The Witch

With tits that hot, I really don't get that old saying about them.

I have seen rules for Witch classes in Dragon, White Dwarf, and on countless blogs and forums.

Although, to be fair to the Witch, such an archetype comes in many forms: Form the older legends of mysterious, crafty crones, to the newer stories of dangerous seductresses; from the kindly fairy godmothers, to wicked devil worshipers; and so many variations between them, including Nymph-like flower-child, moon-goddesses, muse-givers, etc. They are a longstanding archetypes, constantly changing with the times.

8th level female Magic User or my favourite just a female Druid fits quite well I think.

Quote:
Witches Sabbath in Paris, 1900.



Thanks to: Theslo of Qualon
cf. Neat Pictures: added more! [adultish]

This is a somewhat difficult topic with its layers. Witchcraft was prosecuted in pre-Christian times. From the broader perspective, the crime of witchcraft was the use of magick to curse and sabotage. Through medieval and Christian times, there was an entire industry of anti-witchcraft, which are the wizards, the wise women, wise men, and wizards. Later, Clergy themselves would occupy this role, which also fits into the D&D cosmology rather nicely.

So in D&D terms, any evil m-u that uses Charm Person, Sleep, etc., towards evil ends, is a witch. A wizard is a neutral or good m-u that counters that force, along with clerics.

Of course in modern sense, witches are equated loosely to the Cunning Folk, and there is no specific term for someone who practices malevolent magick, beyond "Black Magick" - but even that is quite relative to intent.

It's all about intent and application. Which itself doesn't necessarily work well in D&D - depending on the setting and style. Many D&D games have no moral center whatsoever, and revel in such.

I see no particular need for another class, but can understand the motivation and appeal. It is highly setting dependent IMO. A very Christian-esque setting might like to have some kind of "witch" that somehow differs from evil magic-users. I have no use for it, myself.

keps

"Season of the Witch" is also a set of paintings by Larry Elmore.
My Mom really likes "Penny Dreadful" and recommends that I watch it.

Anyway, thanks for posting: it is interesting to see the different points of view with regards to this archetype, "The Witch".

From Dragondex:

Witch NPC class "Another Look at Witches and Witchcraft in D&D" Ronald Pehr 20(11) OD&D
"Brewing Up a New NPC: The Witch" Bill Muhlhausen, et al 43(7) D&D1
"Witchcraft Supplement for Dungeons & Dragons" Anonymous 5(4) OD&D

Witchcraft "Another Look at Witches and Witchcraft in D&D" Ronald Pehr 20(11) OD&D
"Brewing Up a New NPC: The Witch" Bill Muhlhausen, et al 43(7) D&D1
"Witch, The" Bill Muhlhausen 114(8) D&D1
"Witchcraft Supplement for Dungeons & Dragons" Anonymous 5(4) OD&D
Real-world basis "'Real Witch': A Mixture of Fact and Fantasy, The" Tom Moldvay 43(8) D&D1

Witch Doctor class "Hey, Wanna Be a Kobold?" Joseph Clay 141(43) D&D1

Witches' Kitchen, The: DIVINE RIGHT "Monuments of Minaria" Glenn Rahman 55(58) Divine Right

Going a bit further:
There is a Witch kit in PHBR4 The Complete Wizards' Handbook.

Last but not least:
There is a Witchcraeft skill in Gary's Mythus RPG, with 9 levels of spells.
I'm reading DEATH IN DELHI right now, and, witchcraeft is part of that story, too.

In the real-world: I've studied quite a bit at the Wiccan Church of Canada, and, I've read the Satanic Witch, by Anton Szandor laVey (I consider this one to be his best book). That said, I am agnostic, though I love to study world religions. In my estimate, the common thread underlying all conceptions of the Witch, throughout time and many different cultures is simply the female aspect.

Thanks for posting!
Johnny
(Prespos)

Yeah, all the Merlin/Gandalf/Dumbledore-clones are trite and boring.



How did this not become more popular option?


P.S. Samantha's cousin is was more sexy.