Blood Magic - A Forbidden Doctrine
The ancient Tevinter initially did not view blood magic as a magical school; for them, it was merely a means to enhance any other school of magic. Its name indicates the fact that magic of this kind consumes not mana, but life force, particularly in the form of blood. At one time, it was common practice for magisters to keep a certain number of slaves on hand, so that if a spell was needed that was beyond the magister's ability, they could reinforce it with the blood of a slave.
However, over time, spells were discovered in the Empire that could only be performed using blood. While lyrium merely helps a mage send his mind into the Fade, blood allows him to enter the consciousness of others, see their dreams, and even manipulate their thoughts or directly bend them to his will. And, most dangerously, blood magic allows for a complete breach of the Veil, enabling demons to physically invade our world.
The emergence of the Song of Light and the subsequent fall of the old Empire led to blood magic being virtually eradicated. Rightfully so, as it represents a tremendous danger both to the practitioner and to the world at large.
First Enchanter Yozefus. “Four Schools. Treatise.”
Blood magic was the first form of magic in Thedas. According to legend, the ancient god of silence, Dumat, taught it to Archon Talsian, the founder of the Tevinter Empire. Historians debate this, suggesting that imperial mages may have learned blood magic from the elves of Arlatan. But whatever its origin, it was used by the magisters of Tevinter to dominate all of Thedas. The Church claims that the reckless use of blood magic ultimately led to the corruption of the Golden City, the rise of darkspawn, and the First Blight.
In the modern world, blood magic is described as one of the most ominous forms of magic. Blood magic is the magical application of blood, of life itself, as fuel for spells. Life energy can be given either by the mage or through a willing or unwilling sacrifice. It allows the mage to control others' minds as well as use their own life forces to bolster their power. Currently, this practice is so rare in Thedas that it can only be learned through contact with a demon, risking possession.
While blood magic itself is not inherently evil, the Church strictly prohibits its use, claiming that it is a defilement. Mages who practice blood magic are called maleficar, and they are hunted by the templar order, created to oversee mages, destroy demons, and, more specifically, to hunt down maleficar and renegades. Indeed, the Church seems utterly deranged in its fear of blood magic, having gone so far in suppressing the teaching and ignoring more direct and serious threats. This fear has led to a relentless hunt for all renegades, regardless of their origin. Although not all renegades are necessarily maleficar, the Church seems to push them towards this path, and many renegades turn to blood magic just to survive. The Circle of Mages seeks to control all magically gifted individuals from an early age, so that none of them may study the forbidden school of magic. Nevertheless, even with their constant oversight, the occasional maleficar slips through the cracks into the world.
Maleficar
Maleficar are mages who use blood magic.
Thus, we are faced with the question: “What is a maleficar? How can they be recognized?” Just like you, I once asked myself this question. You have come to me for the wisdom of the Creator, but no one has seen firsthand how the heart of the Creator saved His beloved Andraste. And so I proceed as all mortals should, seeking the answer in the words of His prophetess. And in them, I find solace for the troubled mind. For she told us: “Magic must serve man, not man serve magic.”
Therefore, I say to you, those who use magic to subjugate the minds and hearts of others transgress the law of the Creator.
And Andraste also spoke to us: “Whoever unjustly harms the least of His children will be cursed and hated by the Creator.” And it has become clear to me, as it should be to each of you: that magic which feeds itself on the suffering of others, on the shedding of blood, is cursed by the Creator.
Those mages who honor the Creator and uphold His commandments, we accept as our brothers and sisters. Those who reject the laws of the Creator and the words of His prophetess are renegades, and there is no place for them among us.
From the Sermons of Justinia I.
Blood Mages in Dragon Age
- The Warden can become a blood mage during gameplay, both in "Origins" and "Awakening."
- In "Origins," Wynne can become a blood mage.
- In "Awakening," Anders can become a maleficar, but in "Dragon Age II" - he does not. Moreover, it will never be mentioned that Anders used blood magic in "Awakening."
- In "Dragon Age II," Hawke can become a blood mage.
Blood Magic and the Grey Wardens
Despite the fact that blood magic is banned in Ferelden, the Grey Wardens sometimes resort to it as a means of fighting the darkspawn. Duncan confirms this if asked about it during a mage playthrough.
In the "Fortress of the Grey Wardens" DLC, the ancient Grey Warden Avernus used blood magic to control the taint of the darkspawn used in the initiation ritual (the initiation itself is a form of blood magic). He went so far as to even torture his fellow Wardens to learn the mysterious powers hidden in their blood, theorizing about the immense possibilities it contains, claiming that only among the Grey Wardens could blood magic be used freely and thrive in the name of advancing sorcery.
What he learned enabled him to use blood magic to continue living unnaturally long - for several hundred years - as well as unlock powerful talents and spells that the Warden can use if they unlock the "blood magic" school. Avernus asserts that the Church foolishly prohibits blood magic, due to their belief that it caused the corruption of the Golden City, which he dismisses as false, and there is much that Grey Wardens, and all mages in general, can learn from it.
Blood Magic and the Templar Order
The Templar Order was created to hunt maleficar. So what kind of relationship can they have? Maleficar avoid Templars, as do all mages. But if pressed against the wall, they will do anything to break free from the clutches of their sworn enemies. And blood mages are capable of much.
Blood Magic and the Circle
The Circle controls all mages. Books on blood magic exist, but are inaccessible to common mages and apprentices. But there are blood mages here too.
Apprentices are watched closely. Any deviation in behavior, any suspicion of blood magic use - and the apprentice faces suppression.
Mages are much more complicated. Usually, blood mages do not announce that they study forbidden magic. But there are several examples where blood mages have taken over the Circle. Then the Templars would take action, declaring "the right to destruction." All mages were slaughtered, regardless of whether the mage before them was simply a mage or a maleficar.
Blood Magic and the Dalish
Dalish Keepers are renegade mages. They use magic, they are aware of blood magic, but regard it with caution. To use blood magic is to turn one's back on the clan, and the clan is everything to the Dalish. Therefore, blood mages are extremely rare among them. A very good example of a blood mage from the Dalish is Merrill. She began studying forbidden magic, and though she was supposed to become the next Keeper, her clan cast her out. Had she ceased using blood magic, she might have returned, but as it was, she put her entire clan at risk.
Blood Magic in Dragon Age: Origins and Awakening
Describing all the quests where we encounter blood magic is long and pointless. It appears very frequently.
This includes the initiation ritual.
This includes "The Broken Circle," where the Circle of Mages is seized by the possessed and blood mages.
This includes blood mages in the Brecilian Forest...
Yovan, who offers to let us enter the Fade using blood magic in the quest