Witches, Part 1

What distills from pain but pure, delicious rage?
Art by Sackcloth & Ashes

There are two distinctive schools of thought within the artisinal schools of The Republic; the study of transmuting reality through tangible things, The Occult, and the study of that which lies beyond our purview. Although studies have begun in recent regarding paranormal effects such as that of the Elkem's Yr Drannas, their discoveries are fledgling, and resources are spread thin between the two remaining processes. Of the two, The Occult receives more praise, as well as most of the funding.

It is well-known that forces within the universe exist far beyond our human understanding. Villages and cities are haunted by the presence of the Mirages, Artisans are ripped apart by the mysterious acts of chaos, and the continent slowly cracks under the weight of an indefinitely stormy sky. Hardship and strife are a natural state of being, but humanity has always held the opportunity to somewhat level its playing field. 

In the past, they went by different names; Eldermen, Gods, Faith. Terms once combined in symbiosis were stripped of their original context, leaving their corpse to rot. But nothing in nature dies for long, and the restoration of these old & primal powers has returned with booming voices.

The Primeval Forces are a catch-all phrase for the many gifts of the old world. Its servants take many shapes, most notably druids and nature spirits, but occasionally a particular creature or location will attract its pleasant (or repugnant) touch. Witches constitute a social commune dating back to pre-storm practices, but have become entangled in academic circumstances.

Bubbling Oils

Witches constitute a minority within the hierarchy of occult-casters in The Republic. This is partly thanks to the trouble surrounding their practitioning, as while artisans typically come from all backgrounds, walks of life and identities, Witch covens are strictly feminine. There are multiple theories as to why this decision was made, and any estimate would likely be correct. Still, the most obvious answer is typically the appropriate one: groups of women sought to study in an environment that suited their own needs and amenities, rather than the comforts of those who considered themselves superiors.

Note: I want to explore themes such as casual sexism and the effectiveness of a collective response to its grasp, but it's fair to say that not everybody will be comfortable reading or playing with it. Not every setting needs sexism for a compelling story or world, nor does it need racism, classism, or other bigotry. Create according to the material you wish to emulate and the narrative you'd like to create. Not everyone will be comfortable with this kind of thing; if it cannot be omitted, that's fine. Not everyone has to like it.

By the way, feminine doesn't have to mean born a woman.
Art by Aleksander Brodzinski

Of the many covens discoverable throughout the continent, only two lie beneath The Republic's jurisdiction, specialized colleges akin to the artisinal schools. All witches are spellcasters, even those physically incapable of learning Occult techniques, for there are no rules regarding who can and cannot learn magic. Availability is a different problem, but the steady flow of new witches from the colleges has proven their worth tenfold. 

Bound by a similar artisinal dictorum to the academies, Witches are notably not bound by The Twelve Laws, instead aligned with a complex collection of rules and stipulations. Coven Laws differ between bodies, save for the two Academic Covens, which have yet to abscond from The Republic.

Broiling Cauldrons

There are two fields of study within the realm of a Witch; the explosive, chaotic energy of The Occult and the slower, seeping patronage of The Primeval Forces. Rarely called by its full name, most witches call their particular practice Alchemy or Herbology—the art of creation through concoctions. 

Witches rarely devote themselves entirely to acts of the Primal; instead, they combine Occult magic with profound, more applied techniques. The Republic makes a notable distinction between their work and the work of an Artisan, for Witches combine the effects of both worlds, creating something else entirely. Fast-acting movements combined with a slow, methodical outlook provide a perspective within the world of magic completely unlike its contemporaries.

Community

The vast majority of covens in Bromeilles are decentralized. While the number of would-be witches aspiring to join the academic covens is great, they are a minority compared to those filled with runaways and convicts. 

When you dress only for the sky, we all dazzle like stars.
Art by Qistina Khalidah

Joining a coven is much like joining a fraternity or a cult. Initiation is required, a pledge to one's oaths or tenants, and a pact of loyalty to your new sisters which stretches beyond the veil of life and death. Your fellow witches are your teachers, your Matron most of all, but they are also your students. Covens are commonly an open space for discussion, practice and evolution. Change is accepted in full, and emotional conflicts are recognized and validated.

Every coven holds true a different set of beliefs. Like an institution, witches attract different individuals and promote certain kinds of behaviour according to their values. Organized most typically by region and the primary source of magic they practice, Witch Schools are frequently associated with colour, and every witch has at least a rudimentary understanding of their coven's magic.

Coven Magic

1. White Magic: Unity, Purity, Health, Nurturing
2. Black Magic: Death, Protection, Compulsion, Individuality
3. Red Magic: Passion, Energy, Violence, Concentration
4. Blue Magic: Creativity, Patience, Understanding, Wisdom
5. Green Magic: Empathy, The Natural, Peace, Health
6. Purple Magic: Acuity, Spirituality, Manipulation, Perception
7. Orange Magic: Change, Luck, Creativity, Goodwill
8. Tide Magic: Balance, Control, Freedom, Strength
9. Lunar Magic: The Natural, Secrecy, Family, Freedom
10. Blood Magic: Health, Spirituality, Individuality, Control
11. Steel Magic: Violence, Balance, Compulsion, Patience
12. Tea Magic: Kindness, Balance, Perception, Spirituality