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【SPIRIT CONTRACTS】
Starsand Sandbox
.
Spirit Contracts
(What IS a Spirit Contract?)
In the world of kami&spirits, a spirit is a soul without a body. Prior to the reveal of magic five years ago, spirits were invisible, mute, and alone. They existed in a dimension called the Spirit Realm and could not even interact with fellow spirits. Unless they were lucky enough to become a kami, they would burn up their energy and die unnoticed.
This changed five years ago, when the world was blessed by the kami of love. Her power allowed for spirits to become visible. They were still weak and unable to taste, touch, or be heard, but at least they had the chance to be acknowledged. In theory, an acknowledged spirit could gather faith magic in the same way as a kami and gradually manifest in the Physical Realm. Which is where spirit contracts come into play.
A spirit contract allows a spirit to become a minor kami. The person they contract becomes a spirit medium, whose job it is to gather faith for their spirit. In exchange, the spirit loans their power to the spirit medium. This creates a positive cycle of faith, where the spirit medium uses their spirit's power to create miracles, gather more faith, and become stronger.
The in-verse term for this relationship is Sacred Child. The tradition of Sacred Children used to be exclusive to kami, but in the new era it has become possible for any spirit to have a Sacred Child.
In short, these contracts allow a physical being to harness spirit magic. By working hard to gather faith for their contracted spirit, this person is able to strengthen their spirit's magic and by extension their own. They are typically mutually beneficial and a common practice around Starsand city, though not all spirit contracts result in powerful spirits.
This changed five years ago, when the world was blessed by the kami of love. Her power allowed for spirits to become visible. They were still weak and unable to taste, touch, or be heard, but at least they had the chance to be acknowledged. In theory, an acknowledged spirit could gather faith magic in the same way as a kami and gradually manifest in the Physical Realm. Which is where spirit contracts come into play.
A spirit contract allows a spirit to become a minor kami. The person they contract becomes a spirit medium, whose job it is to gather faith for their spirit. In exchange, the spirit loans their power to the spirit medium. This creates a positive cycle of faith, where the spirit medium uses their spirit's power to create miracles, gather more faith, and become stronger.
The in-verse term for this relationship is Sacred Child. The tradition of Sacred Children used to be exclusive to kami, but in the new era it has become possible for any spirit to have a Sacred Child.
In short, these contracts allow a physical being to harness spirit magic. By working hard to gather faith for their contracted spirit, this person is able to strengthen their spirit's magic and by extension their own. They are typically mutually beneficial and a common practice around Starsand city, though not all spirit contracts result in powerful spirits.
(Contract Types)
Spirit contracts come in 5 primary types, which are defined by the primary goal of the contract. These types are:
All contracts start "weak," which means that they are barely noticeable. Fallen Stars seem to be able to grow a contract's power faster than regular civilians and will begin to notice changes in their spirit's power within a week. It's up to player discretion to decide how quickly a contract grows, but there are some things to keep in mind. For example, a contract's greatest limiting factor is the Sacred Child who made it. If the Sacred Child does not believe in their spirit, then their spirit cannot grow. Peaceful characters may find it hard to train an offensive spirit and violent characters may not ever be able to train a healing spirit.
Secondly, Sacred Children need to actively work to improve their spirit's power. They can do this by talking about the spirit, showing off their growing power, drawing them, creating a little home for them, etc. Anything that ties the spirit to the Physical Realm can help strengthen them. This will take time and patience, which should be reflected by acknowledging the spirit in roleplay tags.
- Elemental: These contracts focus on harnessing one elemental power. This power is commonly used for mundane things (ex.: Wind Spirits substituting for an AC unit, Water Spirits creating rain,) but can be trained for defensive or offensive purposes. For some reason, only Fallen Stars have been able to train elemental spirits to do battle.
- Companion: These contracts focus on companionship. They are the most common contract type among civilians. Companion spirits can help with chores, deliver messages, and otherwise provide companionship. In exchange, they share senses with their Sacred Children and can taste food, feel touch, and even use their Sacred Children to communicate through. A powerful companion spirit can manifest as a physical being and almost blend in with regular society, aside from being slightly translucent.
- Healing: These contracts can heal their Sacred Child and repair damage to items. They can heal the friends of their Sacred Child, provided that the friends share faith in one another. A powerful healing spirit can reverse the damage on broken objects and even stop time for a few seconds.
- Defensive: These contracts focus on protection. They create invisible barriers for their Sacred Child that can neutralize spirit magic and similar attacks. A strong defensive spirit could stop a bullet. They can be trained to protect large areas and to guard against curses. It's quite common for at least one member of a household to form a defensive spirit contract.
- Cursing: These contracts are secretive and shameful, for obvious reasons. A curse contract is formed with the intent of causing pain and suffering to another person. They can create accidents, cause sickness, or generally haunt a person's mind. However, curse contracts warp their spirits. Though they quickly become powerful, they need to be constantly cursing someone. Otherwise, their magic redirects to their Sacred Child.
