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Witches and Magic Lore

Magic in this world is an intricate, deeply personal force that varies from witch to witch. Unlike rigid systems where magic is taught as a precise science, magic here is more of an art—fluid, flexible, and highly individual. Witches, warlocks, and mages must each discover their own relationship with magic, often through a combination of study, intuition, and experimentation. Though spells provide structure, true mastery lies in the witch’s ability to reinvent magic for themselves, forging their own path by trusting their instincts.

1. Circles of Magic: The Path to Power and Knowledge

• Circles as Learning Institutions: Young witches, warlocks, and mages are guided through their journey of mastering magic by joining one of several Circles of Magic. These circles function similarly to druidic orders, teaching young magic users the proper ways to channel their abilities, respect the balance of nature, and wield their powers responsibly.
  • The Rules of Magic: Each Circle adheres to strict rules, prohibiting certain types of magic deemed too dangerous or immoral—such as necromancy, soul-binding, or blood magic. These forbidden arts are seen as disruptive to the balance the witches seek to maintain.
  • Mentorship and Advancement: Each young witch is mentored by an elder who guides them not only in the practical application of magic but also in understanding the political and social intricacies of their world. For many, joining a Circle is the first step toward gaining influence, with the most ambitious aiming to join the upper echelons of the World Congregation of Witches.

2. The Hierarchy of Witches: Class and Power

• Old Families vs. Common Witches: Not all witches are equal in the eyes of society. A strong class system exists, with witches from old, powerful families holding the highest status. These families are respected, sometimes feared, and hold key positions within the supernatural government. Their bloodlines are considered to be inherently more powerful due to their ancestral ties to ancient magic.
  • Magical Nobility: The Great Families are not only known for their vast magical abilities but also for their political influence. They occupy the highest offices within the World Congregation of Witches, controlling the decisions that shape the world.
  • Common Witches: Witches without these illustrious bloodlines, often referred to as "common witches," face significant challenges in rising through the ranks. Many of them use the Circles as stepping stones to gain recognition and access to positions of influence, but breaking into the upper echelons of society is rare.
  • Ambition and Rivalries: Competition between witches is fierce, especially among common witches looking to prove themselves and families seeking to maintain or expand their influence. Political maneuvering, covert alliances, and magical duels for honor are common within this stratified society.

The Emotional and Spiritual Nature of Magic

In this world, magic is not a cold, calculated force; it is deeply emotional and spiritual. Each witch’s magic is a reflection of their inner self—their fears, desires, strengths, and weaknesses.

1. Emotions Fuel Magic: A witch’s emotions play a significant role in their magical abilities. Casting a spell when emotionally charged—whether in anger, joy, or sorrow—can strengthen its effect but may also make it unpredictable. Witches must learn to control their emotions, or risk their magic spiraling out of control.
2. Instinctive Magic: Many spells and magical actions are driven by instinct. Witches often rely on their gut feelings when performing complex or dangerous magic, trusting that their intuition will guide them to the right course of action.
3. Spiritual Connection to the World: Witches are innately connected to the natural world around them. Many draw power from nature—whether through the phases of the moon, the energy of plants and animals, or the rhythms of the earth itself. For some, this connection becomes a form of spirituality, while for others, it is a practical source of power.

The Fundamentals of Magic

1. Reinventing Magic: A Personal Journey
   When someone decides to pursue witchcraft, the first and most important lesson they learn is that magic cannot be handed to them like a formula. It must be reinvented and internalized.

   • Learning Through Others: Witches begin their journey by studying under mentors or seeking guidance from older, more experienced witches. They may also learn from books, scrolls, or grimoires that hold the collective wisdom of magic-users throughout history. However, these sources only provide foundational knowledge.

   • Intuition and Inner Voice: The most critical element of magic is listening to one’s inner voice—the heart, gut feelings, instincts, and intuition. Magic is not just a mental exercise but an emotional and spiritual one. Each witch must discover how they personally connect to the magical forces around them. This process requires deep self-awareness and attunement to one’s own nature, emotions, and energy.

   • Personalized Magic: As witches grow in power, their magic reflects their individuality. No two witches will cast the same spell in exactly the same way. Even if they follow similar instructions, each witch brings their unique flair, emotions, and willpower into their magic, which alters the outcome slightly. This is why every witch’s magic feels distinct and personal.

2. Spells: Recipes for Magic
   Spells are the building blocks of magic in this world, and for many witches, they are a practical starting point.

   • Spell Recipes: Spells function much like recipes in cooking. A witch might find a spell in a book, learn it from another practitioner, or develop it from folklore. The instructions are typically straightforward—what words to say, what ingredients to gather, and how to channel the necessary magical energy. However, following these instructions doesn’t require exact precision.
   • Room for Improvisation: Witches often tweak spells to suit their needs. Some may add or omit ingredients, alter the wording, or change the time of day or setting. While this can produce varied effects, it also encourages a witch to begin personalizing magic, learning what works best for them individually.
   • Basic Magic: Most beginner witches rely on these spells as a foundation for their craft. These structured forms of magic are simple to follow but still require focus and energy, particularly when drawing on external sources of power, such as herbs, crystals, or moon phases.

