Changes: Blood

Revision as of 07:37, 22 April 2014

“Blood is life, lackbrain. Why do you think we eat it? It's what keeps you going, makes you warm, makes you hard, makes you other than dead.”

―Spike to Xander Harris on the nature of blood^[src]

Blood was a specialized bodily fluid that delivered necessary substances to a body's cells – such as nutrients and oxygen – and transported waste products away from those same cells. It was found in most beings, including humans.

Aside from its basic biological functions, blood was known for its numerous mystical properties, making it a key ingredient in many magical spells and rituals as well as a source of food.

Properties

Consumption

Vampires were well known to feed on the blood of mammals.
In order to make a new vampire, the sire must drink a large amount of the victim's blood before letting the victim drink some of theirs.
The Archduke Sebassis kept a slave of the same species who's blood was regularly extracted from his body and made into a refreshment for his master.^[1]^[2]
The consumption of blood could provide details about the person. Glorificus instantly determined that Tara Maclay wasn't the Key by licking her bloody hand^[3] and Spike confirmed that Cordelia Chase wasn't a demon after drinking some of her blood.^[4]

Curative/healing

Mohra demon blood possessed potent healing properties and was even able to revert a vampire back into a human.^[5]^[6]
The blood of the Slayer was the only known cure for the Killer of the Dead, a poison specifically designed to kill vampires.^[7]^[8]

Power Granting

The blood of Unidentified telepath demon could grant telepathic abilities to whoever made contact with it.^[9]
Slayer's blood could strengthen vampires. This was most evident when the Master used Buffy's blood to break free from his prison.^[10]
The power of the Senior Partners was granted to Marcus Hamilton within his blood. Drinking his blood granted the consumer with his power.^[2]
Blood from prophetic demons, when consumed, could give vampires visions.^[11]

Uses in magic

A central ingredient in resurrection spells^[12]^[13]
Angel/Angelus' blood was the key ingredient in the ritual of awaken Acathla as only Angel's blood-soaked hand could remove the sword from Acathla's body. Likewise, his blood was needed to stain the blade of the sword used to deactivate Acathla.^[14]
As the human form of The Key, Dawn Summers' blood possessed the power to tear down the barriers between Earth and other dimensions when used in the proper ritual. Since Buffy shared the same blood as her, she was able to close barriers.^[15]
An Unidentified shaman needed Darla's blood in order to identify her unborn child by mixing the blood with other ingredients and touching her stomach with the blood on his hands.^[16]
Opening the Seal of Danzalthar.^[17]^[18]^[19]^[20]
The blood of any demon was required to open a portal to Beljoxa's Eye dimension.^[21]
The Cloaking Dissolution Spell required arterial demon blood.^[4]
The Sisterhood of Jaro Hull drank Connor's blood as part of a ritual to enhance their strength^[22].
Flesh Magic^[23]^[24]

Additional properties

According to Spike, blood smelt metallic, similar to a penny.^[25]
According to Spike, demon's blood tasted astringent and oaky.^[4]
Slayer's blood apparently was a great aphrodisiac.^[26]
Eating the Doublemeat medley made the consumer's blood undesirable to vampires.^[27]

Color

While the majority of beings had red blood, blood could come in various colors depending on species.

Black: Bezoar, Living Mummy Hand, Turok Han Vampire

Green: Mohra Demon, Fyarl Demon, Spawn of Sobek, Durslar Beast, Baby-killer Demon, Vampy Cat, Plagiarus Demon

Yellow: Skilosh Demon, Kungai Demon, Wig Lady, Parasite Demon, Root Monster, Suvolte Demon, Spike's crew

Purple: Bug Demon, Demon broad

White: Unidentified Telepathic Demon, Glarghk Guhl Kashmas’nik Demon

Blue: Ghora Demon, Doc, Skench Demon, Jenoff, Sebassis's species, Yastigilian hound

Gallery

Behind the Scenes

In the 2002 non-canonical Buffy video game, a pair of vampires are seen discussing whether they should eat out at a drive-through because one of the vampires claims that the blood of fast-food clerks tastes delicious, while the other vampire considers them too greasy because their high-cholesterol which gives him gas as a result.

References

[1] "Power Play"

[NFA-2] 2.0 ^2.1 "Not Fade Away"

[3] "Tough Love"

[YW-4] 4.0 ^4.1 ^4.2 "You're Welcome"

[5] "I Will Remember You"

[6] Live Through This

[7] "Graduation Day, Part One"

[8] "Graduation Day, Part Two"

[9] "Earshot"

[10] "Prophecy Girl"

[11] Angel: After The Fall

[12] "Forever"

[13] "Bargaining, Part One"

[14] "Becoming, Part Two"

[15] "The Gift"

[16] "That Vision-Thing"

[17] "Conversations with Dead People"

[18] "Never Leave Me"

[19] "First Date"

[20] "Chosen"

[21] "Showtime"

[22] Crown Prince Syndrome

[23] "Sacrifice"

[24] "Peace Out"

[25] "Damage"

[26] "Fool for Love

[27] "Doublemeat Palace"

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@@ Line 36: / Line 36: @@
 *According to Spike, demon's blood tasted astringent and oaky.<ref name=YW/>
 *Slayer's blood apparently was a great aphrodisiac.<ref>"[[Fool for Love]]</ref>
+*Eating the [[Doublemeat Palace (business)|Doublemeat medley]] made the consumer's blood undesirable to vampires.<ref>"[[Doublemeat Palace]]"</ref>
 === Color===