Audio Broadcast | December 1st

[lonelysmiles]

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen! Thank you for tuning in to 666 AM with me, your host and local Radio Demon, Alastor!

Now, I know what you're thinking: "Alastor! It isn't Saturday yet! You're spoiling us!"

Indeed I am, dear listeners, for I was approached by a very lovely lady who wanted to help get us all in the winter holiday spirit regardless of what specific winter holiday you in particular celebrate! I was so touched by her offer and enthusiasm that I saw no reason to deny her!

With all that out of the lady, do sit back and enjoy the performance of a lady who requires no introduction as she serenades us all!

[The music starts with thirteen tinkling bells. Then a very familiar woman begins singing, and anybody who has been around Reverein long enough realizes just who Alastor is allowing to perform on his station:]

[It's the Siren. She's back again for another year!]

Comments

[localweirdo]

Now you have made me curious.

What is this blood magic you speak of?

[lonelysmiles]

Precisely what it sounds like: It's magic that uses blood as a source of power and binding. Given that it keeps someone alive, it's a powerful ingredient in spellwork because it contains the purest essence of one self aside from the soul. It was one of the earliest forms of magic practiced because there's no need for complex drawings or anything like it.

[localweirdo]

I see.

I certainly hope such things were used with caution as it seems like it would be a cruel thing to keep someone alive.

[lonelysmiles]

Some saw it as an honor to be sacrificed for the good of the community. Others used prisoners of war to "volunteer" their blood.

Of course, willing sacrifices provide more power than unwilling ones. However, emotion can be used to heighten blood magic power. Fear and pain were a good way to boost the unwilling's contributions.

[localweirdo]

I see.

I'm still not sure I completely understand but it seems that I'll have to accept some things are out of my control. Which can be somewhat difficult for me.

[lonelysmiles]

Think of it like a more violent version of dreamotion: Emotions can have a strong influence on magic in general given magic -- when you get down to the nitty gritty -- is controlled via will. Strong emotion can heighten one's willpower like determination or anger or weaken it like fear.

Blood is vital to one's survival and comes the closest physically to the core of one's existence and vitality, the soul. It's raw energy in its purest form at that point which makes it an incredibly potent ingredient. As the owner of that blood grows older and begins mixing with others on a more carnal level, powerful emotions to, as the old saying goes, "get one's blood up" can make up the gaps in power when compared to more barbaric practices such as sacrificing newborns who are completely untainted.

It's also the source of many different beliefs surrounding the potency and desirability of virgin's blood in regards to magical creatures.

[localweirdo]

Sounds rather gruesome! Aiyah, that sounds a little too much even for someone like me! Either way, it makes me wonder what kind of world you live in to have such blood magic like that.

Especially when it sounds like if one were to use it wrongly, it could have some terrible consequences. Hopefully that isn't common.

[lonelysmiles]

It's not commonly used nowadays. I believe I'm one of the very few practitioners left but I typically sacrifice my own blood when I make use of it. Unless someone really irritates me.

[localweirdo]

...Is that a warning? Should I be worried then?

[lonelysmiles]

A warning? Ha! No. Just a statement of fact, my dear. The level of irritation you'd have to induce in me would be the result of something any halfway sane person would find abhorrent!

[localweirdo]

Then that's good to hear! To think, I might have accidentally unleashed something so terrible that I have doomed all of us.

[Pause]

But at least it makes my job easier.

[lonelysmiles]

In what way? Because now you have me curious!

[localweirdo]

You are talking to a funeral director! Dealing with multiple dead bodies is my job!