A Bond of Authority is between a character and an Institutions. The character acknowledges and accepts an Entity’s authority over them.
The “Voice of Authority” grants the Entity or those it delegates to be able to command, without resistance, the actions of the character bonding to the authority. And commands from the Voice of Authority must be obeyed and is accepted as justified in the eyes of the Entity – even if the character themselves does not understand. This cannot absolutely cause the character to throw their life away for nothing, it would have to be perceived to be an act the protect the faith, and involve some active participation in protecting the entity (not just ‘walk off this cliff in service to me’). Examples of the use of a Voice of Authority:
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Making the Bond:
Elan Building: This particular activity, along with Mystic Offerings to or time serving a Prime Entities, Time in Service to Prime Institutions or Entities, acquiring knowledge and experience arduously and over great amounts of game time (beyond Character Inception), Acts altering the outcome of great conflicts or the lives of many in general, and enhancing capabilities to an epic level can all build Elan.
A Vow (Sworn Word) to demonstrate that it is the absolute acceptance of the tenets of the Entity of Authority (Principal, Personal, Community, or Institution) and strict adherence to the idea and letter of its precepts that fuels the success of the character giving their Sworn Word. The sacrifice (usually in a Vow to give up something) demonstrates that it is the source of the Vow that sustains the Vow-Maker, that their belief in it will deliver something of equal or greater value in service to the Entity they swear to.