A form of
vampiric magic from the
Vampire: The Masquerade role-playing game. Rare, strange, alien, frightening -- these
adjectives describe the ancient arts of
Koldunic sorcery well. The hallmark of the
elders of
Clan Tzimisce,
Koldunism is a
magical
art quite different from the
thaumaturgy of
Clan Tremere or the
necromancy of
Clan Giovanni. It derives from ancient
animistic religions, and deals with
elementals and
spirits rather than the imposition of
Will upon the
Universe (as with, say, thaumaturgy). Koldunic sorcery has five
paths (in the style of thaumaturgy and necromancy), one for each of the traditional
elements --
fire,
earth,
air,
water and
spirit. These are usually referred to as "ways" --
Fire Ways,
Water Ways, et cetera. There are numerous
rituals associated with Koldunic sorcery as well.
It is said that the bond that members of the Tzimisce clan have with their home soil has something to do with a pact that ancient Kolduns made with the spirits of their Transylvanian homeland -- one that bound the Tzimisce irrevocably with their home, flourishing when it flourishes and decaying when it dies.