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For the spell in Dragon Age: Origins, see Blood Magic (spell).
For the spell in Dragon Age II, see Blood Magic (Dragon Age II spell).

Blood magic is a form of magic that uses the power inherent in blood to fuel spellcasting.

In the Dragon Age game series, Blood Mage is one of the mage specializations in Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening and Dragon Age II.

History

Category Lore

The magisters of the Imperium performing a dark ritual using blood magic.

Blood magic was the first form of magic in Thedas. According to legend, it was first taught to Archon Thalsian, founder of the Tevinter Imperium, by the Old God Dumat, the Dragon of Silence. In return for this dark gift, Thalsian promised to accept Dumat as his god and make worship of the Old Gods the official religion of the new Imperium. Historians argue on this point, suggesting the Imperium's mages may have actually learned it from the elves of Arlathan, since stories claim that ancient elves once possessed immortality. It may even have been that Thalsian or another mage simply made a deal with a demon, and the first Archon merely claimed to have bargained with Dumat in order to give the Imperium a better front.[1]

Whatever its ultimate origin, blood magic was used by the magisters of the Tevinter Imperium to rule over the whole of Thedas. History recounts how the magisters used their power to shatter even the mighty elvish empire of Arlathan, and force its surviving people into slavery. But, according to the Chantry, its reckless use eventually led to the blackening of the Golden City, the creation of the darkspawn, and the First Blight (and thus the other Blights that followed).[2]

In present-day Thedas

Blood Magic

Jowan using blood magic

In the contemporary world, blood magic is described as being one of the more "sinister" types of magic. The efforts of the Chantry and the Templar Order over countless years have all but eradicated its practice outside the Tevinter Imperium. In fact, blood magic is so rare in Thedas now that it can typically only be learned by contacting a demon, with the risk of becoming an abomination.[3]

While not inherently evil, the Chantry strictly forbids the usage of blood magic as part of its formal doctrine[4]. Mages using blood magic are labeled maleficarum and huntd by the Templar Order, which was created for the purpose of controlling mages, killing demons, and hunting down apostates, generally killing all known maleficarum on sight.

Indeed, the Chantry seems almost irrational in its fear of blood magic, going so far as to suppress anatomical study and ignoring more immediate or severe threats. The Chantry's fears have also resulted in the relentless hunt for all apostates, regardless of origin, reasoning that any mage left unsupervised by the Chantry or the Templars will ultimately succumb to the temptation of blood magic.[5] While all apostates are not necessarily maleficarum, the Chantry appears to go great lengths to make it seem so, and a significant number of rogue mages turn to Blood Magic if only to survive. The Circle of Magi endeavours to supervise all individuals with the gift of magic from a young age to ensure none of them tap into this forbidden school. However, even their constant supervision allows the occasional maleficar to slip through their fingers and out into the world.

Spells and powers

Blood magic, first and foremost, is the practice of using blood--life itself--as a potent fuel for casting spells. This life may be supplied by either the mage or sacrifices, whether willing or unwilling. As such, the use of blood magic often allows a mage to cast spells that would otherwise be beyond the abilities of any mage, or require the use of lyrium. The magisters of the ancient Imperium were known to keep numerous slaves on hand as blood sacrifices for particularly arduous castings, a practice that is perpetuated by some blood mages in the present day.[6]

Originally, the magisters did not consider blood magic to be its own school, and instead viewed it as simply a means of augmenting spells from any school of magic. In time, however, they discovered certain spells that could only be performed using the power of blood, such as Blood Wound/Hemorrhage. And while any mage--unlike persons without magical ability--can use lyrium to send their waking minds into the Fade, blood magic can be used to find the sleeping minds of others. Therein lies the heart of one of blood magic's most potent and dangerous abilities: to influence, and even take control of, the minds of others. The Litany of Adralla is the only guaranteed counter to mind control via blood magic, and it can only be used to prevent mind control, not sever control once it has been established.[7]

Blood magic is also the means by which demons can be summoned into the corporeal world, either as physical manifestations (shades) or spirits which possess a body, either living or dead.[8] Demonic possession of the living produces an abomination, while possession of a corpse results in one of the living dead, a creature whose strength and abilities depends on the power and type of host and demon involved (it is unclear whether or not Dwarves and other magic-immune beings can become possessed).[9] Often, however, the demons will turn on the blood mage who summoned them, and either kill or possess them instead.[10]

The most powerful magisters who reigned at the height of the ancient Imperium were even able to use it blood physically cross the Veil into the Fade--a feat which required the ritual sacrifice of countless slaves and over two-thirds of the lyrium in the entire empire, but one that has also never been accomplished since.[11] The true cost, however, came when the magisters failed to conquer the Golden City and instead returned to Thedas as the first Darkspawn, unleashing the Blight and the Taint upon all of Thedas.

