Umbral Bond Altar
The Umbral Bond Altar ties two players together in a lasting Umbral Bond, which then appears on both of their scans. Forming a bond costs 25.00 Essence from each of you — 50.00 between you — and both of you have to agree to it in person at the altar.
Forming a bond
Touch the altar and choose Form Bond. The altar looks for other players within 10 metres and lists them for you to pick from. If the person you want is not on the list, move closer together and choose Refresh.
Once you have picked someone, they are shown the terms — what it costs, that you both have to stay near the altar, and that either of you may later end the bond alone — and they choose whether to accept. Nothing is taken from either of you unless they accept.
If they accept, they are asked to write a vow of between 10 and 160 characters, and then you are asked to write your answering vow. Both of you must still be within 10 metres of the altar, and of each other, when that second vow is sent. Your Essence is taken at that moment, 25.00 from each of you, and the bond is made.
The ceremony
The altar then speaks the rite aloud to everyone nearby, over about half a minute: your partner's vow, your answer, and the sealing of the bond, with the altar lit throughout. Your vows are only ever spoken if the bond succeeds. If either of you declines, cancels, walks out of range, runs out of time, or cannot pay, nothing is charged and nothing is said aloud.
Severing a bond
Touch the altar while you are bonded and choose Sever Bond. Severing costs 25.00 Essence, and only you need to be at the altar — your partner does not have to agree, and is told once it is done. You are asked for parting words and then given a last confirmation before anything is taken.
If you have less than 25.00 Essence you cannot sever the bond until you have earned enough.
