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 Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2024 2:03 pm
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About the Herd
"Hexerei" is German for witchcraft. The members of the Hexerei herd are practitioners of and believers in witchcraft. The core of the group are blessed/cursed taurs who are capable of practicing magic. However, not all members of Hexerei are able to use magic themselves. Rather, they participate in coven rituals in a religious or spiritual sense, relying on the spirits and gods to carry out the magic of those rituals. Most members of Hexerei either have a witch aesthetic of some kind or are descended from members who do. As that is a fairly broad concept, multiple witch-like aesthetics are present, but essentially the look is witchcore, though that is not a strict guideline. However, some members of Hexerei may be members through belief only. This is quite an old herd and has been around for a long time. There is a more centralized area in the herd lands that is developed and akin to a city or town, with homes close together. The farther out you go from that center, the more wilderness you find, and the fewer homes. Some members of the herd may choose to eschew a civilized lifestyle entirely, living off the land instead. However, all members are welcomed within the heartland for rituals, socialization, and/or commerce.
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Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2024 2:20 pm
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Culture & Beliefs
Hexerei is made up of found family and blood family alike, with strong bonds that tend to preclude finding a mate within the herd itself. Typically members will bring a mate into the herd from outside or simply have an outsider mate. However, not every member of the herd seeks their Fated Mate or any flings outside of the herd, it's just a common practice among members of Hexerei. The core beliefs of Hexerei are in the many flavors of witchcraft, with each individual member worshipping one or multiple gods/spirits of their choosing. Collectively they honor and venerate all gods and may call upon specific gods during different coven-wide rituals. Along with smaller rituals, there are several large rituals that take place throughout the year at special times. For those rituals, all coven members are expected to participate.
Witch Paths
There are at least 21 different paths that a witch's ritual practice can take. I have listed them out below:
Eclectic Witch
This path is unique to each individual witch and may be made up of different elements of several other paths. Essentially, it is a collection of practices that the witch has collected over the years and likely comes from many different sources. No two eclectic witches are exactly the same. This is a path that can grow substantially over time, as a witch finds new rituals and practices relevant to her or him.
Ancestral Witch
Different from a hereditary witch, which is a path that can be followed if one comes from a long line of witches, an ancestral witch venerates her or his ancestors through their ritual practice. They may call upon the ancestors, commune with their ancestors, and seek protection and aid from their ancestors.
Angel Witch
An angel witch primarily calls upon angelic beings during ritual practice. She or he may have individual angelic guardians that she or he communes with or merely feels connected to the angelic spirits. This path is centered around calling upon angels during rituals, practice, and oracle usage. Just as many witches revere gods or spirits, these witches seek to establish meaningful connections to angels.
Ceremonial Witch
Even beyond the level of other paths, this path is betokened by elaborate and structured rituals. It borders with what one might consider a magician or sorcerer, who strict adherence to memorized rituals and high magic (as opposed to the low magic normally practiced by witches). It involves calling upon gods, spirits, and angelic beings.
Cosmic Witch
Similar to Lunar witches, cosmic witches are witches whose craft deals with the bodies in the cosmos. They may use any number of spellcafting methods, such as work with candles, sigils, or crystals. Cosmic witches very frequently are drawn to and practice astrology, as they feel a connection to stars and planets, all elements of astrological practice. Ceremonial rituals that draw on the stars or planets would fall under ceremonial witchcraft, however.
Crystal Witch
A crystal witch is a witch who practices magic almost exclusively through the use of crystals. They may use crystals for healing or energy work, and are universally very knowledgeable about the different properties and healing qualities of crystals. They are characterized by a love of stones and crystals, and may have large collections of them.
Dream Witch
The path of the dream witch is one that involves the use of dreams to heal themselves or others of past traumas, gain a better understanding of themselves, or even as a form of divination. They may use herbs or tonics to achieve specific or deeper states of dreaming. Dream witches engage in what's called dreamwalking, where a witch will travel through the realm of their subconscious. Dreamwalking is sometimes called journeying, although that process can be done in a wakeful state as well.
