Secrets of Pact Magic (Dungeons and Dragons 3.5)

336 Pages·2008·93.9 MB·English

by  Dario Nardi

SECRETS
OF
PACT
MAGIC
TAP THE POWER
OF ANCIENT SPIRITS
&
ETERNAL
ELEMENTS
DARIO NARDI
RequiRes the use of the
Dungeons & DRagons, 3.5 eDition
CoRe Books, puBlisheD By
WizaRDs of the Coast, inC.
C
REDITS
Designer & Developer: Dario Nardi Business Consultant: Kristopher Kiler
fiction: Dario Nardi fiction editors: Beverly Barloff, Nadine Nardi
art Director: Yehuda Ben Jehoshua
Davidson, Estellaileigh Franenberg, Melanie Ho
Cover artist: Yehuda Ben Jehoshua
play-testing: Yehuda Ben Jehoshua, Frank Bustamonte,
interior illustrator: J von K
Jason Finley, Greg Glukhovsky, Devin Hahn, Remy Karns,
interior graphic artist: Dario Nardi
interior Design: Yehuda Ben Jehoshua Laurel Methot, Bill Mettler, Matthew Sanchez, Michael
graphic layout: Dario Nardi Thompson, D. R. Usher, Nar Williams, Seth Lee Williams.
proof editor: Jennifer Schoonover thank you: Matthew Daily and Jason Stevens for
introduing me to role-playing games.
Copyright @ 2007 Dario Nardi.
Published by:
Radiance House
P.O. Box 691971
West Hollywood, CA 90069
http://www.radiancehouse.com
Printed in USA
ISBN: 978-0-9798684-0-5
Visit the website at www.pactmagic.com
About the Author
Dario Nardi, Ph.D., is a professor at the University of
California at Los Angeles, where he teaches computer

modeling and simulation of social systems in UCLA’s Human
Complex Systems degree program. Friends introduced Dario
to Dungeons & Dragons over summer vacation in 1982. He
has enjoyed role-playing ever since. Dario is author and co-
author of multiple books relating to personality, organizational
development, and learning and cognition, including 8 Keys to
Self-Leadership. He received his degree in systems science from
the State University of New York at Binghamton’s Watson
School of Engineering. Dario has lived in Barbados and Ja-
pan but calls Los Angeles his home. For details and contact
information please visit www.darionardi.com
Copyright Information & Open Game Content
Secrets of Pact Magic is presented under the Open Game License. See page 336 for the text of the Open Game License.
Dungeons & Dragons, Player’s Handbook, Expanded Psionics Handbook, and Wizards of the Coast are trademarks of Wizards of
the Coast, Inc. in the United States and other countries and are used with permission.
The ‘d20 System’ and the ‘d20 System’ logo are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. and are used according to the terms of
the d20 System License version 6.0. A copy of this License can be found at www.wizards.com/d20.
All game mechanics and statistics are to be considered Open Game Content. The Radiance House logo, and all significant char-
acters, character names, organization names, stories, and artwork herein are copyrighted by Dario Nardi.
This product is a work of fiction. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, places or events is purely coincidental. The men-
tion of, or reference to, any company or product in these pages is not a challenge to the trademark or copyright concerned.

C Racial Feats.............................191 Spirit: Noble Marius................273
ontents Pact Magic Flaws.......................193 Ravage Binders.........................274
Constellation Feats....................194 Spirit: Prime Ravager...............275
Anima Spirits...........................196 Soul Seekers Lodge....................276
What’s Inside...............................5 Anima Pactmaking Feats..............196 Spirit: Soltanis.......................277
Community Pact Magic...............199 Spellwright Academy..................278
Chapter 1: Introduction.......................7 Spirit: Forty-Two....................279
Who are the Spirits?……….......….7 Chapter 6: Prestige Classes..............201 Titan League............................280
A Typical Binding Ceremony……..…8 Atlan Demon Binder...................201 Spirit: Primordial Titans ...........281
Societal Reactions to Pactmaking......8 Table: The Abyssal Spirits ..........202 Witches Circle..........................282
Pact Magic in Action….......……….9 Binder Sage………………..……203 Pact Sex Magic.......................282
Ancient Lore.…………......……..11 Child of N’alyia..………...……..205 Spirit: Everrona .....................283
The Binder’s Quest......................13 Esoteric Traveler........................206
Character Concepts…….….….….14 Indomitable Spirit……......……..207 Chapter 10: Encounters....................285
Pact Magic in a Fantasy Setting .......15 Lemurian Devil Binder................209 Ancient Library.........................285
Adventuring for New Spirits..........15 Table: The Infernal Spirits..........210 The Apocryphal Desert...............286
Goliath Devil (Ahnok)..............211 Binding Grotto.......................288
Chapter 2: Races.................................17 Mana Prefect............................212 Aranea Pledgeling .....................289
Atlan ..……........................…..17 Mask Adept..............................214 Aranea Binder Feats................290
Atlan Paragon..........................19 Master Soulwright........…………215 Astral Byways..........................290
Demon Eye……................…….20 Pact Magician…………......…….217 Priest Eater...........................291
Demon Eye Paragon..................22 Ravage Binder......…….........…..217 True Atlans...........................291
Frehmin...................................23 Ravager Vessel........................219 Child Binder............................292
Frehmin Paragon......................25 Ravage Hunter……….....………220 Flame Ghoul...........................293
Hobgoblin ................................25 Savage Warbinder.......................221 Gnostic Vault...........................294
Hobgoblin Paragon...................28 Soul Stealer..............................222 Iron Heart Ghost......................294
Troglodyte ...............................28 Spirit Exorcist………..…………224 Lemurian Hobgoblin..................295
Troglodyte Pact Paragon.............30 Tattooed Binder........................225 Living Nightmare......................296
Telchine Sorcerer......................226 The Outer Darkness..................298
Chapter : Classes...............................31 Temporal Binder……......………227 Technomagical Cyclopes...........298
Empyrean Monk………...............31 Undying Spirit….……..………..228 Pact Battle Magic......................300
Foe Hunter……….................….35 Unmarked Vessel.......................230 Rakshasa Pact Mages..................300
Occult Priest.............................39 Vatic Knight.............................231 Rakshasa Pact Rajah...................300
Pact Warrior……................……43 Vatic Witch..............................231 The Ravaged Sea.......................301
Battle Trance Options................47 Voltanic Angel Binder..................233 Podform..............................303
Soul Weaver………..........………47 Table: The Celestial Spirits.........234 Invisage...............................303
Spirit Binder………....…..……...51 Restoring Spirits to Life..............304
Unbound Witch..........................54 Chapter 7: Spells..............................235 Spirit-Bound Nautilus.................306
Warbinder................................58 Spell Lists………………......…..235 Spirit Helmsman....................306
Vivilors.................................61 Pact Magic Divine Domains..........236 Spirit-Touched Creature..............307
Variant Class Features...................62 Spell Descriptions……….....…...237 Common Spirit-Touched Beasts..307
Pact Maladies.........................239 Spiritual Vampire.......................308
Chapter 4: Spirits................................63 Stellar Monoliths.......................309
Spellcasters & Spirit Binding...........63 Chapter 8: Magic Items...................247 Stellar Touchstones....................309
Binding Spirits...........................63 Table: Pricing Gnostic Books........247 Spiritual Taint...........................310
Side Effects................................65 Descriptions of Items .................247 The Telchines...........................310
Pact Magic Strategies....................66 Table: Summary of Items.............248 Vatic Naga...............................311
Multiclass Binders.......................66 Vatic Naga Paragon..................311
What Do You and Your Foes Know?..67 Chapter 9: Organizations................257 Vile Pact Magic........................312
Limiting PCs.............................67 Locating & Joining an Organization..257
Table: Summary of Spirits..............68 Atlan Explorers Club................. 258 Chapter 11: Epic Pact Magic.............313
1st Level Spirits..........................70 Spirit: The Overmind ..............259 Epic Characters.........................313
2nd Level Spirits.........................82 Death Company........................260 Epic Pact Magic Feats.................315
3rd Level Spirits.........................96 Spirit: Quicksilver...................261 Epic Spirit Binding.....................316
4th Level Spirits........................110 Desert Merchant Guild...............262 Six Epic Spirits.........................316
5th Level Spirits........................124 Spirit: Humble Ohbai..............263
6th Level Spirits........................138 Fifth Mountaintop Brigade...........264 Chapter 12: Game Tools..................327
7th Level Spirits........................150 Spirit: Silent Step...................265 Pact Magic Adventure Ideas…......327
8th Level Spirits........................162 The Hatchery...........................266 Designing Spirits.......................330
9th Level Spirits........................170 Spirit: Iona Ophid...................267 Designing Pactmakers.................331
Casters Rebuilt as Binders.........267
Chapter 5: Skills, Feats & Flaws.......179 The Living Flame......................268 Index.................................................332
Skills .....................................179 Living Flame Ambrosia.............268 Main Index..............................332
Pact Magic Feats……...........…..180 Spirit: Jehotek ......................269 Creature Index.........................335
Table: Summary of General Feats...182 Midnight Sun...........................270
Table: Spirits by Constellation.......184 Spirit: Xasa Culthic.................271 Appendix: Open Game License
Table: Occult Domain Paths.........185 Night Watch.............................272 Version 1.0A...........................336

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5
bounty hunter or spy, she binds to a spirit that best matches the notable spirits. Most useful is a natural substance called desert
kind of quarry she is hunting. The occult priest teaches himself spice, which allows a pactmaker to augur his own future to
divine spells as he dares to plumb the spirits for secret knowl- better select a spirit for the day, among other benefits. Finally,
edge for how to become a god. The resilient pact warrior sum- tomes, cloaks, and braziers enhance one’s binding checks.
