Will-Bound

Symptoms

The bound has a supernaturally-imposed hyperfixation in line with the will of the one who bound them, or in line with the will of the one into whose service they have been ordered.

The bound cannot be required to directly cause their own destruction, but can be required to act against their own interests or nature.

The bound not only is unable to disobey a direct command; in fact, the bound is incapable of the mind activity necessary in order to willfully disobey. ¹

However! The bound may, if clever, be able to creatively circumvent any intention of command that was not made explicit. ² It is for this reason that a Master is trained to consider circumstances tactically before giving coherent instructions.

Treatment

The Will-Binding can terminate by one of the following conditions:

• The Caster chooses to end it. By deliberate action, the Caster disassembles the physical components of the Binding and returns to custody of the once-bound that focus which was a core component of the Binding ritual.
• The Caster dies, after which the bound entices or tricks or compels a sentient ally of sufficient skill to approach the Binding. By deliberate action with intention to terminate the Binding, the ally disassembles the physical components of the Binding and returns to custody of the once-bound that focus which was a core component of the Binding ritual.
• The bound dies, and their spiritual existence is terminated.
• A supernaturally powered sentient being with strong claim to Right of Inheritance deliberately interposes themselves as a shield between the bound and the Binding, effectively transferring the Binding to themself. Usually this act requires a method of linking the focus component more strongly to the volunteer than it is already tied to the bound.
• The Master gives a direct command to the bound which gives them no option but to assault the Caster. If the bound survives this command, and survives the assault, the bound probably has a chance to either acquire their focus component or else to disconnect from it entirely.

Affected Groups

Outer planar beings ("outsiders") and unrooted spirits are the traditional subjects of Will-Binding, including:

• blessed ones
• demisouls
• elementals
• fey
• infernals
• undead

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¹ To completely disregard a direct command, the bound must make a Will save against a target number created during the original Binding. In the particular case of a being bound by The Ministry, this target number will be 30 + Caster's Level, which is not a small number. (Note that this may not be the same as the Master's Level if the Binding was conducted by one person, then the bound was commanded to serve another Master.) This roll will be needed for every single action, choice, or minute of dialogue that the bound attempts, and is likely to be noticed by the Caster if not by the Master.

² In order to knowingly act against the spirit of a Master's wishes in a way that does not obey any direct command given, the bound must make a Will save against a target number of 10 + Caster's Level. (Note that this may not be the same as the Master's Level if the Binding was conducted by one person, then the bound was commanded to serve another Master.) Success on this Will save lets the bound think "creatively" for as many non-combat minutes (or as many in-combat rounds) as the difference between their Will save total and the minimum necessary for success.

Type

Magical

Origin

Magical

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Rare