A Binding locks a spirit to a certain place or object, or else pushes it away; a Gauntlet Cage “binds” the Gauntlet within the prepared space, which is essentially the opposite of “rending” it. Requiring Prime 4/ Spirit 4, the “cage” Effect raises the Gauntlet rating to 10, while the “binding” Effect traps the spirit within the designated area until either the mage dispels the cage, or the Effect’s Duration ends. Both Effects, in game terms, either prevent the spirit from leaving the warded area, or else lock it outside of the warded area. Each success that the player rolls subtracts one success from the spirit’s attempts to break free.

That Cage and/ or Binding can serve several purposes:

• It can trap the spirit within an object (a globe, a trinket, a mirror, etc.), with an addition of Matter 4); or…

• Create a Fetish with that spirit; or…

• Banish the spirit from the area; or…

• Drive that spirit from a person, animal, or object that the entity has possessed (as described in the Exorcism entry, under Uncanny Influence, p. 125); or…

• Force the spirit into a material body (see The Basics, p. 90); or…

• Bind the spirit to a particular location until the mage decides to release that entity; or…

• Bind that spirit in place while the mage wracks it with pain (see below).

To perform a Cage or Binding upon an unwilling spirit, the player rolls the Effect while the Storyteller rolls the spirit’s Willpower. The player’s difficulty is the spirit’s Willpower, while the Storyteller’s difficulty is the mage’s Willpower. If the player wins, then the spirit is bound for the duration of the spell; if there’s a tie, then both parties roll again; if the Storyteller wins, then the mage is probably in trouble…