Editing Tradition Politics (section)

===Gilgul===

Mages who commit the most irredeemably foul, vile, and unspeakable acts of murder, betrayal and corruption are sentenced to Gilgul - the destruction of the Avatar itself. This punishment prevents the mage from being reincarnated and destroys any magical talent the subject might have, so it is performed only when it is determined that there’s absolutely no chance to redeem a particular mage, in this lifetime or any other. Most of the time, such an immense pronouncement is reserved for the Nephandi, since their blasphemous ways leave an indelible taint on the souls they touch. Unfortunately, even untainted mages are capable of performing hideous acts without any outside help at all.

Naturally, no mage will submit willingly to such a punishment, so offenders are usually restrained physically and magically before the sentence is carried out. Once the ritual is completed, the accused is either released (often after being mind-wiped as well) or executed, depending again on the overall severity of his crimes. Some criminals are deemed too dangerous to live, even after such a terrible punishment, while others are let free, to live out the rest of their lives as a broken shell. It’s anybody’s guess as to which fate is worse.