Blood magic

*For the class, see Blood Mage.*

**Blood magic** is a type of magic that taps into the inherent power of blood to fuel spellcasting, and can be used for violent corrupting purposes such as mind control and demon summoning. Unlike with conventional magic, its users do not touch the Dreaming when casting spells and actually find it harder to enter. They are also more susceptible to demonic possession.

## History

The first person known to wield blood magic was Proteus, an Oremeni dreamer who lived circa **-1595D**. He claimed to have learned the art after personally communicating with the Deceiver Vemon. He used his newfound powers to declare himself king of Oremenia, and spread the worship of the Deceivers. Mages of the Adamantine Ministry today argue that that blood magic was more likely learned from the ancient elves of Elveshaal, though there is no evidence to support either stance. Others yet believe that knowledge of blood magic came from powerful ancient demons known as the Forbidden Ones.

Whatever its ultimate origin, blood magic was used by the magisters of the Adamantium to conquer, and rule over, the whole of Morgaea. History recounts how the magisters used their power to shatter the elven kingdom, sinking their fabled capital city of Hathalas into the ground, and forcing its surviving people into slavery. However, according to the Ministry, reckless use of blood magic eventually led to the tainting of the Golden City, and the subsequent creation of fiends and the Scourges.

## Viewpoints

Use of blood magic has been heavily stigmatized by the Ministry throughout Morgaea. Even the Adamantium publicly disavows the practice of blood magic, despite its near-universal use among the magisters. Fear of blood magic is strong enough that even non-magical fields of research like anatomical studies have been placed under suspicion.

However, not all see blood magic as inherently evil. Some mages argue that it is a tool like any other, and that there is no harm in using it as long as it isn't used to hurt others, such as using one's own blood or that of a willing participant. Blood magic does not necessarily have to be used for wicked pursuits either, it can even be used to heal. Others believe that blood magic is the only type of magic that is truly free, as it is tied to the physical and doesn't favor to spirits or demons. Their detractors point to the destructive nature of blood magic and the constant temptation for more power as justification enough for never using it.

### Sylvan Elves

Though Sylvan elves disapprove of blood magic, many Sibyllan humans believe, and spread, the unfounded rumor that Sylvan elves routinely kidnap and sacrifice human children for use in blood magic rituals. This rumor has persisted for centuries.

### Grey Order

The Grey Order fight fiends by any means necessary, blood magic included. The leaders of the Ministry, and other powerful institutions, are generally willing to look the other way as long as is is used solely against fiends. Some mages therefore believe that only within the ranks of the Grey Order can blood magic be used freely and allowed to flourish in the name of arcane progress.

### Maudesian Ministry

Blood magic is strictly forbidden by the Ministry as part of its formal doctrine. The Institute of Magic endeavors to supervise all individuals with the gift of magic from a young age to ensure none of them ever tap into this forbidden art, under the reasoning that any mage left unsupervised by the Ministry will otherwise succumb to its temptation. However, even their constant supervision allows the occasional maleficist to slip through their fingers, and out into the world.

In her sermons, Matron Augora I defined maleficists as mages who use their powers to dominate hearts and minds, or who use blood, especially the blood of others, to fuel their magic. Apostate was the label she applied to those who reject the Watcher's law. Over the centuries, the Ministry has gone to great lengths to conflate the two terms though, in truth, an apostate is simply a mage who isn't part of the Institute of Magic. Regardless of the actual definition, all apostates are systematically hunted by the Templar Order. While not all apostates start out as blood mages, many turn to blood magic out of desperation to survive or escape imprisonment. Maleficists and apostates are generally executed on sight.

There is a significant exception to the Ministry's strict ban on blood magic, however, in the form of phylacteries; magical blood vials used by templars to track down apostates. The creation of phylacteries isn't just tolerated by the Ministry, it is standard practice when a new mage is brought to the Institute. Phylacteries are created by the First Arcanist or an Arcanist. The Ministry doesn't seem to recognize this kind of practice as blood magic, though.

#### Anderlay

The mages of Anderlay are part of the Mortis Conclave, also known as the "Death Mages of Anderlay," a group that studies death extensively and experiments with necromancy. While well-respected within Anderlay, some mages outside the kingdom's borders believe that the Mortis Conclave is a death cult carrying out grisly rituals in the Grand Necropolis. While necromancy technically qualifies as blood magic, its practice by the Mortis Conclave doesn't seem to be considered as such by the Mortis Conclave themselves, or the Ministry. And Mortis Conclave mages are still considered part of the Institute; in fact, the seat of the College of Arcanists is located in the Anderan city of Umberland.

### Orcimar

Under the Orc, mastery of the self is the first and greatest duty. As mages are constantly at risk of losing themselves to demons, the Orcimar believe that it makes them inherently dangerous, and call them jatnavhas; "a dangerous thing." Blood magic is especially abhorrent to the Orcimar; those found or suspected of having used blood magic or having been corrupted by demons will have their tongues cut so that they may not corrupt others, or will be killed outright, as will be those who came into contact with an unsupervised jatnavha.

### The Adamantium

In the Adamantium, blood magic is officially discouraged, but is widely, if quietly, practiced. Since Sibylla specifically spoke against blood magic, it has been removed from public ceremonies, and is not formally taught in Adamantine Institutions. However, since most heroes of Adamantine folklore used or benefited from blood magic, the practice does not carry as much stigma as it does elsewhere. The traditions of blood magic are quietly passed from master to apprentice and even the most devout mage knows at least a little blood magic. The Adamantium does not consider the moderate use of blood magic inherently dangerous e.g., the use of one's own blood or a willing participant. However, "moderate" use can only garner so much power. It's safe to assume that any mage of rank does the forbidden kind, meaning sacrifices, and demon-summoning, behind closed doors. Those who protest against such widespread use of blood magic are blackballed from power and shunned by the other magisters. While Adamantine Templars are meant to stop magisters when they cross the line, in practice only the weak have templars sent after them.