All contracts start "weak," which means that they are barely noticeable. Fallen Stars seem to be able to grow a contract's power faster than regular civilians and will begin to notice changes in their spirit's power within a week. It's up to player discretion to decide how quickly a contract grows, but there are some things to keep in mind. For example, a contract's greatest limiting factor is the Sacred Child who made it. If the Sacred Child does not believe in their spirit, then their spirit cannot grow. Peaceful characters may find it hard to train an offensive spirit and violent characters may not ever be able to train a healing spirit.
Secondly, Sacred Children need to actively work to improve their spirit's power. They can do this by talking about the spirit, showing off their growing power, drawing them, creating a little home for them, etc. Anything that ties the spirit to the Physical Realm can help strengthen them. This will take time and patience, which should be reflected by acknowledging the spirit in roleplay tags.
(How To Form a Contract)
Spirit contracts can be formed at any time, though some events may encourage them more or make the process easier. At their core, a spirit contract is a very simple ceremony. The Sacred Child acknowledges their spirit by giving them a name and offering them a small shrine. Usually the shrine will be a portable item, like a keychain or piece of jewelry. Some shrines will be built into a household instead. The point is that, until they get stronger, the spirit is tied to this object. The contract must then be acknowledged by a 3rd party, who hears the name and sees the new shrine.
Names come from the Sacred Child and should reflect closeness. Names that are similar to that of the Sacred Child themselves, a close friend, or favorite food/item/animal/etc. seem to result in stronger contracts. The more thought that goes into a name, the more effective it will be.
However, this only the bear minimum. By making a bigger deal out of the contract ceremony, a spirit and their Sacred Child can start their relationship with more power. It's common to host a party in honor of the spirit or to buy very flashy shrines in order to celebrate them. Getting a kami's blessing can also increase the likelihood of a contract being successful.
In the early days of a contract, the spirit will require a lot of attention. It'll be like a Tamagotchi and need frequent acknowledgment in order to stay attached to its shrine. If it isn't acknowledged then the connection may break and the contract will fail. After the first week, the spirit will require far less attention.
Contracts can be broken by breaking the shrine.
If the Sacred Child dies, then the spirit will try to keep them tethered to Physical Realm until someone can revive them. Provided they're on good terms.
It is possible to form multiple contracts, but it becomes difficult to manage more than one. There must also be a week between contracts in order to let the bond form.
Names come from the Sacred Child and should reflect closeness. Names that are similar to that of the Sacred Child themselves, a close friend, or favorite food/item/animal/etc. seem to result in stronger contracts. The more thought that goes into a name, the more effective it will be.
However, this only the bear minimum. By making a bigger deal out of the contract ceremony, a spirit and their Sacred Child can start their relationship with more power. It's common to host a party in honor of the spirit or to buy very flashy shrines in order to celebrate them. Getting a kami's blessing can also increase the likelihood of a contract being successful.
In the early days of a contract, the spirit will require a lot of attention. It'll be like a Tamagotchi and need frequent acknowledgment in order to stay attached to its shrine. If it isn't acknowledged then the connection may break and the contract will fail. After the first week, the spirit will require far less attention.
Contracts can be broken by breaking the shrine.
If the Sacred Child dies, then the spirit will try to keep them tethered to Physical Realm until someone can revive them. Provided they're on good terms.
It is possible to form multiple contracts, but it becomes difficult to manage more than one. There must also be a week between contracts in order to let the bond form.
(Consequences of a Contract)
A low leveled spirit contract is generally harmless. Low-leveled spirits do not require anything more than light acknowledgment and a friendship. These spirits may not be able to do more than light a match, but they can benefit from companionship and be very happy.
Even at higher levels, a powerful spirit can be kept healthy simply by gathering faith. They can be fed Starling to sustain themselves and travel further away from their Sacred Child and shrine.
The greatest danger of a spirit contract comes when either party is in danger or becomes hurt. Spirits become more emotionally attached to their Sacred Children as their bond, and power, grows. They are known to lash out in defense of their Sacred Children and become especially unstable if the child is injured. Similarly, when a spirit becomes hurt then their Sacred Child will feel compelled to protect the spirit. Sacred Children have been known to act rashly if their spirit is hurt and to lose control over their shared powers.
In these cases, the shrine is quickly destroyed to sever the link and protect both parties.
If the attachment was strong, then a broken shrine will leave the Sacred Child feeling weak and sickly for at least a week afterward. They will heal slowly during this time. Gradually their health will return.
If a Sacred Child dies, then their spirit contract is forcibly broken. The spirit becomes unable to form a new contract, except with those that their Sacred Child told their name to.
Even at higher levels, a powerful spirit can be kept healthy simply by gathering faith. They can be fed Starling to sustain themselves and travel further away from their Sacred Child and shrine.
