Witch (Species)

*"Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble." - William Shakespeare, Macbeth*

 A **witch** is an individual born with the power to affect change through manipulating the natural forces of the world, a process called witchcraft. Witches use the elements, forces of nature and other esoteric concepts to practice their magic.

## Witch (Species)

### Other Names

Warlock, Shaman, Warden, Spiritualist, Travelers, Nyu Wu, Wyrds, Crones, Goths

### Distinctions

* Practices Witchcraft
* Carry Grimoires
* Servants of Nature

### Origin

Earth

All witches carry a Grimoire, an ancient book that contains their rituals. While many witches are the self-proclaimed "Keepers of Balance", others have been known to work against the Balance and use their power for personal gain.

A witch can be male or female, though some male witches prefer being called "warlocks".

## History

There are no records that determine the origin of witches, but there are many old stories, legends and some lore passed down by witches that speak of the "ancient days", when the first witches appeared.

According to the old stories, witches were granted their power from nature itself and the many spirits that dwell within it in order to protect the balance of nature. The first witches, it is said, were revered, respected and counted as valued members of society.

While in the old days they were respected, most witches of a European or Middle-Eastern began to be persecuted for religious reasons as early as the first century, AD. Witches were often stoned, beheaded or otherwise executed with very little by way of a "fair trial". Often, just being accused of being a witch was enough to get somebody killed.

Many witches struck back, necessitating the use of "Witch Hunters", hunters that were specifically trained in ways to combat the magic of the witches. Others simply fled into the wilderness, living alone or with small covens in solitude deep in the woods or high in the mountains. These witches rarely, if ever, became involved in human affairs during this time. This treatment of witches continued until the late nineteenth century.

In other parts of the world during this time, treatment of witches was different, varying by culture. In Africa, witches were often venerated as Witch-Doctors, using magic to cleanse water, provide blessings and cure disease. These witch-doctors were highly respected and often were consulted and revered even by the chieftains of their tribes. In pre-christian Scandinavia, witches were thought to be conduits for the gods and played an important part in Norse and Saxon societies.

Even after the spread of Christianity, witches continued to play a part in their societies, albeit secretly. In South America, these special priests were considered the children of gods, and if they were not rulers, they were great warriors or wise men. In the east, witches were known as "Veda" and were very respected monks and Brahman wise men, and often acted as judges or arbiters of law.

In China and Korea, they were called "Nyu Wu", and their place in society was as mystics and fortune-tellers, often acting as advisers. In rural regions, Nyu Wu were respected as wise hermits with a deep connection to the earth. In Japan, witches were known as "Wu Jen" and due to their connection with nature, were considered of a high status, just under the noble families.

As time went on, the view of witches fell from literal belief in their power to myth. Witches were okay with that, fading into the background.

### Habitat

Despite folklore, Witches do not dwell only in dark forests, caves or mountains. As humans, witches can be found in any environment that supports human life.

### Diet

Witches, as mostly human, have the same diet as other humans. Some witches' diets can vary depending on the witch's attunement. For example, those with an animal connection tend to be vegetarian, if not vegan. Meanwhile, witches connected to water will probably tend to enjoy seafood.

### Breeding

Witches are essentially human and breed just like humans. Being a witch is often passed on to a witch's children, though not all children of a witch will become witches themselves.

In rare cases, a witch can spontaneously appear in a bloodline, even without any prior witches in the ancestry.

## Nature

### Psychology

Witches and Warlocks are an esoteric people, preferring to live on their own and keep to themselves. Many become hermits, having been driven from civilized areas by superstitious folk or fear of their own magical powers. They are often secretive and tend to become angry if nature is defiled.

### The Balance of Nature

The Balance of Nature is a spiritual belief system based around the observance of the Earth and reverence of Mother Nature. The goal of many witches is to honor the design of nature and to maintain the balance within the natural world. The balance of nature is intimately tied to one's spiritual relationship with the Earth, and the idea that all living things (such as animals, humans, plants, etc.) are considered sacred, as they are all different aspects of nature.

Contemporary witches would also agree that using modern ceremonies, rituals and shamanic practices is the best way to attune themselves with the natural rhythms of the universe in their efforts to obtain guidance and knowledge from wiser witch-ancestors called "The Spirits" or "The Ancestors". However, not all witches follow this belief system. As humans, they have the free will to choose how they wish to practice their power.

### Covens

A coven is a community of witches who commonly gather together for celebrations of holidays, ceremonies of worship, practice witchcraft and more. It takes at least three witches to form a coven. All members who join a coven must swear an oath and add their blood to the Coven's ceremonial totem.

All covens must have at least one or two leaders, known as the High Priest and/or High Priestess. These witches are accountable for a number of different responsibilities, such as creating the laws of their coven that every member must abide. Each coven has its own set of laws and punishments created by the leader(s) of that group. While some covens have only a few laws, others have many.

