Binding Magic

Philosophy

Binding Magic begins from the premise that definition is power. To name correctly is to distinguish; to distinguish is to order; to order is to create reliable consequence.

Its practitioners are often jurists, ritualists, diplomats, ward-makers, and enforcers. They value exact language and tend to distrust improvisation, because in this school the smallest imprecision can produce the wrong law.

Example Places of Study

Common Spells

Seal Mark

Purpose/How It Works: Seal Mark places a simple lawful closure on a chest, satchel, cabinet, scroll case, or similar object by defining it as “closed until released” and fixing that definition into a short-lived sigil, spoken clause, or tactile mark. The spell does not make the object indestructible. It makes opening it without release count as a violation the closure resists. Notable Exceptions: Seal Mark is weak against brute force, poor on living targets, and unreliable on containers with unclear edges, such as torn sacks or shattered lids. Example Use: A courier seals a document tube before crossing a hostile district so tampering becomes immediately obvious. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by spoken authority, exact language, social consent, inscribed structure, and the caster’s reserves; stronger bindings often draw on sworn agreement, seals, or established legal space. Casting Methods: Spoken formula with touch, 2 to 4 seconds. Traced sigil over the latch or seam, 10 to 20 seconds. Written closure phrase in wax, chalk, or ink, 30 to 90 seconds. Range/Duration: Touch, or within 1 meter on a clearly defined closure. Minutes to days, depending on complexity and material stability.

True Address

Purpose/How It Works: True Address compels a target’s attention by formally and correctly designating them. The spell uses identity, rank, role, or established name to cut through distraction and make a person recognize that they are being lawfully addressed. It is less mind control than enforced acknowledgment. Notable Exceptions: It works poorly on targets whose identity is concealed from the caster, on crowds where designation is ambiguous, or on beings with fragmented or unstable names. Example Use: A magistrate-mage halts a panicked witness by naming them by full office, lineage, and oath-bearing status. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by spoken authority, exact language, social consent, inscribed structure, and the caster’s reserves; stronger bindings often draw on sworn agreement, seals, or established legal space. Casting Methods: Spoken full address, 1 to 3 seconds. Formal courtroom invocation, 5 to 10 seconds. Written summons read aloud, 15 to 30 seconds. Range/Duration: Voice range, extended by magical projection if the target is clearly identified. Instant effect, with attention typically held for a few seconds.

Word Lock

Purpose/How It Works: Word Lock bars opening unless a specific phrase or approved verbal structure is used. The caster binds access to an authorized utterance. The closure remains inert until the correct phrase, title sequence, or coded formula is spoken in acceptable form. Notable Exceptions: Word Lock is vulnerable to exact overhearing, imitation by skilled voice-workers, and structural destruction of the locked object. It also fails if the bound phrase is recorded incorrectly. Example Use: A scholar seals a vault archive so only a steward who knows the release phrase may enter. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by spoken authority, exact language, social consent, inscribed structure, and the caster’s reserves; stronger bindings often draw on sworn agreement, seals, or established legal space. Casting Methods: Spoken phrase bound directly to a touched lock or seam, 5 to 10 seconds. Inscribed lock phrase with spoken activation, 30 to 60 seconds. Formal keyed rite for a vault or chamber, 3 to 10 minutes. Range/Duration: Touch for most uses. Until opened correctly, broken, or dispelled.

Witness Oath

Purpose/How It Works: Witness Oath records that a promise has been made and gives it formal magical standing. The spell does not itself punish betrayal strongly, but it establishes a recognized magical record that a vow, pledge, or sworn intent was entered into willingly and in hearing. Notable Exceptions: It is weak when consent is coerced, wording is vague, or the speaker is mentally incapable of understanding the promise. Example Use: Two merchants swear delivery terms before a neutral oath-clerk who casts Witness Oath to preserve the agreement. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by spoken authority, exact language, social consent, inscribed structure, and the caster’s reserves; stronger bindings often draw on sworn agreement, seals, or established legal space. Casting Methods: Spoken attestation over a live vow, 3 to 6 seconds. Written contract with closing recitation, 1 to 3 minutes. Ceremonial multi-party witnessing, 5 to 15 minutes. Range/Duration: Usually within hearing distance of all parties. Days to years, depending on the weight of the vow and the formality of casting.

