Difference between revisions of "Bloodsealing"

'''Bloodsealing''' is a manifestation of [[Investiture]] practiced by the '''Bloodsealers''' of [[Dzhamar]] on the planet [[Sel]].{{tes ref|42}} Much like the better known [[Forgery]], Bloodsealing makes use of stamps to create Bloodseals,{{tes ref|76}} runes powered by the Investiture of the [[Dor]] which can create a range of magical effects.{{tes ref|3}} However, therethat is where the similarities end. Instead of the conventional organic inks of Forgery, Bloodsealers make use of human blood as the ink in their stamp.

The specific processes and restrictions of 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.{{tes ref|3}} The Bloodseals themselves do not necessarily have to be made from bones, but that is their typical material.{{wob ref|12555}} TheyThe type of bone as well as the location that it comes from can be relevant to the Bloodseal, but it is not strictly necessary.{{wob ref|12556}} In addition, while human blood has always been used so far, it is also 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.{{tes ref|98}} After this time period, the blood grows stale and fresh blood must be used in order to perform additional Bloodsealing.{{tes ref|5}} Right before the stamp loses power, it will begin to dim,{{tes ref|17}} before pulsing and eventually vanishing.{{tes ref|98}}

There are several notable similarities between Bloodsealing and the Investiture of [[Awakening]] on [[Nalthis]]. The most overt comparisons can be drawn between skeletals and the Type II BioChromatic entities known as [[Lifeless]]. Both involve the reanimation of corpses to serve the living.{{tes ref|3}}{{book ref|warbreaker|46}} Both Investitures cease to function if the the body they work on is heavily damaged.{{tes ref|98}}{{book ref|warbreaker|33}} In Awakening, this twisted resurrection is fueled by [[BioChromatic Breath]]{{book ref|warbreaker|21}} instead of the Dor, but there is no denying that they are similar. It is, however, important to note, that while it is possible to reanimate a skeleton with Breath, it requires much more Breath and it would be much simpler to simply Awaken a full corpse rather than simply a skeleton.{{book ref|warbreaker|46}} Indeed, the two processes are very similar in how they function, drawing upon an external source of Investiture to cause the body to believe it lives again.{{wob ref|12558}} The primary difference between the two is that the creation of a Lifeless uses a part of the body's own soul, whereas a skeletal does not. The bones themselves are very important in the creating of the skeletal. The comparison with Lifeless raises an interesting possibility. It may offer an insight into how a skeletal is created. Lifeless are returned to life and given a Command, which is a combination of a spoken order and a Cognitive concept of what the Awakened object is to do.{{book ref|warbreaker|46}} If skeletals need a similar Cognitive concept, it would appear the Bloodseal on the forehead serves this same function.

Bloodsealing's other notable similarity to Awakening is based on a lie that Shai tells. She tells the Strikers that the Bloodsealer guarding her has been stealing bits of hair and fingernail from them to use in some ritual.{{tes ref|97}} While she claims that the Bloodsealer would be able to do little with only those bits, the possibility remains that those pieces too can be used in Bloodsealing in some manner. If this is true, then there exists another notable parallel with Awakening. As per the law of Biochromatic Parallelism, the number of Breaths required to Awaken things is reduced when an object being Awakened is made closer to the form of life,{{book ref|warbreaker|46}} oftensuch byas usingwhen blood, nails, or hair are used in its creation.{{book ref|warbreaker|prologue}}{{annotationwob ref|warbreaker|prologue6017}} If there is any truth to Shai's lie, this is another fascinating parallel between the two Investitures.