Higher Bound

A young man in studded leather armor clashes with a monstrous creature, and suddenly erupts with a burst of light. A creature of white and gold whips around him as he bats the beasts blows aside and scores hit after hit. He twists and thrusts his palm into the man's chest as light surges through the beast. An arrow flies forward hitting the beast in the chest and causes him to erupt with light and collapse, limp, to the side.

Sparks fly from the battle that rages ahead of the old wizened warrior. A powerful aura of white and blue alights around him and surges forth at his command. The light rushes to a faltering section of the line, and suddenly a barrier of white light enfolds the men that were falling, protecting them. The light acts as a small bulwark, allowing the warriors' allies to regroup and recover, ready to step back into the fray after a moments rest.

A woman in scale mail is stabbed through the gut as a bandit rips the blade out ready to move to the next person. Light of white and black begins to seep from the fallen traveller. The wound bubbles out a black tar like substance and the woman stands again, taking out her blade which suddenly pulses with a darkened light. The light seems to flood from her and into the blade as the woman rushes forward with ferocity.

A Bond Between Souls A Higher Bound is an individual of great resolve that has made a connection to one of the faded Higher Beings of the planes. This bond allows the Higher to grant strength in a myriad of ways to the bonded individual. The Higher themselves are the ones who select the individual and form the bond. The bond and granting of power usually consumes the Higher and they become a part of their bonded, but many times the Higher will become a wisp of light about a foot tall that can change form. The bonded individuals are almost always strong of will and have something to fight for. The Higher beings were once capable of contending with the gods themselves, but they fell to a curse that sapped away nearly everything they were. Few were able to escape their fate and had to fade to a state the curse could not harm. Though this put them in a position where they could hardly interact with the world around them. Their minds have dulled due to this state and they now float between and through planes, drawn to those with the desire to change their world. As the bond strengthens and grows, the Higher, if it was not consumed in the bonding process, may slowly regain its mind.

The Ability to Fight The Higher Bound fight for what they believe in, whatever that may be. Who they were before acts more like a template to who they become after the bond takes effect. Their resolve heightens and they become significantly more capable. A Higher Bound can come from any walk of life, but usually see some injustice or something significant that they believe should change. Their willingness to throw everything away to at least try and set things right is what draws a Higher to eventually bond with them. Combat is where the Higher Bound shines brightest, figuratively and literally. The light that surrounds them in the midst of danger acts as a protective aura, and the power that imbues their attacks causes them to be truly devastating. These warriors are fit for the front lines and thrive in the heat of a dangerous fight.

Creating a Higher Bound As you make your higher bound, the main thing to think about would be what you wanted to change in the world so badly you drew a Higher to bond with you. Were you an urchin and saw the way those above you were unfairly able to have anything they wanted while you struggled to survive. Did you watch as a group of monsters or marauders were allowed to destroy your home because some baron couldn’t be bothered to set patrols properly? Did you stand witness to needless murder or slavery of a people simply because they spoke a different language and had less developed weaponry? Perhaps you watched as someone rose to a position through bribery or some other means of trickery that you strove so hard for and felt you deserved instead. The Higher have an odd sense of morality and do not discriminate based upon any sort of moral compass. This allows a Higher Bound to have any alignment, but they will almost always have strong beliefs and a forceful will.