Familiars

in: Orders, Cults & Groups

## Familiars (Soul Bind)

Familiars are individuals that have formed a *Soul Bind* with a Marked. Only one bond may exist and it will continue to exist unless forcibly removed by a *Severance* ritual or the death of either the Marked or the familiar. The bond forms a strong emotional link between the pair, and they will not act against each other's goals or well-being, except when it is specifically mentioned.  From this bond, a variety of effects can occur depending on the background of the familiar.

## The Ritual

### Create Soul Bind

A Marked can choose to bind a familiar in a pact with their own magic. Empowering their own abilities by channeling some of their magic through the familiar so that their magic is strengthened. A bound familiar counts as a Marked from the same coven for the purpose of Initiate level spells. A Marked can have only one familiar bound to them at a time. For those of the Four Lords Coven they may bind demons or cambions to their service while those of the Mother’s Coven can bind shifters as familiars. Once the bond is broken, the Marked cannot bind the same target again. Coven of the Other Marked may not participate in this ritual.

Races eligible to be bound are Demons, Cambions, and Shifters

### Required Components:

* 2 Chunks of Ruby, 1 Chunk of Amethyst, Scroll of Evocation
* Effects of the Ritual: Variable depending on the type of familiar bound

## Demonic Familiars (Soul Bind)

### Cambions

When the Marked creates a *Soul Bind* with a cambion, they can perform one of either two actions:

**Familiarize** *(OOC consent required)* - The Marked forces the Cambion into their servitude, siphoning much of their magical power and abilities. The Cambion must act in the interests of the Marked’s will. For as long as the *Soul Bind* is held with the Cambion, the Marked gains +2 to their Offensive/Defensive/Utility Casting stat, and they can use their Cambion familiar’s Manifest Heritage as if they had the ability themselves. The Cambion gains the ability to Shapeshift (using the same rules as Shifters do) into one of either a cat, a fox, a frog, or a raven, while losing -2 to their Offensive/Defensive/Utility Casting stat and their Manifest Heritage ability.

**Bottle Imp** *(OOC consent required)* - The demon inhibiting the Cambion is ripped out and trapped into a vessel that becomes their new prison, such as a bottle, waterskin, vase, etc. These vessels must be something that can be carried by a person easily and can be sealed with a lid, cork, or a stopper. While in possession of the Bottle Imp, the Marked gains +1 to their Offensive/Defensive/Utility Casting stat and the Marked can only benefit from this effect from a single Bottle Imp. The Cambion is reverted to a human and the *Soul Bind* ends.

### Demons

When a *Soul Bind* is formed with a Demon, it begins with the Marked assuming strong control over the Demon. From that point, the demon is able to struggle against the bond once every 24 hours, pitting the Demon’s willpower against the Marked’s willpower. At stages below Marked Strong Control, the Marked can try to reinforce their control on the bond. Every time the demon succeeds the roll, the Marked’s control weakens against the demon. This control is expressed in five stages:

#### Marked Strong Control

The Marked gains +2 to Offensive/Defensive/Utility Casting stat. The Marked are able to use the demonic ability *Shrouded Form* once per day, deftly disguising their true appearance behind an illusionary disguise. The Marked gains +2 to Offensive/Defensive/Utility Casting. The Marked may freely sever the *Soul Bind*.

Demon familiars can only use their *Shrouded Form* ability once per day for as long as their familiar bond is maintained. The Demon loses -2 to Offensive/Defensive/Utility Casting. Demon may use Influence Bond ability to progress the stage to Marked Weak Control.

#### Marked Weak Control

The Marked are able to use the demonic ability *Shrouded Form* once per day, deftly disguising their true appearance behind an illusionary disguise. The Marked gains +1 to Offensive/Defensive/Utility Casting. The Marked may use **Maintain Control** ability to progress the stage to Marked Strong Control.

Demon familiars can only use their *Shrouded Form* ability once per day for as long as their familiar bond is maintained. The Demon loses -1 to Offensive/Defensive/Utility Casting. The Demon may use Influence Bond ability to progress the stage to Neutral Control.

#### Neutral Control

The Marked may use **Maintain Control** ability to progress the stage to Marked Strong Control.

The Demon may use **Influence Bond** ability to progress the stage to Demon Weak Control.

#### Demon Weak Control

Demons are able to use the following spells from the Marked sphere: *Blight, Secrets of the Soul, Marked Flagellate*. The Demon gains +1 to Offensive/Defensive/Utility Casting. The Demon may use **Influence Bond** ability to progress the stage to Demon Weak Control.

The Marked loses -1 to Offensive/Defensive/Utility Casting.  The Marked may use **Maintain Control** ability to progress the stage to Neutral Control.

#### Demon Strong Control

The Demon gains +2 to Offensive/Defensive/Utility Casting. The Demon may place a Soul Brand on the Marked as if it was so long as they have the required ingredients. This does not require the player’s consent.

The Marked loses -2 to Offensive/Defensive/Utility Casting.  The Marked may use Maintain Control ability to progress the stage to Demon Weak Control.