Purgatory is the transitional realm where the Sparks of the deceased temporarily reside before returning into their bodies. Within Sarnout's scientific community, there is an ongoing debate regarding the nature of this space. Some scholars argue that Purgatory is not a separate plane at all, but rather a collective mental projection tethered directly to the Home Plane. Others believe it is indeed an independent dimension, which leads to a further disagreement over its origin, specifically whether the Great Mage Tenses constructed the realm entirely from his found power of the Light (and the stolen technology of Tep's Pyramid), or if he merely discovered an existing, vacant pocket realm and occupied it to anchor his Gift.

To those who enter it, Purgatory is experienced as a quiet, somewhat relaxing, liminal space where wandering Sparks wait in a vast queue known as the Petitioners' Line. Time within this realm is highly subjective, although in the physical world, the natural process of waiting through this queue usually spans between one and seven days.

While the vast majority of Sparks seek to leave as quickly as possible, a distinct society of the Residents established itself within the margins of the realm. Purgatory has become a sanctuary for Sparks who choose to delay their return, whether they are resting from the earthly vanity, or hiding from someone, or they are afraid of their last voyage through the End Gates, or they simply cannot be resurrected for any reason.

Apart from trivial gossiping and banter, the Residents have developed rather complex ways to pass the subjective eons. The most prominent are storytelling and games of chance, memory and logic, usually with gambling with fragments of their own memories or promises of future favours in the living world.

Only two non-Spark entities reside permanently in Purgatory. The first is the Servant of Tenses, a colossal, androgynous humanoid with white feathered wings, golden eyes and hair like flickering flames of pure Light. It bears a strong resemblance to an elf -- a detail that sparks constant debate among both scientists and common folk. Wearing an alb over heavy armour and wielding a gigantic sword, this sentinel towers the Petitioners' Line, blocking the gates to the home plane and remaining entirely impassive as if the Sparks are not even there. The second inhabitant is a gregarious goblin-clerk, with whom one must deal to buy their way out of Purgatory.