mons spirits to emulate the tactics of great warriors of yore
Organizations
on the battlefield. The soul weaver pours over spellbooks as a
wizard does while also sealing pacts, resulting in a wide access You will find thirteen organizations each keyed to a different
to magic and the ability to “reweave” the spirits she binds to constellation of spirits, with detailed histories, aspirations, and
include her own spells. There is the unbound witch: a terrifying rules for PCs to advance and gain benefits of membership. Each
binder who can rip apart spirits and use their abilities in ways organization grants its members access to a unique spirit. For
that are hard for others to resist. Finally, the warbinder leads example, the warriors of Death Company seal pacts with Quick
confidently as she shares her abilities with her allies. Silver, the Wind in the Wasteland and seem to resist death;
while members of the Fifth Mountaintop Brigade bind Silent
Feats & Flaws
Step, the Limbless Monk as they seek to subvert the activities
Numerous feats allow pact magic users to alter and augment of those who oppose the use of pact magic.
spirits’ granted abilities and class features. For example, the
Locations
Ignore Binding Requirements feat allows you to bypass the
usual alignment, racial, and skill requirements needed to bind The Apocryphal Desert, the Outer Darkness, the Nightfang
spirits. Feats also allow atlans, demon eye, half-elves, and others Weald, the Ravaged Sea—binders scare young apprentices
to develop key racial traits. A flaw is an adverse penalty that is with tales of these mysterious seams in the fabric of the mul-
taken to gain a bonus pactmaking feat. Finally, each spirit belongs tiverse. Characters might wish to explore the rolling dunes of
to one of thirteen constellations. Thirteen corresponding feats the Apocryphal Desert to find a missing page out of someone’s
allow binders to greatly augment their pacts. life—woe to those whose souls are burned by the noonday sun.
There are no easier quests under the devouring waves of the
Unusual Pacts
Ravaged Sea, where ghostly tendrils of a sundered empire shift
Community pact magic allows binders to affect a town or bri- between reality and nonexistence. The primordial towering
gade of allies or foes, while anima—called generic spirits—can oaks of the Nightfang Weald transform fools into savage mon-
be bound at different power levels and thus are available to sters. The Outer Darkness is no safer. It disgorges bizarre cy-
binders at every level. The Craft Spirit feat allows characters to bernetic pact mages under a impossible configuration of stars.
design their own spirits from aspects of two or more anima.
Creatures
Prestige Classes
Among the new creatures are special companions that may be
You will find numerous prestige classes. The binder sage cul- evoked with a spirit. For example, a binder of Hexus may find
tivates his knowledge of spirits and learns how to interview herself accompanied by a free-willed “living curse.” Pact magic
them. The master soulwright focuses on moving his supernatu- specific creatures include the spiritual vampire, who retains his
ral abilities into items, other creatures, and even locations. His soul even in undeath; and the Lemurian hobgoblin, which is
followers and allies can utilize his abilities, and his stronghold a large-sized, thoroughly infernal goblinoid that is born with
reflects his temperament. The pact magician focuses on acquir- the capacity to seal pacts with the spirits of devils. Adventurers
ing useful pactmaking feats. Another path is as the temporal must beware the flame ghoul, the dalrok, and the priest eater,
binder who joins with an ancient spirit of time to gain faster among other monsters of woe. Characters may also encoun-
movement, undo the ravages of aging, and quicken his spells ter bizarre creatures such as the shark-like soul eater, the tome
and/or supernatural abilities. The ravage hunter tracks and cat that eats legends, the tree of eyes that absorbs and stores
eliminates insane rogue spirits that can possess the unwary, spiritual energy, and beasts that can be “distilled” to improve
while the ravage binder seeks to control these spirits to gain one’s binding capabilities.
eternal life. Perhaps most insidious are the atlan demon binder
Epic Spirits
and the lemurian devil binder who focus on blood-soaked pacts
with abyssal and infernal spirits. These spirits of epic power are blends of opposing forces that
would tear apart a normal binder. Yet those who can master
Spells
The Frost Queen of a Thousand Webs, among other epic spirits,
New spells allow high-level spellcasters to bind with low-level rank among the most terrible of magic users.
spirits while keeping their daily spell repertoire. Also presented
For the Game Master
are spells that correspond to spirits’ granted abilities, to ease
adjudication of their use. In addition, if a deity of pact magic No book is complete without suggestions for game masters.
exists in your campaign, a divine caster can select from several You will find thirteen adventure ideas as well as instructions
pact magic spell domains. for creating your own spirits and classes in order to surprise,
reward, or entrap player characters.
Magic Items
What You Need to Play
Among new items, binding gems allow characters, including
monstrous creatures, to use pact magic briefly in emergencies This book requires the use of the Dungeons & Dragons Player’s
or for a final confrontation. Craft-minded binders can create Handbook, v. 3.5, published by Wizards of the Coast, Inc. If you
tough constructs and shadowy simulacra that host spirits. Items are a game master, you also need the DMG v. 3.5 and the MM v.
such as N’alyia’s set of vampiric teeth afford one the binding of 3.5, published by Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
6
Chapter 1 W a s ?
ho re the pIrIts
INTRReal-world scholars anOd practitioners of pact magic hold vary-
ing perspectives on the nature of the spirits. Drawing from
these sources and common fantasy motifs, the spirits invoked
by pact magic could have different possible origins.
Ancestors: Some souls return to empower the living as gifts
IntroduCtIon
authorized by a people’s gods. These spirits are less like ghosts
and more like divine servants that carry out godly designs.
Exiled or Forgotten Creatures: Spirits of mighty beings
What is pact magic, why might characters utilize it, and what may be lost or exiled. Where are the Olympian gods? Did they
are common reactions to its use? A method of magic translated cease to exist due to neglect? Or do they still reside in some
from medieval works is the basis for pact magic presented here. mysterious place beyond space and time, Heaven and Hell?
Modifications and additions reflect role-playing mechanics as
Fiendish Entities: These evil beings seek to lure mortals
well as the heroic quests and classic themes of Good’s triumph
into selfish power. They may appear regal and helpful, or use
over Evil. Additionally, this chapter explores various questions.
other ruses to confuse and corrupt otherwise hesitant mortals.
How do characters discover spirits? Do priests, wizards, and
Free People: The multiverse, with its mortals, genies, gods,
other characters embrace pact magic, reject it, or twist it to
and other beings, is an illusion or fabrication. Some call it a
their own use? What stories drive heroes, and what can happen
“matrix.” The “real reality” lies beyond the confines of the mul-
when characters quest in search of new spirits? You will find
tiverse. A soul can escape to reclaim its “true” body and free-
answers here to these and other questions, as well as a vignette
dom from slavery. Certain beings likely patrol the boundary
illustrating a day in the life of a spirit binder.
between the multiverse and this reality, monitoring events.
