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Dur-An-Ki ("Master of Heaven and Earth") or Assamite Sorcery (see below) is a form of blood magic practiced by Kindred of the Middle East and Africa, particularly the sorcerers of the Assamite clan and the Shango legacy of the Laibon. It is a very old form of magic, drawing from a huge variety of mortal religious traditions, and pre-dating Thaumaturgy, which it resembles in many ways.

Overview[]

Originally the main form of blood magic practiced by all Kindred, Dur-An-Ki became lost to European vampires during the Dark Ages. It differs from Thaumaturgy mainly in that its practitioners, called ashipu, do not impose their will on the world through abstract symbols of power. Instead they call upon ancient covenants with spirits, commanding them to fulfill their desires, though this is a very different practice to the long-lasting pacts made with demons by practitioners of Dark Thaumaturgy.

Rather than the hermetic trappings of Thaumaturgy, Dur-An-Ki draws heavily on astrology, the use of amulets and talismans, and especially ecstatic practices. By entering into a trance, the ashipu ascends the "Ladder of Heaven" to meet ever more powerful spirits and gain more powerful magic. Assamite sorcerers usually use a drug called kalif for this purpose, but there are many other methods, including dancing, pain, meditation and artistic expression.

Besides the Assamites, the other prominent faction to utilize Dur-An-Ki are the Baali of the Order of Moloch. Being in a unique position to know what Mesopotamian gods were masks for creatures of the Outer Dark and who were not, the Baali made covenants with the oldest, most primordial entities. In contrast to Assamites, who use kalif, the Baali mainly use pain inflicted by their own Clan Curse to achieve ecstasy.

Dur-An-Ki vs Assamite Sorcery[]

Dur-An-Ki is a form of magic that originated in ancient Mesopotamia that Assamite Sorcerers have incorporated into their own practices. However it is not confined to Assamites, or indeed Kindred, as it grew out of a mortal magical tradition, though it is likely only mages would have had any success using it.

Some scholars refer to Assamite blood magic specifically as "Assamite Sorcery", either from ignorance (few western Kindred are familiar with the Shango or know of other ashipu besides the Assamites) or to deliberately distinguish it from the broader tradition of Dur-An-Ki. Assamites, however, refer to their magic as Dur-An-Ki and see no need to distinguish themselves from other practitioners.

Paths[]

Dur-An-Ki does not have a set primary path – note that the most detailed paths are unique to Dur-An-Ki:

Awakening of the Steel[]

Source[1]

  • Menu hover bulletMenu bulletMenu bulletMenu bulletMenu bullet Confer with the Blade: See events and informations that have transpired around a weapon.
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu bulletMenu bulletMenu bullet Grasp of the Mountain: Mystically enforce the grip on your weapon
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu bulletMenu bullet Pierce Steel's Skin: Direct your weapon to destroy any protective measures of the enemy
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu bullet Razor's Shield: Allows to parry projectiles
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bullet Strike at the True Flesh: Bypass any supernatural protection in your attack

Hunter's Winds[]

Source[2]

  • Menu hover bulletMenu bulletMenu bulletMenu bulletMenu bullet Scent of Deception: Alters your scent
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu bulletMenu bulletMenu bullet Chameleon's Skin: Alter your skin and clothing to assume nearby coloring and texture
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu bulletMenu bullet Unassuming Pose: Blend in a crowd of people
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu bullet Whiff of Kalif: Appear physically intoxicating
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bullet Ghost Body: Become invisible, inaudible, and intangible

Covenant of Nergal[]

Source[3]

  • Menu hover bulletMenu bulletMenu bulletMenu bulletMenu bullet Maskim's Touch: Cause symptoms of influenza in a target
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu bulletMenu bulletMenu bullet Breath of Ereshkigal: Breath upon a target, inflicting minor disease
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu bulletMenu bullet Nergal's Blessing: Lessen the symptoms of a pathogenic illness
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu bullet Nergal's Wrath: Inflict a disease of choice on a target
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bullet Ill Wind: Spread a disease simply through your nearby presence

Evil Eye[]

Source[4]

  • Menu hover bulletMenu bulletMenu bulletMenu bulletMenu bullet Humiliation: Cause a victim to have bad luck in its next action
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu bulletMenu bulletMenu bullet Loss: Cause a victim to lose a valued piece of property
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu bulletMenu bullet Peril: Cause a victim to suffer a dangerous accident
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu bullet Enemy: Cause a victim to lose Allies
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bullet The Eye That Wounds: Inflict damage on your target