Circle Of Terms

Purpose/How It Works: Circle of Terms defines the valid limits, roles, and conditions of a ritual space. The caster establishes a bounded legal-magical zone within which certain acts are permitted, forbidden, or made especially potent. The spell turns space into an agreement. Notable Exceptions: It breaks down when boundaries are physically disrupted, when terms are contradictory, or when participants inside the circle never accepted or understood their assigned roles. Example Use: A contract duel is fought inside a marked ring where only named weapons and named parties may act. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by spoken authority, exact language, social consent, inscribed structure, and the caster’s reserves; stronger bindings often draw on sworn agreement, seals, or established legal space. Casting Methods: Spoken boundary declaration over a drawn circle, 30 to 90 seconds. Inscribed ring with role assignment, 3 to 8 minutes. Temple or courtroom installation rite, 10 to 30 minutes. Range/Duration: Usually centered on the caster, from a 2-meter circle to a chamber-sized space. Minutes to hours, or until the terms are fulfilled or broken.

Name Lash

Purpose/How It Works: Name Lash strikes a target by weaponizing a correct designation against them. The caster sharpens the target’s name, title, or defining office into a cutting verbal blow. The more exact and lawful the designation, the harder the strike lands. Notable Exceptions: It performs poorly on unnamed beasts, false identities, masked persons, and entities whose true designation is unknown or unstable. Example Use: A tribunal adept stops a fleeing oathbreaker by speaking their sworn title and office as a punishing verbal lash. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by spoken authority, exact language, social consent, inscribed structure, and the caster’s reserves; stronger bindings often draw on sworn agreement, seals, or established legal space. Casting Methods: Sharp spoken designation, 1 to 2 seconds. Formal denunciation with gesture, 3 to 5 seconds. Inscribed accusatory writ released at the target, 20 to 40 seconds. Range/Duration: Typically line of sight within speaking distance, farther with projected voice. Instant impact, though pain or disruption may linger briefly.

Tongue Still

Purpose/How It Works: Tongue Still prevents speech for a short span. The spell imposes a temporary legal silence on the target’s voice, tongue, or capacity to form spoken words. It does not usually remove thought or movement. Notable Exceptions: It is weaker against songless casting, sign-language casters, and targets already protected by anti-binding measures. It is strongest against spoken magic. Example Use: A law-mage silences a hostile invoker before they can complete a curse. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by spoken authority, exact language, social consent, inscribed structure, and the caster’s reserves; stronger bindings often draw on sworn agreement, seals, or established legal space. Casting Methods: Direct spoken prohibition, 1 to 3 seconds. Gesture-and-word injunction, 2 to 4 seconds. Sealed writ pressed to mouth or throat, 10 to 20 seconds. Range/Duration: Line of sight, usually up to 10 to 20 meters for practical use. A few heartbeats to one minute.

Covenant Thread

Purpose/How It Works: Covenant Thread creates a felt magical link between sworn parties. The spell weaves a subtle shared awareness of agreement, duty, and relation. It does not control either party, but it makes the bond emotionally and magically tangible. Notable Exceptions: It frays quickly when the agreement is insincere, one-sided, or badly defined. It is not a substitute for a stronger oath-binding. Example Use: Two scouts swear mutual warning duty before entering enemy territory and remain dimly aware of whether the bond still holds. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by spoken authority, exact language, social consent, inscribed structure, and the caster’s reserves; stronger bindings often draw on sworn agreement, seals, or established legal space. Casting Methods: Joined hands with spoken vow, 5 to 10 seconds. Shared token or cord binding, 30 to 60 seconds. Contract liturgy for multiple parties, 3 to 8 minutes. Range/Duration: Cast at touch; the link may persist over long distance once formed. Hours to months, depending on the oath’s strength.

