Reliance

Background

Reliance is the ability to achieve protection from death by depending on a specific source, such as a person, object, concept, or higher existence. This protection often manifests as a form of Supernatural Protection or Immortality, but it is primarily tailored to safeguard the user from standard means of death. Reliance-based immortality does not typically shield one from death due to natural causes or aging unless specified. Some characters possess this ability inherently, while others gain it through external influences or conditions.

Possible Applications

• Conditional Immortality: The user cannot die unless their source of reliance is destroyed.
• Regeneration: Enhanced recovery from injuries due to the protective properties of the reliance.
• Resilience Against Damage: The reliance provides resistance to harm that would otherwise be fatal.
• Existence Anchoring: Tethering the user’s existence to the chosen source, ensuring survival through its preservation.
• Supernatural Awareness: In some cases, the user might instinctively know when their reliance is in danger.

Different Types of Reliance

Reliance on external or internal factors can vary significantly. The following are common categories:

Reliance on an Object

The user’s survival is tied to an object, such as a magical artifact or relic. As long as the object remains intact, the user cannot be truly killed. Users:

Reliance on a Person

The user depends on another individual for their survival. This reliance might grant enhanced recovery or resistance to fatal damage. If the person is harmed or killed, the user may lose their protection.
Users:

Reliance on a Concept

The user’s life is bound to an abstract idea, such as life, death, or destruction. Destroying or nullifying the concept itself would be required to kill them.
Users: Janemba from Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai

Reliance on a Higher Being

The user’s existence is tied to their true self existing in a higher-dimensional or metaphysical plane. As long as their higher existence remains untouched, they cannot be permanently destroyed.
Users: Dragon God from Chrono Cross

Types of Reliance

• Partial Reliance: Provides protection only from specific threats or circumstances. While impervious to particular means of death, the user is still vulnerable to others.

• Full Reliance: Grants total imperviousness to death, rendering the user unkillable unless their reliance is eradicated, regardless of the method.

Scale

The scale of Reliance depends on the source and its resilience. For instance:

• An object of reliance might be physical and easily destroyed, making the protection conditional and fragile.
• A concept or higher being as a reliance can make the protection near absolute, with far-reaching implications and greater durability.