One of the most important components of Animagic of all forms are Links and Bindings.

Links are connections using different combinations of mana and animus between 

• Objects and other Objects
• Physical Sentients and Objects
• Non-Physical Sentients and Objects
• Physical Sentients and Physical Sentients
• Physical Seentients and Non-Physical Sentients

The proportion of mana or animus depends on the type of linkage and the amount of information to be exchange.

The term Link is the generic term for both Links and Bindings, however typically a link is a bidirectional communication link and a binding is predominantly a one way link (with some feedback).  Bindings are typically compulsory in nature, where as links can be either consensual or compulsory.

A link, is a magical connection between a mana wielder and another object, person or being.  When a link is created by a wizard to another object, the creator becomes generally aware of that object or beings proximity, and may easily find and trace the object or being with magical spells.  Links provide pathways that might otherwise be difficult to establish.  One of the most widely used form of links is an Object Link.  

Links allow for the communication or transmittal of:

• Information/communication/location/status
• Animus
• Mana
• Spells/Compulsions/etc.

Links are integral to the work of all the mana wielding professions. Animages, Bards, Clerics, Druids, Wizards, Various Races.

The most commonly used link is an Object Link between a Sentient and an Object, or between two Objects (for Arcane Devices)

The most well known link and the next most common link is the Marriage Link between a married couple, typically created by Clerics or Druids.

Demon bindings are perhaps the most notorious types of links.

Outside of the Marriage Link.  the most common form of link formed with physical living creatures is the Familiar Spell.  In principle any living creature can become a wizards (cleric/animage/druid) familiar, (even another person, although this is rarely done, and is always frowned upon as being rather sick and perverted).  A Familiar spell creates a much stronger link then an Object Link.  In addition to the benefits of an Object Link, a Familiar link also allows the two individuals to share physical damage incurred i.e. pain, mana and animus.  These things are not automatically shared, but upon need, may be called upon by either party.  In addition, a Familiar link allows the wizard (or the familiar) to observe through the senses of the other.  Additionally, empathy of a high level is also present.  Both members of a Familiar link know instantly what the other is feeling.

Since the Familiar link is so intimate, it is a good idea for a mana wielder to have a willing familiar.  If the familiar is unwilling to be associated with the wizard, the wizard can still coerce the Familiar to do the wizard's bidding, however the experience is often unpleasant for both parties.  It is for this reason, that small demons are seldom made familiars of, despite the folk tales.

A Marriage Link is very similar to a Familiar Link, but is much less intense and depending on the magical nature of the couple, less useful.  For two mana wielders the spell is fairly similar to a low intensity Familar Link.

Wizard Links, Animage Links, Clerical Links, Druid Links.

These are links designed to explicitly combine and share mana or animus between multiple wielders, they are a method that allows a group of mana wielders to pool all or part of their mana or animus and allow it to be controlled or directed by one or more representatives of their groups.  These links are typically rather complex and depending on the participants can take some effort to setup and manage.  Most large ritual magic relies heavily on these links.

Bindings

Bindings are something altogether different than links.  A binding is a one way relationship between a master and a slave.  A wizard may bind people, animals, monsters or demons and dragons to him or herself.  In order to create a binding, the true name of the bindee must be known.   Typically no creature may be bound by more than one master, although it does happen with demons on occasions.   If this does happen, typically the most powerful, or longest duration binding takes precedence.

Masters in a binding may trace and locate beings bound to them through certain spells in a manner similar to object link.  Unlike Familiar link, this is not reicprocal, allthough the slave will always be aware of the master's proximity.  Further masters in binding links may command or give direct orders to those bound to them and expect to be obeyed.  Slaves in the binding must actively resist a strong compulsion in order to disobey a direct order.  Further bound slaves will always understand the intent of their master's order, even if spoken in a language the bound slave does not understand.  Further the master has an innate advantage in casting spells upon the slave, they are more likely to work, and work at an enhanced level.