Bonding
Bonding a Fountain is a ritual meant to tie the magic a Fountain expels to a group of people. While most of the magic simply goes out into the world in the form of life energy (such as the concept of Chi), a Bonded Fountain can be tapped more directly for use by the family that Bonds it.
When a Fountain is discovered, it becomes a race to see who can Bond it. MAGE/MAGUS use their organizations' resources to Bond the Fountain to one of their member-families. The Unseelie frequently work in groups to try to steal the Fountain either from the beginning or, more drastically, after Bonding, by killing the entire family that Bonded the Fountain.
When a Fountain is discovered, it becomes a race to see who can Bond it. MAGE/MAGUS use their organizations' resources to Bond the Fountain to one of their member-families. The Unseelie frequently work in groups to try to steal the Fountain either from the beginning or, more drastically, after Bonding, by killing the entire family that Bonded the Fountain.
History
The earliest records indicate that the Bonding ritual was taught to magecrafters by their Fae ancestors. There is no indication of which individuals were involved, nor of what the original reasons for Bonding might have been.
Magecrafter historians theorize that Fountains are a source of chaos energy when left unBonded, and the Bonding allowed for more stable weather and geography. One magecrafter theorized that the Bonding of Fountains helped end the last Ice Age, as well as minimizing the number of earthquakes and similar phenomena in the area of the Bonded Fountain.
This is supported by the fact that Native American tribes in what is now California were slaughtered, and the earthquakes of the area increased steadily until a new family Bonded the Fountain the northern part of Alameda. Similarly, blizzards increased in intensity during the settling of the West (again, combined with the slaughter of local tribes) until a Fountain was found in what is now western South Dakota.
The theory indicates that the expansion of European settlers across the Americas resulted in the deaths of Bonded native family lines. The chaotic energy of the Fountains then grew until the Fountains were reBonded.
Magecrafter historians theorize that Fountains are a source of chaos energy when left unBonded, and the Bonding allowed for more stable weather and geography. One magecrafter theorized that the Bonding of Fountains helped end the last Ice Age, as well as minimizing the number of earthquakes and similar phenomena in the area of the Bonded Fountain.
This is supported by the fact that Native American tribes in what is now California were slaughtered, and the earthquakes of the area increased steadily until a new family Bonded the Fountain the northern part of Alameda. Similarly, blizzards increased in intensity during the settling of the West (again, combined with the slaughter of local tribes) until a Fountain was found in what is now western South Dakota.
The theory indicates that the expansion of European settlers across the Americas resulted in the deaths of Bonded native family lines. The chaotic energy of the Fountains then grew until the Fountains were reBonded.
Execution
The ritual is not a complex one, though it does require exact wording.
Excerpt from "A Time & a Place"
The family stands in the presence of the Fountain with an Oather. They recite the oath to Bond themselves, their children, and all future decendents to the Fountain, while the Oather uses their craft to magically lock the oath to their souls.
While reversing the Bond is rare, it is possible. It requires either the complete elimination of the family line, or the voluntary retraction of their oath by an Unraveller.
Excerpt from "A Time & a Place"
"And thus do we swear, on behalf of ourselves and for our descendants, that we shall safeguard the Fountain at the Priuli Villa, share its power with those who need it, and prevent any abuse of that power to the best of our abilities, for so long as our bloodline continues and remains bound. We shall raise our children and our children's children with the knowledge of this honor and onus of responsibility.
We swear to honor the code of the Seelie Magecrafters, to use power to better and safeguard and provide hope to all of humankind within the limits of safeguarding the secret of the Magecrafters and safeguarding the Fountain from abuse. By the power of the Faeblood within our veins, by the blood of our family, so do we make this oath."
In the salon, Tianna stared with wide eyes as the Boudreaux's tensed in unison, their bodies arcing with a shimmering silver power that flowed over their skin in waves. Even baby Antoine curved his little back, eyes wide and mouth agape, as the power tangled into their souls, creating a bond that could last for centuries.
We swear to honor the code of the Seelie Magecrafters, to use power to better and safeguard and provide hope to all of humankind within the limits of safeguarding the secret of the Magecrafters and safeguarding the Fountain from abuse. By the power of the Faeblood within our veins, by the blood of our family, so do we make this oath."
In the salon, Tianna stared with wide eyes as the Boudreaux's tensed in unison, their bodies arcing with a shimmering silver power that flowed over their skin in waves. Even baby Antoine curved his little back, eyes wide and mouth agape, as the power tangled into their souls, creating a bond that could last for centuries.
The Bonding of the Boudreaux family to the Fountain at Priuli Villa in Verona, Italy, 1906 CE
The family stands in the presence of the Fountain with an Oather. They recite the oath to Bond themselves, their children, and all future decendents to the Fountain, while the Oather uses their craft to magically lock the oath to their souls.
While reversing the Bond is rare, it is possible. It requires either the complete elimination of the family line, or the voluntary retraction of their oath by an Unraveller.
Observance
While it isn't required, MAGE/MAGUS usually has the local branch leader present for the Bonding, as a matter of witnessing that the ritual was performed correctly and completely, as well as to keep the record of the Bonding.
Primary Related Location
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