Báuturíí

Foundational Principles

• Symbiosis Above All: The Báuturíí believe their relationship with the Hemomantic Confluxes is a sacred union, granting them purpose and power. Their society centers on maintaining harmony between the host and symbiote.
• Blood as a Sacred Resource: Blood is not merely sustenance but a divine element to be revered. The Báuturíí view blood as life, currency, and the foundation of their abilities.
• The Crimson Code: A strict ethical code governs the Báuturíí, focusing on balance, restraint, and the responsible use of their powers to avoid falling into chaos or exposing their existence.

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Hierarchical Structure

The Báuturíí society is highly stratified, with roles determined by the strength of an individual's symbiotic bond, mastery of hemomantic powers, and contributions to their hidden communities.

The Apex (The Sangcairn)

• Role: Leaders of Báuturíí society, revered as living conduits of the Hemomantic Confluxes’ hive mind.
• Composition: Typically one or a few Báuturíí with extraordinary control over their symbiotes and unmatched hemomantic abilities.
• Responsibilities:
  • Interpreting the will of the hive mind and guiding society.
  • Making decisions regarding alliances, rituals, and blood resource management.
  • Acting as mediators in disputes and guardians of ancient symbiotic knowledge.
• Symbol: Their rash markings form intricate patterns resembling crowns or halos, glowing brightly during rituals.

The Bloodkeepers (Velzareth)

• Role: Priests, healers, and custodians of Báuturíí knowledge.
• Responsibilities:
  • Leading rituals to strengthen bonds between symbiotes and hosts.
  • Preserving ancient texts and teaching new hosts how to manage their abilities.
  • Overseeing blood sanctuaries and ensuring ethical harvesting of blood.
• Cultural Status: Respected as spiritual leaders and the bridge between the physical and mystical aspects of Báuturíí life.

The Crimson Blades (Kortharai)

• Role: Warriors and enforcers of Báuturíí law.
• Responsibilities:
  • Defending Báuturíí communities from external threats.
  • Tracking and neutralizing rogue hosts who misuse their powers or threaten exposure.
  • Undertaking covert missions to secure blood resources or eliminate dangerous artifacts.
• Characteristics:
  • Markings on their skin resemble jagged scars, symbolizing their role as protectors.
  • Crimson Blades often possess enhanced offensive hemomantic abilities, such as creating blood weapons.

The Veilwalkers (Mazhenith)

• Role: Spies, scouts, and emissaries to the outside world.
• Responsibilities:
  • Moving undetected in human society to gather intelligence or recruit potential hosts.
  • Serving as liaisons between Báuturíí communities and other sympathetic groups.
  • Using hemokinesis to disguise themselves or manipulate others without violence.
• Characteristics: Their rash markings are faint and less conspicuous, allowing them to blend in.

The Bloodbound (Velthain)

• Role: Ordinary Báuturíí who maintain the community through labor, support, and cultivation of blood sanctuaries.
• Responsibilities:
  • Managing day-to-day tasks such as food production, construction, and symbiote care.
  • Offering their blood in rituals and aiding in the training of newly infected hosts.
• Cultural Status: While they lack significant power or influence, they are the backbone of Báuturíí society and are highly valued for their contributions.

The Untethered (Felsymna)

• Role: Rogue Báuturíí who reject the Crimson Code or fail to integrate with their symbiotes.
• Characteristics:
  • Often mentally unstable due to their rejection of the hive mind.
  • Their rash markings are chaotic, appearing like scars or burns.
• Cultural Status: Viewed as dangerous and cursed, they are hunted by the Crimson Blades to prevent harm to the community.

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Community Structure

Hidden Settlements:

• Location: Underground catacombs, dense forests, or abandoned ruins. These places are protected by natural defenses and hemomantic wards.
• Design: Circular layouts resembling veins, with communal areas at the center and sanctuaries for blood collection and rituals at key points.
• Population: Typically small, to avoid detection. Larger gatherings occur only during major rituals or crises.

Blood Sanctuaries:

• Purpose: Sacred places where blood is harvested, stored, and shared among the community.
• Design: Central altars adorned with glowing runes, surrounded by flowing channels of preserved blood.
• Regulations: Only ethical harvesting is permitted (voluntary donations or from willing allies). Blood dependency is strictly managed to prevent overuse or addiction.

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Rituals and Ceremonies

The Binding of the Symbiote (Velkaithai)

• Purpose: To guide a new host through the integration process with the Hemomantic Confluxes.
• Significance: This initiation ceremony marks the beginning of a host's transformation into a Báuturíí and ensures the symbiote and host can coexist harmoniously.
  • Preparation:
    • The host fasts for a day, purifying their body.
    • A blood sanctuary is prepared with symbols etched in runes around the altar, creating a protective ward.
  • Steps:
    1. The Inoculation: The host consumes a ceremonial mixture of blood and symbiote ichor from the Rákai Chalice.
    2. The Trial: The host endures the initial sickness as their body adjusts. This phase is accompanied by chants from the Velzareth (Bloodkeepers), who sing ancient hymns to stabilize the host's body.
    3. The First Mark: As the host’s rashes form for the first time, they are painted with glowing blood, symbolizing their entry into the Báuturíí collective.
  • Outcome: If successful, the host completes their transformation and joins the community. If the host fails, their body rejects the symbiote, often resulting in death.

