User:Windrunner/TES
| Windrunner/TES | |
|---|---|
| Related to | The Dor |
| World of Origin | Sel |
Bloodsealing is a manifestation of Investiture practiced by the Bloodsealers of Dzhamar on Sel.[1] Much like the better known Forgery, Bloodsealing makes use of stamps to create Bloodseals, seals powered by the Investiture of the Dor which create a range of magical effects. However, there the similarities end. Instead of the organic inks of Forgery, Bloodsealers make use of human blood as the ink in their stamp.
Process
The strict processes of and restrictions on Bloodsealing, as well as any limits to its capabilities are so far unknown, but a few constants and hints appear. The use of a stamp seems to be required, as well as the blood of a human being. The only stamp used to make a Bloodseal so far was made of bone, but it is uncertain if this is a requirement. In addition, while human blood has always been used so far, it is unknown if the blood of an animal will suffice to create a Bloodseal. Another rule is that the blood being used must be fresh, harvested from the person within the past twenty-four hours.****
mention hair and nails mention strange appearance of bloodsealers
Speculation
Diminishing returns Shape of Dzhamar
Uses
Wards
Skeletals
Main article: Skeletals
Bloodsealers use soulstamps made of bone and their target's blood as ink. These soulstamps are sometimes referred as Bloodseals.[2] Among their abilities are creating constructs of human or animal bones known as skeletals, tracking a target with blood[3] and making wards that would alert the Bloodsealer if their targets leave the vicinity of the Bloodseal.[4] After a day or so, the blood is useless to a Bloodsealer, so fresh blood is a requirement.[5] Bloodsealing is very similar to Forgery in application. Grands consider Bloodsealing a dark art but make use of it if they need it.[5]
Culture
As a whole, Bloodsealing seems to be a controversial art in the Rose Empire. It is only known to be practiced in Dzhamar, who have not been mentioned to have any issues with its use. The Grands, ruling class of the empire seem to have a certain distaste for the Investiture, but have displayed their willingness to make use of it over Forgery. Both the MaiPon and the Mulla'dil or Strikers have a strong and lasting hatred for Bloodsealers and their magic. MaiPon see it as twisted and unnatural. The mountainous homeland of the Strikers borders Dzhamar, so there is also a lasting indemnity between these two groups.
On a global scale, as of the Late Era of Sel, Bloodsealing appears to be relatively unknown beyond the borders of the Rose Empire. It is uncertain what if any attitudes there is towards Bloodsealing in Teod or the nations of Opelon. It is possible that this is due to the diminishing power often assosciated with moving beyond
Cosmere Connections
Relationship to Forgery
Like all forms of Investiture on Sel, Bloodsealing uses patterns and shapes to draw upon the power of the Dor. However, Bloodsealing and Forgery bear a striking resemblance to one another in method. While the creation of magical seals is something they have in common, what the two systems seem capable of is vastly different. The whole idea behind a Forgery is to build a plausible lie, in order to make both the Cognitive aspect of an object as well as other people believe an untruth. However, this idea has nothing to do with the two previously outlined contexts in which we have seen Bloodsealing used. Skeletals in particular, being walking skeletons devoi d of any muscle or flesh seem to very directly contradict the plausibility requirement necessary for a successful Forgery. These two systems at first glance appear very like one another but upon closer analysis they are still distinct, albeit closely related systems.{{ref http://www.17thshard.com/forum/topic/4290-heres-some-late-stuff/}
Known Bloodsealers
- Weedfingers - Unnamed Bloodsealer that used the Investiture to imprison WanShai Lu while she worked on the Essence Mark of Emperor Ashravan and later attempts to capture her during her escape.
Notes
Template:Magical Entities A skeletal was a construct created by utilizing Bloodsealing to bring the bones of a creature back to life.[1] Skeletals are terrifyingly effective, they ruthlessly pursue their target and never tire.[2] They can track a person for up to twenty-four hours if they have a fresh blood sample of the target, afterwards the blood is too stale.
Construction
Skeletals have a glowing red seal on their bodies, for humans on the forehead, that can only be created by using blood.[2] This is the thing that allows them to return to a semblance of life. The bones of the skeletals must also be whole for the skeletal to function. If bones are removed or broken, the creature will collapse and not move until it is repaired. If any of the bones are broken beyond repair or lost, wooden carvings of the bones can take their place. Small alterations to the bones are also permissible, like sharpening the bones to make removing them difficult.
Uses
Uncertainties Where does the Blood come from? How active are the skeletons? Relation to Lifeless?