Wiseheart

Who are the Wisehearts?

Wisehearts are the names of the spiritual leaders of The Reivers' Marshes. Wiseheart used to be the Druids, or in the Marshlands, the Draoi (pronounced dree). Since the druids were disbanded and banned from Alven 200 years ago, they became the Wiseheart witches - what the locals used to call the Druids.

Wisely, the Wisehearts openly worship the goddess Brigand and thus, keep in line with The Sanctuary's theology. However, many rituals have stayed the same as in the old days, and other gods and goddesses are given great worship - as it used to be. In particular, the Wiseheart intercedes in the name of the Ancestors and the cult of the goddess Arran is an important one in the Marshes.

Purpose /Services

Wisehearts' responsibilities go beyond the mere spiritual. The men and women who take on the witch's mantle are also skilled in herb lore and remedies. They often know the Marsh flora and fauna like no one else and have been trained to prepare potions, lotions and other draughts to cure common illnesses.

Female witches often work as wisewomen, although other women in the village are also skilled in this domain. Wisehearts have access to some powerful remedies and potions, such as Craneberry Curd, which can be distilled into Craneblood Wine. Both substances work similarly to the milk poppy and are highly effective in various areas of medicine.

The Craneberry only grows in secret places, and the Wisehearts act as the guardians of such places. Every year, they instruct young warriors where to gather the berries and bring them back in due time to make the Curd and the Wine. The warriors are then under pain of death-or worse, cursed-if they divulge the berries' location.

The Wisehearts' religious duties come to the fore during the sacred festival and days dedicated to the gods. These celebrations happen nearly every month and can last up to a week for the Samayne Celebrations.

Marsh villages have a traditional temple dedicated to the goddess Brigand, but underneath every temple, there is a necropolis where clansmen are buried and where more traditional rituals (some secret) take place. The Bloodhall is the most sacred and taboo of places within the Netherfields and only Wisehearts and their apprentice can enter the hallowed altar room.

The Sanctuary and the Arkivon are not fully aware that these rituals still exist and are enacted every year. The Reivers' clans are naturally secretive about their traditions and customs.

Training and Social status

Wiseheart witches are the heart and soul of a Reivers' village or community. A future witch is chosen when still young. An intelligent and gifted child will become apprenticed to the current Wiseheart. The child, usually aged 8, will leave their family and come and live in the Wiseheart's home.

Wisehearts typically do not take on partners and consider their apprentices as their children. However, nothing is set in stone, and Wisehearts will bear their own children at times. The witch's child, if not apprenticed, will go and live with an aunt or uncle. Only the Wiseheart and their apprentices live in the Workshop at all times - this is to protect the secrets a Wiseheart must carry from one generation to another.

In general, Reiver society is less gender biaised than others in Alven. Men and women are stocky in build, and strength is not the only valuable commodity when faced with the Marsh's perilous environment. Reivers praise knowledge above all else, as it can save lives in this challenging place.

Both men and women will become witches. A lot of kudos and respect are attached to the function of Wiseheart among Reivers' clans. After the 'chieftain' or leader (as the clans have for all intents and purposes, been disbanded and are part of Clan Wylfedd), the Wiseheart is the second most influential person in a Reivers' community.

Payment and Benefits

Wiseheart witches do not earn a living but, like most religious people in Alven, are given daily offerings to help with their upkeep and that of the temple. Wiseheart are usually well off, the chieftain being the leading purveyor of their wealth. A wealthy Wiseheart reflects well on the local leader or clan chieftain. It represents status, wealth and power.

Tools and workplace

Wisehearts' workshops are where the witches live and work. It is usually built on the outskirts of the village as it often gives off a powerful smell. Being on the outskirts also helps the Wiseheart witches to keep their mystique and add an extra layer of protection to their goings-on.

Wiseheart's tools of the trade include the usual implements found in any traditional herbalist's: oven for drying off ingredients, glass vials, cauldrons etc. There will also be an alembic to distil the notorious Craneblood Wine.

Known Wisehearts

Marlin Wearall Passen

Marlin is a character in the Hollow Moons. She is the current Wiseheart in Mirkwode. She is Sage Wearall's sister and Trink's mother, the party's guide through the Marshes.

There is a possible undisclosed relationship between the beautiful druid and Flo's late husband, Myst. A tension builds between the two women when they meet. Marlin is everything Flo thinks she is not: beautiful, poised and powerful.


 

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  See also Craneberry Curd


All images are AI generated unless mentioned.