Blood Stone

Blood Stone is a legendary substance craved by many of a less savoury reputation. Known to originate within the old Sumerian & Babylonian regions of the Middle East, it holds some dark secrets best left alone.

Properties

Material Characteristics

Stone-like in consistency when found, it appears as a dense opaque red colour with crystal-like properties. When it approaches the temperature of 36.5 Celsius it changes to a translucent red colour, and a reddish sticky liquid seems to form on it almost giving the impression that it is bleeding.

Physical & Chemical Properties

As above, it seems to act like a crystal / stone until it reaches the base temperature of 36.5 Celsius. This changes the colour and causes the reddish liquid to start forming. on it and around it. When this appears it starts to give of a vibration almost as if it is filled with magical essence.

Compounds

The liquid is well sought after by alchemists, astrologers, magi users and less savoury entities. It seems to contain traces of magic and is more concentrated in the liquid form than in the solid form. Being able to use it in magic as a spell component is the standard reason, though a rare set of people would swear that if it is imbibed as a drink or part of a drink, will sustain a person for at least 24 hours. This does not seem to be as powerful in solid form and the effect lasts only for 12 hours.

It is suspected that iron forms a part of it, due to the colour, taste and smell of it. Also, with it being found in areas with high iron content seems to add to this.

Geology & Geography

Spread throughout the old Persian Empire, and the Levant to a degree, it is found in ancient regions that disaster once struck. These lie buried under the dust of time and regularly are found below ancient battlefields, ruins of long dead civilisations, and other tragic places. Also, it seems to have formed when there is high levels of iron in the region too, especially in the form of iron ore and iron pyrite. Nearly every instance there seems to be some trace of magic used, or hints of some type of "Higher Power" being used.

Origin & Source

The Blood Stone is found in exceptionally rare veins as a stone usually attached to places of great turmoil. These seem to be linked to ancient battles, sacrificial sites to unknown gods, and to places where inexplicable disaster struck. It is hinted that some are found around ancient settlements of the First Men and sites of religious turmoil.

Life & Expiration

When the liquid forms it seems to dissipate quite quickly especially if it too hot. Also, when cooler it solidifies when cooler reverting back to the rock form. Unless used quickly this can cause the effects of the magic to disappear rather sharply by the next full moon.

History & Usage

History

First found by many of the earliest civilisations in the region of Persia and the Levant to the west, the Blood Stone is a strange substance. It seems to date back initially to as far as the First Men, and some theologians speculate that it was originally created by the act of sacrifice, and other blood rituals of these peoples. Certainly the First Men liked to settle in places where compounds like metal ores & magic, were present and suggests they were there to harvest the materials.

Later civilisations eventually took over and left their mark. Eventually buried further by time, small rocks of Blood Stone resurface. In nearly every case they usually foreshadow or are left of markers of places steeped in blood. Some have ben found in places like old sacrificial temples to old gods, and other s have recently been found in the suspected remains of Sodom & Gomorrah.

Throughout the time of it forming it seems to be tied in with tales of blood and those who thirst after it. Many a person has been struck down after coming into possession of a lump of Blood Stone, of wasting diseases and shadows that feed on blood. Why this seems to be has never been established as of yet.

Discovery

First discovered by the First Men it was used to extend life and the use of blood magic. Exactly who is unknown but it is mentioned that in some ancient tomes speak of droplets of Lilith's afterbirth fell t o Earth after giving birth to the first vampires and formed this stone. It seems that these were wrote in ancient Akkadian and points to a group of hidden peoples near Babylonia. The hidden people were said to live in darkness and shadow spreading blood diseases to the local human populations at the time around the Euphrates .

Everyday use

It is commonly used as a spell component especially for the schools of Conjuration and Necromancy. Also, some have took to putting it ground or in liquid form into tea and drinking it.

Hazards

Using it seems to attract deadly blood borne diseases, and shadowy creatures only seen at night. Too much use seems to lead to the person wasting away. Also, the user seems to gain visions of blood soaked chambers deep in the earth and the laughter of hungry shadows watching, waiting for the time time to start feeding on the living.

"Yes, we are aware of this Blood Stone. And yes to you're next question... It is the blood from Lilith's afterbirth after birthing my people. We just want to take it back to our family. Keep it safe and keep it pure. Oh, and to keep it out of sight of those entities that would subject us to the burning light of the sun. So, you have a choice, either hand it over and disappear into the wilderness, or be drained until you die."

Dassem Luqman to a group of adventurers just outside mountains a few miles north of Baghdad.

Type

Mineral

Odor

Surrounding the stone is a strong coppery smell similar to blood

Taste

The stone itself has a distinct metallic taste if tried

Color

Translucent red to deep opaque red

Melting / Freezing Point

36.5 Centigrade

Common State

Stonelike substance