Witch

A witch, or warlock, is a person that descends from the bloodline of Amalia Elaide, a legendary figure during the Mythical Era. As the first witch, she formed an eternal pact with the Lord of Helheim himself - offering her servitude and becoming his wife, and by extension, her lineage's loyalty, connected on a spiritual level. The Book of Shadows may appear to be a prospect, and while all must sign their name of their own violation, very few will refuse their coven, often at the threat of death or worse if they choose to reject the call of the Dark Lord. It is a rare occurrence for someone to desire such regardless, given the culture and history behind it.

If born into a bloodline of witches, the person's affinity will typically manifest around puberty depending on the strength of their curse. It begins with spectral sight: they can see the lesser spirits that float as invisible wisps in the air, and feel their magical aptitude growing by the day. The witch will also begin to find allies in creatures closely aligned with Helheim and the night, able to charm and communicate with serpents, bats, rats, black cats, and arachnids.

Officially joining their coven means their spirit will be bound to Helheim on death, as a resident of the underworld. Their flesh is branded as proof of this after they sign, a small black pentagram that appears somewhere on their body, which they can cloak with a spell. The branding can only be revealed by a practised priest (OOC: req. Blessing) in a painful, often considered humiliating ritual that involves fire and purgatory magic, dousing the entirety of the bare skin in ritualistic fire. Accusing someone of witchcraft and apprehending them for a search is a heavy claim that's often only reserved when there's sufficient suspicion. (There must be a period of 5 OOC days after use, 1 month ICly, to restore the holy energies)

It is tradition that a witch continues to write in their a Book of Shadows, a magical journal that they'll document their discoveries and experiences in. Only the witch and their descendants are able to read the text; it requires a drop of blood to unravel the words. The witch may choose to pass on wisdom and teachings, as the Curse doesn’t treat all the same - some witches have been known to fly and be able to hurl weighted boulders with their mind, while others can barely sway a lesser man to do their bidding. The discoveries and the forbidden spells of the Dark Lord’s power are a treasure trove to fledgling witches wishing to climb the fickle ladder of influence within their respective coven.

Secrets are best kept guarded. The price for practising witchcraft is death by the stake, to be purged in flame - as ordained by Archbishop Cedany in 905AC. The spark of life brings us into this world, and the heat is the safest way to ensure a witch leaves it for good. For that reason, even among covens, with their sisters and brothers, the witches tend to keep their identity hidden; they were long robes, hoods that cover the face, and share false names. Trust is difficult when so much as a whisper into the wrong person’s ear can mean your end, after all. If a witch or warlock shares their true name with you, it means that they’re willing to endanger themselves to do so.