Blood Magic

Effect

The art of sacrificial magic is mastered only at the Avalon School of Blood. The hardest style of spellweaving by far, the process to learn it is incredibly demanding. It is an incredibly dangerous school of magic but it is very powerful. The user may absorb the life essence of fallen lifeforms to power their own magic. The power increases based on factors such as; if they struck the killing blow, it was a non combatant simply sacrificed for magical power, how meaningful the dead person is to the blood mage, and how much they trust the blood mage. Not only is a powerful spark needed to even be capable of wielding sacrificial energy, but the process of becoming a blood mage is grueling, emotionally taxing, and physically demanding and painful. On top of all of this, most if not all blood mages must learn a second discipline of combat be it magical or not; as blood magic cannot be wielded unless someone has just recently died. No mage should count on a situation that convenient in a battle to have any use. So if the mage is not skilled in a martial form of combat they must also learn another school of magic.

Side/Secondary Effects

The first step to a blood mage learning the craft is for them to sacrifice whichever hand they wish to channel their magic with. The hand is replaced with a grotesque bloody facsimile of a hand. Learning the craft can take many years and ends with the first true sacrifice being made during the final exam. Two students are sent to complete a mission and one must sacrifice the other before the mission is completed.
With their first true sacrifice completed, it becomes a high that the blood mage must resist the call to continue sacrificing uncontrollably. A blood mage that falls completely to this temptation becomes a Psion.

Manifestation

Appears as blood red swirls of magic moving from the dead target to the blood mage

Discovery

Famous blood mages include Asch Figthorn and Agatha

Gestures & Ritual

One specific use of blood magic is technically available to anyone, trained or not, if they are able to understand the process and have the fortitude to carry through. Asch Figthorn studied the process (accidentally killing several other students at Avalon and almost himself) and shared his findings with Phantom during their journey together.
The technique is the sacrifice of one's own magical Spark. Obviously the strength of the user's spark comes into play, but such a deep personal sacrifice compounded by the entirety of a person's magical potential creates a very large amount of energy. Despite only being a theory Phantom was unknowingly assisted by his former friend in having given him that information. He ripped out his Spark to strike the corrupted form of Samuel Eshpard, a key action for ending the threat of Balimor once and for all.
This technique has only been recorded to have been used two more times. Once by [404 CHARACTER NOT FOUND] to protect the wellwalk path as he had been informed of the process by Tasir, the son of Phantom. And, nearly at the same time, the original creator of the process Asch Figthorn was dominated by Frane Domus and made to perform the action on himself; eliminating him as a threat and causing the Ereburst at the same time.