2025 Mar 28: Incantation Bowls

 Incantation bowls are a common magic item sold for relatively cheap in most markets. As the name suggests, they are simple bowls with written incantations on their inner surface. They are used to trap demons and other spirits by slapping the bowl on top of the creature. Unless there is a large gap between the bowl and the ground, the demon or spirit cannot leave. 

Incantation bowls come in different sizes and can be made from various materials, depending on the creature they are meant to trap. Larger entities obviously require larger bowls, though it must be noted that only the entity's original size counts for trapping purposes. Spirits or demons who have shapeshifted into larger sizes will shrink down to their original size when they come into contact with the bowl. Stronger entities require stronger incantations, which require the bowl to be made out of different materials than the standard clay or wooden bowls. 

Incantation bowls can be made for general use, against specific types of entities, or even personally customized for specific demons or spirits. The more specific the bowl is, the easier (and cheaper) it is to make, and the more powerful entity it can trap. Therefore it is often worth investigating exactly which entity is plaguing someone before such a bowl is made or purchased.

As mentioned before, these bowls can be purchased in most places pre-made, as anyone who knows how to write, and is familiar with the sacred incantations to be inscribed on them can produce them. However, most bowls for sale are rather weak, being made out of clay, and bearing a very general kind of incantation. Unscrupulous individuals have even taken on selling fake incantation bowls with nonsense written on them, which of course don't work, but can fool illiterate costumers into buying them. For this reason it is inadvisable to purchase cheap incantation bowls, unless one knows how to read, in which case they can probably produce their own anyway.

Demons and spirits of course are quite afraid of such bowls, so certain wealthy cities have giant steel bowls inscribed with the names of well-known demons to keep them away with just the threat of using them.

Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons