Foreword:
What follows are the fruits of my mind over the past few months, and the extensive labour of researching, developing, and attempting to produce a quality lore piece that has depth to it. This was created to sate the hunger for more esoteric alchemy, and traditional magic roleplay - which is unfortunately seldom found in the world of LOTC. With Sanguinem Artis, I hope to achieve the next level of interesting roleplay that can be contributed to by anyone, and overall provide a better experience for those interested in the genre. It is a combination of blood magic and alchemy, the two under-appreciated avenues working in tandem. If there are any concerns, quarrels, or noticed flaws, then I encourage that you contact me @ Nozoa#5616 I will not hesitate to change things for the betterment of the lore. Regardless of intricacies, enjoy the lore!
Sanguinem Artis
Sanguis Alchemy, Bloodcraft, or Blood Alchemy
“A matter of utmost holiness, which is within all, with no true name, and known by none!”
Sanguinem Artis is an agèd craft, existing in half-written fables from days of yore, and amongst archaic texts, untranslatable, and filled with the incoherent ramblings of maddened magicians. Despite their obscurity, many of such stories do bear truthful fruit, for the hidden secrets of the art have been whispered through long lineages of alchemists, and the ever-toiling hands of the occult. From the ill-fated eve when it was conceived, Sanguis alchemy has been kept within the crevices and recesses of the mortal world, because only from within blood will its truth be told.
Alchemists from ancient times first procured it after they beheld revelations of blood and the hidden powers that lay behind its crimson visage. Though some say that the alchemists simply received random dreams, from which at mere chance did they uncover what the blood has to offer. While others murmur of an ancient God who descended to teach it himself. Regardless of which story one chooses, the alchemists then further developed what they saw, begetting meaning from their visions; hence, they discovered the craft of blood. And while no reason could ever make up for the practices which they unveiled, the alchemists saw purpose in their pursuit - they were mesmerized by the power which this new art bestowed. So they created Godless abominations and potions so sinful that they surely came from the devil himself. No amount of ethics could stop them either, because they were not men of worship, but rather, men of philosophy. It was a tool to them, a tool of sacred progression, one to solve all their problems, but not without creating new ones in areas where none yet existed (such is the law of equivalence).
This craft descended from the pinnacle of all, the ancient primordial force of blood magic. Thus allowing it to thrive where its brethren magics could not, and allowing it to go on without limit. Yet the cosmic laws of natural philosophy and the universe prevented its practitioners from unlocking the one true power completely. Sanguinem Artis relies on the genus of blood to procure fantastic results; but for that very reason, it remains unpredictable, risky, and down-right taboo. And due to the complexity and the sheer amount of knowledge that it requires to perform sanguinem artis, it is a skill that lies only within the hands of those who are willing to devote extensive amounts of their study to it.
Sanguinem Artis is a product of primordial blood magic, bestowed upon the ancient alchemists of Rh’Thor, where the occultism consisted not of runic interactions, but rather the practice of alchemy and sacraments - except its processes are riddled with purposeful traps and eventualities (placed there by the conceivers of this craft), which would prevent practitioners from descending into abuse. Though this side of the story has been lost to time, with all practicing the craft unknowing of its true origins. And like other fables related to blood magic, many of its secrets have been buried in the past, leaving only remnants of its full potential to be had today.
Mechanics
On the Material Occultist
On Alchemical Symbolism
“Ancient things lay unseen, beyond a wall insurmountable by any tangible force.”
There is, and always has been immense power in symbolism, be it some cosmic device, or one fabricated over countless eras of repetition. Alchemical symbolism is specifically important in alchemy, and further, in the ancient arts of sanguis alchemy. Due to its cryptic nature, and origins even more-so, there is great power within a mere symbol, word, or action. There are constructs unknown to the human mind working beyond even the concept of time, that stand radiantly amongst the laws of the universe and its creation, yet unbeknownst to the most studied of philosophers.
It is for these mystical reasons, that alchemists and mages alike deploy such curious processes in their workings. Their workings are riddled with symbolism. And this symbolism is deployed in assay to derive meaning for purpose - which is essentially the unbridled foundation of alchemy itself. This makes symbolism a powerful asset in all that exists. The common alchemist uses symbols to create concoctions, this is no coincidence. Symbolism, in one way or another, is found in nearly every form of magic (and religion, etc.), such as the trinkets used by mystics to contact the dead, the magic circles created by voidal mages, or the runes used by pale blood mages (and golemancy runes).
And so, still unknowingly of the true essence of symbolism; practitioners of the vaunted art, Sanguinem Artis, take advantage of the power in symbolism to provide further meaning for their creations. Alchemy hinges off the logical codes of the universe, set into motion by divine beings beyond the descendent’s comprehension (by ‘the creator’, supposedly), which is why symbolism carries great power in arcana and alchemy alike - for, what better way to find meaning than with symbolic interpretations.
