Difference between revisions of "Bloodmagic"

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#REDIRECT [[Magic]]
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[[File:Fire and bloodKerry BarnettII.png|thumb|350px|right|Fire and Blood – by Kerry Barnett © FFG]]
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'''Bloodmagic'''{{Ref|AGOT|64}}{{Ref|AFFC|36}} or '''blood sorcery'''{{Ref|TWOIAF|Beyond the Free Cities: The Basilisk Isles}} is a type of [[magic]] rooted in blood, considered the darkest and most powerful sorcery.{{Ref|AFFC|36}} Practitioners of bloodmagic are known as [[bloodmage]]s, as well as ''[[maegi]]''.
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==History==
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[[File:Bloodraven's Paramour by Jota Saraiva.jpg|thumb|350px|right|[[Shiera Seastar]] bathing in blood by Jota Saraiva ©]]
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===Myth===
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According to legend, [[Azor Ahai]] succeeded in forging [[Lightbringer]] by working on it for a hundred days and a hundred nights and tempering the steel by plunging the blade into the heart of his beloved wife, [[Nissa Nissa]].{{Ref|ACOK|10}}
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===Valyria===
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The magic practiced by the [[Valyrians]] was rooted in blood and [[fire magic]]. Septon [[Barth]], in his ''[[Dragons, Wyrms, and Wyverns: Their Unnatural History]]'', speculated that the [[bloodmage]]s of the [[Valyrian Freehold|Freehold]] employed [[wyvern]] stock to create [[dragons]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|Beyond the Free Cities: Sothoryos}} Meanwhile, in the flesh pits of [[Gogossos]], bloodmages mated beasts to [[slavery|slave]] women to bring forth twisted half-human children.{{Ref|TWOIAF|Beyond the Free Cities: The Basilisk Isles}}
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===Qohor===
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Bloodmagic, along with [[necromancy]] and divination, is rumored to be practiced in [[Qohor]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Qohor}} According to Maester [[Pol]], the spells required to rework [[Valyrian steel]] involve blood sacrifice.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Qohor}}
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===Harrenhal===
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According to [[Old Nan]], [[Harren Hoare]], [[King of the Isles and the Rivers]], included human blood in the mortar of [[Harrenhal]],{{Ref|AGOT|26}} which is now said to be cursed.{{Ref|ACOK|7}} [[Danelle Lothston]], the mad [[Lady of Harrenhal]], is said to have bathed in blood,{{Ref|AFFC|27}} held feasts of flesh,{{Ref|AFFC|27}} and practiced dark arts during the reign of King [[Maekar I Targaryen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Riverlands: House Tully}} According to tales of [[smallfolk]], giant bats from Harrenhal would bring bad children to her.{{Ref|AFFC|9}}
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===Targaryen===
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[[Shiera Seastar]], the [[bastard]] daughter of King [[Aegon IV Targaryen]], was rumored to bath in blood to retain her beauty.{{Ref|TSS}}
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==Recent Events==
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===''A Game of Thrones''===
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[[Samwell Tarly]] tells [[Jon Snow]] that [[warlocks]] from [[Qarth]] bathed him in [[aurochs]] blood in an attempt to make him brave.{{Ref|AGOT|26}}
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[[Mirri Maz Duur]] tells [[Daenerys Targaryen]] that she knows spells capable of saving a man from death, but warns her that only death may pay for life and death may be cleaner. Mirri sacrifices [[Drogo's stallion]] and,{{Ref|AGOT|64}} unbeknownst to Daenerys, her son [[Rhaego]] to save the live of the dying Khal [[Drogo]]. The spell, however, only restores Drogo's body, leaving him in a catatonic state.{{Ref|AGOT|68}}
