Sealing
Sealing
Classification: Specialization
Parent School: Abjuration
Sealing is the highly specialized application of Abjuration and Ward magic focused entirely on locking things down—physically, spatially, and magically. It is the art of absolute containment.
Specialization Rules
This is an advanced Specialization. To learn Spells (Powers) in this field, a mage must use their dot-purchase selections from the Abjuration skill track. Furthermore, specific spells within Sealing will explicitly require a secondary prerequisite (such as 1 or 2 dots in collateral Schools) to simulate the mixed-matrix required to cast them.
Progression
Acquiring dots and Powers here requires deep dedication. The spells are extremely potent but narrowly focused.
Example Powers
| Tier | Example Effect | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Arcane Lock | Magically seals a door, chest, or physical container so it cannot be opened by mundane means or lockpicks. |
| Tier 2 | Mana Bind | Wraps a target's hands or casting focus in a restrictive aura, temporarily sealing their ability to shape external mana. |
| Tier 3 | Dimensional Anchor | Locks the spatial fabric around a target or small area, completely preventing them from using or being targeted by Teleportation or Summoning. |
| Tier 4 | Containment Vessel | Creates an absolute, inescapable magical boundary around a creature or spirit, preventing them from leaving a specific physical space or object. |
| Tier 5 | Absolute Seal | A permanent, multi-layered matrix that locks away an immensely powerful entity (like a rogue elemental or ancient spirit) beneath layers of unbreakable Abjuration. |
Lore Deep Dive
The Art of Containment:
While standard Abjuration focuses on deflecting attacks and Ward magic focuses on broad area denial, Sealing is entirely about containment. It is the magic of prisons, vaults, and shackles. A master Sealer does not need to kill a rampaging monster; they simply lock it in a space where it can never, ever leave.
Spatial and Magical Lockdown:
Sealing is not limited to physical doors. Advanced Sealing targets the metaphysical properties of the universe. A Dimensional Anchor seals the very fabric of space, rendering Dimensionalism impossible. A Mana Bind seals a mage's internal mana channels, temporarily cutting them off from their own power.
The Overlap with Artifice:
Because the most powerful Seals are designed to be permanent (such as locking away an ancient evil or securing a royal vault), Sealing relies heavily on the principles of Spell Formula. A Seal is only as strong as its anchor. If the physical anchor (the runic carving, the crystal matrix, the enchanted chains) is destroyed, the Seal collapses.
Design Boundaries
Sealing CAN:
- Lock physical objects, doors, and containers against mundane and magical intrusion.
- Prevent spatial travel (teleportation, portals) within a localized area.
- Bind creatures, spirits, or mages, restricting their movement or spellcasting.
Sealing CANNOT:
- Deal direct physical damage to the target. It is purely restrictive.
- Be easily cast in a split second. Powerful containment seals require complex geometry and physical anchors to maintain their grip.