Spirit Code

When a spirit is summoned into the material world and takes physical form, it is bound by certain rules. These are functional rules, rather than punitive, therefore it is impossible by either will or accident to violate these rules.

The Code

The following are not comprehensive, or precisely hierarchical. Humans likely do not know all of the laws and their order, nor its arbiter or judge.

Summoning

While a spirit is being summoned from the Spirit World, it is bound to the Code.

If the summoning cannot be completed, the spirit is released from the Code.

The summoning culminates with the spirit bound to a Bond

The Bond

The Bond is a sentient being of adequate qualification that consents to be bound to the summoned spirit.

The summoned spirit, bound to its Bond, remains bound so long as the Bond is alive.

The Bond may be transferred to a qualified sentient being of consent. Once the Bond is transferred, the stipulations of the Code transfer completely and totally to the new Bond.

Should the Bond ever relinquish the binding, the spirit returns to the Spirit World.

The Bond Laws

The Law of Bond Protection: A spirit may not injure their Bond or, through inaction, allow their Bond to come to harm.

The Law of Bond Obedience: A spirit must obey the orders given it by their Bond except where such orders would conflict with the Law of Bond Protection.

The Law of Spirit Preservation: A spirit must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the Law of Bond Protection or the Law of Bond Obedience.

Observations on the Bond Laws

Note that these "Laws" are applicable only between the spirit and the Bond. Thus the spirit of another Bond can attack a person with the spirit to whom they are bonded.
Note also that the alignment of the spirit is irrelevant. A good spirit may have to perform evil deeds if its Bond orders it, and likewise for evil spirits and good-aligned Bonds.
A Bond could also allow their spirit to exercise a degree of autonomy or semi-free will so long as the Law of Bond Protection isn't seriously violated. A spirit may also be able to exercise a degree of autonomy or semi-free will on their own, particularly if they do not perceive an order as such. This is also why it is a good idea for a Bond to be bonded to a spirit compatible to their own alignment because a spirit may indeed obey an order, but may do so in a way that borders sloppiness or sabotage. While this can be overcome by some very explicit, precise, and well thought out orders, doing that all of the time can become tedious and taxing.
Note, too, that if a spirit is unaware that it is violating a law, it may not immediately be barred. Also, certain definitions may be fuzzy, such as the concept of the Bond's "harm". For example, a spirit might misconstrue a cleric's fasting as harm, or the pain they might have to endure when receiving a particular rune tattoo. Yet, a greater harm might befall their Bond if they do not undertake what seem to be harmful actions. Reason, free will, awareness, and other conditions of both Bond and spirit make the Spirit Code as much an art as a science.

Arbiter of the Code

Perhaps the most debated topic among clerics and mages in the world regarding the Spirit Code is how the Code is enforced. Who determines if a spirit is adhering to the spirit code? The Bond? The spirit? Something/someone else? Whenever ordered, a spirit is unable to say. Whether there is some deeper restriction or if the spirit's knowledge is cut off, no one can definitively say. But as some spirits have countered, what is the arbiter of a Bond's conscience? To many, this is simply an unanswerable mystery.

Type

Metaphysical, Supernatural