Music of the Spheres[]

Source[5]

  • Menu hover bulletMenu bulletMenu bulletMenu bulletMenu bullet Song of Mercury: Deaden emotions through music
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu bulletMenu bulletMenu bullet Song of Venus: Enhance affection through music
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu bulletMenu bullet Song of Mars: Enhance aggression through music
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu bullet Song of Jupiter: Allows to resist Presence and similar attempts of emotional control
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bullet Song of Saturn: Inspire supernatural fear in an audience

Echoes of Allah's Wrath[]

Source[6]

  • Menu hover bulletMenu bulletMenu bulletMenu bulletMenu bullet Curse of Lifeless Mien: Curse a mortal to appear sinister and withdrawn
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu bulletMenu bulletMenu bullet Curse of Heavenly Dolor: Curse a mortal to recoil from symbols of faith
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu bulletMenu bullet Curse of Unfettered Rage: Curse a mortal to experience a Frenzy
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu bullet Curse of Boundless Thirst: Curse a mortal to gain only sustenance from blood
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bullet Curse of Forbidden Sol: Curse a mortal to fear the sunlight like a vampire does

Whispers of the Heavens[]

Source[7]

  • Menu hover bulletMenu bulletMenu bulletMenu bulletMenu bullet Map the Skies: Read the stars to determine your exact position
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu bulletMenu bulletMenu bullet Read the Heaven’s Plans: See an omen of the future
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu bulletMenu bullet Call Down the Hunter’s Moon: Determine the best course of action for specific undertaking
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu bullet Trace the Soul’s Favor: Divine important aspects from a person whose birth date is known
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bullet Ripples on the Sea of Stars: See parts of the world from aerial perspective

Blessings of the Great Dark Mother[]

Source[8]

  • Menu hover bulletMenu bulletMenu bulletMenu bulletMenu bullet Cradlesong: Sense any supernatural pacts or spiritual ties, including the Blood Bond, that bind a target
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu bulletMenu bulletMenu bullet Kessep: Sever one supernatural tie to a demon or spirit
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu bulletMenu bullet Sotheq: Temporarily block all supernatural ties to a demon or spirit
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu bullet Allah: Sever all supernatural pacts with a demon or spirit
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bullet Memo: Purge a target from all supernatural pacts, as well as learning to whom he was indebted

Keepers Way[]

Note: This Path is only available to the protectors of the Heartsblood[9]

  • Menu hover bulletMenu bulletMenu bulletMenu bulletMenu bullet Sense the Ripples: Use the accumulated knowledge of the Heartsblood to become aware of future events
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu bulletMenu bulletMenu bullet Gift of Haqim: Make blood points drawn from the Heartsblood last longer
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu bulletMenu bullet The Distant Crimson: Use the Heartsblood to see through the eyes of any Assamite in a one hundred kilometer radius
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu bullet Know the Fate of One: Use the Heartsblood to gain detailed knowledge of the fate of a chosen vampire
  • Menu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bulletMenu hover bullet Cast into the Pool of Blood: Use the Heartsblood to influence future events by either aiding or hindering vampires in the vicinity of the Heartsblood

Similar Paths[]

As Dur-An-Ki shares magical roots with Thaumaturgy and many other magical practices, many of the common paths are available, though they are usually identified with a particular spirit or type of spirit, and called by a name which identifies that spirit. As with Akhu, in most cases these paths pre-date the Tremere versions. Thanks to many centuries of contact with other magic users, the ashipu may also know a few paths practiced by other Middle-eastern traditions.

