Voicesong Glossary
A guide to the magic, creatures, and artifacts of Blood Spoken. Spoiler-safe for Book 1.
Magic Systems
Voicesong
A rare, ancient form of magic where spoken words impose the speaker's will on reality.
Capabilities
- +Commands: Single-word commands like 'Halt,' 'Sleep,' or 'Trip' that affect targets directly
- +Unmaking: The ability to dissolve or destroy objects—even enchanted items—with a word
- +Shielding: Protective barriers created through song or sustained vocalization
- +Environmental Control: Shattering stone, creating passages, manipulating surroundings
Limitations
- -Requires line of effect for the sound to reach targets
- -Can be blocked by barriers, fire walls, or overwhelming ambient noise
- -Extremely draining, especially for powerful effects
- -The 'Unmake' command takes a piece of the caster themselves
- -Less effective against Hollow Ones (they lack minds to command)
Shadow Weaving
Manipulation of shadows for stealth, illusion, and combat.
Capabilities
- +Creating shadow duplicates to confuse opponents
- +Wrapping shadow around blades for enhanced strikes
- +Illusory terrain modifications (appearing pits, false walls)
- +Short-range teleportation between shadows
- +Stealth and concealment in darkness
Limitations
- -Requires existing shadows to manipulate
- -Bright light can dispel or weaken effects
- -Illusions can be seen through by the perceptive
Blood Magic
Power drawn from the caster's own vitality. Used by the Ashblood Crows.
Capabilities
- +Draws directly on the caster's life force
- +Can create powerful offensive and defensive effects
- +Often leaves visible marks or scarring
Limitations
- -Damages the caster with each use
- -Extended use can be fatal
- -Considered taboo by many
Creatures & Entities
The Hollow Ones
Reanimated corpses controlled by the Hunger. Created from fighters who die in the arena.
Characteristics
- •Empty, black eyes—soulless voids where humanity once lived
- •Move with jerky, unnatural gait
- •Don't feel pain or fatigue
- •Can blend in as 'sleepers' until activated
- •Retain muscle memory from their living days
Weaknesses
- !Must destroy the head to stop them permanently
- !Cannot be commanded by normal Voicesong (no minds to compel)
- !Disconnected from will when the binding is disrupted
The Hunger
An ancient, eternal entity of pure void that predates humanity—even the Shapers who built its prison.
Characteristics
- •Cannot be destroyed, only contained
- •Desires to consume all life, hope, and existence
- •Patient beyond human comprehension
- •Creates and controls the Hollow Ones
- •Connected to Voicesong through ancient binding
Weaknesses
- !Imprisoned by the Shapers using songs of binding
- !The urns in the Binding Hall each sing a concept that holds it
- !Voicesong users may be able to reinforce or rebuild the binding
Artifacts
The Focus Crystal
A crystalline amplifier given to Eliana by Lady Holloway.
- ◆Significantly amplifies Voicesong power
- ◆Contains its own hunger/consciousness
- ◆Connected to the ancient Hunger entity
- ◆Can track the wearer's location
- ◆Both a gift and a leash
The Containment Urns
Twelve vessels in the Binding Hall that hold the Hunger at bay.
- ◆Each urn sings a concept: stillness, binding, forgetting...
- ◆Created by the Shapers before humans existed
- ◆One urn is broken—the binding weakens
- ◆Respond to Voicesong magic
This glossary covers Book 1 content only. More entries will be added as the series expands.