Blood Magic

Blood magic is an old magical art which uses the life-force of living beings to fuel its magic. A master of blood magic can summon power completely unlike that of other spellcasters, but at great cost to themselves and others.

History

References to blood magic spans back to before humans arrived on the continent - the sacrifice of animals or humanoids for use in religious or magical rituals is referenced some of the oldest texts. In modern times, this has become forbidden in most cultures. The damage a master blood mage looking for fuel can do to a society has been put on display many times throughout history.

Execution

Just as other magical arts vary across the world, so too do the traditions of blood magic. At its safest and simplest, its practitioners use freshly drawn blood as a reagent for their spellcasting.
The most powerful and least predictable blood magic draws on a creature's life force directly. Such an act fractures and drains their target's very soul to power their rituals and spells. Moreso than any other magical art, this form of blood magic takes on a personality of its own. Without clear intent and force of will by its caster, this magic can easily become unbound and even more dangerous.