It is in our emotions. Fear makes the blood go cold. Anger makes the blood boil. Exhilaration makes the blood rush. Lust makes the blood catch on fire.
It is in our actions. Two enemies have bad blood between them. Two allies forge an everlasting blood brotherhood. A raging barbarian gains his strength through bloodlust. A foul deed must be avenged by shedding blood.
It is in our heritage. It determines your fate. Were you born rich or poor? Will you grow up strong and healthy, clever and cunning, or a pathetic, diseased wretch? Do you wield the awesome power of sorcery, or are you a commoner? Are you destined for leadership, or subservience?
Do not take your blood for granted." ---From the Erythrolex
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Classes: Sorceror, Wizards, Blood Magus, 'Heritage-based' classes
Symbol: An anatomically correct heart, usually tattoed on a hand
The primary function of the Blood Brothers is that of legalism, surprisingly. Blood is a powerful linking force, and thus for a document to be truly "binding", it must be notarized by a Blood Brother. This involves a simple Blood Ritual which requires a drop of blood from all participants. This is a safe and well-documented process, and those familiar with the legal system are used to it. Contracts, agreements, testimony, birth certificates, death certificates, identification, licenses, deeds, and countless other documents are all "penned in blood", as it were.
Blood magic can also be used to bind two or more people together directly, instead of using a document as a medium. Marriage, blood brotherhood, and adoption are all examples of potential bonds.
The Blood Brothers have a few other minor operations in effect, differing from town to town. Some branches have a Homunculus crafting site. (known as a 'creation station') The homunculi created at these sites are sold as pets, which are slightly more intelligent than the average animal, and are also based off the personality of the donator's blood. Some branches offer blood golems and the like as body guards and servants. Still others aid those who have magical diseases. (this the origin of the Blood Monastary; see Joel's map)
There is one other, lesser known skill that high-level Blood Brothers possess: Blood Transfusion. Through a magically and technological complicated process, a Blood Brother can imbue himself or another with the inherent powers of another creature, be it dragon, elemental, fey, or most anything else. It is a dangerous and taxing operation, but certainly not without its benefits.
The Blood Brothers have a friendly relationship with the BSA, as all Blood Brothers are required to register with the BSA in order to become a member. In emergencies, the Blood Brothers have been known to aid the BSA by using their Blood Tranfusion techniques, as well as tapping into "traditional" blood magic, fueled by one's own health. (normally frowned upon in light of the BB's other duties, but not punished) Note that "parasitic" blood magic, fueled by sacrifice, is not taught, or even spoken of. Anyone who is caught practicing Parasitism is subject to death. The founders of the Blood Brothers knew the inherent evil in such behavior; Parasitism is extremely addictive, and is believed-by the few who know of it-to be the source of vampires and other similar essence-draining beings.
Game Info
Blood Brothers are composed of many different walks of life, though they are mostly spellcasters of one sort or another (at least enough of one to cast simple binding magic). Any given guild location will have a decent amount of bodyguards, though the Blood Brothers prefer to defend themselves through political means (alliances, sanctions, espionage, spying, bribery, blackmail) rather than physical ones. It is difficult to steal from a Blood Brother compound, because all of the restricted areas and guarded material is keyed to the biological signature of high-ranking Blood Brothers.
Unlike the BSA, who has many field agents, the Blood Brothers consist mainly of desk jockeys. Field agents exist, but they are the exception, not the rule. More often than not, the only action these agents see is accompanying a BSA group who has need of their expertise. Blood Brothers are offered very little independence in the field, thus adventuring types tend to stay away from the guild.
Leader
Martyr Kincaid is the current leader of the BB, a Sor 6/Blood Magus 6. He is an imposing figure, 6'3", swathed in crimson robes and covered in red tattoos that make his dark, sharp features somewhat feral. His rise to power is due to most of the BB fearing him, though he has thus far done nothing terrible. While visiting the Blood Monastery many years ago, he was accidentally locked in for the night and torn apart by the many monsters residing there.. He was resurrected by a local cleric, and he rose as a Blood Magus, with a renewed purpose and drive in his life. He shares his motives with no one, but his past actions seem to indicate nothing sinister.
