I was thinking we should keep in the Old Kingdom idea. Where long ago these relics were made between warring continents when magic reigned supreme. However the people of the old kingdom could not access the same magicks as their enemy and as such created the relics, which began falling into the hands of their enemy so they "locked" them to specific markers in their blood. This prevented the enemy from using them, however eventually the Old Kingdom fell and in a final battle all the relic users were killed due to a surge in the magicks. The old kingdom died save for a few, who mingled in the population.

Those who have strong enough blood markers from the Old Kingdom can use these relics, the closer they are in compatibility the more power they can derive from their relic.

This opens the door for us one day unlocking the old Magicks for people to use.

Just my idea, I can work some plots with it too with whoever becomes GM.