Blade

Blades are recruited, trained, or most commonly enlisted to serve under Shields.

Tempering and Phylacteries
When a potential blade joins Shadow Sect, a phylactery is created for them. This process requires two things, and is almost always essential in the tempering process. First, a sample of blood is needed. Some superstitions suggest it must be obtained willingly, but that is more superstition than anything. Even purely human blood, when treated with numerous magics and alchemical processes, can bestow some unique magical properties. The Tempering process is not fully disclosed other than to those who create phylacteries, to help prevent the knowledge from spreading too far. After an introduction to an Ichoric agent and a carefully monitored coagulation process over 14 days, only a few magical reactions are left to produce a latent bloodstone with a unique traceback link to the blade, which is the core of any phylactery. Then, the gem is combined with something of sentimental value to the blade, often pieces of jewelry work best but any trinket which can have a stone inlaid will work. Naturally the more emotionally important the base the more effective the phylactery will become.

Usage
Phylacteries are powerful tools to control humans (albeit at a limited extent) but can only be used by someone with a strong enough Ichor trace. While it is true this is an innate ability of all shields, there are certain humans who can be trained to also wield these artifacts. Humans under the employ of Shadow Sect who have learned this ability are often called Arma, and can sometimes make temporary replacements for Shields.

The two most common usages are the Command and the Trace.

Command allows the user to issue an order, which the bound party must acquiesce to, despite their own will or want to control their actions. Commands require a lot of energy to issue, even more so if the bound party resists.

Trace will, upon using the phylactery as a focus, allow the user to find the bound party, wherever they may be in the same plane of existence. It works almost as a compass that always points towards them.