Eidos

The elemental spirits of the world. Bonding with people since time immemorial and providing the ability to manipulate their namesake. People generally have one or two Eidos that remain with them throughout their lives and in less common instances three or four. There are historical accounts of people having an almost unlimited repertoire, and recognizably god-like power, such as King Qolemon who was said to have over 200 Eidos and could transfigure metals, heal grievous wounds, and even bring his subjects back from death.

Eidos are a physical presence in the world, bonded or not, and have an intelligence between the smartest hound and the lowest human. Much of what they do appears to be largely instinctual, as opposed to willful, though they are rarely a threat when unbonded.

The process of bonding is not well understood, but it's believed to be available to every human from the moment they are cognizant of themselves. Once a person is able to think and feel, it seems that Eidos will become naturally attracted to them. They'll test the waters, in a way. Approaching in the same way that a stray cat might attempt to elicit food from someone walking by. Carefully and slowly, so as to not threaten.

If a bond is successful, that is to say the human and the Eidos feels a connection of the mind, then the Eidos will in essence, become a part of the Human. The pair is inextricably linked,