Nature Spirits: These are the essence of
mmoouunnttaaiinnss,, oocceeaannss,, ffoorreessttss,, aanndd pprrooggeenniittoorr
aanniimmaallss ssuucchh aass BBrrootthheerr CCooyyoottee aanndd tthhee GGrreeaatt
BBeeaarr.. SSuucchh ssppiirriittss hhaavvee tthheeiirr oowwnn ppeerrssppeeccttiivveess
aanndd ggooaallss.. AAtt bbeesstt,, mmoorrttaallss ccoonncceeiivvee ooff nnaattuurree
ssppiirriittss iinn hhuummaann tteerrmmss iinn oorrddeerr ttoo ggrraasspp tthheeiirr
ssiiggnniiffiiccaannccee aanndd ttoo ttrryy ttoo nneeggoottiiaattee ffoorr iinnfflluueennccee
oovveerr tthhee ccaapprriiccee ooff tthhee nnaattuurraall wwoorrlldd.. WWhheetthheerr
ppeeooppllee sshhoouulldd iinntteerraacctt wwiitthh tthheessee ssppiirriittss iiss aann--
ootthheerr mmaatttteerr.. CCoonnssiiddeerr tthhaatt aa lliioonn mmaayy bbee ““nnaattuu--
rraall,,”” bbuutt ttooyyiinngg wwiitthh aa hhuunnggrryy lliioonn iiss aa ffoooolliisshh
aanndd ddaannggeerroouuss pprrooppoossiittiioonn..
Otherworldly Beings: These spirits hail
ffrroomm rreeaallmmss wwee ffaaiill ttoo uunnddeerrssttaanndd,, ppllaacceess ooff
sshhaaddoowwss,, rreefflleeccttiioonnss,, tthhoouugghhttss,, aanndd ddrreeaammss..
MMaannyy ooff tthheessee bbeeiinnggss ppoosssseessss ttrriicckksstteerr--lliikkee qquuaall--
iittiieess aanndd ccaann bbee ddaannggeerroouuss bbeeccaauussee wwee ddoo nnoott
uunnddeerrssttaanndd hhooww ttoo ddeeaall wwiitthh tthheemm..
Prisoners: In Greek mythology, the gods im-
pprriissoonneedd tthhee rreebbeelllliioouuss ttiittaannss.. IInn ootthheerr mmyytthhss,,
ddeemmoonnss aarree oofftteenn ccoonnssiiggnneedd ttoo ffuummee iinn ddaarrkk
ppiittss.. YYeett tthheeiirr ppoowweerr ccaann bbee ttaappppeedd ffrroomm tthheessee
Azos the binder researches a spirit’s legend,
twilight prisons by following eldritch rituals.
geometric seal, and summoning ceremony.
Psychological Aspects of One’s Self: The mind is a
tangle of archetypes, half-thoughts, psychic potentials, and sto-
ry threads that may harnessed when we shun what we think we
know. Strange rituals evoke these fragments of the self. Perhaps
the evoked qualities hint at a next step in evolution.
Transcendent Souls: This perspective teaches that the ma-
INTRODUCING PACT MAGIC terial body is a crude, loathsome husk, a trick foisted by an evil
INTO YOUR CAMPAIGN entity. However, bright individuals can shed their crude bodies
There are several ways to place pact magic in an ongoing cam- through the acquisition of gnostic knowledge. The spirits have
paign. The simplest way is to describe it as an ancient art that used this knowledge and may share it with special mortals.
is lost to time. This explains why it is “new” yet full of history
and options. A character might find a tome, meet a binder, Although this book does not take a hard stance to advocate
stumble upon an ancient artifact, or be approached by agents one specific perspective, most of the spirits presented here
traditionally allied with or against a spirit’s cause. Because any were once mortals, demons, or angels whose souls now lin-
spellcaster can learn to seal a pact with a spirit, options such ger in some remote, unknowable place. An intriguing and flex-
as these work well for most adventuring bands. ible location for the spirits is outside the multiverse of planes,
7
aallll ttooggeetthheerr bbeeyyoonndd ssppaaccee,, ttiimmee,, aanndd eexxiisstteennccee.. TThhiiss aapppprrooaacchh nnaattuurraall ppaarrtt ooff yyoouu,, oofftteenn uussaabbllee aatt wwiillll aallll ddaayy lloonngg..
aalllloowwss cchhaarraacctteerrss ooff aallll eetthhooss aanndd mmoorraallss ttoo sseeaall ppaaccttss aanndd NNooww,, tthhee bbiinnddeerr ssuummmmoonnss tthhee ssppiirriitt.. TThhiiss iiss nnoott aa ttrriivviiaall mmaatt--
eexxpprreessss hhuummaanniissttiicc ssttoorriieess tthhaatt aarree ffaammiilliiaarr ttoo tthheemm wwhhiillee nnoott tteerr.. JJuusstt mmoovviinngg sslliigghhttllyy oouuttssiiddee tthhee mmaaggiicc cciirrccllee,, mmiissssiinngg aa sstteepp
iinntteerrffeerriinngg wwiitthh aa ccaammppaaiiggnn sseettttiinngg’’ss ccoossmmoollooggyy.. AAlltteerrnnaattiivveellyy,, iinn tthhee cceerreemmoonnyy,, oorr mmaakkiinngg ssoommee ootthheerr mmiissttaakkee ccaann lleeaadd ttoo
ssppiirriittss hhaaiill ffrroomm ppllaanneess ooff eexxiisstteennccee ccoorrrreessppoonnddiinngg ttoo tthhiirrtteeeenn sseerriioouuss ccoonnsseeqquueenncceess.. TThhuuss,, aa ppaacctt mmaaggiicc uusseerr mmuusstt aatttteemmpptt aa
ccoonnsstteellllaattiioonnss.. IIff yyoouu wwiisshh,, wwiitthhiinn yyoouurr ccaammppaaiiggnn sseettttiinngg,, bbiinnddiinngg cchheecckk ttoo ssuummmmoonn aa ssppiirriitt wwiitthhoouutt eerrrroorr.. SSoommee ssppiirr--
vvaarriioouuss ggrroouuppss mmaayy hhaavvee iinnccoommppaattiibbllee aannsswweerrss,, oorr ttaakkee ssttaanncceess iittss aarree ffaarr mmoorree ddiiffffiiccuulltt ttoo ssuummmmoonn tthhaann ootthheerrss aarree.. AAss tthhee
ttoo ffuurrtthheerr tthheeiirr oowwnn aaggeennddaass eevveenn iiff tthheeyy kknnooww tthhee ttrruutthh.. ssuummmmoonneerr eevvookkeess tthhee ssppiirriitt,, hhee mmaayy eexxppeerriieennccee wwaavveess ooff eemmoo--
ttiioonn,, bbooddiillyy sseennssaattiioonnss,, oorr ootthheerr pphheennoommeennaa tthhaatt tthhrreeaatteenn ttoo
ccoonnffuussee hhiimm aanndd ccaauussee aa mmiissttaakkee..
SSoommee ppeeooppllee ssaayy tthhaatt wwiitthh ttrraaiinniinngg
tthheeyy ccaann sseeee aa ssppiirriitt mmaanniiffeesstt iinn tthhee ssaammee
wwaayy tthhaatt aa ppssyycchhiicc ccaann vviieeww aauurraass.. TThhee
ssppiirriitt mmaayy aappppeeaarr aass ssoommeeoonnee ffaammiill--
iiaarr;; oofftteenn,, hhoowweevveerr,, iitt hhaass aa tteerrrriibbllee oorr
ffrriigghhtteenniinngg aappppeeaarraannccee tthhaatt ccoommbbiinneess
vvaarriioouuss hhuummaann,, aanniimmaalliissttiicc,, aanndd ssuu--
ppeerrnnaattuurraall qquuaalliittiieess..
