Humans
Humans have dominated the Earth since the ancient times, their vast numbers and resilience making them the overwhelming majority among all species. Every day, new advancements in technology uncover more about their biology, tightening the noose on secrecy and leaving other species on edge. Since the mid-Victorian era, the veil of supernatural activity had been increasingly difficult to maintain. The expanse into forensics, photography, and spread f global communication through telegraphs, phones, radios and introduction toe television has served in the spread of the truth since the Great War. While some areas remain isolated and untouched in disbelief, humans are now drenched in fear unable to tell if their loved once, neighbors, colleagues or even fellow soldiers are among the unnatural.
As the current day gives way to an uncertain future, the conversations around coexistence grow ever more contentious. Outdated laws and insular cultural practices among supernatural species clash with exposure in the advancing human world, creating friction at every turn. Humanity’s reactionary tendencies, shaped by fear and misunderstanding, often escalate to violence, inquisitions, or outright wars. From religious hunts targeting “demons” to the infamous Salem Witch Trials, supernatural beings have had every reason to doubt their safety in human hands. Yet, now there is no choice. Humans and supernatural kind both fight for rights of survival with tensions so high that the conversation of coexistence, as they have for a millennia, seems a distant improbability. However, not all humanity preaches the same propaganda. A year into the war, and humans have turned against each other, against those who believe in ways beyond slaughter of supernatural kind. In the wake of the chaos, the Old Ones thrum, witnessing a great transition of the world.
Witches
Among humans are the Witches, discerned only from humanity by their awakening to the resonance of magic and their capability of spell craft to use it. Where Human’s see fey, creature, angels and demons, Witches recognize as them in their truth as Daemons and Vampyres, drawing parallels between their beliefs and the fervor of Christianity. In ancient times, Witches served the Old Ones of the Pantheon, and were in turn blessed with great power that still runs in their blood to this date.
These ancient lineages have since evolved since the loss of the Old Ones, becoming shamans, wise ones who spoke to the spiritual world and guided their villages and tribes, passing knowledge for generations. Witches continued to evolve into elder sages, their knowledge forming the foundation of covens. These covens became the sacred repositories of the craft, ensuring its survival; not just against the war and atrocity of mankind, but against Daemons, Vampyres and the creatures that go bump in the night. These covens became the sacred repositories of the craft, ensuring its survival generations upon generations. Unfortunately, not all covens have survived the test of time, bloodlines of some lineages are destroyed entirely, while others scattered, yet a few lineages remain intact as powerful names.
Witches, and occasionally those unfortunate enough to stumble upon the truth, were once the only humans with full awareness of the supernatural world beyond myths, legends, superstitions, and speculative forums. While a few individuals fall through the cracks of ignorance due to personal encounters, Witches hold a unique role in the world... and should they seek it to any success have ability to ascend, shedding their mortality in ways humans could only dream of. Whether they realize it or not, Witches may be the bridge to end the war one day, if they can find their root in their humanity while still holding their power in the supernatural.
Reproduction & Inter-Species Interaction
Witches & Vampyres
Humans, including Witches, can bear children with all species except Vampyres. If a Witch is sired by a Vampyre, they lose all access to their magical power, becoming like a Vampyre themselves. This transformation is irreversible and is just one of the MANY reasons for the strained hateful relationship between Witches and Vampyres. To a coven, a Witch who has been sired is considered lost forever. They are treated as if dead, banished, and often memorialized with a stone erected to mark their symbolic passing.
Human perspectives on Vampyres can vary greatly depending on the individual, cultural context, and historical era. Some may view the transformation into a Vampyre as a descent into monstrosity, a loss of humanity akin to becoming a devil. Others may see it as an elevation to something superior, a gateway to understanding the hidden truths of the world. Regardless of these differing views, one fact remains: the general human population discovering the existence of Vampyres as a reality has drawn a swift and violent reaction. The longer their presence is known, humans might seek exploitation for the selfish gain of immortality, but the underlying threat would persist.
Witches & Daemons
Witches who have conceived with Daemons 85% of the time produce a normal human baby. But the smaller 15% produces Daemons. The species of Daemon is already a hybrid, thus in most cases the genetics water down. But every once in a while one takes more after their Daemon parent to all capability. This phenomenon is the source of changeling lore, as it is possible to conceive with a Daemon and not realize it untill one is stuck with a strange child. Please read the Daemon section for Daemon leaning offspring.
Witches have a love hate relationship with Daemons, as they prove to be fickle creatures. Daemons can patron a human into power among many other benefits. But just as they ben be helpful, they can be utterly destructive- sometimes both. Witches are wary of Daemons, but depending on their upbringing, experiences or desperation for power, they may just as well walk blindly into their grasp willingly. Human’s folklore experiences with Daemons have been no different. In some cases they are seen as angels, or Gods, in other cases they are a cross-road demons seeking to steal their soul, or in magical lands like Ireland, they might be seen like the Fey with their trickery. Most humans are humbled by the power of a Daemon, even amidst war.
Culture & Society
Covens are communities of Witches who come together to share knowledge, power, lineage, and protection. Most true Witch Covens have existed for over a thousand years passing down knowledge, though many historically significant covens were eradicated during witch hunts and wars. Newer covens form all the time, but without the backing of a prominent name may not be taken as seriously in the supernatural communities.
