Hemomancy

Overview

Hemomancy, otherwise known as Blood Magic, has a long and vast history of innovation, terror and power. The wielders of Hemomancy in the modern era are controlled and patient with others, saving their energy for the battlefields. This was not always the case.

History

Hemomancy’s exact discovery is shrouded in mystery but is believed to be founded by a man named Kamenhab many, many years ago. Kamenhab was a decorated military general and learned that he was capable of controlling the blood spilled during battle. This not only allowed Kamenhab to grow great in strength and wealth but gave him a false belief that he was a god. This discovery lead Kamenhab to insanity, he became obsessed with his abilities and learned much from them. He learned that his heart rate was directly correlated with the strength of his spellcasting. He also found that the more he bleed the more potent his spells would be. As a result of him growing in power and believing himself to be a greater being, he began conspiring to overthrow the Crescent Queen of the time. At this point, many had seen the writing on the wall that Kamenhab was a madman and so the guards were prepared. The Crescent Queen herself had ordered the guard to learn this ability and only one was able to in time, Tunari Sahi. Tunari was a young woman, recently promoted into the Crescent Queen’s guard. She learned Hemomancy quickly and when Kamenhab eventually made his effort to stop the Crescent Queen, he plowed through all of the guard in his way nearly effortlessly until reaching Tunari, the last line between him and the Crescent Queen. Their battle lasted much longer than Kamenhab expected, this frustrated him. He drew upon the last of his power, pushing his heart rate higher and higher for greater power. For a brief sequence of seconds, Kamenhab was almighty, alas, his heart could not take what was being asked of it and burst. Kamenhab descended from god-hood quickly, lifelessly. In defeating Kamenhab, Tunari would continue to learn Hemomancy and would master it to become its very first teacher, making Hemomancy accessible now to any who are patient enough to learn.

Hemomancy Basics

Wielding Hemomancy centers around learning to control hamrakytes, the name given to red blood cells. In understanding how to control hamrakytes, hemomancers can begin to build up to cast more complex spells as their control over the hamrakytes increases. Additionally, the rate at which the hemomancer’s heart beats can impose a scaling effect on their ability to channel the hamrakytes allowing for greater control and potentially greater effects. In order for hemomancers to cast spells at all, they need access to blood. Most hemomancers learn how balance how much of their own blood they call upon. Some known as blood thieves will steal the blood of others. In warzones hemomancers will use the blood spilt around them. Unlike many warriors, hemomancers will become stronger before they lose a fight. The strongest strategy to winning in a confrontation against a hemomancer is either waiting for them to exhaust their abilities or by defeating them in one sweeping blow. Both of these options disallow them to achieve their most dangerous state which is just prior to their defeat. Known as ‘Kal’, Hemomancers will exhaust all that they have left in an ultimate sacrifice to take out anyone in their wake. This means draining any blood they have left or bursting their heart like Kamenhab in the tale of Hemomancy’s discovery.

Common Spells

Yashmi, the protection spell

Yashmi is a very common spell for new hemomancers to learn. Argued to be one of the most important, Yashmi allows for the user to parry spells sent at them as a sort of counter spell. Casting this spell will see the caster block with their arms as one would to block an incoming fist and create a wave of hamrakytes to deflect any incoming threat.

Hushumi, the piercing spell

Hushumi is typically the first offensive spell that a hemomancer will learn. This spell results in a collection of hamrakytes darting towards the targeted position. To cast this spell, a hemomancer would project their dominant arm out with their hand open and fingers together vertically towards their target.

Jasica, the healing/closing spell

Jasica is undoubtedly the most important spell for a hemomancer to learn. Jasica allows the hemomancer to have any of their own hamrakytes return to their body. In scenarios where hemomancers are out of combat and need to return their blood to their own body, this is an important spell. This is the first spell taught to hemomancers and to cast or use, this involves the hemomancer patiently guiding the hamrakytes back to open wounds with their middle, ring and pinky fingers combined.

Yuruq, the burning spell

Yuruq is a rather dangerous spell, typically used by more experienced hemomancers. This spell has a less noticeable effect on hamrakytes, hence the danger, but results in the hamrakytes reaching boiling temperatures. During the duration of this spell, the hamrakytes will glide more chaotically through the air and change from a reddish color to something more orange. The spells cast following Yuruq will have differing effects due to the shear burning capabilities of this spell. It is extremely painful and possibly even deadly for a hemomancer to perform Jasica after performing Yuruq.

Hiduun, the stasis spell

While not necessarily a spell, Hiduun is the state of hamrakytes while you are not casting spells. Hiduun is more so the state in which hamrakytes are in while awaiting the next spell to be cast. Hemomancers do still need to learn this state since it takes time to properly suspend hamrakytes in the air as Hiduun suggests. There is no real form to cast Hiduun since it is not technically a spell.