Animal Bonding

General introduction

Different cultures across Samthô know of techniques to align themselves with the elements in a unique way. As all beings are made up of and connected by aggregations and flows of the elements and their energies, this all-connectedness can be used to form bonds with other life forms. There are limitations though, as animals need to possess a certain degree of intelligence or consciousness.

Animal bonding is similar to alchemy, as it makes use of elements and their energies present in an animal and the being possessing the Gift of Reason bonding with that animal. The ability to bond, though is not only determined by the elements alone, but also by factors like belief and individual inclination. Depending on the culture and how bonds are established in that culture, these factors might influence the ability to form bonds.

Prerequisites and mechanism

As opposites attract, but equally birds of feather flock together, bonds can be formed between either very similar or very different personalities and animals. Interestingly animals that can be formed bonds with must be of a certain degree of intelligence, which rules out invertebrates, most fish and amphibians as well as many reptiles. Also some mammals, fur reptiles or birds cannot be bonded with or at least no examples are known from history. This is often the case with highly aggressive and solitary animals like the predatory Baagogai. There are also some birds so devoid of intelligence or skittish, that they could not form a relationship to a creature of a different species. Also animals living in states or comparably tightly knot groups are difficult or impossible to bond with, as for example some species elephants. So the ability of an animal to suited for bonding depends on many rather soft factors and cannot be easily determined. The safest way is to see whether there are examples in history for any one specific type of animal.

Generally speaking a bond need some kind of close relationship between one individual and an animal. So it is no surprise that many bonds are formed between riders and their mounts, hunters and their hounds, falconer and their birds and so on. People also form bonds with pets such as rats or ferrets. In most cases the being possessing the Gift of Reason and the animal are either tightly connected by their daily lifes and day to day activities. This means that the individual and the animal share a similar lifestyle and are of a comparable demeanor, either being slow, calm and deliberate like many trappers or being active, sharp witted and assertive as a warrior or fighter often is.
In some cultures, there are rigorous testings or assessments to see, which animal fits whom best, even if outward appearances show otherwise: Here emphasis is often laid on complementing a certain type of individual with an animal that has distinctively different qualities from whom it is bonded with. This is especially true for some societies of Joun and Men.
Bonds between animals and beings possessing the Gift of Reason can develop spontaneously without further rituals or ceremonies. This is very rare though and mostly prevalent in Joun societies or Len societies. These bonds are typically formed between animals and individuals living and working very close to one another. Some Joun are so remote from what an observer would call a civilization with its material achievements like writing or architecture and so in tune with nature, their surroundings and the elements, that they form types of symbiotic relationships with certain animals, which in turn turn into bonds. This can also occur in societies of Men, especially when there is a strong mutual dependence as in a herder and his or her herding animal or a hermits pet. Many societies make use of animal bonding in their military. For the Madini from Nibekone forming a bond with Nibekone dragons is an obligatory ritual to be fully accepted in the ranks of the dragon-riding cavalry. Here too, bonding is prepared by a special one year-long training in the mountains to form trust between dragon and rider.

Prevalence, effects and examples

For Men and Luak it is more rare to engage in animal bonding than for Joun and Len. This is due to Men living generally more divorced from nature and for Luak, since they often dwell in the subterranean cave-tinents of Samthô, where most animals are invertebrates or, as food sources are relatively scarce and not apt to sustain a larger number of animals, not as socially inclined. So a lack of animals being able to form bonds is a restraining factor for this form of magic among the Luak.

Animal has a mild effect on both, the individual possessing the Gift of Reason as well as the animal. One individual cannot bond with more than one animal and vice versa. This urges those bonding with animals out of necessity to chose wisely which animal to bond with or to hope for the most beneficial inclination among a group of animals. A herder does well bonding with the lead animal of the herd, given that is possible. On average the bond facilitates inter-species communication, making it easier for the being possessing the Gift of Reason to train the animal not only faster, but a lot more precisely and effectively than would otherwise be true. Herders that do not use guard dogs for example can communicate their plans to the lead animal of their herd, if they are bonding with it and have it direct the herd as intended. The individual on the other hand understands non-verbal communication better, getting more aware of group dynamics in the herd, problems of the entire herd and individuals and a general impression of the animals perception. The more intelligent the animal, the more refined the communication is. Through excessive training, meditation and close contact to the animal some ods can get as intense as sharing perception to a high degree or using the animal as an extension of oneself. This is often the case in religious settings or also with hermits or social outcasts. The shamans of the Skaura Orohlen are a prime example of extremely tight bonds, although it must be said, that these bonds are also enhanced by other forms of magic.