Bind & Seal
Binding and sealing is the effect type that restricts movement, agency, or capacity. Rather than harming or benefiting the target, the operation simply takes options away — locks a door, freezes a movement, prevents an action, contains a power.
Its strength is precision and reversibility. Bindings can be tuned to restrict exactly what needs restricting and nothing else; they don't inherently destroy what they bind, which means they can be undone when circumstances change. Its weakness is duration — most bindings need ongoing maintenance, and an unmaintained binding eventually decays.
On this page we walk binding and sealing's character, operational styles, and limits.
Core characteristics
The defining properties that set this category apart from others.
- Restricts optionsTakes options away rather than inflicting harm.
- PreciseCan target exactly what needs restricting.
- ReversibleDoesn't inherently destroy what it binds.
- Maintenance-boundMost bindings need ongoing maintenance.
How it differs from neighboring categories
Even within the same family, each category has a distinct character. Comparing side by side is the fastest way to grasp the differences.
Binding / Sealing
Restricts movement, agency, or capacity.
Curse
Inflicts harm rather than restricting.
Blessing
Grants benefit rather than restricting.
Transformation
Changes the target rather than restricting.
When binding sorcery shines
Best when the operation needs to take options away precisely.
- ContainmentContaining a dangerous power or being.
- ImprisonmentHolding a target without harming them.
- Locking accessRestricting access to a place or thing.
- Self-restrictionOperations that bind the practitioner's own dangerous capacities.
How binding sorcery splits
Inside the effect, several styles coexist.
Movement bindings
Restricting physical movement.
Agency bindings
Restricting the target's ability to choose.
Sealing bindings
Containing dangerous powers — the most demanding style.
Limits of binding sorcery
Reversibility comes with maintenance.
- MaintenanceMost bindings decay without ongoing maintenance.
- Counter-removalSorcery investigators can detect and remove bindings.
- Pressure buildupSealed powers exert increasing pressure on the binding.
58 data item(s) in this category are currently available only in the Korean source. View the Korean dataset →
How binding sorcerers grow
Their career runs through learning to sustain bindings.
Beginner binding sorcerers learn small movement bindings and basic maintenance.
Mid-rank brings real combat-grade bindings with controlled cost.
High rank brings out signature sealing operations distinctive to the practitioner.
Top-rank binding sorcerers can seal beings far more powerful than themselves through structural bindings.
Reading binding sorcery
Sharpens alongside transformation and the medium types.
Read alongside Transformation as a related restriction-style effect.
Pair with Medium Types to see what mediums best carry bindings.
Return to Effect Types for the big picture.