Elemental Witch
Among the paths of witchcraft, this is one of the oldest and most venerated. Elemental witches practice their craft through the elements of Earth, Fire, Air, and Water. They bring the energy and power of the elements into their rituals and spellcasting, harnessing the power of storms and fires to do magic. They also pay close attention to how they interact with the elements on a more mundane level, such as through cooking, bathing, planting, or breathing. Some elemental witches may devote themselves to a specific element, in which case they may be called a Fire Witch, Earth Witch, Air Witch, or Water Witch.
Energy Witch
Unlike many other paths of witchcraft, the energy witch path involves the pure use of energy. They may practice energy manipulation, such as energy healing, or may channel their energy alone toward a specific outcome. They may also channel energy from the Divine, or from a cosmic source, without the use of tools. This is a form of mental magic.
Green Witch
Also called hedge witches, the green witch is deeply connected to the natural world and its energy. They may incorporate flowers, plants, trees, and so on into their practice. Like the crystal witch, they are deeply knowledgeable about their subset of the craft, and may have extensive knowledge of botanicals. Very commonly they have a garden of their own to draw from, or keep a planting box outside of their windows. Some green witches work with poisonous plants, and they may be called poison witches.
Kitchen Witch
This practice is centered around the hearth and home. A kitchen witch uses cooking as a sacred practice, and may transform their homes into a sacred space through ritual and intention. To their hearth be welcome all of good will and intent. It is a very cozy form of magic. Food made by a kitchen witch is often magical, containing various oils, herbs, and spices. Some variants of the kitchen witch include cottage witch, hearth witch, or tea witch.
Hereditary Witch
The path of hereditary witch can only be followed if one comes a line of witches, for the magic and craft is passed down from generation to generation. Merely being born into a hereditary witch bloodline does not make one a witch, however. One must also practice witchcraft. A hereditary witch uses magical passed down from her or his ancestors but may also incorporate their own rituals and spells into their practice.
Lunar Witch
Like cosmic witches, Lunar witches have a connection to a cosmic body. Unlike cosmic witches, this body is the moon specifically. These practitioners may be akin to members of the Nox Lunae herd in their veneration of the moon. What sets them apart, however, is that they are inherently witches. They may worship Lunar gods or goddesses, and practice rituals during various phases of the moon. Their practice may incorporate ritual objects or be energy based only, however it all centers around the moon. Some Lunar witches venerate all of the phases of the moon, but some may feel a stronger connection to one or more phases.
Nature Witch
Similar to green witches, nature witches have a strong connection to the natural world. Unlike green witches, that connection may extend beyond the realm of green and growing things to include all elemental sources. They may call upon various nature spirits of differing elemental types to do their work. They may also have a strong connection to nature gods or goddesses. In exchange for the help of spirits, it is customary to leave offerings, so that reciprocity can be achieved and a good relationship maintained.
Secular Witch
Unlike many of paths of witchcraft, the secular witch does not believe that their power comes from spirits or gods. Instead, they channel their own energy into their practice of magic. Outside of their practice they may have a very strong spirituality, but it is not tied to their magical practice. They may use various tools for their practice to empower their magic.
Flow Witch
This is a witch who specializes in studying the unique teleportation and movement that is found only in Arcanum, the world in which the Chimeriad Isles is based. A flow witch will have noticed that when they really need to get to some place the land may reform itself so that their travel time is lessened or they may be instantly teleported to that location. This witch path involves a sacred bond and worship of Arcanum itself. Their rituals can also be used to better encourage the land to bend to their will, or protect them from harm by either hastening their own travel or slowing down an enemies'.
Artistic Witch
An artistic witch may use a particular medium to get in touch with magic, spirits, or gods. This type of witch may specialize in one or more different types of art form, such as music, dance, or art. For example, a painter could use their paintings as a form of spellcraft or ritual magic, infusing their paints with botanicals or crystals, or merely using the colors to confer meaning. A truly talented witch of this path is capable of turning what they create into a reality, although few rise to this level of mastery. Examples of subsets within this path would be music witch or stitch witch, to name two.
Augury Witch
Different from a Diviner, a role that specializes in doing divination for the good and at the will of the herd, an augury witch uses one or more mediums to try to see the future. They may practice the use of tarot cards, oracle cards, runes, pendulums, tea leaves, palmistry, or another unique method. Augury witches are often but not always Diviners.