This is why the rituals and sacraments of Sanguinem Artis are filled with complex (cryptic, even) processes which all mirror esoteric truths.
Mechanics
Ingredients and Instruments
“Steam it, slice it, throw it in the pot,
Stir it, steep it, make sure it is hot,
Bottle it, and seal it tight,
For, from blood, it is wrought.”
A practitioner of sanguis alchemy makes use of a plethora of tools, instruments, and items that are important for sacraments. All of the following recipes are considered “rare”, and therefore must be taught.
Sikil Chalk
A blood-red chalk, which at a glance would not be particularly special at all.
Sihr Rahaat
A black powder which exudes grey plumes of smoke when disturbed, and burns the skin of those who touch it.
Heka
A clear liquid that has a high viscosity.
Aeternum Oil
A thin, yellow oil that has a strong chemical odour emanating from it.
Blood Alchemists also use a handful of mundane tools and instruments to perform tasks required for the practice.
Rituals, Rites, And Creations
Through taboo rite and ritual, the alchemist finds themself able to create things previously unheard of, or only spoken about in legend. These things were procured using very meticulous processes, peppered with the use of symbolism; and with blood as the source of power. These customs are not unlike pale blood magic, which hinges off of similar logic - yet sanguinem artis remains separate as a more condensed and scholarly method to find different results, used in tandem with alchemy.
“With ancient and sacred power, there was newfound truth.”
A practice wrought from savagery, this is - though one with the ability of precision and calculation. This craft of esoteric extremity found itself within the hands of a vast array of users, from witches, to zealots, to alchemists and philosophers. Which is why its rituals are greatly adaptable, and take on different tones depending who’s hand its power lies clutched within.
“Where others stood in awe, there were assailers of a most-holy science.”
These rituals can become very dangerous if treated with folly, or unpreparedness - resulting in backfires, including explosions, reversals, or even more dastardly outcomes.
“And with risk, there comes a great onus, this competence seldom found in those who see themselves to be aspirers.”
Mechanics
Draught of D’ikhor
A chunky, noxious liquid that is a deep red and has a very viscous consistency.
Serpent’s Tempt
A juicy, golden (in colour, and splendor) fruit born from ritual.
Rite of Aeternum
A foul ritual consisting of the adapted crudeness of primitive practices in order to preserve a deceased body eternally.
Bleeding Ichor
A mercurial potion, often swirling, bubbling, or even changing hues, with a colour range from dark red, to dark yellow.
On Blood Dregs
Dregs are shards of coagulated blood imbued with pure genus, and one’s own will to beget meaning where there is only power. There are two known types of dregs in current time; the regular blood dreg, and the knowledge-storing dreg, though in the past ages of blood magic, there were more which carried diverse effects with them.
The Blood Dreg
A shard of hardened blood (no smaller than 9 centimeters, and no larger than 13), capable of suspending itself a few centimeters off the ground whilst idle. At first glance, this would be its only ‘magical’ effect.
Knowledge-Storing Dregs
A shard of hardened blood (no smaller than 9 centimeters, and no larger than 13), covered in material alphabet inscriptions.
The Metaphysical Array
Across long ages, the peculiar material Occultist partook graciously and, unrestrained, proponents of knowledge infinitely vast, in both scope and application... Yet, within the blasphemous souls of even the greatest esotericist, the truth of application may wane, falling into idle ruin… Lest the stars of mind realign… And yet, with cosmic persistence, the archaic sigils of Rh’Thor crept back into the notebooks of the alchemist with time. Now, the man of blood would have to prove his worthiness by setting things into motion that had not been disturbed in long ages, when the foundations of Sanguinem Artis were not ruinous and dilapidated, but rather, shining in all their opulence.
Enter, the esotericist, in the last living morsel of his wit.
The Fundamental
A talisman or sigil used to achieve mystical effects by conveying meaning; typically a star with varying amounts of points.
There is a fundamental reason for the extreme frequency of the pentacle. The symbol finds itself lost within the pages of vast libraries, tomes, and in other cases even scrawled in the more unsavoury of fashions. And yet the question remains… Why must this symbol plague our workings and tell tales of our own concepts? To answer that, one must uncover the significance and meaning behind this symbol that is oft far too misunderstood.
The pentacle has many meanings behind it depending on that which one seeks to use it for. In conceptual alchemy, its 5 points have been used to represent the 5 primary elements (ignis, aer, aqua, terra, aether). The way it is drawn in one fluent motion can convey the conversion and movement of energy. And the two points it sits on represent balance, or grounding, with the opposite effect when flipped so that it stands on one point. It also takes the shape of a star. Though these are only some of its meanings, the pentacle carries great weight when used in magic, and has since ancient times when it was first conceived. On top of this, pentacles can come in different sizes and have a different amount of points, with each one having a different meaning (pentagram, hexagram, heptagram, octagram, etc.).
