Rites of Blooding
A Blooding is a powerful ceremonial Rite of the Old Ways; spell work that binds magical support from others into a subject’s fate (via the Wyrd), offering protection, power, and a form of ancestral or communal support. It is a binding pact of shared magic and responsibility.
Eligibility & Participation:
Subject: The individual being Blooded (often a fey, but not exclusively).
Technically does not “count” as a participant, but must still be present and central to the rite. This is sometimes debated.
The subject does not contribute blood at birth, but does in later ceremonies.
Participants: Minimum of 5 people, age 7 or older. They must understand that they are pledging their actions and some of their own magic perpetually to empower the recipient and help them avoid future harm by subtly influencing the Wyrd. Participating in a Blooding is not an act to be taken lightly.
Most often participants are family, dear friends, and possibly trusted mentors.
The intent of a participant must be pure. It is never for political or personal gain, and the Wyrd will punish those that try to benefit anyone other than the recipient.
Reciprocation is expected culturally, not magically enforced—but very socially binding. It is noted when the favor is not returned.
Participants do not need to be physically present if blood, bone, or even ectoplasm are provided freely, in absentia, before death, or from a willing spirit.
A participant may be rescind the gift of Blooding at great cost to both parties in another Rite called an Ashen Unbinding —but only under extreme circumstances. It is not for distance, regret, or anger. It is only possible when a participant truly believes that the recipient has committed a profound violation of the Old Ways, or something found morally irredeemable. Intent alone is not enough. The Wyrd itself must agree, and it does not take such unraveling lightly. This cannot be done at the demand of a third party, even a decree of a Queen.
Timing:
Blooding must be performed during specific, powerful times in the subject’s life. Missing an ideal window doesn't eliminate eligibility, but lessens potency.
If a birth date is unknown, it is assigned at the completion of the first chosen Blooding.
| Stage | Ideal Timing | Alternate Options | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn | 3, 7, or 21 hours after birth | 21st day after birth. If missed, the date of any future rite. | |
| Coming of Age Blooding | 21st birthday | 147th(21x21), if missed, the date of any future rite. | |
| Repeat Bloodings | 3087th (21x21x7), 9261st(21x21x21), 27,783rd (prior x3),
64,827th (21x21x21x7), 194,481st (21x21x21x21) |
If missed, the date of a future lesser rite will do. | |
| Lesser Blood Rites
(Some sample examples) |
343rd (7x7x7), 729th (9x9x9), 1,323rd (21x21x3), 1728th
(12x12x12), 3,375th (15x15x15), 5832nd 18x18x18) |
These milestones align with fey numerology, sacred to those following the Old Ways.
Lesser Blood Rites are dates that the gifts given are recognized by the receiver and are both symbolic and deeply personal. The receiver often uses their own blood in these Rites; but the Lesser Blood Rites are not standardized in any way. These can be done on any third year, but the more strongly numerological dates chosen are often accompanied by or followed with parties or other communal observance.
Ceremonial Components:
Blooding Bowl:
Must be designated and enchanted for the ritual, or destroyed during casting.
Holds the combined spell components.
Spell Components (consumed by the ritual):
Blood/bone/ectoplasm from participants.
Subject’s own contribution of blood (if past infancy).
Sacrificial items worn by the subject—finery, jewelry, garments (destroyed at spell climax).
Oils for anointing, herbs, charms, or other traditional components.
All items should reflect sacrifice relative to the giver’s means or emotional attachment.
Preparation:
Subject is bathed in clean water.
Anointed with sacred or personal oils.
Dressed in symbolic, valuable attire (to be destroyed).
Ritual Act:
Subject is submerged in or thoroughly covered by the contents of the Blooding Bowl.
After exactly 3 minutes, the main spell is released—intense magical energy surges into the subject.
This process is painful, overwhelming, and causes unconsciousness for at least 24 hours.
Subject absorbs and integrates the magic over that time. During that time, it is incredibly dangerous to do more than stabilize the individual with magic, and even that is likely to prolong the period of recovery.
Effects
Greater personal power for the recipient (at a lesser cost to the participant).
Passive magical protection, sometimes called “Wyrd-bound fortune”.
Occasional dreams/visions offering warnings to a participant. Sometime this manifests as instinctually knowing when a recipient is in danger. These are more common in psychic bloodlines.
It is said to provide slightly easier resurrection, possibly for both parties, as the soul is more likely to remain nearby, either to continue to protect, or to return the favor.
Greater connections to ancestral magic, such as greater ability to learn spells from the bloodline or strong affinity to familial magics.
There is a possibility of latent traits awakening with each Blooding.
In a few rare cases, the Wyrd reacts more dramatically—granting strange talents, unnatural luck, or prophetic insight.
Cultural Implications:
Families with many interwoven Bloodings can become tightly knotted webs of magical obligation, love, and expectation.
Fey nobles may keep ancestral Blooding Bowls as relics—full of echoes, barely hanging onto physical form after centuries. These are often kept in family tombs.
Refusing to reciprocate upon a Blooding is a serious taboo, interpreted as breaking with one’s lineage or chosen family.
Enemies may fear those who are heavily Blooded, as it means they are never truly alone.
