AaronH

Essence Binding
Core Principles:

Essence Binding revolves around the fundamental forces of nature, represented by a set of Essences. Each Binder, a magic user in this world, forms a bond with a single Essence during a rite of passage in a mystical location called the Crucible. This bond allows the Binder to channel their Essence and manipulate the world in ways related to its properties. Each Binder can only access the power of their own Essence, and they can't switch or possess multiple Essences.

Accessing Magic:

The onset of magical maturity is marked by a solo journey into the Crucible, where individuals encounter all the Essences, and one forms a bond with them. The process of why a specific Essence chooses a Binder is still a mystery, making it a softer aspect of the system.

Using Magic:

Binders can draw upon their Essence to cast spells or enchant objects. This process requires precise mental focus and a deep understanding of the Essence. Much like Allomancy in Sanderson's Mistborn series, Binders can "burn" a mental image of their Essence to enhance their abilities.

Limitations and Costs:

Using Essence Binding is physically and mentally taxing. Overuse can lead to exhaustion or Essence Sickness, which has varying symptoms based on the Essence.

Learning and Progression:

Knowledge is passed down from master to apprentice. Binders progress by improving their control over their Essence, learning to use it in more nuanced and powerful ways. The limits of their progression often come down to their creativity and understanding of their Essence's potential.

Essences and Powers:

Essences are divided into five categories: Elemental, Living, Architectural, Celestial, and Mystic. Here's a breakdown:

• Elemental Essences:

  • Stone: Binders of Stone have an intimate understanding of all things earthen. They can manipulate rocks and minerals, shaping them to their will, cause tremors, shape stone structures, turn the ground into a mudslide or quicksand, or harden their skin to a stone-like durability.

  • Wind: Wind Binders can control the air around them. Basic abilities include creating gusts of wind, enhancing their own speed, cushioning falls with updrafts. They could potentially manipulate air pressure, create whirlwinds, or even achieve flight.

  • Flame: Flame Binders have the ability to ignite and control fire. They could create fire from nothing, control the size and heat of existing flames, or cause explosions. Advanced users might control the color of flames or absorb heat from their surroundings to create cold zones.

  • Wave: Wave Binders can manipulate water in all its forms. They could move water at will, manipulate tides, or draw water from the air or their surroundings. Advanced users might control the state of water, freezing or vaporizing it at will, or breathe underwater.

• Living Essences:

  • Grove: Grove Binders are in tune with plant life. They can accelerate plant growth, manipulate plant structures, and have a deep understanding of medicinal herbs. Advanced users could control trees to form barriers or bridges, create deadly undergrowth traps, or even commune with ancient trees to gain wisdom.

  • Beast: Beast Binders can communicate with and influence animals. They can call nearby animals to them, calm aggressive animals, or see through the eyes of a creature. Advanced users might be able to physically shape-shift into animals they have deeply connected with.

• Mystic Essences (extremely rare):

  • Void: Void Binders can manipulate nothingness and absence. They can erase an object's presence, make things invisible, or silence sounds completely. At advanced levels, they might be able to create pockets of vacuum or temporarily 'erase' an object from existence.

  • Time: Time Binders can perceive the flow of time and, to a limited extent, manipulate it. They can slow or hasten the perception of time for themselves or others, get brief glimpses of possible futures, or restore objects to a former state. Advanced users might be able to temporarily freeze time around them, or age/de-age objects or people.

  • Space: Binders of the Space Essence can perceive and manipulate spatial dimensions. They may have a natural sense of direction, understand geometric relations intuitively, or subtly distort distances to traverse space quickly. At advanced levels, they could teleport, manipulate gravity, or create pockets of distorted space.

The hierarchy among Binders is determined by the rarity and perceived power of their Essence.

Conclusion:

Binders are an integral part of society, and their abilities can be found in every aspect of life, from labor and construction to warfare, healing, and exploration. However, the Mystic Essences are extremely rare, and most people will never encounter one in their lifetimes. The very existence of these Mystic Binders is often considered myth or legend.