spiritbonded

Spiritbonded is a term used in fantasy fiction and role-playing games to describe a person who maintains a binding relationship with a non-physical spirit. The bond is usually formed through a ritual, a hereditary rite, or a negotiated pact, and it may be voluntary, accidental, or coerced. The spirit can be a guardian, patron, ancestor, or elemental being. The bond typically grants access to supernatural abilities or knowledge drawn from the spirit, such as spellcasting, energy channeling, enhanced senses, or the ability to communicate with other spirits. Physical or symbolic representations—such as a sigil, tattoo, or relic—often mark the bond and can serve as a focus or conduit for power.

Bonds vary in ownership and control. Some spiritbinds live in a balanced partnership with the spirit sharing agency; others are more hierarchical, with the spirit acting as a patron or master. In some settings, the spirit can inhabit the host’s body (a vessel or possession), while in others the connection remains external but influential. The bond can grant protection or insight but carries risks, including possession during stress, debt to the spirit, emotional or spiritual draining, or the spirit’s goals conflicting with the host's.

Spiritbonded lore often explores themes of identity, obligation, and the boundary between self and other. Variants appear across cultures and media, from scholarly orders regulating bonds to rogue practitioners who sever bonds at great peril. In games and fiction, spiritbonding is a common mechanic for expanding character abilities and worldbuilding.