The Metalwood Saga / Reference Guide

Full-series spoilers

Soulburn

Soulburning is a horrific, fatal consequence of a mage overextending themselves by drawing far too much magical power at once. Listed as one of the Fourteen Gifts of the Soul, it acts like a deadly overdose of magic; the intense euphoria and sweetness of the power ultimately overwhelm the user, burning them out completely. It is considered a fate far worse than a normal death because, according to ancient elven mysticism, it permanently destroys the mage's soul. The rogue mage Iliphar died this way after creating the Desolation, and the legendary forcefinder Phoenix was soulburned after drawing an impossible amount of energy to stop an exploding volcano.