> *"The price of greatness is inscribed in that sanguine spill. A mage is merely a pen, one with the power to decide in whose ink their rise is written." -Bertik Sarka* ### Overview Perhaps the most influential and most widely mistrusted form of the Art of magic, blood magic is widely considered to be uniquely human and one of the very few existing traditions able to draw upon external sources. The name originates from the ability of casters to use the life force of others to fuel their spells, essentially passing the “blood price” of magic onto friends, foes, and hapless victims alike. Obviously a power so potent requires rigorous rules to be kept in check, but the practitioners of Blood Magic are famous for testing the boundaries, both of their own traditions and the seals of magic themselves (which are described in detail on the [[Magic 1]] page). [[The High Kingdom of Leus]] has been regarded as the seat of Blood Magic since the state’s founding, though the broad popular support for magic of any kind is a relatively recent trend, only growing since 700 RY with the coronation of the first uniting High King, [[Drahomir the Great]], who officially codified the protection of sanctioned magic users under the law. ### A History of Blood Magic ##### Origins While many attribute the origins of magic to the gods, Blood Magic is perhaps the one tradition where any such lineage is murky at best. The popular conception, particularly in the High Kingdom, is that their grasp upon the Art is built upon experimentation and the hard work of mages who came before. Its foundation first appears at the very end of [[The Revealing]], not as a celestial gift, but from an ancient relic called [[The Phylactery of Misek]], unearthed in southern Leus in 137 RY. Religious scholars insist Misek was either a minor deity or an avatar of a god who perished prior to [[Godfall]], but most Blood Magic practitioners consider him a mortal man who recorded his memories and understanding of the Art by instilling his soul into a large, crystalline tablet of unknown composition. Most of the first, rudimentary incantations and rituals, including the first known description of the threads of reality, are taken from careful translations of the fragmented tablet. ##### The Golden Age of Magic (141 to 305 RY) Early in the history of what is now Leus, during the excavation and reclamation of the twin towers, [[The Kidemónas]] and [[The Pharos]] (both exceptionally important structures in the Leyan tradition), two libraries of these phylacteries were uncovered. Though none were as complete as Misek’s, the combined preserved knowledge was enough to ignite a school of magic that spread across a large swath of territory in the East including what would become the High Kingdom, as well as [[The Kingdom of Yssa]], [[The Kingdom of Talin]], and [[The Kingdom of Genev]]. Though rare, those who possessed both the talent for magic and access to schooling under the first mages to unlock the secrets of the phylacteries were able to quickly consolidate large amounts of magical power through experimentation and refinement of incantations and rituals scavenged from the ashes of [[The First World]]. In the late 160s RY, the unofficial “bloodlines” of teachers and students gained significant traction and unity in the city-state of [[Zaeylael]], leading to The Tower Concordat, a mutual defense pact among mage-lords and their fiefs that quickly became a magocracy under the control of three elected representatives that would share power for a seven-year span before new elections. A burgeoning class of magically leashed warriors extended their reach considerably throughout the southern reaches of Leus and Yssa, creating a state known as [[Thauma]]. Arcane research was at this point basically unfettered, leading to both incredible advances and abuses of power. Thauma’s neighbors found the waxing power of Blood Magic intensely concerning. Eventually, they turned westward, coming face to face with the burgeoning Eth Empire and the magical power of their Fire-Speaking tradition. Clever use of the djinn and infighting among the blood mages led to a crushing defeat. The Eth swept across Thauman-controlled territory from 300 to 305 RY, leading to the total domination of the human realms of the East under control of the Eth in 329 RY. ##### The Long Shadow (306 to 685 RY) Under the rule of the Eth Empire, perhaps due to the excesses of older practitioners, the freedoms that practitioners of Blood Magic had enjoyed evaporated almost immediately. Outlawed and forced underground, most practitioners would not survive occupation and the teaching of their tradition was punishable by death. The twin towers of the Kidemónas and Pharos were largely ransacked and then converted into a prison specifically designed to contain mages and their oikogéneia (more commonly known as “spellguards”). Many of the phylacteries that had been foundational to the practice were destroyed, though the Phylactery of Misek mysteriously vanished during the siege of Zaeylael, surviving in hiding. The survival of arcane knowledge for the school can be traced largely to two figures who formed resistance to the Eth in secret, creating manuals and translations of destroyed phylacteries from memory