Command Posture

Purpose/How It Works: Command Posture compels a brief involuntary stillness, kneel, halt, or set stance. The caster imposes a sharply defined bodily instruction that the target’s frame obeys for a moment, especially if the instruction fits a recognized hierarchy or context. Notable Exceptions: It is weak against targets much stronger than the caster’s authority allows, creatures with alien body plans, and targets in full berserk or panic states. Example Use: A guard-captain mage forces an unruly prisoner to stop and kneel before sentencing. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by spoken authority, exact language, social consent, inscribed structure, and the caster’s reserves; stronger bindings often draw on sworn agreement, seals, or established legal space. Casting Methods: Barked command with direct authority, 1 second. Formal order with gesture, 2 to 4 seconds. Inscribed authority rod or badge activation, 1 to 2 seconds. Range/Duration: Voice range or short line of sight. Instant to a few seconds.

Boundary Clause

Purpose/How It Works: Boundary Clause formally defines where a ward, rule, or protected zone begins and ends. The spell clarifies edges. Doors become doors, walls become walls, lines become lines. This improves later warding, containment, and passage-control by removing spatial ambiguity. Notable Exceptions: It is difficult to maintain on shifting terrain, crowds, smoke, water edges, or ruined architecture with uncertain shape. Example Use: A ward-maker defines the outer edges of a plague quarantine zone before raising stronger defenses. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by spoken authority, exact language, social consent, inscribed structure, and the caster’s reserves; stronger bindings often draw on sworn agreement, seals, or established legal space. Casting Methods: Walked perimeter with spoken clause, 1 to 5 minutes. Chalk or ink line with formal wording, 3 to 10 minutes. Architectural inscription into stone or frame, 10 to 40 minutes. Range/Duration: The defined boundary itself. Hours to permanent, depending on how it is anchored.

Silence Writ

Purpose/How It Works: Silence Writ suppresses unauthorized speech inside a marked space. The caster establishes a written or inscribed law of silence that acts on a room, podium, cell, or chamber. Authorized speakers may be exempted. Notable Exceptions: It is less effective in open streets, noisy battlefields, and against nonverbal or purely mental forms of communication. Example Use: A court seals its deliberation chamber so only appointed judges may speak during verdict drafting. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by spoken authority, exact language, social consent, inscribed structure, and the caster’s reserves; stronger bindings often draw on sworn agreement, seals, or established legal space. Casting Methods: Written writ affixed to a doorway, 30 to 90 seconds. Chamber inscription with named exemptions, 5 to 15 minutes. Court-sanctioned silence decree, 15 to 30 minutes. Range/Duration: Room-sized to hall-sized enclosed areas. Minutes to days.

Burden Of Promise

Purpose/How It Works: Burden of Promise makes oath-breaking physically painful. The spell binds a vow to bodily consequence. If the sworn party knowingly violates the promise, pain, weakness, choking pressure, or burning tension follows. Notable Exceptions: It requires informed assent to be strongest. Poor wording weakens enforcement, and impossible promises often collapse into self-conflicting penalties. Example Use: A negotiator requires both sides of a ceasefire to swear under Burden of Promise before hostages are exchanged. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by spoken authority, exact language, social consent, inscribed structure, and the caster’s reserves; stronger bindings often draw on sworn agreement, seals, or established legal space. Casting Methods: Spoken vow with immediate binding phrase, 10 to 20 seconds. Hand-sealed oath over written terms, 1 to 3 minutes. Temple or tribunal sanction rite, 5 to 20 minutes. Range/Duration: Touch or close ritual range at the moment of swearing. Until oath fulfillment, formal release, or catastrophic breach.

