Flora, a vital part of our natural environment, encompasses all forms of plant life. With their intricate and diverse species, they serve as the foundation of various ecosystems. However, there has been speculation regarding the possibility of plants practicing blood magic. Blood magic, typically associated with dark and forbidden arts, involves the manipulation of life force through blood sacrifices. Although this concept seems far-fetched, there are instances where flora may exhibit behaviors that resemble blood magic rituals. One such example is the carnivorous plants, such as the Venus flytrap or pitcher plants.
One such example is the carnivorous plants, such as the Venus flytrap or pitcher plants. These plants lure unsuspecting insects into their traps and digest them for nutrients. While this may not involve explicit blood sacrifices, it can be seen as a form of predatory behavior, where the plants extract vital fluids from their prey.
Blood Magic
Blood Magic is an arcane domain that crosses lines with necromancy, but is far more insidious in its effect on the world. It is sometimes referred to as "defiling magic" as it pulls from life itself, consuming it with the casting of spells. This life may be pulled from living beings, and works best when pulled from sentient creatures. However, in lieu of this, it may pull from the land itself, destroying large swaths of flora (and fauna) in a region, depending upon how powerful a spell is cast. Blood magic was popularized by The Sanguine Order of blood mages who were instrumental in the cataclysmic war known as The Sundering. As a result of The Sundering, blood magic is illegal in Hariel Majour. There, the order known as Hex Chain is primarily tasked with policing magic and routing out blood mages in hiding. In Hariel Minuta, where the colleges of magic thrive, blood magic is still frowned upon (and not formally taught in any school), but its practitioners are not fully outlawed. It is assumed that the city of Sage harbors a number of blood mages, not the least of which being The Boorka (who, to be fair, have never been proven to use blood magic). The only land where blood magic is common in on the western coast of Golthien, in the lands of Lentokk. So great is the Lentokki commitment to defiling magic that the lands, even those far beyond their territories, have withered and suffered (often making the earth unsuitable for vegetation). The ultimate defilers are, of course, The Lentokki God Kings. It is even speculated that the rampant volcanic activity of the eastern continent is largely due to the practice of blood magic. It certainly is a major tool used in the creation of the Deepening Pits that pock the lands of Lentokk.
Effect
Defiling magic is always used to create situations, agency or manifestations against the natural order. In game terms, this involves the enhancement of certain spells (mostly necromancy, but often summoning) past their written effects. The power levels are variable, depending upon the "fullness" of life sacrificed for a spell's usage.
Side/Secondary Effects
The decimation of life, on scales either large or small, depending on the spell.
This could be interpreted as a kind of blood magic, as the plants rely on the "life force" of other organisms to sustain themselves. Additionally, some plants have been observed to have parasitic tendencies, attaching themselves to other organisms and drawing nutrients from their hosts. One prominent example is the mistletoe, which uses a specialized structure called a haustorium to invade the host plant and extract nutrients. This parasitic behavior is reminiscent of blood magic practices, as it involves tapping into another being's life force for sustenance. Although these instances of plant behavior have similarities to blood magic, it is important to note that plants lack the consciousness and intentionality typically associated with such practices. Unlike sentient beings, plants do not possess the ability to make deliberate choices or engage in intentional rituals. Their behaviors are driven by instinct and evolutionary adaptations designed to ensure their survival. Thus, while plants may exhibit actions that resemble aspects of blood magic, it would be inaccurate to assert that they actively engage in such practices. In conclusion, while some plant behaviors may bear a resemblance to blood magic rituals, it is crucial to recognize that this is a result of evolutionary adaptations rather than intentional practices. The concept of flora actively practicing blood magic is purely speculative, lacking concrete evidence or substantiation. Nevertheless, exploring the fascinating behaviors of plants can provide valuable insights into the complexity and diversity of the natural world..
Reviews for "Unlocking the Green Spellbook: Unleashing Flora's Potential for Blood Magic"
1. Jane - 1 star - I really didn't enjoy "Does flora practice blood magic". The plot seemed scattered and confusing, with no clear direction. The writing style was difficult to follow, making it hard to become invested in the characters or their dilemmas. Additionally, the story lacked depth and was filled with clichéd tropes. Overall, I found it to be a frustrating and unsatisfying reading experience.
2. Mark - 2 stars - "Does flora practice blood magic" had an interesting concept, but it was poorly executed. The pacing was off, with long stretches of unnecessary exposition and dialogue that added little to the narrative. The characters were also underdeveloped and lacked complexity, making it hard to connect with them. Additionally, the storyline felt predictable and lacked any real surprises or twists. Unfortunately, this book just didn't live up to my expectations.
3. Sarah - 2.5 stars - I wanted to like "Does flora practice blood magic", but it fell short for me. The world-building was minimal, leaving many unanswered questions, and the magic system felt underdeveloped. The main character, Flora, was hard to relate to and lacked depth, which made it difficult to root for her. The writing style felt flat and lacked descriptive language, leaving the story feeling flat and uninspired. Overall, while the idea had potential, the execution left much to be desired.