The benefits of belonging to a coven are many. A coven provides protection and more heads and hands to solve problems. All witches within a coven are connected by blood, their spirits united by the Coven Pact, so their magic is more powerful. Witches exiled from a coven are shunned and sometimes forbidden from further using magic.

## Characteristics

### Witchcraft

This is a practice of magic used by Witches that encompasses many different types of activities including astrology, divination, spellcasting and spirit communication (among others). It includes the practices of many cultures, nations and religions as well as many books and writings from ancient times. Depending on the individual, some witches practice their power by certain belief systems, such as Shamanism, Voodoo, Santeria, Wicca and any number of other magical practices from countries and cultures all around the world.

#### Tools & Implments

There are many tools used by witches in the practice of witchcraft to increase their energy and strength. Most of them are provided by Nature like herbs and minerals, while others are artifacts such as Grimoires. Some witches have shown an aptitude in using objects more than others.

* **Alters and Shrines:** Although rarely used, altars serve to witches by providing a platform in which to readily perform their craft. They are simple shelves to lay objects on that are used for the ritual, consecrated for use in ritual. Most are made of stone.
* **Amulets:** A necklace that is used to perform a specific magical effect.
* **Cauldron:** Objects used for witches to concoct spells, potions and counter-curses.
* **Daggers:** Blades are used in various areas of Witchcraft, especially those requiring sacrifices or the drawing of blood. The name used to indicate magical knives is athame.
* **Dark Objects:** Dark Objects are a particular kind of enchanted objects created through the special magical practice known as Kemiya to infuse them with supernatural properties.
* **Dolls:** A specific category of totems (see below) identified as small human-like figurines with vast variations to represent a specific human victim for a variety of purposes.
* **Grimoires:** Books where a witch records all knowledge of their spells, rituals and recipes in. It is a spell book filled with information, hexes and spells.
* **Herbs and Stones:** Witches often use a variety of stones and herbs in their magic as many of them contain magical properties. For example, amber crystals protects a witch from evil. Sage is another herb commonly utilized in witchcraft.
* **Talismans:** These are personal artifacts of great significance to the witch that have been infused with magic. They are usually in the form of jewelry with varying materials such as crystal or stone. It is often used to increase their powers by incorporating external energy and help them to channel magic.
* **Totems:** Totems are largely used in Representational Magic, where objects of significance (animal parts, symbolic figures, etc.) are utilized as physical manifestations of a concept such as an aspect of a person's nature or intangible spells. They allow one to link the person with the will of the witch. Notable totems include Sanguinum Knot (used in linking and un-linking spells) and Willow Hoop (which can be used to spy on private conversations).

#### Attunements

Witchcraft implements spirit magic, astrology and elements of the natural world. They all channel magic through a specific element, force of nature or force of the universe. Channeling this element allows a witch to perform their magic more powerfully and easier. The following list of attunements include:

* **Air:** You are connected to lightning, mist, wind and the air around you.
* **Ancestor:** You have a connection with your ancestors, granting you a lot of power in exchange for keeping you close to your ancestor's remains.
* **Animals:** You have a deep connection with beats, and can speak with and befriend animals with ease.
* **Artifice:** You have a connection to craftwork, and can repair damage to objects, animate objects with life and can create objects from nothing.
* **Bones:** You are connected to bones, remains and such.
* **Chaos:** You are infused with life and chaos, reveling in all things anarchic.
* **Charm:** You can baffle and befuddle foes with a touch or a smile, and your beauty and grace are divine.
* **Community:** You are connected to the bond between people and families, your presence instilling unity and strengthening emotional bonds.
* **Darkness:** You have a bond with shadows and darkness, in general.
* **Dark Tapestry**
* **Death:** Unlike other witches, you are connected not to the natural world but to the absence of life. Your presence brings fatigue and death.
* **Destruction:** You revel in ruin and devastation, gaining power from the energy of destruction and the emotions stirred up when a person suffers loss.
* **Dream:** You are connected to the plane of dreams, providing you with visions.
* **Earth:** You are connected to the earth and stone below your feet, giving you a bond with metal, stone and earth.
* **Evil:** You are sinister and cruel, gaining power from the energy and emotion stirred by your acts of selfishness and cruelty.
* **Fate:** You're connected to the strands of destiny, giving you the ability to affect the fates of others.
* **Fire:** You are connected to the unstoppable force of fire, commanding the inferno and your flesh does not burn.
* **Good:** You are altruistic and benevolent, gaining power from the energy and emotion stirred by your acts of goodness.
* **Healing:** You have a connection to life itself, alleviating pain, wounds and disease.
* **Heavens:** You have a literal connection to the plane of Heaven.
* **Hell:** You have a literal connection to the plane of Hell.
* **Juju:** You are connected to the Loa and spirits of voodoo.
* **Law:** You are a scholar and a sage of legends, gaining power from your devotion and connection to law and traditions.
* **Luck:** You are infused with luck, connected to the forces of chance themselves. Your presence can spread both good and bad fortune.
* **Lunar:** You have a deep connection to the moon, gaining power in the moonlight, varying by the moon phase.
* **Madness:** You embrace the madness that lurks within us all and gain power from it.
* **Pestilence:** You are connected to disease and plague itself, spreading its filth wherever you go.
* **Plant:** You find solace in the green, connected to the plants around you.
* **Pleasure:** You are connected to joy, euphoria and pleasure.
* **Prophecy:** You have a connection to the astral plane, providing you with glimpses of the future.
* **Protection:** Your faith is your greatest source of protection and you can use that faith to defend others.
* **Repose:** You see death not as something to be feared, but as a final rest and reward for a life well spent.
* **Runes:** You work magic in strange and eldritch runes.
* **Serpent:** You're connected to snakes, specifically.
* **Shadow:** You gain power from the literal darkness, drawing power from the shadow, capable of blending and bending the shadows to your will.
* **Song:** You gain more power from your connection to music and song.
* **Strength:** You find truth in strength and brawn--your connection gives you incredible might and power.
* **Streets:** You have a connection with cities, settlements, etc. Your power fluctuates depending on your proximity to a town or city and its size.
* **Sun:** You are connected to the pure and burning light of the sun, calling upon its blessing or wrath to work great deeds.
* **Time:** You're connected to the timestream, drawing power from things representing time, such as clocks or hourglasses.
* **Travel:** You are an explorer, finding enlightenment in the simple joy of travel, be it by foot or otherwise. You lose power the longer you stay in one place.
* **Trickery:** You are a master of illusions and deceptions.
* **Vermin:** You share a deep connection with insects and rats.
* **Void:** You can call upon the cold darkness between the stars to gain flight, travel to other worlds or summon creatures from beyond to do your bidding.
* **Volcano:** You are connected to the power of the volcano. You grow stronger the closer you are to a volcano.
* **War:** You are connected to anger, violence and warfare, gaining power when in its presence.
* **Water:** Your connection is to the fluid, wrathful and life-bringing element of water.
* **Weather:** You are a witch the power over storm and sky, drawing great power from the unpredictability of the howling storms.
* **Wine:** Your attunement is to wine, alcohol and revelry.
* **Winter:** You're connected to the unforgiving ice and winter.
* **Wood:** You have a connection with Wood, specifically.

### Powers & Abilities

* **Channeling:** The power to invoke extra forms of energy by focusing on external forces, usually through the attunement of the witch.
* **Energy Channeling:** A witch is capable of unleashing a wave of energy of positive or negative energy, depending on the condition of their soul.
* **Longevity:** Witches have much longer lifespans than a regular mortal.
* **Potion of Brewing:** The power to brew and concoct potions, remedies and elixirs that have supernatural properties.
* **Spellcasting:** The power to change and control events through the use of manipulating the magic of the natural world. This allows them to perform a wide variety of magical effects.
* **Supernatural Sight:** Mages can see representations of magic in the physical world. They see the world for what it truly is: weird, magic and terrifying.

### Weaknesses

* **Disbelief:** The act of denying or disbelieving in one's potential can cause a witch to inadvertently suppress their magical power.
* **Distraction:** Denying a witch from concentrating or giving full attention to their spells, may render them ineffective. Since most spells are spoken verbally and take time to take effect, witches are vulnerable to attack before their completion. Additionally, certain spells require items, tools and/or special events or circumstances to cast the spell, therefore they can't be invoked on a whim.
* **Emotions:** A witch's magic is subject to the influence of their emotional state and may fluctuate according to them when untrained. Strong emotions such as worry and anger can fuel a witch's power while emotions such as fear may prevent a witch from properly accessing their powers.
* **Iron:** A hard and strong magnetic metal that is able to repress the supernatural power of a witch.
* **Magic:** Witch's are still susceptible to the powers of magic.
* **Meadowsweet:** This herb functions as a magical suppressant. Touching this herb to a mage will cause their magic to go awry and tricking a mage into ingesting it (or otherwise getting it into their system, such as through darts) can remove their ability to cast spells for hours or even up to a day.
* **Mortality:** Despite their mystical attributes, witches are still human and share the same weaknesses as non-supernatural beings.
* **Nature:**  It is said that nature will always find a balance when witchcraft is performed and spells will always have loopholes. This means, among other things, that no being can be truly immortal.
* **Overexertion:** The excessive use of magic can lead to disorientation, nose bleeds, unconsciousness and if taken to the extreme, death.
* **Witch Hazel:** This herb functions as a minor magical protection.
* **Witchcatcher:** A magical binding device that dampens magical power when worn. Usually a collar, though handcuff-versions do exist.