Blood Ruby

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The Blood Ruby is the Night Court's mark of death, a flawless crimson gem sent to those the High Lord has sentenced, carrying a message no one in Prythian misreads.

Also known as: Ruby of Judgment, The Crimson Mark, Night's Sentence, The Warm Stone

What They Know

• The Blood Ruby tradition predates Rhysand's rule by centuries, originating in the Hewn City as a way for the High Lord to delegate executions without leaving his throne.
• Once a Blood Ruby is sent, the target's name is added to a silent list carried by every spymaster and assassin in the Night Court's employ — though the Inner Circle rarely uses them, preferring more surgical methods.
• The gem itself is not magical in the traditional sense; its power is entirely symbolic, but in a court where symbols carry the weight of law, that symbolism is as binding as any spell.
• Receiving a Blood Ruby is considered a formal declaration of war against the Night Court, and the target's family, allies, and household are often given a grace period of three days to disavow them before the sentence is carried out.
• There is no known way to rescind a Blood Ruby once it has been sent — the only appeal is to the High Lord himself, and such appeals are almost never granted.

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