Witch

As they chanted, spores danced on their lips, on their rhythmic breath, glowing like stars in the moonlight. In the centre of the circle, the spores congregated, morphing into a vision of long ago, for this was the power of the Woven Circle…

In the depths of the forest, where nature thrives in its most untamed form, witches have long since made their homes. Raised from the dust and ash of the explosion of Viaris by the deity Nurena, they are the protectors of the natural world. As she grew and nurtured the new life of Estara, Nurena realised she needed guardians- mothers -for her new creation, so she took the remnants of desolation of The World Before and shaped it into something new, bestowing it with her power and creating life from death and destruction. With a profound understanding of the natural world, witches took this role seriously, assisting the development and growth and weaving their power into the plants, animals, and elements that surround them.

As the world evolved, so did its inhabitants, with new species such as Mages and Wizards emerging alongside the witches. For a time, they coexisted, sharing the land in a fragile harmony. However, this peace was not to last. Over time, the witches were driven into the shadows, retreating into the forests and swamps to build their homes in the deepest, most secluded corners of the land, by those that fear their power. Now, witches are rarely seen, their presence only whispered about in old tales. Yet, if one searches long and hard enough, in the quietest, most forgotten parts of the world, it is possible to come across a witch living alone in her hut, surrounded by potions and herbs, and protected by the wildlife, and maybe, just maybe, you might be able to catch a glimpse of her wisdom, if you're worthy of it.

Appearance and Abilities

Physical Characteristics

Witches are humanoid in form, closely resembling mages (humans) in their physical traits. However, there are several unique features that distinguish them from their common ancestors:

• Height: Witches are generally shorter than other humanoid species, being only around 5 feet tall with a stocky build.
• Hair: Their hair can come in a variety of different colours that defy the natural shades found in mammals, such as greens, blues, or other colourful hues.
• Skin: Plants, fungi, and other organic matter can be found growing out of a witch's skin. This showcases their bond with the natural environment and is a subtle reminder of their terran origins.
• Animal Features: While witches appear primarily humanoid, they retain certain animalistic traits from their childhood. These could include slightly pointed or elongated ears, naturally sharp nails, and in some cases, the remnants of a tail or whiskers. Over time, these traits will gradually fade as the witch matures, although some subtle features can remain if you look close enough.

Perception and Sensory

Witches possess a wide array of abilities, being a mixture of magical and natural origins. Some of their key abilities include:

• Enhanced Senses: Depending on the animal that they originated from, a witch will possess many of their key traits such as enhanced eyesight, heightened sense of smell, or acute hearing. For example, a witch derived from an owl might have exceptional night vision, while one that developed from a fox could be able to locate objects just using their scent. However, this does work both ways and the first might have a weak sense of smell due to their owl origins, causing limitations as well as strengths.
• Magic Sensitivity: Witches can sense magic in a unique way. They do not necessarily 'see' but feel its lingering presence in the air and how it interacts with their Spores. This allows them to detect the use of mage magic in their surroundings as well as the existence of wizard runes. Certain witches might have a greater and more acute ability, in rare cases some have been known to actually see the magic remnants.
• Telepathic Communication: A witch shares a special telepathic bond with her Mother, allowing them to communicate non-verbally by sending images, sensations, and ideas. While they cannot engage in full telepathic speech, this allows for silent understanding and shared experiences. A connection can also be formed between witches of the same coven, although most of the time it's only between the Mothers, as well as a few old Daughters, as it takes a lot of skill.

Witchcraft

Spore Production

At the heart of witchcraft lies spores - tiny particles produced by the witch herself. These spores are the essence of their power and can be expelled in various ways, the most common being through the mouth. They are typically invisible to the naked eye unless exposed to direct sunlight, in which case they shimmer like tiny dust motes. On a full moon, all spores are revealed, glowing like specks of pure light. This is when witch magic is the strongest, but also when any hidden witchcraft can be uncovered.

Effects and Exposure

Many people mistakenly believe that the fumes emanating from a witch’s hut come from incense. In reality, these fumes are a mix of stray spores from the witch’s ongoing magical projects, potions, and spells, as well as spores they naturally produce over time. The spores that saturate the air of a witch's home can have various effects on those nearby, such as slight memory loss, drowsiness, or a calming effect. These effects are subtle but cumulative, and long-term exposure can influence those who frequently enter a witch’s domain. It is possible for individuals to develop resistance or immunity to certain types of spores through gradual repeated exposure. This is why some regular visitors to a witch's hut or those living near witches may not experience the same effects as newcomers.

Administration

Witches often chant spells to expel specific types of spores that trigger particular effects. These words may not carry specific meaning and can differ from witch to witch as it’s the intention that counts, shaping the effect and outcome of the spores. Potions are commonly used as they make it easier to get the spores inside people, although smoking herbs and incense infused with spores can have an effect too. These can be consumed by those seeking specific effects.

Illegal Usage

Bottled Spores are sometimes sold illegally on the black market as a hallucinogenic drug. However, the extraction of spores is dangerous to the witch, filling even a small bottle can kill or seriously impair a witch for life, and consuming enough spores can be hazardous to the buyer. Such practices are strictly forbidden due to the risks they pose to both the witch and the consumer.

Costs and Consequences

• Dehydration; spore production uses water and afterwards a witch will feel thirsty
• Ageing; overproduction of spores will drain energy and cause premature ageing
• Hallucination; inhaling enough spores can have a hallucinogenic effect
• Coughing and respiratory issues; exhaling spores irritates the lungs and throat
• Accidental expelling; random spores can be exhaled if overwhelmed or distracted

Habits of a Witch

A Witch's Home

Witches are creatures of the forest, they feel a deep bond with the wild and natural world where they live, surrounded by flora, fauna, and everything else in-between. Their huts are often modest but sturdy, crafted from the materials found around them; fallen branches, stones, mud, and held together with their spores. The structures often appear fragile, as though they might collapse with the slightest breeze, but they stand firm, a testament to the witch’s bond with the forces of nature. Over time, the spores and natural growths around the hut integrate with the structure, lending it a living, organic quality; almost as if the very forest itself is keeping the home standing.