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Daenerys has a funeral pyre built and a horse killed. Mirri believes she will try to resurrect him through bloodmagic and insists that without the spells the blood is nothing. She even offers assistance in exchange for release. Daenerys has the horse, Drogo's body, her three [[dragon eggs]] and Mirri Maz Duur placed in the pyre. After the pyre is lighted and Mirri dies, Daenerys walks into the inferno. After the fire dies, not only is Daenerys found alive, with just her clothes and hair burned, but also the eggs have hatched and the first three dragons in more than a hundred years have been born.{{Ref|AGOT|72}}
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===''A Storm of Swords''===
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[[Melisandre]] pleads to [[Stannis Baratheon]] to give her [[Edric Storm]], [[bastard]] son of the late King [[Robert I Baratheon]], as there is power in king's blood and he can be sacrificed to "wake the stone dragon." Stannis refuses, but she is able to leech some of Edric's blood. Stannis casts the leeches into the flames while stating the names of the "three false kings" [[Balon Greyjoy]], [[Robb Stark]], and [[Joffrey Baratheon]].{{Ref|ASOS|36}} In time, Balon falls from [[Pyke]],{{Ref|ASOS|45}} Robb is killed at the [[Red Wedding]],{{Ref|ASOS|51}} and Joffrey is poisoned at his own [[Purple Wedding|wedding feast]].{{Ref|ASOS|60}}
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===''A Feast for Crows''===
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Queen Regent [[Cersei Lannister]] recalls that during her youth, she, [[Jeyne Farman]], and [[Melara Hetherspoon]] visited [[Maggy the Frog]] outside [[tournament in honor of Viserys's birth|Lannisport]]. Although Jeyne fled in terror, Maggy tasted the blood of Cersei and Melara and told the girls their futures.{{Ref|AFFC|12}}{{Ref|AFFC|24}}{{Ref|AFFC|36}}
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[[Yna]], a one-eyed prostitute, is reputed for telling the future by tasting a drop of blood.{{Ref|AFFC|34}}
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===''A Dance with Dragons''===
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When Stannis's army sails for the [[Wall]], Melisandre sacrifices Lord [[Alester Florent]] to [[R'hllor]] to gain favorable winds for the voyage north.{{Ref|ADWD|9}}
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==Known practitioners==
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* [[Melisandre]] of [[Asshai]], a [[red priest]]ess of [[R'hllor]] and a [[shadowbinder]]
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* [[Mirri Maz Duur]], a [[Lhazareen]] [[godswife]] of the [[Great Shepherd]] and a ''[[maegi]]''
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* [[Maggy]], a fortune teller from [[Essos]] and a reputed ''maegi'' based at [[Lannisport]]
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* [[Yna]], a whore at the [[Happy Port]] in [[Braavos]]
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==Quotes==
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{{Quote|This is bloodmagic, lady. Only death may pay for life.{{Ref|AGOT|64}}|[[Mirri Maz Duur]] to [[Daenerys Targaryen]]}}
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{{Quote|Bloodmagic is the darkest kind of [[sorcery]]. Some say it is the most powerful as well.{{Ref|AFFC|36}}|[[Taena Merryweather]] to [[Cersei Lannister]]}}
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{{Quote|What feeds a [[dragonflame|dragon's fire]]? All [[Valyria]]n sorcery was rooted in blood or fire.{{Ref|AFFC|45}}|[[Marwyn]] to [[Samwell Tarly]]}}
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==References==
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{{References|2}}
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[[Category:Bloodmagic| ]]
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[[Category:Magic]]
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[[es:Magia de sangre]]