NNeexxtt,, tthhee bbiinnddeerr aanndd ssppiirriitt nneeggoottiiaattee..
TThhiiss rreeqquuiirreess aa ffoorrcceeffuull aanndd ssmmooootthh
ppeerrssoonnaalliittyy ttoo oobbttaaiinn aa ssppiirriitt’’ss ffaavvoorr..
EEaacchh ssppiirriitt rruulleess oovveerr aa tthheemmee.. TThhee
ssppiirriitt wwiisshheess ttoo ddoommiinnaattee tthhee bbiinnddeerr
ffoorr iittss oowwnn eennddss.. IIff tthhee nneeggoottiiaattiioonn
ggooeess wweellll,, tthheenn tthhee ssppiirriitt ggrraannttss tthhee
bbiinnddeerr mmaasstteerryy ooff ffoouurr ttoo ssiixx aabbiilliittiieess
tthhaatt ffiitt wwiitthh tthhaatt tthheemmee.. IInn eexxcchhaannggee,,
tthhee ssppiirriitt hhaass ggaaiinneedd aa ffooootthhoolldd oorr
wwiinnddooww iinnttoo tthhee wwoorrlldd..
IIff aa ppaacctt mmaaggiicc uusseerr iiss ccaarreeffuull,, hhee
sseeccuurreess aabbiilliittiieess ffoorr aa sshhoorrtt ppeerriioodd,,
ttyyppiiccaallllyy aa ffeeww hhoouurrss ttoo aa ffeeww ddaayyss.. FFoorr
ccoonnvveenniieennccee,, tthhiiss iiss 2244 hhoouurrss iinn ggaammee
tteerrmmss.. TThhee bbiinnddeerr ggaaiinnss ssuuppeerrnnaattuurraall
aabbiilliittiieess ssuucchh aass bbrreeaatthhiinngg ffiirree,, ddoommiinnaattiinngg
mmoonnsstteerrss,, ffoorreesseeeeiinngg tthhee ffuuttuurree,, aanndd llooccaattiinngg ggoolldd
SSuummmmoonniinngg aa ssppiirriitt iinnvvoollvveess ddrraawwiinngg aa uunniiqquuee ddiiaaggrraamm aanndd ffooll-- ccooiinnss..
lloowwiinngg pprroocceedduurreess ssppeecciififi cc ttoo tthhaatt ssppiirriitt.. IIff aa ppaacctt mmaaggiicc uusseerr iiss nnoott ccaarreeffuull,, tthheenn hhiiss ppeerrssoonnaalliittyy mmaayy
sshhiifftt ttoo mmeeeett tthhee ssppiirriitt’’ss nneeeeddss.. IInn ggaammee tteerrmmss,, tthhiiss iinnvvoollvveess ppeerr--
aa tt BB ssoonnaalliittyy qquuiirrkkss aass wweellll aass ppoossssiibbllee aalliiggnnmmeenntt sshhiifftt iiff tthhee bbiinnddeerr
yyppIICCaall IInnddIInngg
mmaakkeess aa mmaajjoorr mmiissttaakkee.. AA mmiissttaakkee mmaayy aallssoo hhaarrmm ootthheerr ppeeooppllee..
CC FFoorr eexxaammppllee,, iiff aa ssttrraayy hhaaiirr ffeellll iinnttoo aann aarreeaa tthhaatt yyoouu uusseedd aass aa
eerreeMMoonnyy
ssuummmmoonniinngg cciirrccllee,, tthheenn tthhee oowwnneerr ooff tthhaatt hhaaiirr mmiigghhtt ssuuffffeerr aa
AA ppaacctt mmaaggiicc uusseerr,, aallssoo ccaalllleedd aa bbiinnddeerr,, ssuummmmoonnss ssppiirriittss aanndd pprriiccee ffoorr tthhee bbeenneeffiittss tthhaatt yyoouu eennjjooyy.. SSiimmiillaarrllyy,, aa bbiinnddeerr mmaayy
eennjjooyyss tthheeiirr aaiidd.. HHooww ssppeecciiffiiccaallllyy ddooeess tthhiiss wwoorrkk?? MMoosstt ooff tthhee eexxppeerriieennccee bboonnuusseess aanndd ppeennaallttiieess wwhheenn ddeeaalliinngg wwiitthh aa ssppiirriitt’’ss
ddeessccrriippttiioonn hheerree ddrraawwss ffrroomm rreeaall--wwoorrlldd ppaacctt mmaaggiicc,, wwiitthh ssoommee ttrraaddiittiioonnaall eenneemmiieess aanndd aalllliieess;; oonnee ooff tthhee ssppiirriitt’’ss ffooeess mmiigghhtt bbee
aalltteerraattiioonnss ttoo ffiitt aa hheerrooiicc ffaannttaassyy sseettttiinngg.. TThhee pprroocceessss iiss vvaarriioouussllyy oonnee ooff tthhee bbiinnddeerr’’ss bbeelloovveedd ffaammiillyy mmeemmbbeerrss!!
rreeffeerrrreedd ttoo aass ssuummmmoonniinngg aa ssppiirriitt,, eevvookkiinngg aa ssppiirriitt,, ppaaccttmmaakkiinngg,, FFiinnaallllyy,, aa bbiinnddeerr rreecceeiivveess ttaaccttiiccaall bboonnuusseess wwhheenn hhee aaccttiivveellyy
oorr sseeaalliinngg aa ppaacctt.. HHeerree aarree ttyyppiiccaall sstteeppss.. ssttrriivveess ttoo lliivvee oouutt aa ssppiirriitt’’ss ssttoorryy aanndd aassppiirraattiioonnss.. TThhiiss rreepprree--
FFiirrsstt,, aa bbiinnddeerr rreesseeaarrcchheess aa ssppiirriitt,, iinncclluuddiinngg iittss nnaammee,, aassssooccii-- sseennttss aa ddeeeepp ssiimmppaattiiccoo bbeettwweeeenn ssppiirriitt aanndd bbiinnddeerr.. TThheessee bboonnuuss--
aatteedd ggeeoommeettrriicc sseeaall,, aanndd lleeggeennddss.. HHee wwiillll wwaanntt ttoo ffiinndd oouutt hhooww eess aarree mmiinnoorr bbyy tthheemmsseellvveess;; bbuutt wwhheenn aaddddeedd ttooggeetthheerr,, tthheeyy ccaann
ffiitt hhee iiss ttoo cchhaannnneell tthhaatt ppaarrttiiccuullaarr ssppiirriitt.. WWhheenn ssuummmmoonniinngg aa bbeeccoommee mmaajjoorr aaddvvaannttaaggeess..
ssppiirriitt rreeqquuiirreess aa bbiinnddeerr ttoo ssppeeaakk eellvviisshh tthheenn hhee wwaannttss ttoo lleeaarrnn
tthhiiss llaanngguuaaggee bbeeccaauussee eevveenn aa ssmmaallll mmiissttaakkee iinn pprroonnuunncciiaattiioonn ss rr
ooCCIIeettaall eeaaCCttIIoonnss ttoo
mmiigghhtt ccaauussee aann uunnwwaanntteedd eeffffeecctt..
