Warlocks

/\* The article is currently in work in progress. The info though quite fragmented can be consulted. \*/

**Warlocks (术士)** or **Bloodline Warlocks (血脉术士)** are a distinct type of Magi. They acquire the bloodline of formidable magical beings or even extraterrestrial entities through various means, such as consumption, mating, or others. Furthermore, they constantly access the power latent in their bloodline.

As with Branded Swordsman , Warlocks are also sub-type of Ancient Magi.

## Presentation

**Becoming a warlock** is largely a matter of chance. It can also be **inherited** from one’s parents. This choice has its **advantages and disadvantages**. The strength that relies on a bloodline may be very **beneficial** at first, but there are some **latent risks** regardless of the situation.

### Pros

#### Innate Spells

A Magus could advance their rank by practicing different levels of the meditation technique. Each level also had a fixed innate spell model. Therefore, one could infer a Magus' innate spell from the high-grade meditation technique they used. Warlocks, however, relied on "the whims of fate". Their innate spells depended on the luck, purity, and concentration of their bloodline's blood essence.

Regarding Warlocks, in the course of developing their innate spells, there was another scenario that could occur. That only happens when the blood essence of the bloodline is extremely abundant, almost identical to the origin of the bloodline. In such situations, there would be an additional innate spell.

Many Warlock organizations possess advanced meditation techniques tailored to their bloodlines, which generate a set of innate spells, highly compatible with their bloodline. The Magi’s innate spells are triggered solely by thought. With such unparalleled speed, they are the common final resort when their lives are threatened. Overall, this time advantage is a great asset in any kind of combat against a regular magus. It enables initiating the first attack.

#### Fewer Bottlenecks

To progress beyond a certain point, a warlock must have a sufficiently mature bloodline. However, there are limits to how far a bloodline can develop, known as **bloodline shackles**, that prevent further advancement. A warlock can accelerate the maturation of their bloodline by meditating and researching their lineage.

#### Battle Strength

Warlocks possess a remarkable aptitude for spellcasting and they can easily outperform a regular Magus of the same rank in terms of skill and power.

#### Bloodline Transition

If a Warlock's bloodline was extremely concentrated, and if the level of the bloodline exceeded that of the Warlock by a large margin, the power of the bloodline would remain stagnant within the Warlock's body, and accumulate until it underwent a transition.

For every transition in the bloodline, the Warlock's body would undergo a drastic change.

### Cons

#### Bloodline Curse/Blessing

Some warlocks can be submitted to a powerful bloodline curse/blessing . For example: the Allsnake Curse. ("*The Snake Dowager of the Shadow World has supreme control over all of her progeny. This is a blessing and also a curse, one condensed with bloodline force. Once a descendant has thoughts of disobeying the will of the Snake Dowager, the Allsnake Curse will appear and automatically absorb as well as seal off the descendant’s bloodline force, turning into the most powerful bloodline curse. Effect: Continuous weakening of the power of Warlock, until target’s death*").

#### Bloodline Submission

A warlock with a bloodline that is a subspecies of the bloodline of another warlock, would have to submit to the other warlock.

#### Bloodline Shackles

Warlocks are restricted to the maximum rank of the creature their bloodline came from. These are known as bloodline shackles. Since ancient times, Warlocks have searched for a way to break free from those shackles.

#### Bloodline Thinning

Warlocks derive their power from their ancestral lineage. However, as the lineage grows and dilutes over generations, their connection to the primal source of their bloodline weakens and becomes less potent.

Moreover, Warlocks are restricted to the Advanced Meditation Techniques that match their bloodline, and these techniques often demand a specific bloodline to be effective. This creates a paradox for Warlocks, as they cannot cultivate other techniques due to their bloodline, but they also cannot cultivate their original technique due to its diminishing efficacy.

When a Magus family faces decline, there is a possibility that their offspring can restore their glory. However, this is very challenging for Warlock families, unless they can locate the original source of their bloodline, or use some alternative methods to enhance their bloodline strength.

This is one of the main factors that contribute to the rarity and decline of Warlocks.

#### Emotional Instability

Many Warlocks face a serious problem that threatens their rationality—Emotions! The Magus World values logic and reason above all else. However, because of their bloodline inheritance, Warlocks often experience intense emotional fluctuations and tend to act on their impulses.

#### Double Requirements

Warlocks were a special branch of the ancient Magi who had to explore the power hidden in their bloodline, as well as practice their magic skills.

Their advancement requirements were the same as those of the Magi, but they also faced the restrictions of their bloodline.

Even if a rank 1 Warlock met the advancement criteria, they might still fail to advance or not gain an innate spell if their bloodline was not pure enough.

## Bloodlines

There are a large number of Warlocks, who are people who have integrated bloodlines into themselves. A bloodline can also evolve in various sub-bloodlines. For example, various snake warlocks come from the original bloodline of the Mother of Snakes.

Bloodlines are only ranked from Rank 1 to Rank 6. From Rank 7 onwards, only understanding the laws is required to progress.

### List

* Nine-Headed Nightmare Hydra **Rank 9**
	+ Targaryen Winged Serpent**Rank 7**
	+ Ouroboros**Rank 6**
	+ Jormungandr**Rank 6**
	+ Kemoyin Serpent Emperor **Rank 5**
	+ Giant Kemoyin Serpent **Rank 4**
	+ Black Horall Snake **Rank 3**
	+ Great Withering Mankestre Snake **Rank 1**
* Allsnake **Rank 8**
	+ Alabaster Devilsnake**Rank 5**

* Sun's Child **Rank 6**
* Thorned Thunderbird **Rank 6**
* Misty Fog Giants **Rank 6**
* Three Headed Python **Rank 6**
* Red Dragon **Rank 5**
* Void Phantom **Rank 5**
* Three Headed Golden Lion **Rank 5**
* Ancient Bat **Rank 5**
* Spirit Sucking Oddity **Rank 4**
* Wind Wolf**Rank 4**

## Warlock Organizations

* A clan can be related to one bloodline, like the Ouroboros Clan.

* An organization can also be dedicated to a common goal, like lifting the shackles of bloodline or building up an alliance to protect themselves like the Warlock Union.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Chapter 119
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Chapter 666
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chapter 124
4. ↑ Chapter 529
5. ↑ Chapter 130
6. ↑ Chapter 137