Quietus: Dur-An-Ki
Dur-An-Ki ("Master of Heaven and Earth") or Banu Haqim Sorcery (see below) is a form of blood magic practiced by Kindred of the Middle East and Africa, particularly the sorcerers of the Banu Haqim clan and the Shango legacy of the Laibon. It is a very old form of magic, drawing from a huge variety of mortal religious traditions, and pre-dating Thaumaturgy, which it resembles in many ways.
Rather than the hermetic trappings of Thaumaturgy, Dur-An-Ki draws heavily on astrology, the use of amulets and talismans, and especially ecstatic practices. By entering into a trance, the ashipu ascends the "Ladder of Heaven" to meet ever more powerful spirits and gain more powerful magic. Banu Haqim sorcerers usually use a drug called kalif for this purpose, but there are many other methods, including dancing, pain, meditation and artistic expression.
Besides the Banu Haqim, the other prominent faction to utilize Dur-An-Ki are the Baali of the Order of Moloch. Being in a unique position to know what Mesopotamian gods were masks for creatures of the Outer Dark and who were not, the Clan Baali made covenants with the oldest, most primordial entities. In contrast to Banu Haqim, who use kalif, the Baali mainly use pain inflicted by their own Clan Curse to achieve ecstasy.
Overview
Originally the main form of blood magic practiced by all Kindred, Dur-An-Ki became lost to European vampires during the Dark Ages. It differs from Thaumaturgy mainly in that its practitioners, called ashipu, do not impose their will on the world through abstract symbols of power. Instead they call upon ancient covenants with spirits, commanding them to fulfill their desires, though this is a very different practice to the long-lasting pacts made with demons by practitioners of Dark Thaumaturgy.Rather than the hermetic trappings of Thaumaturgy, Dur-An-Ki draws heavily on astrology, the use of amulets and talismans, and especially ecstatic practices. By entering into a trance, the ashipu ascends the "Ladder of Heaven" to meet ever more powerful spirits and gain more powerful magic. Banu Haqim sorcerers usually use a drug called kalif for this purpose, but there are many other methods, including dancing, pain, meditation and artistic expression.
Besides the Banu Haqim, the other prominent faction to utilize Dur-An-Ki are the Baali of the Order of Moloch. Being in a unique position to know what Mesopotamian gods were masks for creatures of the Outer Dark and who were not, the Clan Baali made covenants with the oldest, most primordial entities. In contrast to Banu Haqim, who use kalif, the Baali mainly use pain inflicted by their own Clan Curse to achieve ecstasy.
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