Bound Shard allows a Caster to Summon a minor Elemental entity or entities from one of the Secondary Elemental Planes and bind it into service within a physical object or immovable structure. The Elementals summoned are non-sentient and incapable of understanding or following any command or being communicated with in any way. The bound Elementals have almost no physical form and will perish if removed from the object they are bound to while outside the Plane from which they were Summoned.
The exact effect is determined by the Caster at the time of Summoning and is based upon the Elemental Shard sought. The Ritualist is able to examine items and determine if they have the necessary qualities to hold a Bound Shard before the Ritual is attempted. Items must be specifically created to hold Bound Shards. Bound Shards can be put in items which are primarily furniture or mostly stationary tools. They cannot be put in weapons, armor, shields or other items which see frequent use and manipulation during encounters with combat.
These Elemental Shards:
Water or Order: Can be used to create Ice, chill air, or refrigerate food.
Air of Death: Can be used to create a power source, a source of illumination, or an air-powered siren.
Flame or Chaos: Can create a heating surface to warm rooms or cook food.
Stone or Life: Can be bound to items which require Drainage or work upon or within dirt and stone.
If Targeted with a Destroy Magic the Elemental is destroyed but the Item remains unharmed (the object may hold another Bound Shard if desired). Attempting to Bind more than 1 Shard to an Item causes the existing Shard to dissipate as if Destroy Magic had been cast and will cause the Ritual to Backlash. Any attempt to remove or alter the Bound Elemental in any way causes the Shard to dissipate and be destroyed. Destruction of the item the Shard is bound to will also cause the Shard to dissipate.
Out of Game: Bound Shards are an In Game rationale for many modern conveniences which are necessities for comfort or survival at REFUGE LARP sites. Bound Shard Items must be functioning physical representations of the desired object (i.e. a working stove to create a Bound Flame item). Casters are able to examine items to determine if they are suitable for a Bound Shard and many items in the world, despite their quality, are not (such as Swords, Shields or Jewelry).