A short history of Pacts, Bindings and a Classification of Demon Types

by Atrimus Dylitti

Pacts are both unusual and rare, requiring the human vessel to have some direct genealogical link to the first being of Other, Danyclus. (See chapter one for further clarification). Vessels are identified by the mark of Danyclus, on their left hand, which is present from birth. It is important to note that not all members of this tainted bloodline will bear the mark. There have been cases of one single twin bearing it, whilst their kin did not.

Unbound, the human vessels do not have access to magic from the other plane, and may lead normal lives. Often, the parents of such children remove the mark with a scalpel to avoid generating fear amongst their community. (The bloodline is seen as tainted, and even unbound, they will be seen as a blight or ill-omen).

A binding ritual must be performed on the child before adolescence for the pact to be successful. Scholars suggest that this is because the hormonal changes that occur at puberty alter the state of the body in some way, and make it impossible for the rite to take.

Rites may only be performed with the sanction of the emperor or his advisors, and the pacted child will be immediately taken by members of the upper hierarchy of scholars to be trained and monitored for any signs of The Taint.

Typically, these children grow up to be used as elite bodyguards for the emperor, and are highly prized as such. They will spend solitary lives within the confines of the palace walls, and most never regain their freedom, unless deemed low-power enough to not be a threat to society.

The rite itself requires the soul of a denizen of Other to be bound to the child eternally. Since we cannot physically touch or cross over to Other, the rite requires a mirror of pure Obsuvian Crystal, and a blood sacrifice to connect to the plane itself. (The rite of Pacting is explained in detail in chapter 4).

The strength of a child’s magic will be determined by what hierarchy of demon is pulled and bound to them through the mirror.(There is no control over this process).

Once the rite is complete, the child and the demon’s souls will be linked, although the demon will still retain its physical body in the plane of Other. They will be forever telepathically connected, using thought to communicate and the child will be able to channel the demon’s vile magic with minimal effort.

Of course, the type of demon bound will directly influence the power and strain of magic that a pasted individual may wield.

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Here is what is known of the classification of demon…

Nae shut the book, placing it down on the grass with a sigh. The year was 1523 of the Moon, and she was eleven. She was also hungry, as a low growl in her stomach reminded her. Rising from the sweet-smelling green meadow, she stretched, enjoying the feel of the sun on her face. Rustling in the grass alerted Nae to the presence of her nurse-maid, her protector and unwanted guardian. Mutt.

‘Yes yes, I know Mutt. Too far out again, huh?’ She commented, as two yellow-gold eyes peered at her through the stalks with owlish concern.

Nae absently prodded his rump with her toe, and felt his rumble of complaint at this unprovoked action. He rose, shaking the burrs and errant wisps of grass from his shaggy hide. Nae marvelled silently at the blue sheen the sun gave to his dark fur. Standing, he was nearly as tall as she was. Mum called him a mix of dog and wolf. Nae called him a git, but not within earshot of her mother. He butted against her hip with his snout, trying to push her home already.

‘Ok, ok. I know. Just let me get the darn book first.’

She reached out with her good arm for the hefty volume, but Mutt got their first, snatching it up in his sizeable jaw. Nae tried to snatch it back, but he rumbled a warning through clenched teeth.

‘Why shouldn’t I read it? It’s history! Where’s the harm in that?’

In answer, he turned towards home, and waited with grave and solemn patience for her to follow.

Nae stomped back through the meadow with bad grace, but as they passed through the gnarled, twisting boughs of the little woodland she ruffled the surprisingly soft fur of is haunches. He gave a soft harrumph and a golden eye winked at her in the dappled gloom.

Emerging from between the trunks, they followed a well-worn little path up the slope, to the house that nestled at the foot of the hill. The roses that Mum had cultivated were blooming, and they gave its otherwise gloomy appearance a bright and cheerful air. Pink petals covered most of the windows, but Nae didn’t mind. Their sweet scent blended with the often bitter and strange smell of the herbs that grew, tangled and wild in the front garden.

Mum relied on them for her potions and salves, but Nae would much rather have grown sunflowers, or even potatoes than devil’s beard and deathrot.

Bounding through the door, Nae almost collided with the tall figure of her mother, who was shrugging off a thick patterned shawl in the hallway. Nae paused, taking in the foul-smelling sludge and slime that dripped from the garment, and the hard set to her mother’s shoulders.

‘Mum!' She exclaimed, 'I would have gone for you!’

‘You were busy,’ the tall woman replied in an even, too-cheerful tone, ‘And besides, I could do with getting out of the house at least once a month, eh?’ She absent-mindedly stroked Mutt’s head and walked into the small kitchen to place a basket on the table.

Nae followed behind, guiltily wringing her hands in worry. She inspected the goods that nestled inside the basket and sighed. A small, lumpy loaf of bread that was obviously past its best, and some vegetables that smelt sour and mouldy. An awful exchange for the healing potion that mum had spent hours preparing for the Village Elder’s recurring cough. They would have given Nae a better deal, for sure. She wouldn’t have left, if they hadn’t.

‘Who threw the muck at you?!’ Nae demanded, none too gently.

‘Does it matter? They all hate me just the same. It makes no difference that some hide it better than others.’ She raised a hand as Nae opened her mouth to, no doubt, argue.

‘Let’s not speak of it any more. Now, tell me, have you practised this morning?’

Nae smiled ruefully. No, no she had not practised and guessed that she would certainly be spending her evening making up for it.