Witch's First Primer

˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖Welcome to the Fractallian sisterhood of witches ˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖

From Amelia Gand

High Priestess of the Vratorian Covens

Whether young in age or simply of arcane adherence, you will find the tips and explanations provided exceptionally useful. The Witch’s familiar is one of the hallmarks of our casting ilk. You may have a more traditional familiar: a cat or snake, perhaps a fox. There are many more potentialities beyond the traditional. A book could pose as a familiar, a cauldron, or even some trinket like a doll or a mirror. The bond you cultivate with your familiar is key, as you now rely on each other. The better you treat your familiar, maintain its health and home, keep it clean and free from damage, the better it will treat you. The first chapter will cover all aspects of the witch/familiar relationship.

The difference between a Wizard and their book, and a Witch and her familiar, is the mode of communication. A familiar is what allows us to communicate directly with the magical forces that run through the strands. It reaches out and speaks through an intermediary, the familiar. Wizards must study the magical principles that hold the strands together and memorize the formulas and facts for manipulating them. While a new familiar can be acquired if you lose the first one in death. The task of searching one out can be difficult and time-consuming, and you will need to develop a relationship with your new companion, potentially limiting your casting ability while you reconnect.

Witchery can be manifest in a variety of forms. Some cast spectacular spells, summoning up fire or ice directly from the strands holding our realm together. Some may cast more subtly. Eliciting physical or emotional reactions in herself and or others. Still others might infuse potions, foods, even soaps and sundries with her magical spells, providing their magics directly to those who might need them.

All casters are constrained by factors such as:

🕯️The amount of essence they possess

🕯️The ability to comprehend and complete the spell in question

🕯️And acquisition of spell reagents.

Essence is limited and sets a hard cap on what any caster might ever achieve. While it is possible to overcast spells using up your essence on low-level spells before you have mastered more difficult ones, this is a dangerous temptation. Terrible spell accidents occur when the guidelines found here and transmitted through your familiar are not adhered to. Casters with extremely high levels of essence can easily overcast a spell even by accident if they are not constantly aware of their essence flow. Known events of this nature have historically led to the discovery of prodigies, as well as to death and destruction. Chapter two will touch on essence evaluation and consumption. While chapter three focuses on creed selection.

As a witch, your ability lies in your communication skills and powers of perception. Creating a fluid conduit for the magical energy to flow from Familiar through your body and into the world. It would be wise to memorize the more basic, easy-to-learn spells. Having to be fed the spells every time one casts them can be pointlessly difficult and time-consuming. One of the biggest responsibilities that has been laid upon your shoulders is how you will choose to use your magical power. While some spells may appear to be “good” or “bad,” in almost every case, the judgment will lie in how you apply them. Selling your services, giving gifts of magical assistance, are all well and good, as long as you take the time to consider what the result of that commission or gift will be. Chapter four discusses the act of and applications for spell casting.

Sourcing reagents will become a regular part of life if you intend to make casting a regular part of your life. The most basic of spells, which is all you may have managed up until now, consumes negligible amounts of physical fuel. The more complicated and effective the spell you want to cast is, the higher quality, quantity, and potentially precious materials you will need. Potions are easy to quantify because of their set recipes. The requirements for elementally based magic often bear some resemblance or connection to the element. More esoteric spells can be cast with various reagents as available or as the case may require. Chapter five will discuss the concept of and list common spell reagents.

Your life as a witch can be as wonderful and lucrative as you make it. You can use your gift to help and enhance the lives of those around you, create a life others might long to live. Or turn the corner and revel in your power, making sure those who have crossed you pay for their insolence. May your spells always be cast with ease, your familiar live long, and your reputation be as expansive as your pool of essence. Now, let's get down to the salt and ash of it, shall we?

-K.B. Silver

˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖

I have been having a lot of fun expanding my sci-fantasy universe using these fiction challenges. This, as you can see, is the introduction to an instructional tome for witches.