Mindlink

Mindlinking is the act of connecting the minds of two life forms in order to create a temporary shared consciousness.

Overview

Mindlinking was once exclusively performed by Domonids, as they naturally have the psychic ability to connect their minds with other beings. As primitive Domonids developed symbiotic relationships with the Wild Kreatures inhabiting their environment, this led to their learning how to mindlink with them, developing the art of Kreature Taming. They held a monopoly on this ability until Silarc scientists eventually found a way to replicate it artificially, creating Tamer Amulets. Mindlinking is used primarily by Kreature Tamers to "pilot" their Kreatures, but it's technically possible to mindlink with another person.

During a mindlink's duration, both entities effectively become one, seeing and feeling what the other does exactly as they do. They even share each other's pain and if one is killed during a mindlink then both will die. It requires deliberate effort and deep concentration to maintain a mindlink, though through consistent training it can become easier to perform over time.

Mindlinking is not mind control. In order to set up a link the recipient must consent to it first or it won't work, and they are able to sever the link at any time. Neither does mindlinking give the participants instant access to each other's memories - this also requires permission.

The act of mindlinking is euphoric, with some people even assigning spiritual significance to it, likening it to each inheriting a part of the other's soul. Even those with a more secular or scientific outlook admit that Tamers and their Kreatures tend to rub off on each other.