Ancient lore and present-day events hint that blood magic holds the key to incredible powers yet undreamed of, or long thought lost. Such power generally requires a terrible sacrifice, however: a debt paid in blood at the cost of the lives of others and one's own humanity. As such, while blood magic itself is merely a tool, it is by far the most dangerous means to any end in the realm of Thedas.

Blood magic and the Grey Wardens

Despite blood magic being banned in Fereldan (and the vast majority of Thedas, for that matter), the Grey Wardens occasionally use it as a means to fight the darkspawn. This is confirmed if the Warden speaks with Duncan on the topic during the Mage Origin.


This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Origins.


In the Warden's Keep DLC, the Warden learns of an ancient Grey Warden mage named Avernus who utilized blood magic to manipulate the darkspawn taint used in the Joining (the Joining itself being a form of blood magic). He even went so far as to torture and experiment on his fellow Wardens in order to learn more about the secret powers found within blood, especially that of the Tainted blood found in Grey Wardens. His research notes theorize the extensive capabilities it holds, and claim that only within the ranks of the Grey Wardens can blood magic be used freely and allowed to flourish in the name of arcane progress. What he learned allowed him to use blood magic to unnaturally prolong his life for hundreds of years, as well as discover powerful talents and spells that the Warden can choose to use by unlocking the Power of Blood school. Avernus argues that the Chantry foolishly forbids blood magic because of their belief that it caused the corruption of the Golden City and the creation of the darkspawn. He dismisses all of this as lies, insisting that there is a great deal that the Grey Wardens--and mages in general--can learn from it.


Blood magic in specific Dragon Age games

The main character of each Dragon Age game to date can become a blood mage, depending on the choices of the player. While blood magic is expressly forbidden throughout most of Thedas and reviled by the populace at large, the protagonist will never be confronted for their decision to harness the Forbidden School of magic. This is understandable, given the limitations of game design, but it can lead to some very odd circumstances. The protagonist can perform blood magic in front of First Enchanters, Templar Knight-Commanders, the Viscount of Kirkwall, and the entire Landsmeet without receiving so much as a reprimand.

Dragon Age: Origins and Awakening

Under the vigilant eyes of the Chantry, the Templar Order, and the native Circle of Magi, blood magic has become all but extinct in the land of Fereldan. The Grey Wardens, however, operate outside the jurisdiction of most authorities in Thedas in their fight against the Darkspawn. Blood magic is generally permitted within their ranks as a means to an end, and the leaders of the Chantry and other powerful institutions are generally willing to look the other way as long as its powers are used solely against the Darkspawn. As such, the Warden can become a blood mage during both Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening.


This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Origins.


In Origins, the specialization can only be unlocked by making a deal with the Desire demon inhabiting Connor Guerrin during the quest Arl of Redcliffe. Once it has been unlocked in one save file, however, the specialization is available to mage Wardens in all subsequent files, and the player can devise whatever back-story they wish.

Once the specialization has been unlocked by the Warden, it can be taught to any of the Warden's companions. Wynne can become a blood mage, and for all her impassioned lectures on its evils and dangers, she will never comment on her obvious hypocrisy. Morrigan can also become a maleficar in addition to an apostate, and regardless of her professed distaste for bargaining with demons, will never remark on her choices under the Warden's directive either.

During Awakening, Anders can become a maleficar, which is quite ironic since the templars were likely to brand him as such sooner or later, despite the fact that he was merely an apostate. As soon as he finds succor within the ranks of the Grey Wardens, he can possibly commit the crimes that he would have been accused of. Interestingly, he is also the only companion in all of Origins and Awakening who will comment--however briefly--on being made a blood mage.


Dragon Age II

Especially in recent years, the city-state of Kirkwall has seen a dramatic increase in its number of blood mages. Ironically, a significant portion of this can be attributed to the Templars under Knight-Commander Meredith, who have gradually turned the Circle of Magi located in the Gallows into a veritable prison for mages.


This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age II.


In Dragon Age II, a mage Hawke can choose to become a blood mage through one of the available specializations. Unlike Dragon Age: Origins, it is unclear how Hawke would have come by this knowledge, but it can be assumed that the proliferation of blood mages in Kirkwall makes such teachings relatively easy to come by.

One of Hawke's potential mage companions, Merrill, joins the party as an acknowledged blood mage. While it remains up to the player to decide whether or not to actually teach her the blood mage abilities in her unique specialization tree, the game still treats her as a full blood mage with regard to the plot. Interestingly, Anders--another potential companion for Hawke--appears to have no additional dialogue on his experiences using blood magic if you import an Awakening save file in which he was given the Blood Mage specialization.


Notable blood mages

Historical figures

Dragon Age: Origins

Dragon Age: Awakening

Dragon Age II

References

Dragon Age: Origins - PRIMA Official Strategy Guide

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