The most sinister elements inGame of Thronescould typically fit into history’s darkest chapters. When magic gets involved, it allows the worst of the worst to enact genocide more efficiently. There aren’t a ton of sorcerers walking around in Westeros by the time of the books and show. Many of those still practicing do things like tell prophecies, kill kings, and poison warriors with blood magic.
Game of Thronesoftentreats magic like it would have been treated in medieval society. Some believe in its power, others think it’s the stuff of legend, and every accomplishment it achieves could be chalked up to something else. Unfortunately, magic is real in Westeros. It’s just limited in its use and only accessible to some.
RELATED:The Blood Magic Trope In Fantasy, Explained
What is blood magic inGame of Thrones?
Blood magic is a form of sorcery that requires the sacrifice of living beings to function. The use of blood magic is forbidden in many societies, including the Dothraki. Practitioners are known as bloodmages or maegi. Blood magic is thought to be the mightiest form of sorcery. Its history is largely unknown, but they are common in Asshai, a shadowy port city that welcomes dark mages from around the world. Blood magic was crucial to the Valyrian Freehold, a massive territory that once covered most of the continent of Essos. The Freehold was destroyed in themysterious Doom of Valyria. Most believed blood magic was eliminated after the territory fell, but its daughter city Qohor continued to condone the practice. Bloodmages spread their influence, settling in various nations and teaching their ways to strangers. It was more prominent in the old days, but blood magic is alive and well.
What is blood magic capable of inGame of Thrones?
The accomplishments of blood magic are mysterious and debatable. Myths imagine incredible feats achieved with little more than magic words and gallons of claret. The legendary hero Azor Ahai forged his magical sword, Lightbringer, by hammering it into shape for 100 days and nights, then quenching it in the heart of his beloved wife. A wise priest called Barth suggested thatbloodmages in the Valyrian Freeholdused their sorcery to create dragons from wyvern stock. Some noblewomen were rumored to bathe in blood to retain their youth. It’s said that blood magic is required in the manufacturing and manipulation of Valyrian steel. These examples could be seen as mythical, but the power of blood magic is inarguable.
Blood magic covers a wide body of mysterious abilities. One of the most common modern uses is prophetic visions. Poor healers and sex workers often claim the ability to see a person’s future after tasting a drop of their blood. Maggy the Frog, a fortune-teller from Lannisport, altered the path of young Cersei Lannister’s life forever. She told Cersei she’d marry a king, become queen, and have three children. She went on to explain that she’d outlive her children and be replaced by a younger and prettier queen. She also accuratelypredicted that Cersei’s friendwould die that night. Maggy left Cersei with the promise of dying at the hands of the “valonqar,” or little brother. The books have yet to reveal exactly what she meant.
Prophetic visions aren’t the only use for blood magic. It’s most often used to harm or kill others. The most notable case of this in the books is Melisandre’s curse against the “three false kings.” Melisandrewas a red priestand a sorceress of many disciplines. She saw Stannis Baratheon as the emissary of her god and the reincarnation of Azor Ahai. To put Stannis on the Iron Throne, Melisandre tried to cast doom upon his mightiest enemies. Melisandre gathered blood from thebastard son of Robert Baratheonand tossed it into a burning brazier. She prophesied the death of Balon Greyjoy, Robb Stark, and Joffrey Baratheon. All three men die horribly after some time. Her input is questionable, but it’s hard to argue that her desires weren’t fulfilled.
Who can do blood magic inGame of Thrones?
The show depicts only three bloodmages. Maggy the Frog and Melisandre get their moments in the sun. The first bloodmage in the series is Mirri Maz Duur, a healer enslaved by the Dothraki. She promises Daenerys Targaryen that she’ll heal Khal Drogo when he suffers a grievous wound. Instead, she leaves him paralyzed and kills their unborn son. After preventing the Dothraki, who destroyed her culture and killed her friends, from growing,she’s executed by Daenerys. The books feature all of those known bloodmages, along with one more. Yna, a one-eyed sex worker who lives in Braavos, can tell the future from a drop of blood. She’s not as weird about it as Maggy.
Blood magic may have been responsible for thegreatest feats of sorceryand military might in the history of Westeros. It might also be a cheap parlor trick that can allow some to guess the future. Even the least impressive interpretation of a maegi’s power could make them immensely powerful. Blood magic may be frowned upon, but there’s a strong argument for everyone to have someone like Maggy or Yna in their employ.
