A empire has arrisen on a foundation of fear, the blood of inocents and packs with devils

dystopia

once a normal world with small amounts of magic. A human with a first for power made a deal with a force of darkness and several centuries later a modern empire build on fear and blood covers 1/4 of the world. Small groups of rebels still persist but resistance is dangerous and futile.

normal

normal

magic has an high cost, one the empire is willing to pay. even the smallest of spells requires complex rituals and some sort of sacrifice

the lawenforcers/ army are called the Reapers and devided into squadrons with farying power, importance and slinking size towards the top.
Many got reqruited by force and tortured untill their spirit broke. those deemed strong enough were given a gift of darkness. the point at which this is given may vary

through complex rituals (to summon the powergranting being) and sacrifices.

Anyone willing to pay the price

Slightly amplifying an ability you already have, like better smell or sight, this can often be given for four drops of blood and the memory of what you had for breakfast (once only or upgraded by the same being)

The ritual to give darkness to the reapers is complex and, on paper, requieres the payment of a soul/life. in return, for each life given, the reapers gets a gift of darkness like an aura of fear (mandatory from lvl 4) or de aility to sense/consume souls.
However, the more gifts a reaper gets the more the darkness controlls them

Unless the being granting powers really really really likes you for some bizare reason, there are no exceptions

even a small magical effect requires a complex ritual and a sacrifice in the form of drops of blood, a memory or a piece of your life/being.

1. there is always a price to be payed with blood, mind or soul


2. Magic can only grant power like fear aura's or imortality. it can't make stuff levitate