Origin Wells

**Origin Wells** are the source of all six witcheries—and each of the six Origin Wells are linked to an element.

The three Origin Wells that are still intact are the Aether well (at the Carawen Monastery), the Void well (long “lost” and forgotten), and the Fire well (in Marstok).

At the beginning of the series, three Origin wells are no longer intact. Namely the Earth well (in the Empire of Cartorra), the Water well (in Nubrevna), and the Air well (in Arithuania).

After arriving on the nubrevnan coast, in the Nihar lands, Evrane insists on a detour to bring the injured Iseult and Safiya to the dead Water well. Her reason given, is finishing the healing of the arrow wound, Iseult had been dealt by Corlant den Midenzi. After instructing the girls, to swim to the bottom of the well, we're there is a short earthquake, when they reach it.

Later, when she and the girls part, so they might reach Lejna and Evrane stall Aeduan, still hunting Safiya, the monk tells the girls, that they have healed the well and are in fact the fabled Char Awen.

During the events of Windwitch, Vivia learns, from Esme speaking through one of her cleaved, that the lake beneath Lovats, her mother had shown her during childhood, is actually the lost Void well.

Approximately a month later, when Safiya and Iseult are reunited in Cartorra, they also heal the Earth well, under the gaze of Dom von Grieg and Prince Leopold of Cartorra. The display is also observed by the Rook.

We see during the events of Bloodwitch, that a Weaverwitch is capable of cleaving an Origin Well, like everything else, that possesses threads. Esme, who has been given sovereignty over then abandoned city of Poznin, by Ragnor det Amalej, uses the Air Well as a source of magic, to power her Loom. It is also stated, that the magic of the well is almost spent, which is why she sends Merik to find threadstones for her.

## Origin Wells

All six Origin Wells, are created in a similar pattern. The Center is always a lake, surrounded by six trees, representing the state of the Well itself. Only the Void well does not possess conventional trees surrounding it, but six spokes of dense foxfire, a bioluminescent plant, found in the Lovats Underground and Undercity.

Over the course of Windwitch and Bloodwitch, Vivia notes on separate occasions, that the number of glowing foxfire veins, fluctuates. According to Jana Nihar, the number of glowing veins, correlates directly with the strength of the ruling house of Nubrevna. At the Beginning of Windwitch, Vivia notes four spokes glowing, which over the course of the book, is reduced to two and rises again over the two weeks between Windwitch and Bloodwitch.

The trees around the Earth, Water and Air well, are described as dead, when mentioned or seen before being healed. After Safiyas and Iseults healing of the Water well, Aeduan later observes, that the cypress trees and vegetation surrounding the well, appear to have been returned to a more lively state, but still not to the same degree as the Aether Well at the Carawen monastery.

* Aether Well - Carawen Monastery (alive) - Ashe
* Fire Well - Marstok (alive) - Cedar
* Earth Well - Cartorra (healed by the Char Awen) - Beech
* Water Well - Nubrevna (healed by the Char Awen) - Cypress
* Air Well - Arithuania (dead and source of magic for Esme's Loom) - Oak
* Void Well - Nubrevna - Underground beneath Lovats (alive) - Foxfire

## "Well Chosen"

Empress Vaness of Marstok, bears among others, the title of "Well Chosen". In a conversation with Vivia during the events of Witchshadow, it is revealed, that she sees this as justification of her rule over Marstok. She attributes the same title to Vivia, who has been chosen by the Void well beneath the Plateau of Lovats. According to Vaness, it makes her something more than an average witch, for one due to her claim to the sovereignty over Marstok, but also because of the responsibility she has as "Well Chosen" Empress.

Vivia disagrees quite harshly with the notion of being something better on grounds of this title. In the later course of the story, both women draw strength from this fact, while battling the Dalmotti Navy off the coast of Nubrevna, close to the Water well.

The validity of Vaness's claim, can not be proven beyond reasonable doubt, but over all four books, there are hints at a connection between the rulers and the wells. For example Jana Nihars claim towards Vivia, that her family's power, stems from the Void well.

Furthermore the fact, that the fon Hasstrel House, with the estates closest to the Earth well, is revealed to have been the ruling house in Cartorra, before Emperor Henriks ancestors have claimed the throne, also supports this claim. It is noteworthy, that the Earth well has died some time before the series began, which might have coincided with the coup d'etat against the fon Hasstrell line.

Emperor Henrik reveals as much to Safiya at the end of Witchshadow, explaining the reason for their arranged marriage, being his wish to merge his line with Safi's through a marriage of her to his nephew Prince Leopold fon Cartorra. With that he seeks to restore the rightful line, back to the throne, while also maintaining the power of his own house. Safiya's mother, who was the first fon Hasstrel to investigate her family's former title, has been killed by the cartorran emperor for her indiscretions.

Another hint towards the concept of Well Chosen, is the fact, that the Fire well, has been kept alive, with Vaness' family ruling over Marstok.

### Witcheries of the "Well Chosen"

Neither Vivia's, Vaness's or Safiya's respective witcheries, are of the same element as the well, they might have been chosen by.

#### Possible "Well Chosen"

* Empress Vaness of Marstok (Fire)
* Vivia Nihar (Void)
* (speculated) Merik Nihar (Air)
* Safiya fon Hasstrel/Eron fon Hasstrel\* (Earth)

\*As Vivia and Jana indicate the title to be hereditary and Eron is Safiya's uncle from her mother's side of the family, it might be, that in the eyes of the well, his claim is stronger for the time being.

## Trivia

* A part of the reason that people have forgotten the connection between the Origin Wells and magic is that people believe there to be only *five* elements, not six.
* The term "Well Chosen", is equivocal with the adjective "well–chosen".