Covens can range in size from as few as five individuals to as many as hundreds. Preferably all of different paths to enhance their capabilities and self-defense against unseen forces. Larger covens often occupy isolated towns or islands, allowing them to govern themselves without drawing external suspicion. Such communities may include structured institutions like schools to educate their members. In contrast, smaller covens rely on mentorship to pass down their craft. It is also possible, though often hidden, that some covens are protected by more powerful entities such as Daemons or Vampyre clans. However, such contracts with Vampyre kind (and more malicious Daemons) come with significant sacrifices and should not be entered into lightly.
The sharing of power is a basis of coven life. Witches often gather in circles to pool their energy, amplifying their spells and enabling feats that would be impossible alone. Through this collaboration, Witches can perform extraordinary acts, including erecting shields, casting illusions to conceal themselves, summoning aid, and performing advanced healing. While a solo Witch may be skilled, no individual can rival the power of a coven working in unison.
Familia life for Witches mirrors that of ordinary humans within the cultural region they are raised. However, coven life often transcends cultural norms, fostering freer relationships and family structures; such freer lifestyles were looked down on by human culture historically, using religion to demonize them as hedonistic devil worshipers, though is now more increasingly accepted in current society even if it is still stigmatized. Entire families might form a coven or belong to a larger one that operates more like a “clan,” where multiple unrelated families unite under the same coven name. In such cases, families may arrange pairings among their children, believing that offspring born from these unions will carry on and strengthen in the craft.
Despite these traditions, genetics seem to play little role in a Witch’s strength or weakness in magic, beyond affinities associated with their patron. It is up to every Witch to rise into their power, training through the paths like any other school subject or even discipline in fitness. Other matters such as access to skilled mentors and early training often determine a Witch’s capabilities early on. For instance, a Witch growing up in a coven is more likely to be in higher levels of paths then Witches self-studied in isolation. Witches of covens are well aware of where their power comes from, that they pay homage to their patrons, respectfully, as to do anything other than could turn a fickle Old one against generations of power.
Common Coven Laws
WIP
Customs, Ethics, & Taboos
Desecration of sacred places can invoke the wrath of the Pantheon it belongs. Unless one is a follower of Malevolent forces, this is frown upon greatly.
Denouncing one’s patron, desecrating sacred spaces of their patron, or any act against them could lead to their magic being revoked. Depending on the patron, it could mean an entire coven is punished.
Witches are taught to not give their true names, especially to strangers, and MOST especially to Daemons. These are taught even as scary bed time stories, for the fear of one having their name stolen is a real fear to have.
Hexes, poisons and magic craft that alters the natural order of reality (such as necromancy and resurrection) are deeply frowned upon being considered “Black Magic”. In some circles one may be kicked from a coven, or even sentenced to death for such if caught while more Malevolent based covens may praise it.
Witches are wary of all other species, and tend to prefer to stick to their own in solidarity. To trust a Daemon is 50/50 a very stupid idea. To be friends with a Vampyre is like making friends with a wild wolf when it’s not hungry. Those who step out of this, are considered fools and may be rejected for their reckless behavior, untrusted, or considered lacking their own autonomy.
Esoteric & Magic
Humanity, ad more especially Witches, are very special despite their mass numbers compared to other species. Not only can they develop abilities without ever stepping into witchcraft, but when they do that are the only species to be able to practices all paths. Their souls are connected to source magic, and while they live normal mortal lives, the potential of power inside of them is only limited by their lifespan and discipline. It is only their souls that can be used to forge artifacts, for their power of creation and destruction is unmatched except for the Old Ones.
Human Relations with Abilities
Humans whether they know much of the supernatural world or not, can all develop abilities that are inherent, such as clairvoyance, telepathy, or intuition. These psychic abilities can be passed down in families, but can occur randomly in anyone. Often times, some may develop abilities through accidents, near death experiences, or otherwise intense trauma. Most humans never experience them, but since the start of the war, more humans seemed to be waking up. Inherent abilities are highly dependent upon physical health and emotion. Someone who eats poorly, overly stressed and worried, depressed, in abusive situations and more might find it more difficult to connect with such abilities then someone who eats well, fit, calm and focused.
Since the start of the war, not only are more humans waking up, but those who expose themselves may be blamed for witchcraft and meet a swift death in the wrong regions, or be interrogated by greedy authorities seeking the power for themselves without understanding it. But unlike magic, one does not choose whether they develop an ability or not. It either is or isn’t, and cannot be taught; abilities can only be honed and controlled as they are.
Human Relations with Magic
Spell Weaving requires deliberate intention, focus, and channeling. (See Magic page of Lore book for more.) This kind of magic has been written in fictional books, spoken of in mythology, and for the last millennium has been condemned under Christian ideology. Only since the late Victorian era when free-thinking and atheism was no longer a death sentence has the idea of other possibilities become a topic of conversation that didn’t involve Witch accusations to be burned at the steak. Seances, ghosts, spirits, and the concept of demons in the spiritual world looming or haunting are widely accepted. The concept of curses has been in existence with the superstitious for a long time thanks to the Romany (Gypsy) people. Secret societies that stepped into Kabbala, and the introduction of Eastern and Egyptian ideals into the Western world has expanded spiritualities. However, no mater how much humans have explored, the real magic true Witches cast goes far beyond what the average human interested in esoteric subject could even conceive of.
Since the exposure of Witches, Daemons, and later Vampyres, Humans have been making broader strides in pockets to achieve what Witches do. There is a high spike in charlatans to take advantage of those seeking witchcraft in the shadowed corners of cities or where they will not be killed. And Witches captured are being interrogated to find link to their power by those who seek it for themselves despite the war to annihilate them.