The Crimson Confluence (Rákorth Velthai)

• Purpose: To strengthen the hive mind and celebrate unity among the Báuturíí.
• Significance: This communal ritual harmonizes the symbiotic bonds of all participants and allows them to share visions or insights from the collective.
• Setting: A large blood sanctuary with a central Symbiote Well, a vessel that holds the life essence of the community.
  • Steps:
    1. The Gathering: Hosts gather in a circle, connecting their hands to form a living network of blood and energy.
    2. The Offering: Each participant contributes a small amount of blood into the Symbiote Well, which begins to glow as the collective connection strengthens.
    3. The Vision: The Sangcairn (leaders) channel the hive mind, delivering guidance or warnings to the group.
    4. The Chant: A resonant chant harmonizes the hive mind, creating a state of shared consciousness.
  • Outcome: Participants leave feeling rejuvenated, with a heightened sense of connection and purpose.

The Ritual of the Crimson Veil (Mazhelkorth)

• Purpose: To honor the shadow spirits (Mazhel) and seek their protection or wisdom.
• Significance: This ceremony is often performed during celestial events, such as eclipses, when the veil between realms is believed to thin.

• Setting: The ritual takes place in shadowed environments, such as caves or dense forests. A blackened altar is adorned with glowing runes.
  • Steps:
    1. The Shadow's Gift: A symbolic object (e.g., a blade, relic, or artifact) is coated with blood and placed on the altar.
    2. The Invocation: The Velzareth lead a chant to summon the Mazhel. The participants meditate in silence, allowing the shadows to "speak" through visions or feelings.
    3. The Veil’s Response: Shadows flicker, and the object glows faintly, signaling the acceptance of the offering.
• Outcome: Guidance from the Mazhel often comes as cryptic visions or warnings, leaving participants to interpret the messages.

The Severance Rite (Felsykorth)

• Purpose: To sever a corrupted or rogue Báuturíí from the hive mind.
• Significance: This solemn ritual ensures that the collective remains pure and prevents the spread of corruption.

• Setting: An isolated location surrounded by protective runes to contain the rogue individual.
  • Steps:
    1. The Confrontation: The rogue Báuturíí is restrained and brought to the circle of Bloodkeepers and Crimson Blades.
    2. The Bloodfire: A blood-soaked brazier is lit, its flames flickering with an eerie red glow.
    3. The Severance: The Sangcairn recites ancient words to disrupt the rogue’s connection to the hive mind. This often causes immense pain and physical deterioration.
    4. The Final Offering: If the rogue survives, they are banished; if not, their blood is collected to strengthen the hive mind.
• Outcome: The ritual ensures the safety of the collective but leaves a lasting scar on the community.

The Hunt of Shadows (Mazhelrai)

• Purpose: A ceremonial hunt to honor the Mazhel and replenish blood sanctuaries.
• Significance: This event strengthens the Báuturíí’s connection to nature and their symbiotic powers.

• Setting: Conducted in the wilderness under the cover of night, with participants using their enhanced senses to track prey.
  • Steps:
    1. The Blessing: Participants smear their faces with blood from the sanctuary to invoke the Mazhel’s guidance.
    2. The Hunt: Using hemomantic powers, participants track and subdue prey, ensuring minimal suffering.
    3. The Offering: The blood of the prey is collected and consecrated at the blood sanctuary.
• Outcome: This ritual is both a spiritual act and a practical necessity, ensuring the community’s survival.

The Hunt of the Untethered (Felsyr Korthai)

• Purpose: To cleanse the Báuturíí of rogue or dangerous individuals.
• Process:
  • A Crimson Blade leads a group to locate and neutralize the Untethered.
  • Upon capture, the Untethered’s symbiotes are extracted and preserved, if possible.

The Bloodwoven Oath (Rákorthis Velth)

• Purpose: To seal sacred pacts, such as alliances, marriages, or vows of loyalty.
• Significance: The ritual binds participants through their shared blood, creating an unbreakable bond.

• Setting: A ceremonial altar surrounded by candles, with a central chalice to hold the blood of the participants.
• Steps:
  1. The Offering: Participants cut their palms and let their blood flow into the chalice.
  2. The Binding Words: The Velzareth leads the recitation of the oath: "Through blood, we are bound. Through life, we endure. Through shadow, we transcend."
  3. The Sharing: Each participant drinks from the chalice, symbolizing their union.
• Outcome: The bond is sealed, and the rash patterns of participants glow faintly in unison, signifying their connection.

The Rebirth Ceremony (Helvelthai)

• Purpose: To celebrate the survival and integration of a host after their initial transformation.
• Significance: This ceremony symbolizes renewal and the acceptance of the host into Báuturíí society.

• Setting: The host is immersed in a pool of consecrated blood, surrounded by their community.
• Steps:
  1. The Submersion: The host is fully submerged in the pool while the community chants.
  2. The Emergence: The host rises, their markings glowing brightly as their connection to the hive mind solidifies.
  3. The First Rite: The host performs their first act of hemomancy, often creating a simple blood construct.
• Outcome: The host is welcomed into the Báuturíí collective, marked as a full member.

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Cultural Symbols and Values

• The Crimson Veil: A metaphorical and literal representation of their symbiotic bond, symbolizing the balance between power and responsibility.
• Markings of Life: Rash patterns are celebrated as symbols of identity, individuality, and connection to the hive mind.
• Ethical Hemomancy: The Crimson Code emphasizes control, ensuring their powers are never used recklessly or to harm the innocent.