The following is the work-in-progress "science" behind my game-in-planning On Phoenix Wings. It should fairly well explain itself, but I've been told it goes over peoples' heads.

The Divide
The universe is seperated into two distinct levels of existance: the physical and the spiritual. In a sense, they exist in the same space, but in regular circumstances do not interact. The spiritual realm is filled with wild energies and manifestations; the physical realm is where all the rocks, trees, water, stars, galaxies, and, of course, people, exist.

The Bridge
Between the two realms of existance exist the powers of the soul. Any entity within the physical realm may bear a soul, and in doing so, is granted life. A living being, therefore, is made up of a physical body, and a soul, which acts as a bridge to the spiritual realm. This grants three abilities.

Manifestation
The first of these abilities is the power of manifestation. The ensouled must simply believe in something strongly enough and a manifestation of said something is created within the spiritual world. Not only that, but collective beliefs build up the same manifestation, creating a powerful image of the belief within the spiritual world.

The Bearer
The second ability is the ability to transfer energy from the spiritual energy into oneself. A strong emotion such as fear, or love, for a spiritual manifestation created by belief will cause the boundaries between the physical and spiritual realms to weaken, the soul of the individual acting as a bridge. The stronger the belief, the more powerful the personal manifestation becomes. If belief disappears, the power disappates over a short period of time.

The Anchor
The final ability is the ability to transfer energy to another. If the ensouled believes that another physical entity is the physical manifestation of a spiritual force, then that being acts as an anchor in the physical realm for the spiritual force to manifest itself. If the Anchor is ensouled, then it may harness the powers of the spiritual force, as a Bearer. Often, this power is far greater than that of a Bearer, as the effects of the believers is cumulative. Again, as with personal power transferance, if the belief disappears, the power will disappate over a short period of time.

The Heir
If an Anchor without a soul is destroyed, then a rift in the physical space where it existed appears, and the pent up spiritual energy flows freely until another entity claims it. If an ensouled can inherit the energy before it disappates, they may use that power to inspire fear or love in order to become an Anchor themselves. One ensouled may inherit many powers and believers at one time.

God
There exists a belief among many people in a transendant God, one that exists outside of the physical realm, and therefore has no physical manifestation. God is believed to be omniscient, omnipotent, but imperceivable. It is believed that He will not manifest Himself until the supposed End of Days. It is concievable, therefore, that one could become God by inheriting and combining the spiritual energies neccessary to gain those abilities, and then causing a cataclysm so disastrous that it is thought to be the End of Days, and then portray yourself as the manifestation of God. Since there is a massive belief in God, He does exist within the spiritual realm, and the ensouled in question will become His Anchor, and harness powers beyond comprehension.