Soulmate Bond

A soulmate bond, also known as a mate bond, occurs when a Soulbound Mages develops a deep and caring relationship with another individual. In doing so, there's the chance that a link has a chance of forming between both of their souls, bonding them as soulmates. This magical link is very strong and lasts even after death.

Required Conditions

While the reason for these bond's existence are as mysterious as Soulbound magic itself, that is not the case for their formation. Indeed, it seems that a few specific conditions are required for the bond to form. These are listed bellow.

Mental/Spiritual maturity

Children and younger teens (12 to 14 years old) seem to not be able to develop these kinds of bonds. Some Scholars suggests that it is because their souls, much like their minds, isn't mature enough. This problem disappears when both would-be bonded individuals are over the age of 15 or 16 years old, giving credence to those scholar's theory.

An established, caring relationship

Both would-be bonded individuals must have an established loving/caring relationship for a few months prior. During that time, it must also not develop a similar relation with someone else, at least not to the same degree. Mate bonds take time to form and grow stronger at first. On the flip side, true enemies will never develop such a bond, and people who do not know each other well enough cannot do so as well.

A soulbound mage phenomena

Soulbound Mages are the only people who are able to form such a bond with another person. However, it is not volontary, and cannot be accelerated or stopped naturaly. Of course, once that bond is established, both individuals can feel it and use it.

Faster formation after trauma

Indeed, trauma seems to accelarate the bond's formation. While usualy there's a delay of a few months between the various conditions being meant and the start of the bond's formation, recent trauma seems to accelerate its formation. Scholars have even noted instances of a mate bond forming in only 2 weeks, instead of a few months.

Manifestation

Soulmate bond manifests itself in various ways between individuals. How it does depends on many factors, like what kind of mage they both are, or if one of the mate is instead a human.

Telepathic Abilities

A form of limited telepathy often develops between soulmates, where both of them can communicate with each other, regardless if one of them isn't a soulbound mage. It is a similar, but weaker ability than what strong soulbound mages, in particular Soulweavers can do between each other. The longer a mate bond exists, the easier it will become for both mates to communicate this way. However, both retain full control over what the other hears, much like normal telepathy.

Shared Emotions and pain

This ability is usually the first to manifest between soulmates. Like the name suggests, it consists of strong emotions or sensations, such as joy or pain, being able to be felt by the other mate, usually as a small, but noticeable dose. Unlike normal telepathy, this cannot be blocked unless using a Talismans or potions to weaken the mate bond link.

Shared Dreams and Visions

This ability is usually one of the first to manifest, especially if both mates sleep close to one another. (ie, same bed, room or house.) Usually, the mate who sees the dream/vision of the other will not see or hear as well, and it may look muddled. This effect is reduced as the bond gets stronger or by wearing a talisman.

Linked Magic Abilities

This ability is the rarest out of all of them and rarely manifests inside of most soulmate bond. It allows soulmates to temporarily share their magic abilities with each other. If the other soulmate is a human, then only the soulboud mage can share their magic ability with them, but if the other soulmate is an Elemental Mages, or a Soulbound Mages, then they can share both of their magical abilities with each other. These are the only instances where an individual can have both elemental and soulbound magic, outside of Archmages.

Type

Metaphysical

Visualisation

Much like a typical Soulmages links, a soulmate link can only be seen by soulweavers, and potentialy their soulmate. It is described as a thin ribbon linking the heart of both mates, which grows thicker and more visible as they get closer to each other, and which thins out with distance, but never going away. In a way, it is very much similar to a soulmage's link to the Ether, having also the fuction of transfering mana and magical abilities between two places/persons

Rules and restrictions

All abilities provided by the soulmate bond are subject to two limiting factor. The first factor is the distance between both individuals. The strength and accuracy of every shared ability drops dramatically once a certain distance between mates is established. This distance varies on the strength of the mate bond. The second factor is the strength of the weakest soulbound mage in the couple. This will greatly influence how strong the abilities shared with the other mate are, however, it doesn't affect the bond beyond that.

Misconceptions

While many believe that soulmates are destined to and are even encourage to copulate in some cultures, there is no evidence that these actions affect the mate bond in any significant way, at least in the long term. Similarly, there is also no need for a romantic relationship for the bond to develop, as it can also develop in a platonic relationship. There are also persistant rumours from various sources all over the world, that a soulbound mage can have multiple soulmates. However, the evidence for this is only testimonial and goes against our current understanding of Soulbound magic as a whole, which states that once a soulbound mage develops a bond with someone, they, and the person they are bonded with, cannot develop one with another person.