Sanguimancy

• 05 April 2025

The dark power of sanguimancy was wielded by profane casters who sought above all else the ability to control others. Sanguimancy was usually referred to by its easier alias blood magic.

Users of sanguimantic power were called sanguimancers or blood mages.

The Pursuit of Sanguimancy #

Sanguimancy was focused on the thing that sustained most mortal sapients across Legere--blood. It promised the profane caster the rare ability to control the actions of other sapient beings, which was a scarce ability outside of exceedingly rare arcane paths like (PLACEHOLDER)Word Magic. It also promised freedom from the agony of disease and other mortal afflictions.

A prospective sanguimancer would begin down this profane path by enacting a demonic ritual that involved the sacrificing of their own blood to Evil. By sacrificing their own blood to the unholy enemies of The Creator, a sanguimancer was promised command over the blood of others. Once they had nearly completely exsanguinated themselves, their veins would be refilled with an unholy ichor. Sanguimancers with insufficient reverence to Evil would simply bleed out and perish.

Circles of Sanguimancy #

First Circle #

Inflict Paresthesia #

A sanguimancer initiate had minor but not-insubstantial command over the flow of blood in those around them. They could perform small feats of blood movement within the veins of their enemies or allies.

For example, by restricting the flow of blood through an arm, a blood mage could cause an individual to experience painful paresthesia. Against an armed opponent, this could serve as a way to loosen their grip on their weapon and potentially disarm them.

Accelerated Haemorrhage #

Against an individual that was bleeding, a blood mage could accelerate the flow of blood near the wound to cause them to bleed significantly more than usual. This allowed sanguimancers to turn large but superficial wounds into life-threatening ones.

Bleeding Immunity #

The demonic ichor that flowed through the arteries and capillaries of a sanguimancer constantly regenerated and would stop them from bleeding to death, no matter how severe the wound was. Major injuries, like extreme trauma to vital organs or decapitation could still kill a blood mage easily.

Second Circle #

Induce Blood Pooling #

More powerful sanguimancers had finer control over the flow of blood throughout the body. They could cause it to pool in a specific place, causing a target to fall unconscious, or, if allowed to pool their victim's blood long enough, kill them.

Minor Corporeal Manipulation #

A sanguimancer could manipulate, to a very minor degree, the movements of a victim. This could be as small as the twitch of a finger to the jerking of an arm. The application of such a power was limited only by the blood mage's twisted creativity.

Third Circle #

Mind Control #

By fully controlling the blood moving throughout their victim, sanguimancers could puppeteer an individual as if it were a marionette on strings. However, the victim would still be conscious, and the strongest-willed could resist the sanguimancer's control.

During this temporary domination, sanguimancers could opt to hold a victim hostage or force them into life-threatening scenarios.

With enough practice, the most powerful of blood mages could completely mind control a victim.

Exsanguinate #

By channeling their hatred and anger, a blood mage could tear the blood from the veins of their victim, killing them quickly (especially when coupled with Accelerated Haemorrhage).

Sanguimantic Fracture #

A sanguimancer could exert fine control over a smaller region of a victim's body, causing their muscles to spasm and induce avulsion fractures. Sanguimancers could be torturous and use this power to break fingers or toes one by one, or more lethal by shattering spines and limbs.

Devilish Vitality #

A sanguimancer's unholy ichor constantly purged their bodies of disease and toxins, giving them what seemed like perfect health. It also helped them knit their wounds shut quickly while ameliorating all sources of pain.

Fourth Circle #

Absolute Subjugation #

A sanguimancer could channel their profane power into an individual to gain total and complete control over their body and mind. Anyone who came into the presence of the sanguimancer would be immediately subjected to their will.