Encyclopaedia Azaria #4: The Binding Spell
This time, Eliza, Ryan and Adam delve into the complex topic that is the Binding spell...
[transcript of animation]
Eliza: Hi again everyone, it's time for some more exciting Azarian lore!
Eliza:
...well, actually, I was thinking. We've covered some interesting stuff
so far, but I guess you guys probably don't know much about the Binding
spell, right?
Eliza: So, today's topic is just that. I'll
explain what we know about the spell, the basics of how it works, and
how society has come to live with this uncontrollable curse.
Adam: It's not really a curse, Eliza. You just call it that.
Eliza: Well it is to me!
Ryan: ...low blow, Eliza.
Eliza: *blush* Look, just stop it already! I don't need you two interrupting, so just stand there and be quiet.
Adam: Yes ma'am.
Ryan: Hmph.
Eliza:
ANYWAY...let's start with the basics. The Binding spell is the only
known magic to exist in Azaria. Scholars estimate it's been around for
just over a thousand years. Nobody knows how it came to be, other than
the various myths floating around. The church believes the Goddess
created the spell in hopes of seeding harmony into the country, as it
was around this time that the great war between Azaria and the old
kingdom of Esturia ended.
Eliza: This marked the end of Azaria's
Age of Darkness and the beginning of the Age of the Goddess, where the
Goddess religion took over from the previous pagan animal deities.
Adam: Hey, wait a minute, where did you learn all this?
Eliza: I'm a protagonist, it comes with the territory.
Ryan: You're also a pretty unreliable narrator...
Eliza: What did I say about interrupting?!
Adam and Ryan: *gulp*
Eliza:
Right, where was I...oh yeah. Now this is where it gets a little
complicated. We've talked about the Tale of the Binding, which is how
most people believe the spell came to be. But it took centuries of
research before scholars got to understand how it actually works.
Eliza:
From what we know so far, there's no way to predict who the Binding
will affect. It doesn't have to run in families, and only around fifteen
percent of the population are exposed at any one time. And from working
with my father, I know there's a core symptom that everyone who falls
under the spell suffers.
Eliza: This is called the 'instigation
sign', and it's a short-lived but intense sensation of a crushing pain
in the chest. About a week after this, the person will then develop
their 'courtship' symptom- their physical warning that they are going to
enter their vulnerable period. They experience this again when their
courtship ends. For me, it was stomach cramps.
Ryan: And for me it was migraines.
Eliza: Interesting...
Ryan: Actually Eliza, can I take over here? I read a lot of books about the workings of the spell.
Eliza: Well, if you insist...
Ryan:
Thanks. Basically, when the spell first appeared, it worked slightly
differently. The Binding was supposed to enhance the relationship of
known lovers, whereas now it causes compulsions to be formed between
strangers. But several conditions have to be met for this to happen.
Ryan:
Firstly, the spell itself has two parts. The first, as Eliza mentioned,
is 'courtship'. This is when a person enters a period of vulnerability,
usually lasting between a few hours or a whole day. If that person then
has any shared feeling with another in this time- even something as
small as a greeting or something as big as saving a life- they will be
Bound to that person.
Ryan: However, if they manage to avoid this
and courtship ends, they're spared until the next courtship period. The
time between courtships can be anything from a few weeks to a few
months apart. This part of the spell tends to start in adolescence, and
it will continue lifelong unless they become Bound.
Ryan: There
are also lots of smaller rules that govern the formation of a
Binding-like the physical distance between people and such- but I won't
go into too much detail. Bindings are also are one-off- you can't become
Bound again to anyone else.
Ryan: The second part is the Binding
itself. Once the connection has formed, it will try to draw the couple
together. The one who had been under courtship will feel the brunt of
this first, as the spell works more slowly on the other partner.
Initially the Binding will stir physical desires through blushes,
palpitations and longing.
Eliza: *mutter* And involuntary movements in inappropriate situations...
Ryan:
Then it can progress to suggestion of memory and more forceful methods.
Since most Binding are planned, it doesn't usually get further than
this stage as the couple were already lovers beforehand. Partners in
unwanted Binding can still resist, but soon the compulsions become too
strong and they can't.
Adam: So what about family, then? Surely they can have an instant of shared feeling with a relative under courtship?
Eliza:
They can, and that doesn't stop the spell. Hence why most people either
hide away or they can give non-verbal warnings, like wearing a white
ribbon. Once someone has felt the instigation and realised they're going
to experience courtship, they can then make the family aware.
Eliza:
But relatives still have to be extremely careful, because if they try
to protect a person under courtship directly, then THEY will become
Bound to their family member.
Adam: Yikes, that's not good.
Eliza:
So while people might warn their families, they'll tend not to let
outsiders know, as sadly there are people out there who will try to
force a Binding.
Adam: But it can't all be bad, Eliza. The
Binding is meant to create a stable union. So if a couple are really
dedicated to each other, entering a Binding is one of the highest
honours of commitment. It prevents them ever falling out of love.
Eliza: Hey, who's side are you on here?
Adam: Just trying to give a balanced view.
Eliza:
Sure. Anyway, um, what's left...oh, of course. So why can't anyone
escape a Binding? The answer is two-fold. The first is the backlash. If
one partner tries to murder the other, either directly or indirectly,
the magic will kill both partners. Of course this is extremely rare
anyway, as the Binding encourages affection, not anger.
Ryan: But suicide doesn't result in a backlash.
Eliza: Really? How do you know?
Ryan: ...rather not say.
Eliza: Oh, okay...
Eliza:
Um, anyway, the second reason Bindings are inescapable is slightly more
common, and that's the Parting. So, if the Bound partner and Bindee are
further than half a mile apart, Parting will begin. This tends to
consist of vivid hallucinations, wracking pains and convulsions. If the
partners are reunited within twenty-four hours, this can be reversed. If
not, they'll become Unbound. They lose their senses, personality and
memories, and turn into empty husks. They can only respond to basic
physical urges, nothing else. Those unfortunate enough to have become
Unbound are cared for in Unbound Asylums, and so far they remain
incurable.
Eliza: Such a wonderful, fairytale magic, eh?
Eliza:
There's probably a few other bits and pieces I haven't touched here,
but we're still studying the curse, after all. I'll save them for a
later date.
Adam: Phew! Can we go eat now? I'm starving!
Eliza: *sigh*
Ryan: He he he...
Encyclopaedia Azaria #1: The Iasometer
Encyclopaedia Azaria #2: The Tale of the Binding
Encyclopaedia Azaria #3: The Gladier-Farrontine Feud
Encyclopaedia Azaria #5: The Noble Houses of Azaria
Encyclopaedia Azaria #6: The Goddess Shrines