The Bound
Monsters who choose binding over devouring, evolving from a Warren into a free people.
The Bound are an anomaly in the natural order: monsters who reject the harvest cycle by choosing to bind with one another instead of merely devouring. Beginning as a small group in the First Warren, they gradually expanded their existence through a colony and confederation before establishing deep cities like Marrow and surface settlements such as Dawnhold.
By Book 12, this collective has matured into a free people governed by the Larder Laws. These laws dictate that they must never eat the woken, offer the [Bind] freely to others, bury their dead with respect, and share essence only when strictly necessary.
- Origin
- First Warren
- Final Status
- Free People (Book 12)
- Settlements
- Marrow (Deep), Dawnhold (Surface)
- Core Mechanic
- [Bind] instead of Devouring
- Governance
- Larder Laws
Lore & Background
The existence of the Bound represents a fundamental break in the cycle where monsters typically consume one another. By choosing each other through the act of [Bind], they create a society based on mutual selection rather than predation. This choice allows them to evolve from a simple Warren into complex urban structures, challenging the traditional fate of their kind.
Their society is held together by the Larder Laws, which serve as both a moral code and a practical guide for survival without consumption. The mandate to share essence only to need ensures sustainability, while the prohibition against eating the woken preserves the dignity of consciousness within their ranks.
Did You Know?
- The Bound evolved from the First Warren in Book 1 to become a free people by Book 12.
- They established both deep-city dwellings like Marrow and surface cities like Dawnhold.
- Their moral code, the Larder Laws, strictly forbids eating anyone who is woken.
- Essence sharing among the Bound is permitted only when there is a genuine need.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do the Bound differ from other monsters?
Unlike others, they choose to bind with each other via [Bind] instead of just devouring.
What is the Larder Laws' rule regarding eating?
The laws state that one must not eat the woken and should only share essence to need.
Where did the Bound originate?
They originated in the First Warren as described in Book 1.
What is their status by the end of the series?
By Book 12, they have evolved into a free people with established cities.