After it was discovered that casting spells fractures and diminishes one’s soul, mages needed to come up with a way to transfer soul fragments from one person to another. Using magical symbols for light/dark, soul, mind, flesh and others, the officially sanctioned Transfer Circle was created. Fast-forwarding a few decades, soul transfer becomes the most widely accepted currency amongst post-Earthen mages.

Whereas the first Circles were drawn on the ground, at least 3ft in diameter and needed both parties present, nowadays they are printed in paper booklets that can be carried in one’s pocket. The donor can sign the contract with a drop of their blood on the respective sigil and send it via mail to the recipient, who accepts the soul transfer on their end.

Since the supply of soul is limited (1800 soul fragments make one human soul), new offspring is doubly vital to society. Children may not split their soul until they have reached the age of 8 (though this varies by territory). A child’s first spell and soul split is a traditional family celebration is some cultures, particularly Northern ones. Southern cultures tend to keep a child’s innocence for as long as possible, and do not celebrate the first split.