sacban

Sacban is a term used primarily in world-building and fantasy fiction to denote a ceremonial object or insignia associated with binding agreements, oaths, or protective charms. In many imagined cultures, a sacban is presented as a small tablet, plaque, or amulet carved with sigils and set with symbols corresponding to the social contract it represents. The term is often treated as a compound from a fictional language, with sac- meaning sacred and -ban implying binding or ban.

In design, sacban objects vary by culture but commonly feature a central hollow or seal, inscriptions in an invented script, and symbolic inlays such as bone, metal, or stone. Some versions are portable amulets carried by signatories; others are installed in communal spaces as architectural focal points.

Functionally, the sacban serves as a physical focal point for oaths, covenants, or legal attestations within a narrative. Rituals may require witnesses, a specific setting, or the recitation of vows before the sacban is sealed. In many stories, breaking a sacban oath incurs supernatural or social consequences, reinforcing the theme of binding promises.

In contemporary fiction and gaming, sacban has been used as a plot device to explore themes of trust, power, and accountability. It also appears as a collectible artifact, a magical object that grants legitimacy to agreements, or a symbol of sovereignty.

See also: oath stone, binding spell, ceremonial object.