Summons Line

Purpose/How It Works: Summons Line draws a named party toward an appointed place. The spell creates a lawful pull rather than physical dragging. The target feels pressure, urgency, or directional compulsion to attend the named place or authority. Notable Exceptions: It works poorly without a recognized relationship between caster and target, and it weakens sharply across warded or hostile jurisdictions. Example Use: A judge-sorcerer calls sworn officers to the chamber during an emergency hearing. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by spoken authority, exact language, social consent, inscribed structure, and the caster’s reserves; stronger bindings often draw on sworn agreement, seals, or established legal space. Casting Methods: Spoken summons with clear designation, 3 to 5 seconds. Written summons released into a marked network, 1 to 3 minutes. Bell, seal, or civic signal attuned to named parties, near-instant once prepared. Range/Duration: Local district to city scale when properly anchored. The call persists from minutes to several hours.

Seal Of Exclusion

Purpose/How It Works: Seal of Exclusion forbids entry to the undesignated. The caster marks a threshold so that beings lacking required name, role, token, condition, or permission cannot pass without resistance, pain, or ward response. Notable Exceptions: It is only as precise as its criteria. Poorly chosen terms can exclude allies or admit unintended loopholes. Example Use: A reliquary vault is sealed against all but ordained archivists bearing the correct copper sigil. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by spoken authority, exact language, social consent, inscribed structure, and the caster’s reserves; stronger bindings often draw on sworn agreement, seals, or established legal space. Casting Methods: Threshold mark with spoken restriction, 20 to 40 seconds. Inscribed doorframe with keyed exclusions, 3 to 10 minutes. Major vault rite with layered conditions, 15 to 60 minutes. Range/Duration: One threshold, chamber, or defined boundary. Hours to years, depending on reinforcement.

Contract Brand

Purpose/How It Works: Contract Brand visibly marks parties under an active agreement. The spell places a symbolic sign, often visible only to trained eyes or while the contract remains active, that identifies participants as bound by stated terms. Notable Exceptions: It is not inherently punitive. It records and declares status. Hidden or reluctant contracts may distort the brand or make it painful to bear. Example Use: Caravan guards bear a temporary contract brand showing who is under pay, duty, and mutual defense terms. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by spoken authority, exact language, social consent, inscribed structure, and the caster’s reserves; stronger bindings often draw on sworn agreement, seals, or established legal space. Casting Methods: Spoken agreement with touched signet, 5 to 10 seconds. Inked sigil sealed on skin or token, 30 to 90 seconds. Full contract ceremony, 5 to 15 minutes. Range/Duration: Touch at the moment of marking. Until the contract concludes or is voided.

Syntax Cage

Purpose/How It Works: Syntax Cage binds an effect, action, or target to exact conditions. The spell creates a structured conditional prison. The target remains constrained so long as the defined clauses remain true. It is one of the most technical mid-tier spells in the school. Notable Exceptions: Contradictory syntax can collapse the whole working. Clever targets may exploit badly written conditions instead of overpowering the cage directly. Example Use: A captured entity is confined so long as no weapon is drawn, no false name is spoken, and the ward-line remains intact. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by spoken authority, exact language, social consent, inscribed structure, and the caster’s reserves; stronger bindings often draw on sworn agreement, seals, or established legal space. Casting Methods: Spoken legal syntax over a prepared circle, 20 to 60 seconds. Written lattice of clauses around a target, 3 to 10 minutes. Full ritual grammar binding, 10 to 30 minutes. Range/Duration: Usually short range around a visible target or prepared site. Minutes to indefinite, depending on complexity and maintenance.

Refusal Clause

Purpose/How It Works: Refusal Clause nullifies a lesser working that violates stated terms. The caster asserts a superior local rule that denies a narrower or weaker magical action permission to function in the space or under the condition defined. Notable Exceptions: It is strongest against spells with clear formal logic and weaker against raw force, wild surge, or alien effects with no local legal structure. Example Use: A ward-scribe shuts down unauthorized lock-breaking magic inside a treasury hall. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by spoken authority, exact language, social consent, inscribed structure, and the caster’s reserves; stronger bindings often draw on sworn agreement, seals, or established legal space. Casting Methods: Spoken counter-clause, 2 to 5 seconds. Reactive sigil release, near-instant once prepared. Written standing clause over a protected area, 1 to 5 minutes. Range/Duration: Self, touched object, or defined warded space. Instant countering or sustained local prohibition.

