Twine Encyclopaedia: Mindbond (Mutt)

Mindbonds in Muttiverse species are seen in many different forms and relationships. They have some features in common with other mindbonds.

1. Vocabulary

: 1.1. Skewed
: 1.2. Low-level
: 1.3. High-level
: 1.4. Emotion bleed
: 1.5. State-of-mind transfer
: 1.6. Mind-to-mind
: 1.7. Shielded
: 1.8. Deepcore
: 1.9. Control

2. Muttiverse bond classifications

: 2.1. Family class
: 2.2. Demon class

1. Vocabulary

There are some specific terms used in Muttiverse bond studies.

1.1. Skewed

Bond is unequal, biased towards one side

1.2. Low-level

The bond affects (changes) the participants' mental makeup in a fundamental way. Often allows for secure communication.

1.3. High-level

The bond only affects the 'high levels' of consciousness - it may only work when a participant wants it to. A high-level bond is less likely to suffer emotion bleed and more likely to be removable.

1.4. Emotion bleed

Emotions of one bondmate leak across the bond, affecting the other's mood (often unconsciously)

1.5. State-of-mind transfer

One bondmate can consciously affect the mood of another, to calm, comfort etc.

1.6. Mind-to-mind

Thoughtspeech, like a two-way radio. Method of communication varies (text, sound, picture...)

1.7. Shielded

When talking about mind-to-mind communication in general, means that it is concealed from anyone but the bonded. (Also see Shaded telepathy.) In mindbonds, the term refers to protective devices built into the bond's structure itself. The bondmates may be able to provide additional shielding, if they have the skill.

1.8. Deepcore

Deepcore is a term referring to the fastest and securest communication theoretically and practically possible, found only in roots-level (i.e. the lowest level) bonds.

Generally, as is the case with demonic bonds, there is no way to intercept deepcore communication short of destroying the bond itself (which is not something your character can do unless you agree differently with Mutt).

A low-level bond may have other, less secure levels of communication possible as an alternative, making it possible for a telepathic individual to join in the conversation (or to be deliberately allowed to 'overhear' something).

1.9. Control

One bondmate can affect the other's actions. Varies from mild suggestion to out-and-out "possession" (as in a demon/hellhound pair). This is thought to be exclusive to skewed bonds.

2. Muttiverse bond classifications

2.1. Family class

Family-class bonds are so called because they were first observed amongst blood relatives. They were named according to the relationships where they were first or most commonly found. These bonds have only been observed in highly social species with strong family or tribal ties. Bear in mind that these are rough classifications and that bonds can change over time (eg from parental to something more equal).

Bloodbond

Most basic family-class bond
Between any blood relatives
Not skewed
Danger, death notification
No emotion bleed
No state-of-mind transfer
Does not allow mind-to-mind communication
No control

Parentbond

Between parent (generally main carer, usually the mother in the test groups) and child
Skewed to parent's side
Sensitive danger detection (mainly parent's side)
Emotion bleed (exclusively towards parent's side)
State-of-mind transfer (exclusively parent's side)
Does not allow mind-to-mind
Some control (exclusively parent's side)

Sisterbond

Between siblings (male, female, other or mixed)
Rarely skewed, can depend on age difference
Danger, death notification
Some emotion bleed
No state-of-mind transfer
Very rarely allows mind-to-mind
No control

Twinbond

Closest of family-class bonds, found only in littermates (rarely clutchmates)
Not skewed
Sensitive danger, death notification
Emotion bleed (both directions)
Some state-of-mind transfer (both directions)
Mind-to-mind communication, usually shielded
No control

For certain of the species examined, mindbonds such as these were found to be very common. In the majority of the test groups, however, such connections were very rare (and were often shown to indicate particular uncommon mental attributes).

2.2. Demon class

See their own page.

Demon-hellhound

Most common bond
Always between one demon and one hellhound
Heavily skewed to demon's side
Heavy emotion bleed
Very effective state-of-mind transfer (demon's side only)
Intimate, multi-level mind-to-mind communication, deepcore, heavily shielded
Allows for absolute control (demon's side only)

Demon-demon

Rarely seen now (Great War era), more common in the past
Between two demons (triple bonds are unheard of, taboo and thought to be impossible)
Not skewed
Heavy emotion bleed
Some state-of-mind transfer (both directions theoretically, though usually used by just one of the pair)
Intimate, multi-level mind-to-mind communication, deepcore, heavily shielded
Control, although theoretically possible if consensual, has not been observed