Blood Reading

The ancient art of blood reading was once a well respected practice, and is still secretly practiced in some smaller towns or tribes. However it has since been outlawed almost unanimously throughout the continent, as it has been seen in more recent times as a violation or privacy and threat to the state as they can easily read the plans of a military leader and in some cases write new thoughts into the blood and therefore mind of others.

Perception

Purpose

Whenever a blood reader finds employment it is at the behest of a governing body, whether it be a kings demand that they work for him in his court or the captain of the guard forcefully requesting help with solving a murder. Blood readers are known by their one trait, and this is used in turn to extort them into performing for whoever finds them and has the most power over them. Blood readers rarely walk into a job willingly, and often stay at the edges of society where they can avoid the scorn of their fellows and the threat of discovery.

Social Status

No one stands by the blood readers. They are outcasts, capable of controlling minds through the similar art of blood writing which very few readers are even capable of. Regardless of their capabilities, they are treated with hatred and suspicion. The very suggestion that someone might be a blood reader is enough to see them chased from their home by people they call friends, who suddenly doubt their friendship was ever anything more than the reader casting their mind tricks on them. Very few would associate knowingly with a blood reader without having exhausted every other resource first. 

History

Once there was a blood reader in every court, tasked with the protection of lords and ladies, testing the blood of new comers for traces of deception. It was commonplace at a parley between two warring faction leaders to have readers test the blood of each side to establish trust.

Demand

There is very limited demand for this art, partly due to the nature of it and the reputation it now has, but also due to the lack of people who can perform well in this field.