FFoorr tthhee nneexxtt sstteepp,, tthhee bbiinnddeerr pprreeppaarreess ttoo ccoonnjjuurree tthhee ssppiirriitt.. pp
aaCCttMMaaKKIInngg
TThhiiss iinnvvoollvveess ddrraawwiinngg aa mmaaggiicc cciirrccllee tthhaatt ccoonnttaaiinnss tthhee ssppiirriitt’’ss
ggeeoommeettrriicc sseeaall,, aanndd tthheenn ppeerrffoorrmmiinngg aa rriittuuaall.. TThhee rriittuuaall mmiigghhtt DDiissccoovveerryy aanndd ppoowweerr aarree eexxcciittiinngg,, bbuutt tthhee ccoonnfflliiccttss aanndd ccoonnssee--
bbee ssiimmppllee oorr ccoommpplleexx.. PPaacctt mmaaggiicc rreeqquuiirreess pprreeppaarraattiioonn aanndd qquueenncceess tthhaatt ffllooww ffrroomm bbiinnddiinngg ssppiirriittss ccaann bbee mmoorree eexxcciittiinngg,,
uunniinntteerrrruupptteedd ccoommpplleettiioonn oovveerr tthhee ccoouurrssee ooff sseevveerraall mmiinnuutteess.. aanndd mmoorree ddaannggeerroouuss.. SSoommeettiimmeess,, wwhheenn aa ppeerrssoonn uunneeaarrtthhss
TThhiiss ddiiffffeerrss ffrroomm tthhee uussuuaall rroollee--ppllaayy ssppeellllccaassttiinngg.. TThhee aaddvvaannttaaggee ssoommeetthhiinngg oolldd tthheenn ssoocciieettyy eemmbbrraacceess iitt.. OOfftteenn,, hhoowweevveerr,, lloorree
iiss tthhaatt oonnccee yyoouu aaccqquuiirree aa ssppiirriitt’’ss aabbiilliittiieess,, tthhoossee aabbiilliittiieess aarree aa hhaass bbeeeenn ffoorrggootttteenn ffoorr aa rreeaassoonn.. PPeerrhhaappss ppaacctt mmaaggiicc ffeellll oouutt ooff
8
PPPPPP MMMMMM AAAAAA
AAAAAACCCCCCTTTTTT AAAAAAGGGGGGIIIIIICCCCCC IIIIIINNNNNN CCCCCCTTTTTTIIIIIIOOOOOONNNNNN
“““HHHiiisss HHHooollliiinnneeessssss,,, ttthhheee AAArrrccchhhooonnn,,, hhhaaasss aaapppppprrrooovvveeeddd yyyooouuurrr sssuuuggggggeeessstttiiiooonnn tttooo ddoo bbeetttteerr ttoo sslloowwllyy ffllaayy hhiimm..
aaapppppprrreeehhheeennnddd ttthhheee cccooorrrrrruuupppttteeeddd ooonnneeesss,,,””” ttthhheee bbbiiissshhhoooppp tttooolllddd AAAllleeexxxaaannndddrrraaa... HHHiiisss SShhee ccaauugghhtt hheerrsseellff aanndd mmeeddiittaatteedd uuppoonn KKaaiiyyaa’’ss wwaarrmm ssmmiillee..
tttooonnneee wwwaaasss gggrrraaavvveee,,, aaannnddd hhheee lllooooookkkeeeddd hhheeerrr iiinnn ttthhheee eeeyyyeee aaasss iiifff ccchhheeeccckkkiiinnnggg hhheeerrr “““YYYooouuu’’’rrreee nnnooottt wwwhhhaaattt III eeexxxpppeeecccttteeeddd,,,””” AAAllleeexxxaaannndddrrraaa sssaaaiiiddd ssswwweeeeeetttlllyyy tttooo RRReeexxx
ffaaiitthh,, aass iiff sshhee mmiigghhtt bbee ppoosssseesssseedd.. aass tthheeyy wwaallkkeedd ttoowwaarrdd tthhee ssoouutthheeaasstt,, aalloonngg aa bbuussyy ssttrreeeett..
“““TTThhhaaannnkkk yyyooouuu,,,””” AAAllleeexxxaaannndddrrraaa sssaaaiiiddd qqquuuiiieeetttlllyyy,,, aaannnddd bbbooowwweeeddd llliiiggghhhtttlllyyy... “““III wwwiiillllll ““OOhh yyeeaahh??”” HHee ssaaiidd.. ““IItt’’ss nniiccee ttoo ggeett ssoommee aapppprreecciiaattiioonn..””
ttaakkee tthhee uuttmmoosstt rriigghhtteeoouuss ccaarree..”” TTThhhaaattt iiisss iiittt,,, AAAllleeexxxaaannndddrrraaa ttthhhooouuuggghhhttt,,, KKKaaaiiiyyyaaa’’’sss gggrrraaaccceeefffuuulll tttooonnnggguuueee iiisss ttthhheee
OOOvvveeerrr ttthhheee nnneeexxxttt ttthhhrrreeeeee dddaaayyysss,,, bbbrrrooottthhheeerrrsss aaattt ttthhheee lllooocccaaalll mmmooonnnaaasssttteeerrryyy iiddeeaall wwaayy ttoo lleeaadd RReexx ttoo hhiiss ddoooomm..
ppprrreeepppaaarrreeeddd mmmaaattteeerrriiiaaalllsss aaannnddd rrreeevvviiieeewwweeeddd ppprrroooccceeeddduuurrreeesss tttooo sssuuummmmmmooonnn ttthhhrrreeeeee AAAllleeexxxaaannndddrrraaa cccaaauuuggghhhttt hhheeerrrssseeelllfff aaagggaaaiiinnn... SSShhheee ssshhhooooookkk hhheeerrr hhheeeaaaddd aaasss iiifff tttooo
ssspppiiirrriiitttsss... AAAllleeexxxaaannndddrrraaa wwwooouuulllddd bbbiiinnnddd wwwiiittthhh PPPaaavvvaaatttuuu,,, CCChhhiiilllddd ooofff ttthhheee WWWiiinnnddd... wwaakkee hheerrsseellff ffrroomm EEtthhaanniiaall’’ss iinnfflluueennccee..
HHHeee wwwaaasss fffrrriiieeennndddlllyyy iiifff sssooommmeeewwwhhhaaattt fffllliiiggghhhtttyyy... TTThhheeennn ttthhheeerrreee wwwaaasss KKKaaaiiiyyyaaa,,, AAAvvvaaa--- ““YYoouu ookkaayy??”” RReexx aasskkeedd,, ccoonncceerrnneedd..
tttaaarrr ooofff GGGrrraaaccceee... SSShhheee wwwaaasss ooonnnccceee aaa bbbeeeaaatttiiifffiiiccc aaannngggeeelll wwwhhhooo vvvooollluuunnnttteeeeeerrreeeddd hhheeerrr ““YYeess,,”” sshhee rreepplliieedd.. ““MMaayybbee II aamm oovveerrllyy pprreeppaarreedd ffoorr ttooddaayy..””
ggoodd--ggrraanntteedd ssoouull ssoo tthhaatt mmoorrttaallss mmiigghhtt bbeetttteerr ccoommbbaatt eevviill.. “““YYYeeeaaahhh??? YYYooouuu hhhaaavvveee nnnooottt ssseeeeeennn wwwhhhaaattt III hhhaaavvveee ssseeeeeennn... TTThhheeeyyy ssstttaaabbbbbbeeeddd ttthhhaaattt
“““IIIfff wwweee wwweeerrreee tttooo hhhaaavvveee aaa fffaaavvvooorrriiittteee,,, iiittt wwwooouuulllddd sssuuurrreeelllyyy bbbeee KKKaaaiiiyyyaaa,,,””” ttthhheee pppoooooorrr ccchhhaaappp... III wwwaaatttccchhheeeddd aaasss ttthhheee gggrrriiimmmoooiiirrreee dddeeevvvooouuurrreeeddd hhhiiisss ssspppiiirrriiittt,,, jjjuuusssttt
bbrrootthheerrss iinnffoorrmmeedd hheerr wwiitthh eeaarrnneesstt cchhiippppeerrnneessss.. sssooo ttthhheee lllooottt ooofff ttthhheeemmm cccooouuulllddd gggaaaiiinnn aaa llliiittttttllleee eeexxxtttrrraaa pppooowwweeerrr... TTThhheeennn hhhooorrrnnnsss
TThhee llaasstt ssppiirriitt wwoouulldd bbee EEtthhaanniiaall MMiiddnniigghhtt.. aaannnddd ssscccaaallleeesss aaappppppeeeaaarrreeeddd ooonnn ttthhheeeiiirrr fffaaaccceeesss... TTThhheeeyyy wwweeerrreeennn’’’ttt ttthhheee
HHee wwaass aa vveessttiiggee ooff aa sseerriiaall kkiilllleerr tthhaatt eevveenn tthhee ssaammee aafftteerr tthhaatt..””
