Blood Magic (general)

Blood Magic
Type of Feat: Spellcasting Prerequisite: Spirit Shaman Level 9 or Magical Discovery Use: Automatic.

You have learned the ancient skill of blood magic and can now supplement the raw magical power of your spells with the life force present in your blood. Your spells become notably more potent and gain +4 effective casterlevel and +4 DC. The effective casterlevel increase does not affect the DC of the spell.

Upon casting you inflict damage upon yourself to fuel the spell equal to 3 + d8 per spell level. Spells enhanced in this way can still be cast in metamagic form as well, at no additional health cost. In civilized areas the use of such magic is frowned upon and considered barbaric as well as dangerous because of the harm its diciples often inflict upon others to fuel their horrid spells and rituals.

Students of this profane form of magic often do so in isolation for fear of discovery although the ability itself it is not innately evil. The most common forms of blood magic encountered are monstrous rituals of sacrifice practiced by Orcs and Goblins or the more benign forming of blood bonds and promises between warriors by cutting their hands and shaking it or by consuming their comrade's blood. In some backward regions it is also still custom to sign important contracts and deeds in blood or to drink the blood of slain enemies to take their strength.

Gameplay Notes
This is not the same ability as the Blood Magus class has access to. It is more potent, though the cost for use is also far higher. It is not an inherently evil ability, though most people naturally assume so.