The Binding
I had another couple come in to see me today. I'm not surprised as the summer solstice was two days ago. it was another unexpected marriage. While this magic appeared with the leylines this isn't witchcraft. Ludwig has confirmed that it isn't wizardry and Arlo says his powers aren't related. Unless one of us can come up with a way to reverse this magic we can only suggest people tech their children and avoid seeing the same person on the solstices.
The phenomenon known most commonly as Marriage After twelve Nights this is a strange magical effect that binds a man and woman magically. This binding happens when they spend twelve solstice and equinox nights touching or in close proximity. These twelve nights must be consecutively. After the twelfth night both people will have a unique pattern appear on the base of the right-hand ring finger. When this happens the two bound people will find they have a form of limited telepathy, the ability to divine the rough direction and distance to the other person, and they are injured or in danger.
History
This binding magic has been traced back to the Aeon of Guidance where records show that it was a gift from the gods to couples who stayed together for three years. Recovered records show that it like almost all magic disappeared shortly after the gods vanished. While the binding stopped those who were already bound were still able to use the gifts provided by the binding.
Activation
For a couple to be married this way they must spend the night of a solstice or equinox in close proximity. Then repeat this action for the next eleven solstices and equinoxes. If the couple misses a night than they will have to start the chain of twelve nights over. Regardless of race of the two individuals this pattern remains the same. People of any age can trigger this phenomenon, this fact has been used both by youths to avoid arranged marriages and parents to create them There seems to be some reason behind the binding as it doesn’t bind siblings or other close relatives.
Visualization
After the wedding has taken place a band of magical ink will appear at the base of the right hand ring finger. Both wedded people will have the same pattern and these patterns are unique to the couple. The pattern may rotate, change colors, glow or otherwise be animated, these factors will also be unique to the couple. When the couple uses any of the powers granted to them by the phenomenon the bands will shift, glow or otherwise change. Some couples the changes are static with the different abilities others they are random. The reasoning for this isn’t known.
Powers
Each of the powers granted by the marriage will very in strength between the couples. They will all have telepathy, divination for direction and distance, and the ability to detect danger and injury in the other. The strength of the abilities will be equal between the two coupled people.
Telepathy
Telepathy is the most commonly used power granted by the marriage. The telepathy is short ranged, at three meters. It will allow for conversations within that range. For the couple using the telepathy they will hear it as if they were speaking aloud. Different couples will have different ranges and capabilities with some being able to share emotions and visions. It is not unheard of for some to be able to converse up to hundreds of kilometers away while some struggle at three meters.
Divination
When a person uses their power to detect where their spouse, they will be able to feel the direction and know roughly how far away they are. The accuracy of how far and what direction will vary between the couples. Many couples will also know when their spouse is looking for them.
Danger Sense
The most nebulous of the powers. The ability of couples to know when the other is in danger or if they are injured manifests in a few ways. Some can feel the fear and the pain, while others know without feeling. It is something that can be activated and deactivated. With this power most couples seldom use because of the inconsistent way it manifests.
Duplication
Over the years people have recreated this phenomenon in both witchcraft and wizardry. Originally this was done to find a way to unbind those coupled by this magic. While breaking the bond is impossible, the duplicates have found some uses. With the duplicates being able to be unbound these copies are used to create temporary bonds, or symbolic bindings. Frequently found in religious service the recreations allow for couples to receive an approximation of the abilities without the binding taking place. Some versions of the duplication are used by nobles or other wealthy individuals to find and bind people to their sons and daughters who will produce heirs of certain traits. These duplications do not interfere with the phenomenon, as it will bind people who are bound though a duplicate to other people. Likewise those who are bound by the phenomenon can be bound to someone else though a duplicate.
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