Revision as of 21:02, 8 March 2023

Fire and Blood – by Kerry Barnett © FFG

Bloodmagic[1][2] or blood sorcery[3] is a type of magic rooted in blood, considered the darkest and most powerful sorcery.[2] Practitioners of bloodmagic are known as bloodmages, as well as maegi.

History

Shiera Seastar bathing in blood by Jota Saraiva ©

Myth

According to legend, Azor Ahai succeeded in forging Lightbringer by working on it for a hundred days and a hundred nights and tempering the steel by plunging the blade into the heart of his beloved wife, Nissa Nissa.[4]

Valyria

The magic practiced by the Valyrians was rooted in blood and fire magic. Septon Barth, in his Dragons, Wyrms, and Wyverns: Their Unnatural History, speculated that the bloodmages of the Freehold employed wyvern stock to create dragons.[5] Meanwhile, in the flesh pits of Gogossos, bloodmages mated beasts to slave women to bring forth twisted half-human children.[3]

Qohor

Bloodmagic, along with necromancy and divination, is rumored to be practiced in Qohor.[6] According to Maester Pol, the spells required to rework Valyrian steel involve blood sacrifice.[6]

Harrenhal

According to Old Nan, Harren Hoare, King of the Isles and the Rivers, included human blood in the mortar of Harrenhal,[7] which is now said to be cursed.[8] Danelle Lothston, the mad Lady of Harrenhal, is said to have bathed in blood,[9] held feasts of flesh,[9] and practiced dark arts during the reign of King Maekar I Targaryen.[10] According to tales of smallfolk, giant bats from Harrenhal would bring bad children to her.[11]

Targaryen

Shiera Seastar, the bastard daughter of King Aegon IV Targaryen, was rumored to bath in blood to retain her beauty.[12]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Samwell Tarly tells Jon Snow that warlocks from Qarth bathed him in aurochs blood in an attempt to make him brave.[7]

Mirri Maz Duur tells Daenerys Targaryen that she knows spells capable of saving a man from death, but warns her that only death may pay for life and death may be cleaner. Mirri sacrifices Drogo's stallion and,[1] unbeknownst to Daenerys, her son Rhaego to save the live of the dying Khal Drogo. The spell, however, only restores Drogo's body, leaving him in a catatonic state.[13]

Daenerys has a funeral pyre built and a horse killed. Mirri believes she will try to resurrect him through bloodmagic and insists that without the spells the blood is nothing. She even offers assistance in exchange for release. Daenerys has the horse, Drogo's body, her three dragon eggs and Mirri Maz Duur placed in the pyre. After the pyre is lighted and Mirri dies, Daenerys walks into the inferno. After the fire dies, not only is Daenerys found alive, with just her clothes and hair burned, but also the eggs have hatched and the first three dragons in more than a hundred years have been born.[14]

A Storm of Swords

Melisandre pleads to Stannis Baratheon to give her Edric Storm, bastard son of the late King Robert I Baratheon, as there is power in king's blood and he can be sacrificed to "wake the stone dragon." Stannis refuses, but she is able to leech some of Edric's blood. Stannis casts the leeches into the flames while stating the names of the "three false kings" Balon Greyjoy, Robb Stark, and Joffrey Baratheon.[15] In time, Balon falls from Pyke,[16] Robb is killed at the Red Wedding,[17] and Joffrey is poisoned at his own wedding feast.[18]

A Feast for Crows

Queen Regent Cersei Lannister recalls that during her youth, she, Jeyne Farman, and Melara Hetherspoon visited Maggy the Frog outside Lannisport. Although Jeyne fled in terror, Maggy tasted the blood of Cersei and Melara and told the girls their futures.[19][20][2]

Yna, a one-eyed prostitute, is reputed for telling the future by tasting a drop of blood.[21]

A Dance with Dragons

When Stannis's army sails for the Wall, Melisandre sacrifices Lord Alester Florent to R'hllor to gain favorable winds for the voyage north.[22]

Known practitioners

Quotes

This is bloodmagic, lady. Only death may pay for life.[1]

Bloodmagic is the darkest kind of sorcery. Some say it is the most powerful as well.[2]

What feeds a dragon's fire? All Valyrian sorcery was rooted in blood or fire.[23]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 64, Daenerys VIII.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 36, Cersei VIII.
  3. 3.0 3.1 The World of Ice & Fire, Beyond the Free Cities: The Basilisk Isles.
  4. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 10, Davos I.
  5. The World of Ice & Fire, Beyond the Free Cities: Sothoryos.
  6. 6.0 6.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Free Cities: Qohor.
  7. 7.0 7.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 26, Jon IV.
  8. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 7, Catelyn I.
  9. 9.0 9.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 27, Jaime III.
  10. The World of Ice & Fire, The Riverlands: House Tully.
  11. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 9, Brienne II.
  12. The Sworn Sword.
  13. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 68, Daenerys IX.
  14. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 72, Daenerys X.
  15. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 36, Davos IV.
  16. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 45, Catelyn V.
  17. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 51, Catelyn VII.
  18. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 60, Tyrion VIII.
  19. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 12, Cersei III.
  20. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 24, Cersei V.
  21. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 34, Cat Of The Canals.
  22. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 9, Davos I.
  23. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 45, Samwell V.