3. The Creation of Original Spells
   As witches grow in experience, they move beyond simply following spells and begin to craft their own.

   • Creativity and Skill: Only experienced and creative witches have the ability to create new spells. This process requires a deep understanding of magical principles, a keen sense of intuition, and often trial and error. Crafting a new spell from scratch is like creating a new recipe—experimenting with different magical components, testing their results, and refining the spell until it achieves the desired effect.
   • Combining Elements: Advanced witches learn to combine different elements of magic—symbols, incantations, rituals, and even emotions—into unique and powerful spells. They draw on their knowledge of magical history and their personal connection to the forces around them to create something entirely new.

4. Wordless Magic and Gesture Casting
   Some of the most powerful witches can cast without the need for spoken words or long rituals.

   • Wordless Casting: Extremely gifted witches can cast spells through sheer willpower or with simple gestures, bypassing the need for verbal incantations. These witches are so in tune with their magic that they don’t require the structure of words or ingredients to shape their power. Their magic flows directly from their intentions and emotions into the world.
   • Gesture Casting: A witch may only need a flick of the wrist, a pointed finger, or the wave of a hand to manipulate the magical energies around them. This form of casting is quicker and more fluid, but it requires an immense level of control, focus, and a deep connection to the magical forces a witch wields.

The Role of Gods and Divine Blessings

In addition to their natural magical abilities, witches may choose to form a spiritual connection with one or more gods.

1. Worship and Devotion

   • Optional Worship: Worship is a personal choice for each witch. Some choose to dedicate themselves to a particular deity, while others may prefer to walk a path guided solely by their own magic. Those who do worship often find comfort, guidance, or additional power through their faith.
   • Pantheon of Gods: The gods that witches worship are diverse, often tied to nature, the elements, or aspects of life and death. Some gods are benevolent, while others may be fickle or demanding. A witch’s relationship with their deity often mirrors their magical style—some offer daily prayers or rituals, while others maintain a more distant, transactional relationship.
   • Rituals of Worship: Witches who align with a god may conduct special rituals to honor them, seek their favor, or ask for protection. These rituals often involve offerings, sacred symbols, and invocations that reflect the specific domain of the god being worshiped.

2. Divine Blessings

   • Bestowing of Power: In rare cases, a god may bestow a divine blessing upon a witch who has proven themselves worthy through acts of devotion, bravery, or some extraordinary deed. These blessings grant additional power or special abilities that go beyond a witch’s natural magical skill.
   • Unique Boons: The type of blessing a witch receives often depends on the god they worship. A goddess of storms might grant control over lightning or weather, while a god of death might offer power over spirits or protection from harmful magic. These blessings are highly coveted and may come with expectations or conditions that the witch must fulfill.
   • Living with the Blessing: While receiving a divine blessing can elevate a witch’s power, it can also create challenges. A god may demand loyalty or specific actions in exchange for their gift, and a witch who fails to meet these expectations might lose their blessing—or worse, incur the wrath of the deity.

Worship of gods among witches is a rarity in modern times, having been mostly abandoned in favor of a more practical, secular approach to magic. Historically, witches maintained closer relationships with various deities, seeking blessings or divine favor, but as society progressed and magic became more formalized, devotion to gods fell out of favor.

Outdated Practices and Illegal Worship

• Outdated but Not Forgotten: Though viewed as outdated, there are still small sects of witches who worship ancient gods. These groups often practice in secret, as their rituals and activities are viewed with suspicion by modern witches. Public worship is heavily discouraged, and any formalized group that centers around the worship of a god is seen as a cult.
  • Divine Blessings: While it is still possible for a witch to receive a divine blessing from a god, it is exceedingly rare. The authorities view these blessings with suspicion, as those who possess them often become difficult to control. Moreover, because divine favor is unpredictable, it can lead to dangerous imbalances within the carefully maintained structure of witch society.
• Sectarian Activity: Certain gods have maintained small, dedicated followings. These sects are typically illegal and are considered a threat to the current magical order. In the past, some of these groups have caused conflicts that nearly disrupted the peace established by the World Congregation of Witches, which led to their official condemnation. The Supernatural Police Force monitors these cults closely, often infiltrating them to ensure they don’t grow too powerful.
  • Cultists in Hiding: Modern witches who worship gods must do so privately to avoid persecution. Those who are found conducting public rituals or spreading religious doctrines are arrested and punished, as these practices are seen as attempts to destabilize the supernatural peace.

The Role of Gods in Witch Society

• Individual Worship: Some witches still choose to worship in private, especially those whose magic aligns with specific deities (e.g., nature gods, death gods, or gods of the moon). These witches might offer occasional prayers or conduct personal rituals but keep their faith hidden from the larger witch society to avoid being labeled as cultists.
• Tensions Between Faith and Law: The existence of these sects, even in secret, creates tension within witch society. While many witches view them as harmless relics of the past, others see them as potential threats to the political and magical order that the Congregation has worked so hard to build. The rare occasions when a god does bestow a powerful blessing upon a witch often bring about conflict, as such individuals suddenly possess power that exists outside the standard magical rules.