Debt Token

Purpose/How It Works: Debt Token carries a magical reminder of obligation in a portable object. The spell stores a recognized duty in a coin, ring, strip of parchment, knot, or other token so the bearer remains reminded, tracked, or subtly pressed by the unresolved debt. Notable Exceptions: It cannot enforce what was never validly agreed. It is a reminder and anchor, not a full coercive chain. Example Use: A lender gives a borrower a sealed token that warms when repayment terms are approaching. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by spoken authority, exact language, social consent, inscribed structure, and the caster’s reserves; stronger bindings often draw on sworn agreement, seals, or established legal space. Casting Methods: Spoken charge into a held token, 5 to 15 seconds. Inscribed debt mark on prepared medium, 30 to 60 seconds. Ledger rite linking several debt tokens, 5 to 12 minutes. Range/Duration: Touch while preparing the token. Days to years, until debt is discharged or revoked.

Name Anchor

Purpose/How It Works: Name Anchor prevents concealment, disguise, or false identity within a warded field. The spell stabilizes identity reference. Inside its area, disguises fray, false designations lose strength, and beings become more tightly answerable to who or what they actually are. Notable Exceptions: It is weaker against beings with genuinely fluid identities, shared bodies, layered titles, or no stable true name accessible to local law. Example Use: A temple entrance uses Name Anchor to expose impostors attempting to enter under sacred office. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by spoken authority, exact language, social consent, inscribed structure, and the caster’s reserves; stronger bindings often draw on sworn agreement, seals, or established legal space. Casting Methods: Spoken anchoring clause over a doorway, 10 to 20 seconds. Inscribed identity ward, 2 to 6 minutes. Court or sanctum installation rite, 10 to 25 minutes. Range/Duration: Usually threshold, chamber, or interrogation circle. Hours to months.

Binding Chain

Purpose/How It Works: Binding Chain restrains a target through spoken law. The caster articulates a rule of immobility, obedience, or halted motion that manifests as visible or invisible constraining force. The target is held by obligation made physical. Notable Exceptions: It weakens against targets lacking language-structured identity or those whose physical power greatly exceeds the caster’s authority and energy investment. Example Use: A law-mage arrests a fleeing suspect by chaining their movement to the command to remain for judgment. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by spoken authority, exact language, social consent, inscribed structure, and the caster’s reserves; stronger bindings often draw on sworn agreement, seals, or established legal space. Casting Methods: Spoken arrest formula, 2 to 4 seconds. Gesture-and-chain sigil release, 3 to 6 seconds. Prepared manacle or rod focus, near-instant once engaged. Range/Duration: Short to medium line of sight. Seconds to minutes, longer with anchors or restraints.

Geas Thread

Purpose/How It Works: Geas Thread imposes a limited compelled obligation. The spell binds a person to complete, avoid, deliver, witness, or return under stated conditions. It is narrower and subtler than full geas traditions, but still serious. Notable Exceptions: Broad or immoral commands destabilize the spell. Tasks that contradict identity, survival, or possibility tend to degrade into illness, confusion, or failure rather than clean obedience. Example Use: A captured spy is released under Geas Thread to return with a demanded message rather than a weapon. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by spoken authority, exact language, social consent, inscribed structure, and the caster’s reserves; stronger bindings often draw on sworn agreement, seals, or established legal space. Casting Methods: Spoken geas over a compliant or weakened target, 10 to 20 seconds. Threaded rite with token and named task, 2 to 5 minutes. Monastic or court-sanctioned compulsion liturgy, 10 to 30 minutes. Range/Duration: Usually close range at the moment of imposition. Until task completion, breach, or collapse.

