He is unable to control his body, but he senses and experiences everything that happens to his lingering body (including pain). The caster magically directs the undead body to do his bidding. The caster may also tap into the victim's senses (such as sight) at will. As the victim's body slowly decays, the caster gains life energy that prevents aging, speeds healing, and cures illness.

Deathlock is one of the most abominable violations of privacy imaginable. It is viewed as a form of slavery and was therefore outlawed by the Academy.

Deathlocked Characters:

Nazagorn is a powerful dragh-kin who was deathlocked by Suul Barat near the end of the Myriad.

The Sky Key is a sentient maeren'tarr artifact whose soul was deathlocked by the gods.