Alchemy[]

Similar to the homonymous path.[1]

Covenant of Enki[]

Similar to Neptune's Might.[2]

Elemental Mastery[]

Similar to the homonymous path.[3]

Echo of Nirvana[]

Similar to the Path of the Focused Mind.[4]

Hands of Destruction[]

Similar to the homonymous path.[5]

Hand of the Magi[]

Similar to Lure of Flames.[6]

Gifts of the Heart[]

Similar to the homonymous path.[7]

Gifts of Faith[]

Similar to the homonymous path.[8]

Jinn's Gift[]

Similar to the Path of Conjuring.[9]

Life's Water[]

Similar to the Path of Blood.[10]

Movement of the Mind[]

Similar to the homonymous path.[9]

Path of the Ailing Jackal[]

Similar to the Path of the Father's Vengeance.[11]

Path of the Blood's Curse[]

Similar to the homonymous path.[12]

Path of Blood Nectar[]

Similar to the homonymous path.[13]

Path of Duat[]

Similar to the homonymous path.[14]

Path of the Levinbolt[]

Similar to the homonymous path.[15]

Path of Warding[]

Similar to the homonymous path.[15]

Suleiman's Laws[]

Similar to Spirit Manipulation.[16]

Weather Control[]

Similar to the homonymous path.[17]

Transitus Velociter

Similar to the homonymous path

Additional Powers[]

Although it is still possible to them, students of Assamite Sorcery have great difficulty learning the practices of other blood magic traditions. All experience points costs to learn other blood magic paths and rituals are increased by half (round up) for Assamite sorcerers. In addition, even once the sorcerer has incorporated these lessons into her repertoire, they are still alien to her. All invocations of a "foreign" path require one extra blood point and all rituals take triple the normal time and require one extra success for any desired result.[18]

Rituals[]

Main article: List of Dur-An-Ki Rituals

Many Assamite rituals revolve around contact between the reclusive viziers and worldly assassins. The latter exchange vitae for magical services. Also, invoking rituals requires one to ingest at least one point of vitae from a vessel under the influence of kalif, or to actively inhale large quantities of the smoke itself and consciously move it through one's body by forcing blood to circulate.

References[]


^  Awakening the Steel

Awakening the Steel Clanbook: Assamite Revised Pg. 74-76
Awakening of the Steel Vampire: The Masquerade 20th Anniversary Edition Pg. 441-442

^  The Hunter's Winds

The Hunter's Winds Blood Magic: Secrets of Thaumaturgy Pg. 123
The Hunter's Winds Kindred of the Ebony Kingdom Pg. 103-104
The Hunter's Winds Rites of the Blood Pg. 159-160

^  Covenant of Nergal

Covenant of Nergal Blood Sacrifice: The Thaumaturgy Companion Pg. 43-44

^  The Evil Eye

The Evil Eye Blood Sacrifice: The Thaumaturgy Companion Pg. 44-45
The Evil Eye Kindred of the Ebony Kingdom Pg. 102-103
Path of the Evil Eye Rites of the Blood Pg. 161-162

^  Music of the Spheres

Music of the Spheres Blood Sacrifice: The Thaumaturgy Companion Pg. 46

^  Echoes of Allah's Wrath

Echoes of Allah's Wrath Road of Heaven Pg. 70-72

^  Whispers of the Heavens

Whispers of the Heavens Libellus Sanguinis III: Wolves at the Door Pg. 68-70
Whispers of the Heavens Players Guide to the Low Clans Pg. 176-179

^  Blessings of the Great Dark Mother

The Blessings of the Great Dark Mother The Black Hand: A Guide to the Tal'Mahe'Ra Pg. 86-87

^  The Keepers Way

The Keepers Way Tome of Secrets Pg. 42


Vampire: The Masquerade Disciplines
Animalism · Auspex · Blood Sorcery · Celerity · Dominate · Fortitude · Obfuscate · Oblivion · Potence · Presence · Protean · Thin-Blood Alchemy
Amalgams Chimerstry · Dementation · Obeah · Serpentis · Valeren · Vicissitude
Legacy Abombwe · Bardo · Chimerstry · Daimonion · Deimos · Dementation · Flight · Kai · Kineticism · Maleficia · Melpominee · Mytherceria · Nihilistics · Obeah · Obtenebration · Quietus · Rift · Sanguinus · Serpentis · Spiritus · Striga · Temporis · Thanatosis · Valeren · Vicissitude · Visceratika
Legacy Blood Magic Abyss Mysticism · Akhu · Thaumaturgical Countermagic · Dur-An-Ki · Mortis · Nahuallotl · Voudoun Necromancy · Western Necromancy · Ogham · Sadhana · Sihr · Thaumaturgy · Dark Thaumaturgy · Sielanic Thaumaturgy · Assamite Sorcery · Anarch Sorcery · Koldunic Sorcery · Setite Sorcery · Wanga
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