Edict Field

Purpose/How It Works: Edict Field makes a declared rule hold within an area. The caster projects a temporary regime of local law, such as “no drawn steel,” “no false speech,” or “none may run.” Within the field, violating the edict becomes difficult or punished. Notable Exceptions: Broad edicts cost far more than narrow ones. Contradictory environment or mass resistance can shred the field. Example Use: During a tense negotiation, a mediator raises an Edict Field forbidding all violence inside the chamber. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by spoken authority, exact language, social consent, inscribed structure, and the caster’s reserves; stronger bindings often draw on sworn agreement, seals, or established legal space. Casting Methods: Spoken field declaration with authority, 5 to 10 seconds. Inscribed floor or pillar release, 30 to 90 seconds. Formal chamber-wide edict rite, 5 to 15 minutes. Range/Duration: Small room to courtyard scale in most cases. Moments to hours.

Oathfire

Purpose/How It Works: Oathfire punishes immediate betrayal with burning backlash. The spell binds the emotional and legal heat of a sworn promise into a volatile retaliatory charge. Betrayal, treachery, or immediate bad-faith violation ignites the backlash. Notable Exceptions: It is strongest against recent, explicit, willing vows. Older, ambiguous, or inherited obligations do not feed it well. Example Use: Bodyguards swear under Oathfire before entering a royal chamber, knowing treachery will burn them on the instant. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by spoken authority, exact language, social consent, inscribed structure, and the caster’s reserves; stronger bindings often draw on sworn agreement, seals, or established legal space. Casting Methods: Spoken flame vow between parties, 10 to 20 seconds. Candle or brazier-bound oath rite, 2 to 6 minutes. Temple-sanctioned fire covenant, 10 to 25 minutes. Range/Duration: Cast at touch or within a ritual circle. Usually until the sworn event concludes or betrayal occurs.

Witness Chorus

Purpose/How It Works: Witness Chorus lets several observers confirm the same binding together. The spell synchronizes witnesses so their recognition and testimony reinforce one legal-magical event. It is used where one witness would be too weak or too easily disputed. Notable Exceptions: Dishonest or confused witnesses weaken the chorus. Hostile witnesses can even introduce instability. Example Use: A council chamber uses Witness Chorus when legitimizing succession, ensuring the act is jointly recognized. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by spoken authority, exact language, social consent, inscribed structure, and the caster’s reserves; stronger bindings often draw on sworn agreement, seals, or established legal space. Casting Methods: Spoken chorus led by a single binder, 10 to 20 seconds. Refrain or chant among trained witnesses, 1 to 3 minutes. Full civic or temple attestation, 5 to 20 minutes. Range/Duration: All witnesses must be present within the same hearing space. Instant establishment, with a durable record effect afterward.

Terms Of Passage

Purpose/How It Works: Terms of Passage regulates who may cross a threshold and how. The spell defines acceptable passage conditions. It may require disarmament, naming, tribute, role declaration, right time, proper token, or clean intent. Notable Exceptions: It is only as strong as its clarity. Overly complex entry conditions become hard to enforce consistently. Example Use: A sacred bridge permits entry only to pilgrims, envoys, and the unarmed. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by spoken authority, exact language, social consent, inscribed structure, and the caster’s reserves; stronger bindings often draw on sworn agreement, seals, or established legal space. Casting Methods: Spoken threshold law over a gate, 20 to 40 seconds. Inscribed lintel or gatepost rite, 5 to 15 minutes. Long-term border installation, 30 to 90 minutes. Range/Duration: One crossing, gate, road point, or threshold. Hours to permanent with maintenance.

Revocation Rite

Purpose/How It Works: Revocation Rite formally dissolves a lesser seal, vow, or binding. The spell unthreads a prior legal-magical structure by naming its grounds, authority, and conditions of release. It is safer than brute-force dispelling because it ends the spell lawfully rather than tearing it. Notable Exceptions: It cannot safely revoke bindings whose terms are unknown, or those backed by greater authority than the revoker can invoke. Example Use: A steward ends a decade-old sealed covenant once the original conditions have been satisfied. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by spoken authority, exact language, social consent, inscribed structure, and the caster’s reserves; stronger bindings often draw on sworn agreement, seals, or established legal space. Casting Methods: Spoken release with knowledge of the original terms, 15 to 30 seconds. Written revocation over a linked token or contract, 2 to 5 minutes. Court or temple nullification ceremony, 10 to 40 minutes. Range/Duration: Touch or ritual linkage to the target binding. Permanent if successful.

