Dragonbound

Dragonbound

The Saolbind ritual of binding a non-Dragon to a Dragon for the purpose of drawing upon its Grist.

Description

To be Dragonbound is to be gifted a Dragon's power forevermore, for good or ill. These are often Dragon Riders, shaman who represent their interests, the stewards of Dragonbarrows, and their companions or half-breed family. Sometimes this bond signifies an alliance, or a truce between the dragons of hostile countries. Whichever the reason, there is no going back from binding oneself into an entente with these creatures, and this is a powerful bond wrought of a Dragon's Grist that will last until one or both parties perish.

The Process

Begin by convincing the dragon in question - the most difficult aspect of becoming Dragonbound is convincing a dragon to participate in such a thing. Then, question if this is worth it; half of all who attempt this ritual will die. The Dragon will always be fine.

Whilst an Animist presides over the pair chanting hymns of Saol Metaphor in the Draconic tongue, singing of the bond between two, a Dragon must exude its Gristle into a cup - or a kiss - by breathing the breath of Grist without sparking the Metaphor. The one who is not a Dragon will then drink of this black, tarry oil which will then send their body into a stupor of toxic shock.

Falling ill and spasming, the aspiring Dragonbound will fall into a feverish coma after a time, and their mind - their very soul - will drift into the Dragon's at the behest of the Animist's Cant. For the next hour, the Dragonbound will see, feel, and hear as if they were the Dragon, and their soul will twist in upon itself, threatening to snap.

During this time of union, a Dragon will Embody what it means to be what they are, sharing this truth with the soul of their bonded. Then, they will take that which they Seek - or a representation thereof - and breathe their Governed Breath upon it. This shocks the soul back to its own body, and forces the Dragonbound awake.

When the aspirant awakens, the bond is sealed. Dragonbinding will only be broken should they become a Dragon, or if either of them perishes. A Dragonbound can be given Grist and still retain Dragonbound.

Mechanics

In order to become Dragonbound, the non-dragon must expend a Minor Merit, and then the dragon does not expend anything. At that point, the non-dragon may put XP into the Saolbond to unlock further effects. A Dragon only receives the benefit of the second ability. The Dragonbound will only be able to cast up to the same proficiency as their bound Dragon, which should always be a CNPC or another Player Character unless special permission is provided.

Dragonbinding to an Ancient Dragon is lethally dangerous; to survive costs two Major Merits.

Total Experience Invested

00 Experience: The Dragonbound is immune to any form of Outer Alchemy unless deliberately changed by their bound Dragon.

50 Experience: The pair are able to sense the rough positioning of each other's bodies while they are nearby, allowing for graceful positioning of the Dragonbound. With time, they will begin to coordinate their attacks and actions. Furthermore, they will always be able to find each other if they are on the same Plane, able to sense roughly which direction they have gone.

100 Experience: The Dragonbound develops the same senses for what their Dragon Seeks.

150 Experience: The Dragonbound develops the same resistance to a Governed Metaphor as their Dragon's level of Grist.

200 Experience: The Dragonbound at any distance may channel their Dragon's Governed Breath should the Dragon acquiesce to the impulse, drawing from that Dragon's Saol Spell Reserves to do so.

250 Experience: At this tier, a Dragonbound may wield Natare at the competency of their Dragon's Grist. They no longer age, and their body experiences a hearty increase to its strength and constitution.

If one or both parties should perish, Dragonbound will end, and the XP spent will be refunded.

Dragon Sage

Those Dragonbound to multiple Dragons are referred to as Dragon Sages. In order to do so, they must expend an additional Minor Merit as well as 250 XP for each additional Dragon they become Bound to. In this way, Dragon Sages work towards attaining a resistance to every possible Governed Metaphor, as well as access to a Dragon's Spell Reserves for each form of Governed Breath. One who attains resistance to each Governed Metaphor is referred to as a Dragon Lord, an important figure in the Jian Empire.

Dragons may have as many Dragonbound as they like.

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