and the oral traditions of their teachers: a human scholar [[Bertik Sarka]] (325-387 RY), the author of the famed [[Istoría tís Mageías]] and a half-orc mage named [[Ushat Kozekla]] (401-447 RY). While Sarka lived to a considerable age and passed peacefully in his sleep, Ushat’s life was cut short by the authorities, who learned of her endeavors and put her to the torch. She is famed in Leyan history for refusing to reveal the location of any of the texts created even under torture, and many blood mages consider her a foundational hero in their tradition. Eventually, the power of the Eth Empire began to crumble under the rebellion of different provinces that would soon become their own kingdom. Under the leadership of Drahomir the Great, the mages and spellguards were able to stage a rebellion supported by the people and drove the Eth fire-speakers out of their homeland. Drahomir, formerly a guard captain, then consolidated power over Zaeylael and expanded his rule rapidly to form the High Kingdom of Leus by joining the lesser kings of the region to his banner. ##### The Age of Resurrection (700 to 875 RY) Drahomir the Great was not ignorant of the power of Blood Magic practitioners, and very aware of the history of Thauma. He used his popular sway as liberator of the Leyan people to organize a new system that would leverage the raw might of the mages without allowing the old abuses of power, at least as far as Leyans were concerned. Each mage was bound to a Leyan lord and each spellguard bound to a specific mage, with the royal family maintaining a monopoly on the most powerful mages. While superficially, most would say this does not differ from the role of knights in other kingdoms, the reality was somewhat darker. Each mage was bound using ritual magic, and while many learned to maneuver and manipulate their position to exert a great deal of power, at the end of the day, a bound mage was beholden to their lord’s will in a way that denied them the ability to disobey. While the system Drahomir designed was considered a glorified slavery even by practitioners at the time, most took his deal for the promise of protection and elevation, a promise he very much honored. Those who refused were put to the sword as dangers to society, cementing bars of the gilded cages. However, for the first time in centuries, the open practice of magic was not only allowed, but embraced. Blood Magic flourished and the active recruitment of mages from neighboring kingdoms began in earnest, earning the ire of many rival kings and peoples. However, under the leadership of [[House Kadera]], Drahomir the Great’s family, the High Kingdom of Leus and the practice of magic enjoyed a renaissance and a great turn towards good fortune. ##### The Raven’s Ascent and the Great War (876-1021 RY) While for centuries, the descendants of Drahomir the Great were able to keep their hold on power with the help of mages, eventually the rising power of another noble family, [[House Vrana]] forced a civil war. This led to a split among Leyan blood mages and a terrifying conflict, but when the dust settled, House Vrana was able to ascend to the throne and take over the High Kingdom. The next few decades were used putting down revolts and recapturing power, in which the mages of House Vrana were exceptionally useful. By 1000 RY, the practice of Blood Magic in its controlled form had become an institution central to both political and military might. This proved crucial to the survival of the entire East, as in 1001 RY, The Imperium invaded with the intent of reshaping the world in accordance with their dictates and prophecies. Blood mages stepped up to offer a resistance almost immediately, as an agreement was struck between the High King and the Queen of Yssa, [[Seva of Essen]], a blood mage herself, albeit in secret. With a battle mage joining the fray in each contingent, they were able to stall the Imperial legions long enough for the destruction of [[The Desolate Throne]] and defeat of [[The Princes of Iron]]. Immediately after [[The Great War]], Blood Magic enjoyed something of a rehabilitated reputation among some of their neighbors, but constant feuds between Leus and their neighboring kingdoms quickly eroded that good will and things returned to normal. ### Characteristics and Abilities The defining characteristic of Blood Magic, above all others, is the ability to manipulate [[The Threads]] of reality (see the section on Magic for details) to draw power from other living things. Many other traditions see this as a fundamental corruption of the gods’ design for magic, while blood mages themselves have a variety of different views on what this means for them. Some treat it with the utmost respect, while others are far more casual in their use of others’ lives for their power. In addition, the casting of a spell always requires a word of power or incantation in Blood Magic, designed to hone and shape the flow of magic. Without incantation, a mage cannot cast. Many also rely on gestures as part of rituals or spells, but these are not absolutely necessary the way an incantation is. There are two basic forms of Blood Magic, with both available to most practitioners: manifestation and manipulation. Manifestation is the “creation” of