Modernized and Standardized Magic

In this world, the modernization and standardization of magic have greatly influenced how witches practice their craft. While the essence of magic remains personal, its use is tightly regulated, and political structures ensure that magic is wielded responsibly, creating a sense of balance and fairness between witches and other supernatural races.

In modern times, witchcraft has become a regulated and structured system, controlled both by magical laws and the governing bodies within each region. The practice of magic is no longer a free-form, experimental craft but one with clear boundaries and rules. This standardization is designed to ensure that magic-users don’t overstep their bounds or disrupt the delicate balance between supernatural races.

• Restricted Use of Magic: Witches are not allowed to use their powers freely in public or in ways that would harm or exploit others. This restriction ensures fairness, especially when it comes to dealings with other supernatural races that may not have as much raw magical power. The balance of power is central to maintaining peace, and magic is closely monitored by each region's Council of Witches.
• Spells by Profession: Magic has become more utilitarian, with spells designed for practical, everyday use. Witches involved in commerce, healing, or crafting use spells tailored to their profession. These include spells for enhancing tools, speeding up processes, or fortifying materials.
  • Enchanting Spells: Commonly used in commerce, witches use enchanting spells to imbue objects with temporary effects, such as strength enhancements for tools or charms for protection. However, these spells are limited in potency to prevent any one witch from gaining too much influence in the economic sphere.
  • Healing Rituals: Healing magic is tightly regulated, as over-reliance on it can cause social disruption. Witches who specialize in healing follow standardized protocols and are required to register their services with their local Council.
  • Communication Spells: Modern witches have adapted communication spells that allow them to send magical messages or relay information across vast distances. These spells are often used by the Councils of Witches to quickly communicate between regions or during negotiations.

Regional Variations in Magic

Though the overall structure of magical governance remains the same across regions, local practices and spell traditions can vary significantly. The World Congregation of Witches ensures that the political framework and laws are uniform, but regions still maintain distinct magical traditions.

• Cultural Influence: In some areas, magic may retain more ancient or ritualistic elements, with witches performing elaborate ceremonies for even the most basic spells, while in other regions, magic is almost treated like a form of science, with clean, efficient spellcasting.
  • Eastern Regions: In regions with rich ties to ancient mystical traditions, witches are known to still use elemental rituals—such as fire and water ceremonies—to channel their magic. These rituals are communal, often performed by groups of witches to strengthen their connection with nature and the elements.
  • Western Regions: More industrialized and urbanized areas favor quicker, less ritualistic magic. Witches here prefer streamlined spells that can be cast with minimal preparation, often using gestures or silent casting to keep their magic discreet.
• The Role of the Council: Each region is governed by a Council of Witches, a group of powerful witches chosen to represent their local area. These councils oversee the lawful use of magic, mediate disputes, and ensure that no witch becomes too powerful within their jurisdiction.

Forbidden Magic and Its Impact on Witch Society

Certain forms of magic, such as necromancy and blood magic, are strictly forbidden across all regions, as they are considered dangerous to the balance of power and the core tenets of the magical laws. The use of these magics can destabilize society and undermine the peace that has been carefully maintained by the witches.

The Dangers of Forbidden Magic

• Necromancy: The ability to manipulate the dead is considered a violation of the natural order, which witches are sworn to protect. Necromancy has the potential to cause immense harm, both by disturbing the dead and through the power it grants to the user. A necromancer could amass an army of the undead, which would threaten not only the supernatural races but also humanity.
• Blood Magic: Blood magic is even more feared, as it is based on sacrifice—typically the blood or life force of others. It is seen as inherently corrupt and dangerous because it bypasses the ethical constraints that most witches adhere to. The power it grants can come at the cost of life, and those who practice it often spiral into madness or tyranny.
  • Corruption of Power: Witches who delve into forbidden magic tend to gain enormous power quickly, which disrupts the balance of power and can lead to dangerous overreach. These individuals often believe they are above the laws of the supernatural world and can challenge even the authority of the World Congregation of Witches.

Consequences for Practicing Forbidden Magic

Witches caught practicing forbidden magic are treated as serious criminals and hunted by the Supernatural Police Force. This specialized force, which includes powerful witches and other supernatural beings, is tasked with maintaining order and hunting down those who break the supernatural laws.

• Judgement by the Council of Witches: Once caught, these witches are brought before their regional Council of Witches for trial. The trials are often swift, as the evidence is typically clear. The punishments, however, can vary depending on the severity of the crime and the danger posed.
  • Execution or Imprisonment: In most cases, the punishment is execution—a swift and final solution to prevent further harm. However, some witches may be imprisoned in magically reinforced facilities where their powers are suppressed, although this is reserved for those who may hold valuable information or those deemed not entirely beyond redemption.
  • Exile: Occasionally, particularly dangerous witches are exiled to regions outside the reach of the supernatural society, where they are left to fend for themselves in a world where they are no longer protected by the Treaty.

Table of Content:

Introduction to the Universe

Supernatural Government

Supernatural Races: General Information

Witches and Magic Lore

Werewolves Lore