Custom Blood Magic: Ritual

Milk of Set

Dark Renewal (Advanced)

  There is some question regarding the exact theological origins of this ritual, as it's workings touch on a number of pagan practices.  The Egyptian symbolism of day and night cycles evoke a substitution of the victim for the subject in an act of divine trickery, while the use of a bezoar brings to mind a more internal purification.  The abundant use of blood and the particulars of the sacrifice however, are more indicative of a sacrifice based culture such as those of Africa and South America, and a directed offering of life and power either to the gods, or, more disturbingly, to the recipient themselves.  What is clear is that whatever forces this ritual brings to bear, it does so to an end which nearly all religions have sought at one time;  the wholistic renewal of the self.

  A single use of this milk requires a sentient being to be sliced open at the abdomen in such a way that every drop of it's blood drains into a container holding the bezoar of a cow's digestive track.  During the process the caster must feed the victim an amount of their vitae equal to their normal maximum, thus at least doubling the amount of blood that must be bled out.  This solution is then allowed to steep and concentrate in a warm environment for at least a month. 

  Once completed, the Lictor Priest may bathe in this solution for a full 24 hour period.  While suspended in the fluid, the Priest is in a vulnerable state, unable to react unless directly attacked and even then functioning as though the sun were up for the duration of the scene.  Upon completion of the cleansing a lasting euphoric complacency prevents the subject from using ability retests for 1 full lunar cycle unless they first spend a willpower as well, and any recent tap upon their soul is replenished from that of the sacrifice.  If any power or effect has permanently reduced the subject's essence since the sun last rose before they submerged themselves, (permanently reduced or removed a quality on their character sheet) the life force from this solution renews the subject, restoring one such loss.  Once used, this foul solution turns a reddish black and boils away to a hardened dried crust.

This cleansing may only be performed on the Priest himself unless a potential subject allows their veins to be cut open as the solution is poured over them, and spends a point of permanent willpower connecting their essence to that of the sacrifice."