Externalized Core

Background

Externalized Core is the ability to have one's "core" (their metaphysical aspect such as the heart, soul, principle, concept, spirit, form, essence, life force, ecetera) placed outside the physical body. The core may reside in a separate object such as a shrine for Gods from shinto-based religions, a distant location such as one's true core existing on the moon, another dimension, or even multiple places at once. As long as the externalized core remains intact and accessible, this can range from the user not being able to even be harmed, to at the very least the user not being able to be permenantly put down, killed, or destroyed.

The user's physical form can be considered an avatar or their true self detatched from their metaphysical aspect as a way to make them unkillable. Destroying the body may cause inconvenience and incapcaitate the user but it is never permenant. True harm requires harm to the core itself, though there are cases where there can exist multiple cores thus all cores would need to be destroyed in order to truly defeat the character.

The mechanics and potency of externalized core fluctuates by setting. Some series have it as a physical object/organ (a gem, a heart, a phylactery), an area (a specific place, a dimension, a realm), or a metaphysical anchor. For it to fall under this ability it would need to be something the users metaphysical aspect needs to be separated from them in such a way that no forms of harm can permanently put them down.

Also Called

• External Core
• Remote Core
• Anchored Existence
• Distributed Existence
• Soul Jar
• Phylactery
• Horcrux
• Container

Possible Applications

• Surviving any harm as long as the core remains
• Acting through multiple bodies or avatars simultaneously
• Hiding one's true self in a location inaccessible to enemies
• Projecting power or influence from the core's location

Practical Uses

• Body Disposability: The users physical body is effectively disposable and can be infinitely re-used with a new body or rebuilding the old body.

• Multiple Avatars: Some Externalized Core users have it where the user can exist within multiple bodies simultaneously, each connected to the same externalized core. Sometimes this can make it where the multiple bodies each have their own consciousness and feelings that deviate from the core.

• Retaliation Immunity: Users are very hard to retaliate against unless one knows the location of their true core or all their true cores in some cases.

• Inaccessible Core: Their could be cases where they can perfectly hide their core. The core could be located in a place that is impossible or difficult for enemies to reach. This can include sealed realms, pocket realities, personal domains, and more.

• Multiple Cores: The user may possess multiple cores due to an object their core is connected too. For example, if one's core is connected to the sea, then their could be multiple cores across all seas. Higher potency versions make it where multiple cores across timelines can help other timeline cores

Example Variations

• Object-Based Core: The core is inside of or embodies a physical object. This can range from things like a gem (magical girl series), a heart, a phylactery, a horcrux, etcetera. The core can sometimes be right next to their body as it's what forms their body, though the opponent isn't aware of this information.

• Location-Based Core: The core is inside of, connected too, or embodies a specific location. This can range from a building an entire realm, or even planets. As long as the location exists, the user will be incapable of being put down for good.

• Dimensional Core: The core resides in a separate dimension or world, inaccessible from the user's current location. Destroying the body in one world does not affect the core in another. Sometimes the body may only be an illusionary aspect thus attacks phase through them.

• Multi-Body Core: The core exists across multiple bodies simultaneously. Destroying one body does not destroy the core, which persists in the others.

• Distributed Core: The core is split across multiple objects or locations. All must be destroyed to permanently end the user.

• Metaphysical Core: The core is anchored to a metaphysical abstraction such as a concept, soul, idea, essence, etcetera rather than a physical object. As long as the metaphysical aspect exists, the user persists.

Possible Limitations

• The externalized core can be targeted separately from the user, in some cases the user may not be aware depending on how instructions are sent from the core.
• The user may be unable to access the core's full power while separated from it, especially in cases where the body is split.
• The core may require maintenance, protection, or specific conditions to function working more as a curse rather then a gift.
• Any effect on the core may reduce the users capabilities, regardless if the core was destroyed or not.