Witch's Hag

Written by RiverFang

Deep in the forests, hidden behind dark shadows and thick vines, the trees whisper about a black magic and an anger that follows it. The wind in the forest speaks of a dark figure that turns people into unrecognizable creatures, things that can only be found in the darkest of places in the forests of Isekai. Beware when you step into her territory, or it may be you that finds yourself lost within a body that is not your own.
No matter the forest, one can find a shadowed figure, hunched and disfigured, surrounded by an aura of what can only be dark magic. She disassembles and remakes, turning the innocents of the forest into hoards of creatures of unholy origins. The only life she cares for is her own, those that cross her or threaten her will find a fate much worse than death.
The witches of the forests take pleasure in turning innocents into horrid creatures. People are by far their favorite, the black magic they use turning anyone into the twisted figures of hags. These twisted souls are nothing more than minions to the witches, doing their bidding and blanketing the forest in their black magic.

Summary

Stories across Isekai speak of the dangers of meeting a Witch, especially if you cross her. While the outcomes vary, the consequence for angering a Witch is being turned into a hag and being forced to do the bidding of one that uses dark magic.

Historical Basis

There is very little truth to this story, but it has existed in some form or another since merely years after the Covens of the Tree formed. Because of the type of magic that Witches use and the events that led to their removal from the Fairy King's Wood, Witches have always been depicted as demon worshippers that used dark magic. This magic came in the form of constantly harming others and the world around them.
This story may have some historical basis, but the culprit would not have been a Witch. Witches are unable to use the type of magic that would be required to polymorph someone. It is possible that the story is actually based upon a Wizard or a Warlock, but these professions have never been seen in a negative light. Even after the events of the Eldritch War, Warlocks are still seen favorably.
It is suspected that someone witnessed a similar event and the story was twisted over various retellings, becoming a common depiction of Witches during their millennia of persecution.

Cultural Reception

In past centuries, this story and its message were often seen as a great truth, a warning to all about the despicable nature of Witches. While nothing more than a twisted, untrue story, this old wives’ tale gained traction in many of the forests of the Northern Continent, becoming one of the most shared stories in history.
After the Exodus of the Witches and the protection granted by Festival Snix, this story began to die out as Witches and Fairies attempted to erase the extreme stereotypes of Witches. In more remote locations of the forests, this story still exists, but it is not nearly as widespread as it once was.

Date of First Recording

circa 190,000 I.M.

Related Ethnicities

• Witch Culture