Blood Magic
Blood magic is mostly illegal in the UK and in many parts of the world; in some areas, it's not strictly forbidden but definitely a grey area. The amount of blood required varies with purpose. However, in iniquitous cases, only a small amount from the victim is needed. The illegal status of blood magic has not prevented its research by the Department of Mysteries or its use in other ancient rituals.
Uses of Blood Magic
One of the main qualities of blood magic is the inevitable link it creates between user and target, directly or indirectly.
Regeneration Potions
An old piece of Dark Magic[1], Regeneration Potions have been in the past by other Dark Wizards who suffered bodily damage.
Healing
Blood magic has been used by St.Mungo's in extreme cases, where a Healer might have to specifically tailor a procedure for a patient by using their blood. This was spearheaded by Healer Flynn Hughes to heal Ignan Storm in In vain thy struggles - all will soon be o'er.
Foci & Blood Contract
Tracking is another common purpose. By creating a focus with the blood of the intended target, a person can track them down. Precise ones, however, are extremely difficult to make or find. A blood contract is a form of Foci that allows the user to track the whereabouts and actions of the person whose blood is being utilised. Ira Almasy used such a contract to bind Hannah Bombay and Rick Donovan.
Time
Wix who experience temporal disturbances or use time turners developed the use of blood magic to track one's lifespan or relative timeline. These include using objects imbibed with blood such as coins, rings or necklaces, but in more extreme cases tattoo the traveller. This enchanted ink would then count down the lifespan on the traveller in heartbeats. Francis Pepper assisted Virgil Carstairs to achieve this as part of Plot:Broken Clock.
Inanimate Objects
The Spectre manor in Edinburgh is handed down through the generations via a blood magic ritual in which the blood of the succeeding caretaker or head is spilled on the Clan Stone. As the manor is known to have its own particular moods and reactions, it might be said to have acquired such things from hundreds of years of absorbing the blood of Spectre clansmen.
The ritual is described by Balfour Spectre to Johann Storm in In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning.
Curses
One of the oldest channels for blood magic, practitioners have used it to curse individuals and entire family lines (the latter being almost impossible to lift) for ages, primarily for their longevity; unlike regular Dark Magic, blood curses can last even after the source has died.
Known Recipients
- Micah Gallagher
- Nathaira Spectre and Carmichael Rosier's unborn child
Bond of Blood
Certain, more complex wards are attuned to a caster and pass on their protection through blood (see sacrificial protection[2]).
Known Recipients
Safeguards
Amulets
They are made exclusively with silver, copper, or gold and imbued with the user's blood. They grow warm to the touch when someone is attempting to use blood magic against them. They must be touching the user's skin in order to be effective. Runework, metal charming, and alchemy are required to create an amulet. Amulets take much time to be created—anywhere from a week to several months, depending on how many hours are put in and the skill of the creator. They must be tailored to the individual. Owning one of these is not illegal, but it is incredibly expensive.
Usually blood magic is the best defense against blood magic, but success depends on how much blood (or life) is shed - and in some cases, how willingly it was given.
Practitioners (Past and Present)
Played Characters
- Ira Almasy - illegally
- Lyra Gamp - illegally
- Mortimer Gamp - illegally
- Alberic Grimm - unspeakable
- Flynn Hughes--Healing purposes
- Francis Pepper - unspeakable
- Theo Whitman - illegally
- Bai Li Yang - illegally
- Mihai Zamperia - illegally