things by transforming power from one thing into another, usually transferring life force directly into elemental power. This is the hallmark power of Leyan battle mages, who use this discipline to shatter formations with gouts of flame or great bolts of lightning. Manipulation, by contrast, is simply the alteration of something that already exists. Healing is an exceptionally rare gift usually tied to necromantic magic that falls into this category, but mending items and manipulating terrain both fall into this category as well. Another piece of the Leyan tradition are the oikogéneia, the spellguards. Each warrior devoting themselves to a mage goes through rigorous martial training worthy of a knight devoted wholly to battle and many rituals, including a ritual tattooing, that increases their ability to withstand drain and even pass through wards. Thus, they can be much more useful sources to their mages as well as bonded guardians, and most form such a close connection to their mage that the ultimate sacrifice, if it saves their mage, is an automatic response. Spellguards begin training at exceptionally young ages, most receiving their first marking at five years old. The last piece, unique to Leyan Blood Magic, is the creation of anthroparions. Distinct from the golems of [[The Dwarves]], these creatures are constructed and shaped of living matter, flesh or plant, and given life by sustaining spells. Most have relatively short lifespans, but serve as protectors or assistants as well, though they are typically only seen in the company of true masters of Blood Magic. ### Limitations While Blood Magic is exceptionally potent due to its ability to use others beside the caster for sources, it still must obey [[The Seals of Magic]]. In addition, Blood Magic does not have many techniques that can make their mages more durable. Herbalism and alchemy can enhance focused concentration and endurance in casting, but their mages are fragile. They have attempted to compensate by ensuring that each mage has at least one spellguard at all time, but this is an imperfect solution. Additionally, while the direct “blood price” of magic can be passed on to others, blood mages do still experience a toll, both in willpower and physical exertion. Most mages need to consume much more food and drink than one would expect for their level of activity, at least if they are taxing themselves, and often need more than normal sleep as well. There have been active efforts by notable blood mages to try and break the fourth seal (“the dead cannot be returned to life”), but so far the necromantic branch of Blood Magic has been unable to do more than create creatures that are animated corpses, only a few of which become even vaguely intelligent. ### Practitioners As in all traditions, the aptitude for Blood Magic is fundamentally rare and prized highly. Even those who can only manage the barest flickers of magic are considered valuable, though the Leyan academy of magic housed in the Pharos is somewhat legendary for the mages it has been able to produce from even mediocre students. The majority of practitioners are human, with exceptions to that rule being mostly half-breeds (such as Ushat Kozekla and [[Iona Veldane]]). Blood mages within Leus that have passed their apprenticeship are referred to by the title either “*Mágissa*” for women or “*Magós*” for men. Their hierarchy is relatively flat, as one is either an apprentice or a full mage, with no real rank or distinction beyond that. Any deference given is usually based on power and experience or the favor of the lord or lady they are bound to. In some cases, the level of knowledge or power a mage possesses can be determined by the number of rings they wear, special pieces of jewelry that can be used to store power siphoned from the mage themselves or other sources. Beyond Leus, most hide their abilities and do not dare to style themselves with any title that might reveal their gift, for fear of the torch. ### Political Ramifications Blood Magic is an integral part of politics in the High Kingdom, as the number and skill of mages determines much of a noble house’s fortunes. They can be awarded to a house or taken away, depending on the will of the High King or more prominent houses. Thus, mages are status symbols and tools alike. They are frequently regarded as the only chess-pieces on the metaphorical board that can move the players, as their words of advice and warning carry quite a bit of weight with the nobility. This influence has continued the prominence and defense of magic. ### Religious Outlook Because blood mages draw the origin of their tradition not to the gods, but to a mortal mage, there has always been a great deal of tension between Blood Magic and the religious folk of the East. The suppression of blood magic under the rule of the “celestial blooded” Eth, who draw their own magical tradition back to the god [[Sol]] only worsened this tension. Most blood mages within Leus have either disinterest or open scorn for the gods, though some maintain their faith as well as their practice of magic. This contemptuous attitude is often exaggerated in the stories, which has done nothing to ameliorate Yssan, Talinese, and Genevais witch-hunts in the name of piety.