Pactprice

Bars and weights slid themselves aside, and the heavy gate, four times as tall as Lucien, swung open.
Soldiers dropped their battering ram and backed away upon seeing us.
Aren stood before us, her eye cold with determination. "I didn't give the order to retreat! Now, let us storm Quijana!"
I filled my words with power. "There's no need for that."
Aren's gaze faltered, before she steeled herself again. "Little Salvaterre, on what terms do you fight?"
"I fight for none." I stepped forward, the darkness trailing from my hands. "You have no reason to fight Quijana. Your contract with my father has been voided. Attacking us would only prove futile, and you would anger the other states of Verican in the process."
Aren raised her hand, pulling a spear from the air. "Young man, I'm going to speak with your father!"
My heart soared at being recognized as a "young man", but I pushed the joy away. Couldn't get in the way. "I repeat what I said earlier: there's no need for that."
Aren raised an eyebrow. "So, you've done it."
I didn't have the faintest clue of which "it" she was talking about, but I said, "Yes, I have. Your debt will not be repaid in blood tonight."
She threw back her head in triumphant laughter. "It was only a matter of time, little Soren boy! We all knew you despised your father, and now you've done him in! I can't wait to tell the Council!"
Dead, I thought. She thinks he is dead.
"Why you-" Lucien rushed forward, drawing his sword.
In a flash, I directed the tendrils of darkness to wrap around him. "Don't hold this against me, Lucien."
Aren struck her spear into the dirt, laughing all the while. "Look at that! You can't hold your rage, can you, little Light-Bearer? You can't bear to have your father gone from your life!"
If I'd had the power to speak in minds, I would have told Lucien to shut his mouth or I would kill him.
Lucien struggled against his bonds, and managed to shout out, "But he's n-"
I folded my left hand behind my back, where Lucien could see it, and twisted my wrist slightly. He gasped as I tightened the spells, covering his mouth, and caused him to drop his sword.
I walked back to him, and said, "You still don't understand that I did what I had to, dear brother." While I faced him, I summoned my shield. The cold silver melted onto my arm, forming the shape of a bracer.
Then I turned to Aren, and lied, "As you can see, he's still in denial."
Aren raised her eyebrows in a strange combination of fascination and disgust.
"Let it be known," I declared, "that I, Nicalo Soren, of the House Salvaterre, am not afraid to do what I must. I will not hesitate to make the sacrifices I need to make for the good of my people. I will shoulder the burdens of leadership, and lead the city of Quijana to greatness."
Aren narrowed her eyes, and slashed upwards with her spear. A bolt of magic cut through the air, and I choked as it struck my body. I lost concentration, and Lucien broke free of my magic. He leaped in front of me, raising his shield.
"So I offer compromise, and you attack me." I struggle to my feet, refusing Lucien's hand. "I'll make this simple. Leave this city, and I won't rain down destruction on yours."
For a split second, I see Aren's eye soften. I glimpse the young lady who I'd once been friends with.
Aren takes my outstretched hand. "Then let Vega enter an alliance with Quijana, should the need arise."
Fire sparks from our linked hands, and we both feel the power of the Price twist in our souls.
And should we break that agreement, our doom will be sealed.

Effect

The Pactprice is a soul link. It is used to bind two or more willing souls to the terms of an agreement or contract. The clearer the terms, the stronger the pact. This spell is most commonly associated with warlock pacts, but also extends to paladin oaths and cleric contracts.
Should the terms of the contract be violated, the Pact is broken, thus unleashing a terrible price on the oathbreaker. It starts as a soul-rending pain, and a curse is soon to follow. These curses differ from person to person.

Side/Secondary Effects

If one sworn to the Pactprice begins to consider breaking it, the others bound to the agreement will feel it. If an oathbreaker is intentionally planning to violate the Pact, the twisting feeling will grow stronger.

Manifestation

From a layman's perspective, the Pact appears to only be a handshake, or whatever sealing gesture is used. There may be magical residue such as the "trace" of magic created by the users. This residue will react and bond between the members, as a result of the weave.

Source

The magic used to create a Pact is drawn directly from the soul. Instead of separating completely, it lingers as a tendril connecting all parties involved. The tendrils will weave and stretch into a magical weave, binding all to the contract. Higher powers, or Benefactors, can manipulate this tendril to communicate with their Bell, Book, or Candle (paladin, cleric, or warlock). The pain that comes from a broken pact stems from this tendril being forcefully ripped from the soul.

Discovery

The Pactprice system, better known as the Bell, Book, and Candle system, was created by Ardis Zemek, god of Knowledge, Wind, and the Sky. These mages, wielding the powers of their Benefactors, were the first mages. In time, mortals strayed from this system, discovering other manners of magic... but this was the first. It was created as a reminder that mortals and gods work in tandem- in exchange for worship, gods bestow gifts, power, and protection upon mortals.

Gestures & Ritual

Laying out the terms of the agreement can strengthen the pact, but it is not necessary. In fact, many entities deliberately leave out terms or word contracts in their favor.
However, every pact needs a sealing gesture such as a handshake. These gestures vary from culture to culture.

Related Discipline

Bell (Paladin), Book (Cleric), Candle (Warlock)

Related School

Lawful Magic

Effect Duration

Until the terms of the contract are completed, or it is violated

Effect Casting Time

A simple agreement at the least, a full-blown discussion at the most

Range

The visible weave created by the bond can stretch up to 100 meters. Any further and the connections thin, dimming soul pains and telepathy. However, the creatures are bonded in spirit, regardless of physical boundaries (including planar differences).

Level

This spell is forbidden for most of the populace, but some unconsciously cast it when making deals (like friends swearing to be together forever, or a business deal in a market). Others make contracts out of desperation, such as with Noirnaire entities.

Applied Restriction

• There has to be a Benefactor (the more powerful being) and a Beneficiary (the one receiving power or otherwise).
• The pact is very difficult to break, as both parties need to agree peacefully. Otherwise, both will receive soul damage.
• There is always the risk of the Beneficiary becoming more powerful than the Benefactor, and being able to destroy them.