Foraging, Food, and Potions

Witches are resourceful and have a deep understanding of the forest’s hidden secrets. In the warmer months, they are often seen out scavenging, carefully collecting plants, berries, and other ingredients they can use to create potions, salves, and tonics. As vegetarians, witches rely solely on the abundance of the land, never consuming meat, but instead using the forest’s plants and herbs to nourish and heal themselves. Some of their concoctions can do wondrous things; ease hunger, heal wounds, or extend life, and are invaluable during the harsh winter months when food is scarce. The witches use these potions to sustain themselves when their stockpiled food begins to dwindle.

In addition to foraging, many witches also take care of the animals that live near their homes; chickens, cows, and bees will all offer the witch their goods in return for shelter and protection, and those that can't will assist in other ways such as foraging or scavenging. These products are carefully used to enhance the witch's potions or simply to provide food during the colder months when scavenging is more difficult. The symbiotic relationship between witches and the animals of the forest is one of mutual respect and quiet coexistence, with the witch often treating her animal companions as trusted partners in survival.

Winter Hibernation

As winter approaches, witches begin to slow down, retreating from the bustling pace of the warmer months, and surviving off the food they stockpiled. The deep cold of winter brings a stillness that calls to witches, urging them to rest. During this time, witches sleep for long hours, wrapped in warmth within the confines of their huts, nestled in a cocoon of animals and plants. The waning sunlight and the frozen earth that draws everything into a quiet period of hibernation also means that their spore production decreases, as they must preserve the energy required for concocting potions. Instead, their spores lie dormant, awaiting the first signs of spring. Someone who comes across a witch's hut during winter might mistakenly believe it's empty, but inside a witch will lie, waiting for the warm breeze to wake her up.

Covens and Companionship

Witches are solitary by nature, preferring the company of the forest to the bustle of society. Most witches live alone, nurturing their surroundings and the creatures that live there. However, some witches raise young Daughters, and although still learning, they provide companionship for the witch and are taught the ways of spores, herbs, and nature.

While witches tend to live in isolation, they are not entirely cut off from others of their kind. They attend gatherings with their coven, although these meetings are few and far between. Monthly, yearly, or sometimes even decade-apart gatherings occur, where witches exchange knowledge, share new discoveries, and can discuss important matters that affect their kind. These meetings are usually held far from prying eyes, deep within the forest in hidden glades, and can last for days on end.

Witches sometimes also encounter others in the forest, whether intentionally or by chance. These brief meetings often occur while foraging, where they may cross paths in search of rare flowers and herbs, stopping to connect and share knowledge, but otherwise continuing with their own lives. Other times, a witch may be driven from her home by some unforeseen circumstances and attempt to locate another fellow witch in a request for shelter and assistance.

Disgendered Identity

Witches are often referred to using the pronouns "she/her" due to their physical resemblance to female mages. This association stems from mages attempting to fit witches into their own societal framework, failing to recognise that witches are an entirely different species. Most of the literature and texts about witches are written from the perspective of mages, who never truly sought to understand their complex civilisation. Those few who tried to tell the truth were ridiculed, with their works dismissed as mere fiction.

Witches do not conform to the concept of gender as mages do. Instead, they address each other by name or through the titles 'Mother' and 'Daughter', depending on their stage in life. A witch is a Daughter until she has a Daughter of her own, at which point she ascends to the rank of Mother. This transition is not merely a title- it comes with significant physical changes, such as the ability for Mothers to communicate telepathically with all other Mothers within their coven, not just with their own Mother.

Hierarchy

Mothers always hold the highest rank in witch society, commanding respect and authority. The ultimate authority is held by the Mother Superior, the leader of all witches and head of the High Council. At the coven level, the leader is typically referred to as a High Witch, or more commonly, a High Mother—although this term can be seen as disrespectful as not all coven leaders are Mothers. The oldest of the Mothers, as well as those who have become Mothers of Mothers, are often informally called GrandMothers, though this title is not officially recognised.

There is always the possibility for an new Mother to be younger than the older Daughters of the coven, giving rise to occasional conflict between members. Many older Daughters silently harbor resentment toward the Mothers and their power, as the Mothers see themselves as better for having a Daughter- something that cannot be predicted or controlled. While most endure this imbalance in silence, some push back, challenging the system and sowing chaos. Attempts on the life of the Mother Superior, as well as the other members of the High Council, have occurred, though these rarely succeed. Instead, they often result in the older Daughters facing even more abuse and disdain.

On the flip side, the rare promotion of a Daughter to the rank of High Witch also sparks outrage. This usually leads to passive aggressive behaviour, with some Mothers refusing to follow orders or ignoring the guidance given to them, however, in more extreme cases, groups of Mothers have banded together to have the Daughter removed from her position of power. This is driven by the belief that Daughters, due to their lack of a Daughter of their own, are impure or somehow corrupted, and thus unworthy of holding such authority.

Bargaining

Being generally solitary creatures and preferring to live in the depths of the forest surrounded by nature, witches are very wary of other species, especially mages. This caution stems from the Years of Burning, when witches were persecuted and hunted by those who feared their power. During this time, thousands of witches were burned at the stake for accusations of forbidden magic, being in league with the dark forces of the world, and corrupting their potions and concoctions with evil. This has installed a fear in the witch communities, many retreating into the depths of the forest, and leading them to take care with whom they trade and grant requests - the days of free assistance being over.