Culture

Beliefs

Witchcraft has been naturally associated with individuals who are marginalized, misunderstood, and isolated from society. As witchcraft has grown more accepted, it has become diverse and decentralized, allowing for personal interpretation and expression.

Witches have varying approaches to their craft. Some embrace duality, seeking harmony in both the light and dark aspects, acknowledging that different situations may necessitate different actions. Others hold steadfast to the belief that there is only one true path, often guided by a moral compass that dictates their use of abilities for the greater good. In contrast, some witches find no moral qualms in harnessing their powers to improve their own circumstances or influence others, utilizing all means at their disposal. This diversity reflects the multifaceted nature of witchcraft and the individual interpretations of practitioners.

Witches possess a deep connection with the Earth, listening intently to its secret whispers. They align themselves with the lunar energies and the Lode, harmoniously working with its powers. Furthermore, witches have a profound understanding of the human soul, attuned to its desires and yearnings.

Covens

The decision of whether to join a coven or practice witchcraft alone is a profoundly personal one. Witches who choose to join a coven appreciate the collaborative wisdom and support of a group, engaging in rituals and celebrating Sabbats together. In contrast, solitary witches opt for the autonomy and private reflection of practicing alone, guided by their own intuition and self-determined rules.

Sabbats

The solar year is marked by the changing of the seasons, each celebrated as a ‘Sabbat’. This tradition, dating back millennia, bears deep significance and importance to witches, representing the cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth. 

While Sabbats are divided into two types, Greater and Lesser, this designation does not alter their importance but rather what they represent. 

The Greater Sabbats, celebrating the agricultural cycles and the natural cycle of life, death, and rebirth, take place on the same calendar date each year:

• Samhain – November 1st 
• Imbolc – February 1st
• Beltane – May 1st
• Lughnasadh August 1st

The Lesser Sabbats are tied to the solar cycle. They honor the bringer of all life and power, coinciding with the two solstices and two equinoxes. Determined astronomically, these dates fluctuate from year to year but usually fall around the 21st day of their corresponding month.

• Yule – December
• Ostara – March
• Litha – June
• Mabon – September

During a Sabbat, there is a natural attunement to the energy from The Lode, allowing safer direct access to The Lode either alone or as a coven. 

These are sacred days to the Ceremonial Witches in particular, allowing for a higher tier of spell to be created.

Familiars

A Witch and their familiar share an intimate bond. Familiars often take the forms of pets and act as loyal companions to witches. According to legends, these familiars serve as spiritual guides, assuming animal forms on Earth. They are steadfast guardians and protectors, bestowed upon witches to assist them in their magical endeavors. Losing a Familiar is said to be losing a part of one’s soul.

What can familiars do?

• Familiars are considered NPC’s and only the Witch can write for their Familiar unless explicit consent was received
• A Witch can telepathically call their Familiar to them
• A Familiar can engage in combat but there must be 2 posts (intent, then attempt)
  • Limitations
    • Only one Familiar per Witch
    • Shifters cannot be Familiars

Characteristics

Aside from their ability to practice magic, witches are ordinary humans. This makes them vulnerable to weaknesses possessed by all humans, such as diseases and bodily harm. Due to their ability to channel energy, witches possess a particularly strong aura.

Typically, witches begin to manifest their abilities at the onset of puberty. However, it is not unheard of for an early bloomer to manifest powers prior to adolescence or even for a late bloomer to manifest powers after adulthood.

Through the use of magic, they are able to maintain a youthful appearance long past their prime but are ultimately mortal and will succumb to aging and death.

Appearance

Witches are physically indistinguishable from regular humans. Their abilities are the only way to tell them apart. Without witnessing them cast a spell or perform an incantation, you would never suspect they were anything other than ordinary.

Abilities

• Channeling: The power to invoke the raw energy from the Lode.
• Spell Casting: One of the defining characteristics of a witch is their ability to cast spells; a “spell” being a word, a verse or incantation, ritual action, or any combination of these to carry out a magical action. Additionally, certain spells require items, tools, or a specific event (like the full moon) to occur during casting, therefore, not all spells can be invoked on a mere whim. Need ideas for spells? Take a peek at the Wayward Grimoire.
  • Things to remember:
    • Casting a spell should take 3 posts (First one to set intent, second to cast, third for reaction)
    • Any spell that would cause damage to a sim business/location or effect the entire sim (like casting fire and setting the State Park on fire) must get staff approval.
• Potion Brewing: The power to brew and concoct potions, remedies, and elixirs that have supernatural properties with varying effects.

• Element Control: Each witch belongs to a house that is ruled by an element. It can be an extremely daunting task to call forth an element leading to exhaustion. The severity depends on the scale in which it is used. Please see the Wayward Grimoire for more information.

Vulnerabilities

• Mortality: Despite their mystical attributes, witches are still human and share many of the same weaknesses as non-supernatural beings (e.g. age, decapitation, disease, heart failure, suffocation, snapped neck, etc.). However, witches can temporarily get around this weakness through the use of protection spells.
• Overexertion: The excessive use of magic can lead to disorientation, nose bleeds, unconsciousness, and, if taken to the extreme, death.
• Disbelief: The act of denying or disbelieving in one’s potential could cause a witch to inadvertently suppress their magical power.
• Distraction: Distracting a Witch from concentrating or giving full attention to their spells, may render them ineffective. Since most spells are spoken verbally and take time to take effect, witches are vulnerable to attack before their completion.

The Craft

Witches hold the unique ability to access and control the raw, unpredictable energy of the Lode. For more manageable and prolonged use, witches use gems as conduits and batteries for the Lode’s energy. While a single witch can draw upon the Lode’s untapped potential, forming a coven is highly recommended. A coven’s presence mitigates the risk of power surges, ensuring stability and protecting the witch from overcharging and becoming unstable, a condition that could result in severe burns to hands or being rendered unconscious.

In Eclipse Ridge, there are four Ruling Houses witches can choose to fall under. This house is their primary focus for how they manipulate the energy of the Lode.

Each ruling house is uniquely attuned to a single Gemstone, Element, Sabbat, and Focus. Witches most often dedicate their lives to mastering their respective house, seeking the power and actualization that comes with fully realizing their potential; although some have been known to leave one house for another, it is rare, and the Witch risks losing their connection to The Lode entirely after severing from a ruling house and will be significantly weakened while they adapt to their new abilities regardless.

Witches are allowed to dabble or borrow abilities from other ruling houses with the use of gemstones or with help from another witch in the house of energy that they wish to access.

The Ruling Houses

Ward Witch

---

Corpus Witch

---

Green Witch

---

Divination Witch