Solar Witch
The counterpart to the Lunar witch, the Solar witch derives their power from the stars that the world of Arcanum orbits. The primary star is named Sol, thus the name Solar. Most witches feel a strong connection to the Moons of Arcanum, whereas a Solar witch will feel strongly connected to the Suns of Arcanum. They will practice their magic during the daytime, and hold rituals during different times of the day.
Creature Witch
Those who choose to follow the path of creature witch may be inclined to form close bonds with the magical creatures of Arcanum. These witches incorporate creatures into their magic and ritual practice, and may be more than averagely prone to having one or more familiars. A creature witch may go out into the world to seek a bond with a creature or call a creature to them. Please note that most creature witches work with lesser powered creatures that all taurs can have as familiars, such as spellravens, cerberi, pegasi, and unicorns.
Spirit Witch
This path is one devoted to the spirits or gods of the Chimeriad Isles. A spirit witch may choose to follow multiple spirits or gods or devote themselves solely to the worship of a single spirit or god. They will work to develop a rapport with that spirit or deity, leaving offerings and doing prayers in their name. As with a ceremonial witch, they will invoke their spirit or deity's name during ritual and spellcraft. Many spirit witches choose to become priests or priestesses.
Note: If your preferred witch path is not listed, please feel free to DM me with requests which I will consider on a case by case basis. Not all witch paths fit Mythikos! Please also note that this list of paths is by no means exhaustive.
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2024 12:14 pm
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2024 12:15 pm
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Herd Ranks & Roles
A note on ranks - no matter the rank, all members of the Hexerei herd are generally considered to be of equal importance. They may have different titles, but no one taur is valued above another, and those who claim to be more important or special than others are frowned upon.
High Priest/ess: The herd leader and protector have very specific duties within the Hexerei herd. The herd leader leads the coven-wide rituals. The protector serves to ground the rituals and prevent the energy of each ritual from escaping or from negative energy entering the rituals. Both of them are called high priestess or high priest.
Elder: All decisions are made by a council of elders. 'Elder' does not refer only to merely older members of the herd, but also to experts in a specific craft. So, a young but very knowledgeable and talented member of the herd could be an elder and have a place on the council.
Priest/ess: Taurs who lead the small scale rituals often practiced within the herd on a regular basis. These are not the coven-wide rituals that may take place on an annual basis or for important ceremonies.
Grounder: Like the herd protector, these witches serve to ground rituals, keeping positive energy inside the rituals, and keeping out bad energy. This is an important role that is not given out lightly, and works beneath the herd protector. Grounders are known to have excellent control of their own energy and an ability to root rituals in the earth.
Healer: Following any path, these witches have chosen to devote her or himself to healing others. They serve the role of healer for the herd, and may either possess magic themselves or have knowledge of first aid to carry out their healing.
Diviner: These practitioners have chosen to devote themselves to magic that foretells the future. They may be at any level of skill in the craft, but specifically engages in various types of divination for the good of the herd.
Practicitioner: Nearly all members fall into this category once they have achieved mastery of their path, if they do not specifically choose to be a priest or an elder. This is witch who is very capable and knowledgeable about their path, comfortable performing all or nearly all rituals and spells within it.
Novice: This is a relatively new initiate into a path. They may know some spells or rituals, but certainly not all. They are just beginning their journey to learn.
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2024 12:16 pm
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Herd Members
High Priestess or High Priest
Herd Leader
Althaea - owned by Cheri
Herd Protector
Owned by ziennia_zen
Elders
None yet
Priests or Priestesses
None yet
Grounders
None yet
Healers
None yet
Diviners Porphirios owned by Uta
Practitioners Aelys - owned by ziennia_zen
Novices Uaithne - owned by Melomar
Ikaros owned by Cheri
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2024 12:17 pm
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2024 12:25 pm
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2024 2:23 pm
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2024 2:51 pm
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2024 2:57 pm
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2024 2:58 pm
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2024 2:58 pm
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2024 2:59 pm
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2024 3:00 pm
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