Elder Blood
The ancient genetic key capable of unlocking the doors between worlds and time.
The Elder Blood, often referred to in elven tongues as Aen Saevherne, represents a rare genetic lineage possessing immense magical potential originating from the First Civilization and Elven races. This bloodline is best known through its most famous descendant, Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon, who carries the capacity to manipulate time and space itself. Unlike standard mutation or sorcery, this power is inherited biologically, making those who carry it living conduits for energies that usually require complex rituals or artifacts. It serves as a central plot device regarding the fate of worlds beyond the Continent.
- Origin
- Aen Elle Elves and Lara Dorren
- Primary Vessel
- Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon
- Key Ancestor
- Lara Dorren
- Magical Function
- Inter-dimensional travel and time manipulation
- Primary Pursuers
- The Wild Hunt
- Rarity
- Extremely Rare / Dormant in most lines
- Status
- Active within Ciri
Lore & Background
The history of this lineage begins with Lara Dorren, an elven princess who defied her people by marrying a human king. Her union was forbidden but resulted in children carrying both elven magic and human resilience. Over centuries, this bloodline diluted within humanity until it re-emerged strongly in the royal family of Cintra. The power associated with this blood allows its bearer to step through portals that connect different spheres or timelines. This capability makes the carrier a target for the Wild Hunt, an elven army from another world who seek to use the vessel to return home and save their dying race.
In Their Own Story
Ciri stood amidst the ruins of an ancient temple, her breath misting in the cold air. The stones hummed with a frequency only she could hear, vibrating against her skin like a second heartbeat. Shadows lengthened unnaturally as the moon shifted behind clouds that had not been there a moment before. She closed her eyes and felt the pull, not of gravity, but of destiny itself. Somewhere beyond the veil, voices called out in an elven tongue she understood without knowing it. The path was open, waiting for her to step into the unknown.
Reader's Guide
The lineage traces back to the Elves before the Conjunction of Spheres, when magic was more potent in the world. Lara Dorren, an elven princess who married a human king, became the pivotal figure in this history. Her union created a bloodline that survived despite the decline of the Aen Elle and other elven groups. Over centuries, this genetic marker remained dormant within various human descendants until it reached Cirilla of Cintra. The power lies not just in strength, but in the ability to traverse different worlds and timelines without magical artifacts. This capability made Ciri a target for the Wild Hunt, an elven army seeking to harness her potential for their own survival on another plane. Scholars believe the blood acts as a living key, bypassing natural laws that bind ordinary mages and humans alike. The tragedy of this heritage is its danger; those who possess it are hunted by empires and monsters alike, often losing their humanity in the process. Ultimately, the Elder Blood represents both salvation and destruction for the Continent.
Did You Know?
- The Wild Hunt specifically hunts Ciri because her blood can stabilize portals between worlds.
- Lara Dorren was originally an elf who chose to marry a human nobleman.
- This lineage is sometimes called the 'Key' by those seeking its power.
- Ciri's powers are innate and genetic, distinct from learned sorcery.
More in History & Mythology
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