The Witches of Nathar

Several days had passed since the messenger was received. After careful deliberation of the possible advantages they could gain, the Witches agreed to the terms of the employer. Now that they had the conviction, they lacked only the tools. Using gold and promises they gathered an army of Dragontamers, the notorious monster-slayers of Gethar. They where ready. The dragon of Cinderhill would be dealt with and incidentally the town liberated from it's cruel tyranny. In their simplistic and heartless calculation it would be as easy as that.

The Witches of our story are men and women that live a solitary life, loosely connected with ties of fear and estrangement, need and necessity to the society around them. Their saving grace is their Shadow, their constant companion Witch bound to them through ties of magic and passion. Without their Shadow a Witch is merely one half of a whole, listlessly moving through an existence devoid of significance. Together these pairs, often lovers of a kind, walk dangerous and dark paths towards mystic power and knowledge.

The Witches magic is a curious concoction of mysticism and alchemy contained. Blending the natural energies of the world around them with the evoked power of the Getharian Thunder God they create elixirs and tonics with dark and beautiful powers. Powers they wield in service of their own quests for esoteric lore and supremacy. In only one aspect does their magic not hold sway, their fear of deep water which is greater than that of roaring fire. Moving water is a reminder of their inner river of pain and their fear of drowning is so intense that bathing is always performed as rites of cleansing and not very often.

One is born a Witch though one is not necessarily born to a Witch. Babies born of Witches but barren of the Gift have two fates, to either be drowned or exchanged for a child born with the Gift. This swapping of children can be seen as a kindness, since those children are saved from the cruel persecution of the Wizards of the Exalted Tower. It has lead to tales of changelings and deviltry which is far preferable to the Witches then the retribution blatant kidnapping would cause.

In many ways Witches are like ordinary people, though prone to both harsh laughter and sad tears. But in their soul they are utterly frightened, cut so deep by magical storms that their heart is a bleeding fountain that needs constant healing. They come to Cinderhill for themselves, they come without remorse. For them this Dragontide is a chance for freedom, a chance for power.