Hematomancy (Blood Magic)

Hematomancy is the proper term for all forms of blood magic. It is used to perform a wide variety of rituals, ranging from blood pacts and sacrifice to prophecies, curses, and even certain forms of psychiatric treatment. The single most defining characteristic of Hematomancy seems to be that it works by activating magic latent in blood in order to generate supernatural magical effects.

One of the best-known forms of Hematomancy is the Johtan practice of Seidr. In previous generations, the practice of Seidr by Johtan fighters held connotations of cheating or trickery, as its manipulative aspects ran counter to their warrior ideals of forthright, open behavior. However, this changed when Kings of Odessa began to learn and practice Seidr openly, and then credited those same blood magic rituals as having granted them crucial advantages in the field of battle. Even so, many traditional Johtans still feel that the practice of Seidr is only a seer's work.

In Bahram, it is commonplace for their Immortals to regularly utilize Hematomancy to empower themselves. The learning of blood magic has traditionally been seen as a hallowed rite of passage for warriors-- the fundamental difference between the common foot soldier and the elite. There is evidence that suggests that while Hematomancy may have been popularized in the Johtaja, it was the Bahrami who were the first to truly master it and discover its potential on the battlefield. The fact that much of the rest of the world condemns the practice of Hematomancy has not deterred Bahram in the least... though the Sundering of Juruh Alealam has given them pause.