Streghe

***Streghe***, also known as **witches**, are powerful beings that are not entirely human. The singular is ***strega***.

## Description

The power of the *streghe* is feared, not respected. They are the true Daughters of the Moon and are descendants of an actual goddess. Their magic passes down the matriarchal line but doesn't manifest in all women. Family members without magic are referred to as witch-born, while those with magic are referred to as goddess-blessed. The *streghe* live secretly among humans. Humans kills and attack *streghe* when the suspect them, often forming bands of *strega* hunters. *Streghe* and the Wicked are mortal enemies as the witches are enemies with demons.

### History

According to the witches' history, the Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone are the goddesses who rule the heavens, the earth, and the underworld. Old legends claim they'd given birth to the goddesses the witches pray to. One of them, the goddess of the heavens and sun, is La Prima Strega's mother. The Maiden, Mother, and Crone were to their goddesses what Titans were to the gods in mortal mythologies. The witches believe that the goddesses have never shown interest in involving themselves with witches.

In Palermo, Italy, there are thirteen witch families, one of which is the di Carlo family. There are more families scattered across Sicily, but for everyone's safety, they don't interact with each other. At one time there was a council made up of the eldest member of each witch family. Nonna Maria had been the leader in Palermo. The coven disbanded soon after Vittoria and Emilia were born. The coven's collapse is supposedly related to Sofia Santorini invoking the dark arts and something going seriously wrong, leaving her mind fragmented. Humans' growing suspicions of what they believed was sudden madness made it too dangerous for witches to meet, even in secret, so the thirteen families of Palermo adopted a strict code of silence and stuck to themselves.

### Types

There are different kinds of witches, such as green witches, who specialize in growing plants. Source is the name of the location where a witch's magic is within themselves. Source is readily available for the witch to draw from, like an endless well in their core. Witches pray to the goddesses of light magic or dark magic. Those who pray to the goddesses of dark magic practice the dark arts, or *li arti oscure*. These witches believe that magic could, and should, be used however a witch wanted to use it. Practitioners of the dark arts use blood and bones, and believe any tool is viable. Another type of witch are those like the di Carlo family line, which is that of Star Witches, or *Stelle Streghe*. *Stelle Streghe* hail from an ancient line of witches who had ties to the Wicked prior to the curse. They are guardians in a sense, ensuring creatures of the underworld remain there. For a time they worked beside the Malvagi. Demons call them shadow witches. Shadow witches are witches with a bit more demon blood in them than other witches.

### Magic

Magic is a living, breathing entity. It thrives on the energy someone gives it. It’s a force of nature, and thus neither good nor bad. It simply becomes what the user’s intent is. The dark arts is a dangerous type of magic because it demands payment since it takes from something instead of using what already is. One type of magic that is never to be practiced is called *il Probito*, or the Forbidden. They are spells that have severe consequences, and there are only a few of them. While not explicitly part of the dark arts, truth spells should never be used on humans because they are part of the Forbidden. Free will is one of the most basic laws of nature in the human world. Beyond notions of light or dark magic, free will should never be trifled with. Resurrection spells are part of both the dark arts and the Forbidden. If a witch attempts to steal back life, Death will take its retribution elsewhere, balancing the scales. According to the di Carlo grimoire, “bone magic used improperly can be part of the forbidden arts. Using the bones of animals, such as claws, nails, fangs, shells, and feathers, allows a witch to connect with the underworld. They must be gathered ethically, not sacrificed. To harness their power, create a bone circle and include herbs and objects of intent.” Necromancy is a type of magic that is *il Proibito*.

Witches often use spells to imbue objects with magic. For example, after Vittoria's death, Nonna Maria begins making spell candles. She makes white candles for clairvoyance, gold candles for luck, and pale purple candles for peace. Some ancient rituals, like the one Wrath performs with Emilia after the Viperidae bites her, require bare skin contact. In this case, Wrath transfers some of his power to her using water as a conductor between their skin. These rituals are a rebirth of sorts and not to be taken lightly. If a witch uses arcane symbols with their spells, it increases the potency of that spell.

Emilia reads a grimoire on beginning magic that says the witches' magic is similar to a muscle that needs to be exercised. If ignored too long, it atrophies. The grimoire also explains that the Spinners of Fate say their power is a gift bestowed from the goddesses and therefore has a tendency to mimic their abilities. Some bloodlines will notice an affinity for certain spells, especially those using the four elements. This affinity is an indication of which goddess a witch should pray to in order to enhance that type of magic. The lesser spoken of fifth element, called aether, is thought to be the rarest.

## Abilities

Witches are connected to the earth and channel its powers into their own. They use magic to cast spells and charms, create objects of intent, create charms of protection, and create wards and protection circles. Different types of *streghe* have affinities for different magic. Examples include scrying, creating potions, perfumes, and drinks, control and manipulation of an element, use of bone magic, and necromancy. Those powerful enough can banish demons back to Hell, even the Wicked. According to Nonna Maria, it is not uncommon for magic to continue developing through a witch's lifetime. *Streghe* also have a little more strength than humans.

## Known *Streghe*

* The First Witch/La Prima Strega/Sursea
* Lucia/Claudia
* Emilia di Carlo
* Vittoria di Carlo
* Nonna Maria
* Carolina Grimaldi
* Sofia Santorini
* Valentina Rossi
* Giulia Santorini
* Isabella Crisci

## Known Spells

* Resurrection spells
* Truth spells
* Summoning spells
* Spell of silence
	+ *Silentium*: a silencing spell
* Spell of unveiling
* Spell of un-making
* Spell of containment
* Spells of courage
* Spell of cleansing enchantment
* Spells for restful slumber
	+ *Somnum*: a sleeping spell
	+ *Somnus*: an enchanted sleep spell
* Spells to help slow the flow of blood
* Moon Blessings
* Spells of protection
	+ Wards
	+ Protection circles: drawn using moon-blessed chalk and works on humans and supernaturals
	+ Charms
		- *Cimaruta* charm
		- Charms for luck
		- Charms of good health and well-being

## Trivia

* Throw a pinch of salt over your shoulder for luck.
* Containment spells and summoning spells last for three days.
* According to the di Carlo grimoire, "Moon Daughter Rituals should be observed during each full moon."
* Their magic burns a constant stream of energy that needs replenishing.
* Nonna Maria teaches Emilia and Vittoria to always burn their hair and nail clippings so no one can use the dark arts on them. She also teaches them that dark magic, specifically spells using objects touched by death, should be avoided at all costs.
* The Palermo coven elders seldom agreed on anything, except for the belief that the devil should never be summoned, and under no circumstances were black mirrors ever to be used for scrying.