Village summoners are the only people besides the Spellbinders who are permitted to use eyestones. Paul and Riana's escapes also add tension, as do the interactions between Spellbinders. The Spellbinders travel large distances in their metal flying ships. Spellbinders get power stones from their lands. Both men are spellbinders in the most laudatory sense of the word. The Spellbinders have discovered the power to create and manipulate static electricity. The spellbinders notice that magical levels all over the world are rising. The Spellbinders are beset with internal conflict due to the deterioration of their technology. Spellbinders communicate with each other with a handheld eyestone. Spellbinders use a small magnetic compass to navigate when travelling on foot or horseback.