NNiinnee HHeellllss hhaadd rreejjeecctteedd.. TThhiiss wwoouulldd bbee tthhee TTThhheee tttwwwooo aaarrrrrriiivvveeeddd ooonnn aaa ssstttrrreeeeeettt cccooorrrnnneeerrr fffiiiffftttyyy pppaaaccceeesss
ffiirrsstt ttiimmee ffoorr AAlleexxaannddrraa wwiitthh hhiiss ssppiirriitt,, aanndd fffrrrooommm ttthhheee mmmaaannnsssiiiooonnn... IIItttsss hhhiiiggghhh wwwaaallllllsss aaannnddd tttaaallllll ooovvveeerrrgggrrrooowwwnnn
oonnllyy tthhee sseeccoonndd ttiimmee ffoorr tthhee bbrrootthheerrss.. SShhee wwaass ttrreeeess oobbssccuurreedd mmoosstt ooff tthhee aaccttuuaall bbuuiillddiinngg..
ssttiillll sshhoocckkeedd tthhee AArrcchhoonn aapppprroovveedd ooff bbiinnddiinngg ““YYoouu ggoo iinn ffiirrsstt,,”” sshhee ssaaiidd.. ““TThheenn II wwiillll ffoollllooww..””
hhiimm.. YYeett,, EEtthhaanniiaall wwaass tthhee oonnllyy ssppiirriitt ttoo ggrraanntt RRReeexxx wwwaaalllkkkeeeddd ooovvveeerrr,,, sssiiigggnnnaaallleeeddd ttthhheee ggguuuaaarrrddd aaasss hhheee hhhaaaddd
aa ssuummmmoonneerr tthhee aabbiilliittyy ttoo rreeaalliiggnn aa ccrreeaattuurree’’ss llleeeaaarrrnnneeeddd,,, aaannnddd wwweeennnttt iiinnnsssiiidddeee... AAAfffttteeerrr tttwwwooo mmmiiinnnuuuttteeesss,,, ttthhheee kkkeeeeeennn
mmoorraall oouuttllooookk ttoo iittss ccaauussee.. eeeaaarrr ooofff PPPaaavvvaaatttuuu’’’sss ssspppiiirrriiittt pppiiiccckkkeeeddd uuuppp RRReeexxx’’’sss cccooonnnvvveeerrrsssaaatttiiiooonnn wwwiiittthhh aaa
““DDoonn’’tt wwoorrrryy ddeeaarr,,”” tthhee bbrrootthheerrss ooffffeerreedd.. ““IIff gggnnnooommmeee aaannnddd aaannn eeelllfff... TTTooo hhheeerrr eeeaaarrr,,, ttthhheeeiiirrr vvvoooiiiccceeesss cccaaarrrrrriiieeeddd cccllleeeaaarrrlllyyy ooonnn ttthhheee
ttthhheee AAArrrccchhhooonnn aaapppppprrrooovvveeesss,,, ttthhheeennn iiittt iiisss ttthhheee wwwiiillllll ooofff ooouuurrr gggoooddd... AAAnnnddd sssuuurrreeelllyyy,,, wwiinndd.. IItt wwaass ttiimmee..
wwhheenn iiss iitt nnoott aa ggoooodd ttiimmee ttoo rreeddeeeemm tthhee ffaalllleenn??”” AAAllleeexxxaaannndddrrraaa ssstttrrrooodddeee cccooonnnfffiiidddeeennntttlllyyy tttooo ttthhheee eeennntttrrraaannnccceee... AAA gggooobbbllliiinnn ggguuuaaarrrddd
DDDuuurrriiinnnggg ttthhheee ttthhhrrreeeeee dddaaayyysss’’’ ppprrreeepppaaarrraaatttiiiooonnn,,, AAAllleeexxxaaannndddrrraaa ssstttuuudddiiieeeddd ttthhheee jjuummppeedd oouutt ttoo bblloocckk hheerr wwaayy..
ppprrrooofffiiillleeesss ooofff hhheeerrr qqquuuaaarrrrrryyy,,, aaa bbbaaannnddd ooofff ooonnnccceee---hhheeelllpppfffuuulll aaadddvvveeennntttuuurrreeerrrsss nnnooowww ““YYoouu,, hhaalltt!!”” TThhee ggoobblliinn ssaaiidd.. ““TThhiiss iiss pprriivvaattee pprrooppeerrttyy..””
ttaaiinntteedd bbyy ffiieennddiisshh bblloooodd.. TThhee bblloooodd mmaaddee tthheemm ppoowweerrffuull.. “““EEEvvviiilll iiisss nnneeevvveeerrr ppprrriiivvvaaattteee,,,””” ssshhheee rrreeessspppooonnndddeeeddd... “““YYYooouuu nnnooowww hhhaaavvveee aaannn oooppp---
OOOnnn ttthhheee ssseeecccooonnnddd dddaaayyy,,, aaa sssooouuulll wwweeeaaavvveeerrr kkknnnoooccckkkeeeddd aaattt ttthhheee mmmooonnnaaasssttteeerrryyy’’’sss pppooorrrtttuuunnniiitttyyy tttooo cccooonnnfffeeessssss yyyooouuurrr sssiiinnnsss aaannnddd sssuuurrrrrreeennndddeeerrr yyyooouuurrrssseeelllfff...””” AAAnnngggeeellliiiccc
lllaaarrrgggeee iiirrrooonnn---oooaaakkk dddoooooorrrsss... HHHeee wwwooouuulllddd fffooorrrtttiiifffyyy AAAllleeexxxaaannndddrrraaa’’’sss mmmiiinnnddd uuusssiiinnnggg KKaaiiyyaa wwaass ssppeeaakkiinngg tthhrroouugghh hheerr..
ssspppeeellllllsss... FFFooorrr ttthhheee fffiiirrrsssttt tttiiimmmeee iiinnn aaannnyyyooonnneee’’’sss mmmeeemmmooorrryyy,,, ttthhheee AAArrrccchhhooonnn hhhaaaddd TTThhheee gggooobbbllliiinnn gggaaavvveee hhheeerrr aaa fffuuunnnnnnyyy lllooooookkk... AAAsss ssshhheee sssttteeeppppppeeeddd fffooorrrwwwaaarrrddd,,, iiittt
aapppprroovveedd tthhee aaiidd ooff aa wwiizzaarrdd aanndd pprraaccttiittiioonneerr ooff ppaacctt mmaaggiicc.. dddrrreeewww aaa dddaaaggggggeeerrr fffrrrooommm iiitttsss sssllleeeeeevvveee iiinnntttooo iiitttsss pppaaalllmmm aaannnddd llluuunnngggeeeddd tttooo ssstttaaabbb
“““IIIttt’’’sss aaallllll aaalllccchhheeemmmyyy aaannnddd sssccciiieeennntttiiifffiiiccc fffooorrrmmmuuulllaaa,,,””” hhheee iiinnnfffooorrrmmmeeeddd hhheeerrr... hhhheeeerrrr.... FFFFoooorrrrttttuuuunnnnaaaatttteeeellllyyyy,,,, PPPPaaaavvvvaaaattttuuuu wwwwaaaassss aaaatttt AAAAlllleeeexxxxaaaannnnddddrrrraaaa’’’’ssss ccccoooommmmmmmmaaaannnndddd.... EEEEvvvveeeennnn iiiiffff
“““EEEvvveeennn wwwiiittthhh aaa fffeeewww mmmiiissstttaaakkkeeesss,,, ttthhheee ppprrreeessseeennnccceee ooofff KKKaaaiiiyyyaaa’’’sss ssspppiiirrriiittt......... yyyeeesss,,, ttthhhiiisss gggooobbbllliiinnn wwweeerrreee aaa wwwaaarrrrrriiiooorrr kkkiiinnnggg ooofff aaa ttthhhooouuusssaaannnddd bbbaaattttttllleeesss,,, iiittt hhhaaaddd nnnooo
yyeess...... wwiillll cchheecckk EEtthhaanniiaall’’ss mmaalliiggnn tteennddeenncciieess..”” ccchhhaaannnccceee... PPPaaavvvaaatttuuu’’’sss wwwiiinnnddd pppuuussshhheeeddd aaasssiiidddeee ttthhheee gggooobbbllliiinnn’’’sss aaarrrmmm aaasss iiifff iiittt wwweeerrreee
OOOnnn ttthhheee mmmooorrrnnniiinnnggg ooofff ttthhheee ttthhhiiirrrddd dddaaayyy,,, AAAllleeexxxaaannndddrrraaa wwwoookkkeee fffrrrooommm aaa aa bbrraanncchh iinn aa ggaallee..
nniigghhttmmaarree,, bbuutt ccoouulldd rreemmeemmbbeerr nnootthhiinngg.. TThhiiss wwaass tthhee ddaayy.. AAAllleeexxxaaannndddrrraaa ssstttrrrooolllllleeeddd pppaaasssttt ttthhheee wwwrrrooouuuggghhhttt---iiirrrooonnn gggaaattteee aaannnddd dddooowwwnnn ttthhheee
TThhee cceerreemmoonnyy wweenntt ffllaawwlleessssllyy.. ffrroonntt ggaarrddeenn ppaatthh ttoo tthhee mmaannssiioonn’’ss ssoolliidd ooaakk ddoooorr..
““NNoo eerrrroorrss wwee ccoouulldd tteellll,,”” tthhee bbrrootthheerrss rreeaassssuurreedd hheerr.. TTTwwwooo ggguuuaaarrrdddsss tttrrraaaiiinnneeeddd cccrrrooossssssbbbooowwwsss ooonnn hhheeerrr fffrrrooommm aaa llleeedddgggeee aaasss ttthhhrrreeeeee
HHHooowwweeevvveeerrr,,, AAAllleeexxxaaannndddrrraaa fffeeelllttt aaagggiiitttaaattteeeddd hhhooouuurrrsss aaafffttteeerrr EEEttthhhaaannniiiaaalll mmmaaannniii--- mmoorree aarrmmeedd gguuaarrddss eemmeerrggeedd ffrroomm aa sshhaacckk ttoo hheerr rriigghhtt..
fffeeesssttteeeddd hhhiiimmmssseeelllfff iiinnn ttthhheee ccceeerrreeemmmooonnnyyy... HHHeee hhhaaaddd aaappppppeeeaaarrreeeddd sssooo fffrrriiieeennndddlllyyy ““HHaalltt nnooww!!”” OOnnee ooff tthheemm sshhoouutteedd..
ddduuurrriiinnnggg ttthhheee fffiiirrrsssttt fffeeewww ssseeecccooonnndddsss ttthhhaaattt hhheee aaappppppeeeaaarrreeeddd,,, bbbeeefffooorrreee bbbllloooooodddyyy SSSShhhheeee uuuusssseeeedddd tttthhhheeee ooooppppppppoooorrrrttttuuuunnnniiiittttyyyy ttttoooo vvvviiiieeeewwww tttthhhheeeeiiiirrrr aaaauuuurrrraaaassss.... KKKKaaaaiiiiyyyyaaaa’’’’ssss ggggiiiifffftttt ooooffff
hhhooooookkksss eeemmmeeerrrgggeeeddd fffrrrooommm hhhiiisss ssskkkiiinnn... TTThhheee vvviiisssiiiooonnn hhhaaaddd ssseeennnttt AAAllleeexxxaaannndddrrraaa aannggeelliicc ssiigghhtt ttoolldd hheerr aallll tthhee gguuaarrddss hheelldd eevviill iinn tthheeiirr hheeaarrttss..
rrreeeeeellliiinnnggg tttooo ttthhheee eeedddgggeee ooofff ttthhheee sssuuummmmmmooonnniiinnnggg ccciiirrrcccllleee... FFFooorrrtttuuunnnaaattteeelllyyy,,, ttthhheee “““YYYooouuu nnnooowww hhhaaavvveee aaannn oooppppppooorrrtttuuunnniiitttyyy tttooo rrreeepppeeennnttt,,,””” ssshhheee aaannnnnnooouuunnnccceeeddd...
llleeegggeeennndddsss sssaaaiiiddd ttthhhaaattt hhheee nnneeevvveeerrr hhhaaarrrmmmeeeddd aaa hhhaaaiiirrr ooonnn aaa wwwooommmaaannn... TTThhhaaattt wwwaaasss ““TThhrrooww ddoowwnn yyoouurr wweeaappoonnss.. II wwiillll ssppaarree yyoouu..””
wwhhyy tthheeyy ppiicckkeedd AAlleexxaannddrraa ffoorr tthhiiss mmiissssiioonn.. TTThhheee tttwwwooo ggguuuaaarrrdddsss ooonnn ttthhheee llleeedddgggeee fffiiirrreeeddd ooonnn hhheeerrr... TTThhheee fffiiirrrsssttt bbbooolllttt wwwaaasss
““““GGGGoooooooodddd lllluuuucccckkkk!!!! MMMMaaaayyyy tttthhhheeee ggggrrrraaaacccceeee ooooffff tttthhhheeee hhhhoooollllyyyy pppprrrroooopppphhhheeeettttssss ggggoooo wwwwiiiitttthhhh yyyyoooouuuu,,,,”””” oooffffff iiitttsss mmmaaarrrkkk... TTThhheee ssseeecccooonnnddd wwwooouuulllddd hhhaaavvveee hhhiiittt hhheeerrr sssqqquuuaaarrreee iiinnn ttthhheee ccchhheeesssttt...
ttthhheee bbbrrrooottthhheeerrrsss tttooolllddd AAAllleeexxxaaannndddrrraaa aaasss ssshhheee rrrooodddeee aaawwwaaayyy tttooowwwaaarrrddd ttthhheee ccciiitttyyy IIInnnsssttteeeaaaddd,,, KKKaaaiiiyyyaaa’’’sss gggrrraaaccceee tttrrraaannnsssfffooorrrmmmeeeddd iiittt iiinnntttooo aaa sssmmmaaallllll sssooonnnggg bbbiiirrrddd ttthhhaaattt
tttooo mmmeeeeeettt ttthhheeeiiirrr iiinnnfffooorrrmmmaaannnttt,,, RRReeexxx... HHHeee hhhaaaddd sssaaaiiiddd ttthhheee bbbaaannnddd ooofff fffiiieeennndddiiissshhh fflleeww aawwaayy.. AAlleexxaannddrraa ddiidd nnoott eevveenn tthhiinnkk aabboouutt tthhiiss..
aaadddvvveeennntttuuurrreeerrrsss wwwaaasss hhhiiidddiiinnnggg iiinnn ttthhheee sssooouuuttthhheeeaaasssttt qqquuuaaarrrttteeerrr ooofff ttthhheee ccciiitttyyy,,, iiinnn TThhee tthhrreeee ootthheerr gguuaarrddss rruusshheedd hheerr..
aann aarreeaa ooff ssppaacciioouuss wwaalllleedd mmaannssiioonnss.. IIInnnssstttiiinnnccctttiiivvveeelllyyy,,, ssshhheee cccuuuppppppeeeddd hhheeerrr hhhaaannndddsss iiinnn fffrrrooonnnttt ooofff hhheeerrr mmmooouuuttthhh
SShhee mmeett RReexx jjuusstt iinnssiiddee tthhee cciittyy wwaallllss.. HHee wwaass yyoouunngg.. aaannnddd bbbllleeewww ooonnn ttthhheeemmm... PPPaaavvvaaatttuuu’’’sss ssspppiiirrriiittt ppprrroooddduuuccceeeddd aaa gggaaallleee fffooorrrccceee bbblllaaasssttt
“““YYYooouuu wwwiiillllll llleeeaaaddd mmmeee sssaaafffeeelllyyy tttooo ttthhheee mmmaaannnsssiiiooonnn???””” SSShhheee aaassskkkeeeddd hhhiiimmm... ttthhhaaattt kkknnnoooccckkkeeeddd ttthhheeemmm bbbaaaccckkk iiinnntttooo ttthhheee bbbuuussshhheeesss aaannnddd ttthhheee mmmaaannnsssiiiooonnn’’’sss hhhaaarrrddd
““AAnndd tthheeyy aarree nnoott eexxppeeccttiinngg mmee oorr sseett ttoo aammbbuusshh uuss??”” ssstttooonnnyyy wwwaaallllllsss... AAAttt ttthhheee sssaaammmeee tttiiimmmeee,,, iiinnn ttthhheee cccooorrrnnneeerrr ooofff hhheeerrr mmmiiinnnddd,,, ssshhheee
““AAss ffaarr aass II kknnooww,,”” hhee rreepplliieedd.. dddeeettteeecccttteeeddd aaa mmmiiinnnddd---cccooonnntttrrrooolll ssspppeeellllll cccaaasssttt aaagggaaaiiinnnsssttt hhheeerrr,,, bbbuuuttt aaallllll ttthhhrrreeeeee ssspppiiirrr---
EEEttthhhaaannniiiaaalll’’’sss gggiiifffttt fffooorrr dddiiisssccceeerrrnnniiinnnggg tttrrruuuttthhh iiimmmmmmeeedddiiiaaattteeelllyyy tttooolllddd hhheeerrr ttthhhaaattt iittss pprrootteecctteedd hheerr,, eeaacchh iinn iittss oowwnn wwaayy..