The greatest danger of a spirit contract comes when either party is in danger or becomes hurt. Spirits become more emotionally attached to their Sacred Children as their bond, and power, grows. They are known to lash out in defense of their Sacred Children and become especially unstable if the child is injured. Similarly, when a spirit becomes hurt then their Sacred Child will feel compelled to protect the spirit. Sacred Children have been known to act rashly if their spirit is hurt and to lose control over their shared powers.
In these cases, the shrine is quickly destroyed to sever the link and protect both parties.
If the attachment was strong, then a broken shrine will leave the Sacred Child feeling weak and sickly for at least a week afterward. They will heal slowly during this time. Gradually their health will return.
If a Sacred Child dies, then their spirit contract is forcibly broken. The spirit becomes unable to form a new contract, except with those that their Sacred Child told their name to.
(Spirit Contracts & Rumors)
Unfortunately, contracted spirits are as susceptible to Rumors as any other spirit is.
Rumors can be created about a spirit providing that the other party knows two of three things: The spirit's name, their shrine, and their Sacred Child's name. As long as two of these three things are included in a Rumor, it can interfere with the spirit's power and corrupt them.
For low-level spirits, this may simply involve their abilities being changed. It is frighteningly common how many people make up stories about their spirits in an attempt to turn something defensive into something offensive. The Rumor's power will reflect the spirit's existing power level, so cannot be used to boost a spirit. Only change it.
But for higher-level spirits, the Rumor can have more drastic effects. Not only can the spirit's abilities be manipulated, but the Sacred Child can be manipulated through their spirits. This is very uncommon and difficult to achieve, but dangerous all the same. Strong-willed Sacred Children can call their spirit back and break the Rumor, provided that they know what that Rumor is.
Full-fledged Rumors are difficult to break a contract with. They gradually switch their shrine from the item offered during contracting to the Rumor itself. This means that even destroying the item will eventually not be enough. Either the spirit or their Sacred Child will need to be destroyed in order to sever the bond and dissolve the Rumor.
Rumors can be created about a spirit providing that the other party knows two of three things: The spirit's name, their shrine, and their Sacred Child's name. As long as two of these three things are included in a Rumor, it can interfere with the spirit's power and corrupt them.
For low-level spirits, this may simply involve their abilities being changed. It is frighteningly common how many people make up stories about their spirits in an attempt to turn something defensive into something offensive. The Rumor's power will reflect the spirit's existing power level, so cannot be used to boost a spirit. Only change it.
But for higher-level spirits, the Rumor can have more drastic effects. Not only can the spirit's abilities be manipulated, but the Sacred Child can be manipulated through their spirits. This is very uncommon and difficult to achieve, but dangerous all the same. Strong-willed Sacred Children can call their spirit back and break the Rumor, provided that they know what that Rumor is.
Full-fledged Rumors are difficult to break a contract with. They gradually switch their shrine from the item offered during contracting to the Rumor itself. This means that even destroying the item will eventually not be enough. Either the spirit or their Sacred Child will need to be destroyed in order to sever the bond and dissolve the Rumor.
(How to Establish a Contract - OOC)
When possible, please try to contact me/Berri about contracts! I can help make sure we both understand what you want and warn you of any IC consequences.
Once you're ready to have your character establish the contract, please fill out this form and post it to the appropriate claim thread. If your character is evolving one spirit into two contracts, please claim the spirit in both sections.
FORM:
POST IT HERE:
Once you're ready to have your character establish the contract, please fill out this form and post it to the appropriate claim thread. If your character is evolving one spirit into two contracts, please claim the spirit in both sections.
FORM:
POST IT HERE:
no subject
1) would it be possible to create a contract with a spirit outside of the normal means?
2) can we put a spirit into a physical body (i.e: make it into a homunculus) and would there be consequences to this action at all?
3) would it be possible to give the spirit power through something other than faith to be used as a substitute?
4) also this is specific to nullification abilities, but: i know we're talking about spirits gradually being able to have multiple abilities, but would it be possible to like. have spirits use certain abilities that surpass the nullification while others wouldn't? my example being like: a spirit being able to use magic healing on inaba even with nullification on but not being able to like, use any offensive magic on her, specifically.
no subject
Yes. The most important part of a spirit contract is the name. The shrine and ceremony exist as safety precautions for breaking contracts.
2) can we put a spirit into a physical body (i.e: make it into a homunculus) and would there be consequences to this action at all?
Spirit can be put into physical bodies. If they gain too much faith magic, the body will behind to fall apart.
3) would it be possible to give the spirit power through something other than faith to be used as a substitute?
Spirits must be powered by faith, yes. Other energy sources will make them sick and cause them to slowly fade out of existence.
4) also this is specific to nullification abilities, but...
Yes. The long and short being that magic in this world occurs in two ways: Manipulating existing reality or reinventing it. If a spirit were to heal Inaba by accelerating her body's natural healing, it could theoretically bypass her nullification. but this is a can of worms, so explore the concept as much or as little as you like.
no subject
would the answer for 2 or 3 be readily available information that can be learned easily or is this something that echidna would have to find out through experimentation?
no subject