Blood Magic

Blood Magic is based on the exploitation of the mystical properties of blood, organs, and other vital fluids, as a representative of their source, of *life-ness*, to employ it as a form of Mystical Material. It is very distinct from other sorceries, which require the use of rare and powerful ingredients for the creation of their spells. The greatest strength of blood magic is that can replace quality with quantity, a sufficient amount of blood can make up for the lack of any mystical material, which is why it is such a tantalizing form of magic for those who lust for power, and bear no remorse for what they need to do to get there. It is because blood magic is so frequently abused by these maniacs - diabolists, demons, psychopaths, cabals - that it is banned by most civilized societies. Unfortunately, these very same tend to practice it in secret, such is its allure.

Although any blood can be used in the rituals of blood magic, the blood of powerful creatures is obviously more potent, and may even bring about unforeseen boons.

## **Mystical Materials**

The only mystical materials that can be used in blood magic are organs and vital fluids, such as semen and, eponymously, blood. A jar or flask worth of these material can be transformed by blood magic rituals into [Vials]. Although any type of organ or fluid will do, different types from different creatures may produce [Vials] with different effects. Additionally, those of creatures from higher Stratum are, naturally, stronger. Below are rulings for such cases that might occur.

### **Stratum**

A [Vial] originating from a creature of a Stratum higher than Mortal will give +1 to the Spell-Casting Bonus and Save DC of its spell per Stratum above that of Mortal. The spell will also inherit the Stratum of its [Vial]'s origin, unless the creator of the [Vial] has an higher Stratum.

### **Mythical Creature**

If the creature from which the [Vial] originates is a Mystical Creature of a particular Way, effects of a spell created with that vial that belong to that Way will have a discount of 1 resource per Stratum of the creature.

### **Special Abilities**

If the creature from which the [Vial] originates has a special racial ability, it may be incorporated into the spell in place of an effect, having a resource cost equal to the creature's Stratum.

## **Rituals**

Blood magic rituals can only be performed on living creatures of flesh and blood, resulting in the creation of a number of [Vials]. Each [Vial] is equivalent to 1 resource for the purposes of creating a ritual spell. A [Vial] must be used to create ritual spell until the end of the ritual that created it, otherwise, it will disappear.

### **Dual Cultivation**

A Dual Cultivation ritual revolves around intaking the life force of another creature, in the form of a vital fluid, to produce a [Vial] that is stored in the recipient's body. In the mystical sense, these rituals consist of the origin of the [Vial] "sharing their life" with the recipient, necessitating the ingestion, in some form, of a vital fluid of the creature. A successful Ritual of Dual Cultivation results in the production of a number of [Vials] up to the recipient's Glamor. A creature can only originate a number of [Vials] without Resting equal to their Physique before accumulating a level of Exhaustion. Each [Vial] extracted after this number will result in the creature accruing an additional level of Exhaustion, which can result in its death. Dual Cultivation Rituals only require 1 minute to complete, but can be prolonged indefinitely to obtain additional [Vials] without damaging their originator. For each hour of time the ritual is extended for, the originators effective Physique, and the recipient's efetive Glamor, for the purposes of the ritual, increase by a value equal to their base amount. A recipient can only hold a number of [Vials] in their body equal to [Glamor \* Stratum]. The only downside to this type of ritual is that it requires the consent of the [Vial]'s origin. A ritual spell created by a Dual Cultivation ritual will be stored within the recipient's body, occupying a [Vial] slot, and last until used. Vampires and succubus primarily rely on this type of ritual.

### **Sublimation**

A Sublimation rituals revolves around the killing of a creature to extract their vital force, which can be transformed into charms, vials or flesh to make [Vials]. In the mystical sense, these rituals consist of the recipient "taking the life" of the creature to originate the [Vial], necessitating the death of their originator. A successful Ritual of Sublimation results in the production of a number any number of [Vials] equal to up to their originator's Physique\*Stratum. These types of rituals take at least one hour to complete, involving the ritual sacrifice of the [Vial]'s originator(s), but can be extended, increasing up to a number of categories equal to the recipient's Stratum (1 hour to 1 day; 1 day to 1 year;...etc) to accommodate further ritual deaths. A ritual spell resulting from a Ritual of Sublimation can be stored in the form of a charm, use an item as a vessel, or be cast immediately. Otherwise, it will phase out and expire.