Lawful Containment

Purpose/How It Works: Lawful Containment traps a hostile entity inside defined conditions. The caster establishes a prison of rules rather than walls alone. The target remains contained so long as the governing conditions and anchors hold. Notable Exceptions: It is poor against purely mindless force, mass-scale chaos, or entities whose nature simply does not submit to local legal categories. Example Use: A summoned intruder is contained inside a chamber where it may neither cross ash lines nor strike the unnamed. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by spoken authority, exact language, social consent, inscribed structure, and the caster’s reserves; stronger bindings often draw on sworn agreement, seals, or established legal space. Casting Methods: Emergency spoken containment over a prepared circle, 10 to 20 seconds. Multi-seal chamber binding, 5 to 15 minutes. Major tribunal containment rite, 20 to 60 minutes. Range/Duration: Usually a prepared chamber, circle, or threshold complex. Minutes to years, depending on power source and upkeep.

True Name Opening

Purpose/How It Works: True Name Opening unlocks or unmakes what only the correct name governs. The spell invokes the exact identity-word of a seal, object, gate, or working, causing it to open, release, or collapse under rightful designation. Notable Exceptions: It requires true knowledge, not clever guessing. False names, partial names, or ceremonial titles are usually insufficient unless the working was built to answer them. Example Use: A vault sealed for centuries opens when a historian-mage finally recovers the original founding name of the gate. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by spoken authority, exact language, social consent, inscribed structure, and the caster’s reserves; stronger bindings often draw on sworn agreement, seals, or established legal space. Casting Methods: Spoken true name with direct presence, 2 to 5 seconds. Name written into a prepared unlocking sigil, 20 to 60 seconds. Full archival recovery and opening rite, 10 to 30 minutes. Range/Duration: Usually touch or line of sight to the named object or gate. Instant opening or immediate collapse of the targeted binding.

Covenant Pillar

Purpose/How It Works: Covenant Pillar creates a long-term site of sworn obligation. The spell anchors vows, treaties, legal traditions, or collective duties into a standing object such as a pillar, stone, monument, arch, or hall-center. The site becomes a durable focus for future enforcement and remembrance. Notable Exceptions: It demands material stability, repeated reinforcement, and socially recognized legitimacy. A covenant pillar without living respect decays into symbolism alone. Example Use: A city founds a central oath-pillar at the market square where all magistrates and guildheads must swear office. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by spoken authority, exact language, social consent, inscribed structure, and the caster’s reserves; stronger bindings often draw on sworn agreement, seals, or established legal space. Casting Methods: Minor pillar blessing on an existing monument, 5 to 15 minutes. Multi-party civic installation, 30 to 90 minutes. Temple or state founding rite, several hours. Range/Duration: Fixed site. Long-term or effectively permanent with renewal.

Final Injunction

Purpose/How It Works: Final Injunction imposes a harsh closing prohibition at great cost. The caster speaks a last and weighty denial that forbids an act, crossing, utterance, emergence, or continuation. It is one of the most severe acts in everyday Binding Magic and often leaves lasting strain on both caster and site. Notable Exceptions: It is costly, difficult to revoke, and dangerous if misapplied. A poorly worded Final Injunction can cripple legitimate use along with hostile action. Example Use: In the last moments of a breach, a senior binder forbids the gate from opening again until named heirs return centuries later. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by spoken authority, exact language, social consent, inscribed structure, and the caster’s reserves; stronger bindings often draw on sworn agreement, seals, or established legal space. Casting Methods: Desperate spoken injunction backed by the caster’s reserves, 5 to 10 seconds. Formal closing rite over a prepared site, 10 to 30 minutes. Sacrificial state or temple injunction, several hours. Range/Duration: One target gate, law-space, chamber, or bounded act. Long-term, generational, or until explicitly broken under higher authority.