And yet the power of the pentacle does not lie only within its shape, for it can come in shapes and designs beyond even the typical star. In the context of Sanguinem Artis, the pentacle is a sigil that represents (blood) magical aptitude.
Inscribing
The pentacles are inscribed upon the soul, effectively altering it and henceforth allowing for otherworldly things to occur.
The process of inscribing upon the soul is a complicated and delicate one, which ascends far beyond any artificery or skilled craft- mundane, or magic alike. It is the act of reaching into the deepest of one’s own perception, in order to discern that which lies in both the material and the immaterial; the soul. And with that, the philosopher in question would then extract pure genus from the blood of whoever they might be inscribing, before enacting a sacrament to alter the blueprint of the soul. This alteration would accomplish a measly feat compared to what occultists of yore sought, but in modern day, it would prove to be a miracle. This alteration would be the permanent inscription of a pentacle upon the soul, which can then be displayed in any manner of ways. The act of having a pentacle on one’s soul is like having a tattoo that both comes and goes, but is always present. It can show in the form of a marking on the skin, a faint reflection in one’s cornea, or even an ethereal rune floating around a practicing mage. Each pentacle has varying ability, but as described in the aforementioned section, they work by harnessing the power of blood magic, whilst simultaneously trapping said power within a pentacle in order to achieve specific effects.
The sacrament itself consists of using the pure genus and the magic in Sanguinem Artis to brand the soul with the symbol of a pentacle.
Mechanics
The Pentacles
Of Invocations and the Material
“Peculiar powers reigned over by strict precepts of the material plane and its influences...”
The invocation of the material plane is a truly obscure concept, stemming back to blood magic of olden days, when fire was conjured from the sky, or masses of earth were moved. Yet this force does not rely on existing magicks to be amplified, rather, it uses blood magic to alter the material plane directly. The power of invocation was aptly named, due to its process revolving around invoking the material elements using blood magic, for combative, or non-combative purposes alike. And with it, one can harness great power, though still remaining yet unparalleled to voidal evocation.
The invocation of the material plane requires great understanding of it, its laws, and the inner workings that lay unseen by the mortal eye. As well, these abilities all abide by the tells of sanguinem artis, and in the process of casting, one would have exaggerated physical tolls. And of course, with anything created, something of equal worth must be forgoed; which is why genus is required in all instances.
Lesser Conversion [Non-Combative]
By intentionally breaching the occultist’s own skin to allow for less than meek amounts of blood to flow, they would be able to control the genus within and tap into the material plane around them at a minor level. Such a thing would only be possible under little pressure, and the possibilities so feeble that one could never hope to accomplish lesser conversion in combat.
Symbol Transmutation [Non-Combative]
After years living in droughts where herbs ceased to live, and poaching highly sought after alchemical herbs - the alchemists of Rh’Thor found a way to derive alchemical symbols from a litany of blood.
Elemental Banishing [Non-Combative]
Elemental banishing is the act of preventing any outside elements from affecting an area, by encircling said area by a palmarium pentacle of whichever element it is that is to be protected from. This would be a grueling task, especially if the aim were to protect a large area from said element. On the other hand, if there was true need for it, elemental banishing would prove to be completely effective, until the inscriptions are destroyed in some way.
Earth Conversion [Combative]
The material occultist would be able to conjure an earthen wall from the ground and use it as a blockade at the price of a small offering from their own pool of blood. The properties of which would be set, and non-variable; much akin to the firm and sturdy nature of the earth itself.
Fire Conversion [Combative]
The material occultist would be able to conjure a funnel of fire and send it forth from their hand at the price of a small offering from their own pool of blood.
Air Conversion [Combative]
The material occultist would be able to conjure a gust of wind and manipulate it to their advantage at the price of a small offering from their own pool of blood.
Water Conversion [Combative]
The material occultist would be able to conjure a jet of water and send it forth from their hand at the price of a small offering from their own pool of blood.
Citations
https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/191025-✓-feat-lore-pale-blood-magic/
https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/189816-✓-world-lore-alchemy-i-signs-and-symbols/
https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/174405-third-generation-blood-magic/?tab=comments#comment-1642554
https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/112030-lore-blood-magic-second-generation/
https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/184582-✓-world-lore-the-material-alphabet/
Credits
Wizard0fNOZ - Author
Zidoax - Writer/Ideas
Titanium - Writing Help
Hephaestus - Review (and Philposting)
Jentos - Review (and Philposting)
Sorairo - Review
TheTri - Moral Support
Authors of Cited Lore Pieces
If I forgot to credit you, pm me <3