RReexx wwaass hhoonneesstt.. YYeett,, aann uunnpplleeaassaannttnneessss ttuuggggeedd aatt hheerr.. SShhee——ooorrr KKKaaaiiiyyyaaa fffiiinnniiissshhheeeddd ttthhheee pppaaattthhh aaannnddd kkknnnoooccckkkeeeddd fffiiirrrmmmlllyyy uuusssiiinnnggg ttthhheee dddoooooorrr’’’sss
mmmmaaaayyyybbbbeeee EEEEtttthhhhaaaannnniiiiaaaallll’’’’ssss ssssppppiiiirrrriiiitttt———cccooonnnsssiiidddeeerrreeeddd hhhooowww tttooo llluuurrreee RRReeexxx tttooo hhhiiisss iiirrrooonnn kkknnnoooccckkkeeerrr... NNNooowww ttthhheee rrreeeaaalll aaaccctttiiiooonnn,,, aaannnddd ttthhheee rrreeeaaalll ttteeesssttt ooofff wwwiiillllllsss
dddoooooommm... AAAllleeexxxaaannndddrrraaa hhhaaaddd tttwwwooo ssshhhooorrrttt ssswwwooorrrdddsss,,, bbbuuuttt hhheeerrr dddaaaggggggeeerrr wwwooouuulllddd wwiitthhiinn hheerr,, wwoouulldd bbeeggiinn..
9
favor. Perhaps it is linked to the follies of a fallen empire, hated Authored by the Gods
cabal, or legendary dragon. Maybe it threatens the status quo.
Spirits move at the behest of gods in fulfillment of complex di-
As you introduce pact magic, consider where it fits in your
vine plans too murky for mortals to see clearly. In this scenario,
campaign. Most likely, not every land or branch of an organi-
priests regulate who may bind. Good churches will authorize
zation responds to binding spirits in the same way. Do people
angelic spirits as gifts or aids for the pious on their quests. Sim-
respond with fear, anger, curiosity, concern, doubt, shame, or
ilarly, chaotic, evil, and lawful churches will promote spirits
another emotion? In addition, the character will likely discover
that align with their causes. Within a pantheon of deities, a con-
that he or she is not the only binder. Here are some common
stellation of spirits might fall within the portfolio of a deity.
reactions to pact magic and typical consequences for binders.
Whatever the specifics, spirits may have been “created” from
a deity’s truest followers or even greatest foes. The spirits act
Unknown and Ignored
as the deity’s ghostly hands to empower worshipers in a way
Pact magic may be new or so rare that few if any have an opin-
that is more potent than individual spells but less disruptive
ion of its use. When asked, spellcasters may dismiss it as a trick
than sending an avatar. Pact mages might form a star-chamber
surely played by magical creatures, or scoff at its likely inferior-
or similar elite unit within a church. Rogue binders who have
ity compared to the established science of spells. Clerics will be
fallen from the faith, as well as spies and double agent binders,
highly skeptical of anything beyond divine purview. The binder
represent ongoing threats and opportunities for adventure.
may encounter ridicule, doubt, or curiosity, but little more.
Embraced As Heroes Of The People
Feared and Persecuted by All
In highly repressive societies, people look to anyone for aid. If
In this scenario, everyone fears pact magic and will betray its
wizards and clerics are instruments or leaders of an oppressive
practitioners. Spellcasters may resent this form of magic be-
regime, then who else can stand up except spirit binders? Some
cause it does not require convoluted casting or sincere prayers.
heroes might rise from the mass of common people, while others
Clergy may preach that the gods reject spirit binding for im-
could be deposed nobles attempting to reclaim their former
portant reasons while arcane casters will develop spells to de-
glory. Either way, the binder likely alternates between careful
tect and combat pacts. Among the common people, physical
concealment of her powers and stunning displays that cheer the
changes and shifts in personality associated with pact magic are
populace and frighten or disparage those in charge. The more
frightening and suggest a binder has gone mad, lost his soul, or
a binder can make authorities look ineffectual, the more likely
is a vehicle for fiendish plans. Kings and other secular leaders
people are to aid her and rally to her cause. In this society, the
reject pact magic because it may induce panic and they cannot
binder likely has potential students or imitators, some of whom
control it. After all, a mage can be bound and gagged and his
may do more harm than good, or are overly eager to move too
components and spellbooks taken away, and a priest can be
soon. The binder must also understand that ultimately, most of
defrocked and/or his god will likely stop granting him spells.
the common people are fatalistic—after all, they have endured
However, a binder relies on no crutches and owes no lasting
their low status for decades or centuries—and will not behave
allegiances; thus, he is viewed as a rogue element that disrupts
as heroically as the binder will. In addition, if a pact magic user
the hierarchy. In this scenario, a binder must keep a low profile
is truly a threat and not just a nuisance then she knows she will
and be certain of his choices and abilities. Preserving the seals,
be a target for witch-hunts wherever she goes.
ceremonies, and legends is also a top priority. Secret societies,
safe houses, and out-of-the-way locations are common, as are
spies, double agents, and slayers sent to ferret out and eliminate COMPARE WITH
binders. ARCANE & DIVINE MAGIC
Summoning spirits is a quick route to power compared to the
Hated by Gods, but Used for Power rigorous study of arcane magic or the difficult tests of faith of
People are rarely willing to forego power; if the balance of divine magic. Therefore, those who are impatient, incompe-
ideological forces is in their favor, or demand is high during a tent, corrupt, destructive, or outright mad can acquire power
time of conflict, then cries of “ungodly” magic will be drowned beyond what many people might say is appropriate for mere
out or given lip service while arcane spellcasters—and pos- mortals to possess. Furthermore, binding spirits is not as pre-
sibly rogue priests—enjoy its power. Secular leaders give quiet dictable as casting spells. Arcane spells are akin to scientific
approval and perhaps sponsor secret societies. While they may tools that a wizard learns to master. Similarly, a deity bestows
proclaim a common bond with clergy, they know that pact divine spells to a follower because of freely given faith and
magic is in their own interests. A binder in this society will adherence to moral strictures. If one commits evil before a
not fret about capture or death so long as he remains discrete. good deity, he will suffer divine wrath. In contrast, a spirit can
Pact magic research for its own sake may be discouraged, and influence a summoner’s personality and seek to fulfill its own
competition between binders may be intense as they rival for agenda. A summoner may become a puppet of his tools and
leaders’ attention. In turn, leaders may direct their brightest lose volition to a strange and possibly vile being. Also consider,
citizens away from the usual paths to train in binder circles. if the spirits reside in some non-space beyond the multiverse,
Secret academies may vie for students. Meanwhile, clergy must then they are outside the purview of gods who hold themselves
be appeased. A binder who earns enemies or is overly blatant as the final arbiters of all things. Historically, the gods may
with his powers risks being handed over to the clergy as a token have banished the spirits for attempting to disrupt the cosmic
example. In times of peace, or when leaders need a scapegoat, order. For these reasons, a character who dabbles in pact magic
binders may discover their luck changes. In addition, wizards will probably discover that his fellow spellcasting adventurers
may ultimately view pact magic as they would view a sorcerer’s are leery at best, and other priests and mages may be doubly
innate talents: as a threat to the science of magic. suspicious, if not outright hostile.
10