Soul Wars is the adventure of a space-faring race as it interacts with other cultures – some more primitive (like Earth!) and some more technologically advanced and evil.
One of the advantages that this race has is not the typical advantage you see in Science Fiction – it isn’t just the technology. Instead, the Talasians are very advanced spiritually. For a special group of Talasians, the ability to leave their bodies and interact with the physical world is a skill to be mastered and used for the good of the race. These skills are outlined in The Teachings, which are available to every Talasian from birth.
To some people, the concept that a person could leave her body to view and affect the physical universe seems far-fetched. After all, isn’t astral walking and such considered “paranormal?” To some, this very word conjures images of all manner of strange things, from ouija boards to ghosts to everything in between.
However, something that is paranormal is simply something which is outside the scope of normal scientific understanding. This definition is almost adequate. However, I feel it would be better to replace the word “normal” with “current.”
The definition of paranormal then becomes something within grasp – An event or phenomenon which is outside the scope of current scientific understanding. After all, what was once “paranormal” to scientists several hundred years ago is certainly not so now. Who’s to say that within a hundred years, subjects such as telekinesis, clairvoyance and out-of-body experiences won’t be mapped and teachable skills?
“Soul Wars” is unique because it does explore the ramifications of building a society around these very concepts – ones that remain “paranormal” to our current scientific techniques, but that could one day be “normal.”
