Kannagara, the Way of Witches

Witchcraft is a magical practice deeply rooted in the mastery of the Kannagara, the natural and spiritual laws that govern a specific realm or planet. This form of magic emphasizes the harmonious connection between the practitioner and the forces of nature, spirits, and the traditional or folk magic of the land. Witches, who wield this magic, derive their power from natural energies, invoking spirits and drawing upon ancient rituals that have been passed down through generations. Unlike structured or institutionalized forms of magic such as Wizardry, Witchcraft is an intuitive and highly personal practice. It emphasizes living in harmony with nature and respecting the balance between the physical and spiritual worlds.

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A Witch is a Magician who has achieved mastery over the Kannagara, the natural and spiritual laws that regulate the realm in which they reside. Their magic is intrinsically linked to the forces of nature, reflecting a deep respect for the environment, spirits, and ancient traditions of the land. Unlike Wizards, who may follow more formalized academic structures, Witches operate as custodians of sacred knowledge. They are deeply connected to the Kami (spiritual entities or gods) of the world, and their powers are sourced from the natural energies that flow through their environment. Their practices are rooted in folk traditions, passed down through apprenticeships or community knowledge, making Witchcraft both a deeply personal and localized form of magic.
Witches play a dual role as protectors of the environment and spiritual healers, often engaging in rituals that ensure the harmony of the realm. They are both revered and misunderstood within magical societies due to their less structured and more organic approach to magic. Their practices involve listening to the land, communicating with spirits, and often stepping into roles of healing and protection.

Effect

• Nature Manipulation: Witches possess the ability to control and manipulate the natural world. They can communicate with nature, influencing its behavior, whether it's the plants, animals, or even the weather. This power allows them to tap into the fundamental forces of their realm, controlling natural phenomena such as wind, rain, and earth. Their connection with nature allows them to survive in any natural environment, making them formidable within their home territories.
• Nature Magic: The magic of Witches is tied to the physical forces of nature. Through spells, they can summon elemental creatures, harness the energy of the natural world, and direct it in both combat and peaceful pursuits. Whether controlling elements like fire, water, or earth or encouraging the fertility of flora and fauna, Witches maintain a deep connection with nature's forces.
• Shapeshifting: Witches can alter their forms and appearances to suit their needs. This ability, whether subtle or dramatic, allows them to take on qualities of animals or natural phenomena. Shapeshifting could serve practical purposes such as enhanced speed, strength, or adaptability in challenging environments.
• Animal Imitation: Through their bond with nature, Witches can mimic the abilities of animals without fully transforming into them. They can run swiftly like an ostrich, climb as easily as a monkey, or track as sharply as a dog. These traits allow Witches to adapt their behavior to whatever task they need to accomplish, making them versatile in their natural environments.
• Zoolingualism: Some Witches possess the rare ability to communicate directly with animals. They can understand and interpret the speech, emotions, and intentions of animal life forms, forging a deeper connection with the natural world. This power is often used in situations of mutual aid, with animals acting as guides or protectors.

Side/Secondary Effects

While Witchcraft is powerful, it is not without its limitations. A Witch's abilities are intimately tied to the presence and power of the Kami of the realm. In urbanized areas or regions where the natural world has been heavily altered, their abilities may weaken significantly. A Witch in a sprawling megacity may find themselves far less potent than they would be in the untouched wilderness, where their connection to the Kami is strongest.

Manifestation

As a Witch grows more attuned to the Kannagara of their realm, they may begin to physically embody the aspects of the natural world they are connected to. This transformation is a sign of their increasing power and alignment with the realm’s natural laws. A Witch might develop features such as leaf-like hair, antler-like growths, or skin resembling stone or bark. Their eyes could shine like the moon, and they may even develop animalistic traits such as whiskers, claws, or tails. These changes make the Witch resemble a guardian spirit of the forest, and their power only grows as they become more integrated with nature.

Source

At the heart of every world born from Yggdrasil is a Yggtree, also known as a Realm Tree or Eudotree. This colossal, life-giving tree anchors the world by coalescing cosmic debris and nurturing life within the realm. The Kami, who are spiritual entities that govern various natural phenomena, draw their power from the Eudotree, which serves as the source of all native life. The Eudotree's energy nourishes both the realm and the beings within it, and its cycles of life and death mirror the realm’s natural order.
The Kami are not beings in the traditional sense but are the divine forces that inhabit everything from the wind and rain to the stones and trees. Witches, through their mastery of the Kannagara, tap into the reality-shaping power of the Kami, using it to influence their world. The power of the Kannagara grants Witches the ability to manipulate space and time within their realm, particularly where the Kami’s influence is strongest.

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Witches’ Coven

Witches typically make their homes deep within the untamed wilderness of their realm, in places where the presence of the Kami—the spiritual entities of the land—is at its strongest. These natural sanctuaries are imbued with powerful energies, making them ideal for the practice and growth of Witchcraft. The Coven, a communal gathering of Witches, serves as both a sanctuary and a center of magical learning. At the heart of the Coven is often an elder Witch, a figure of great wisdom and experience, who guides and mentors the younger Witches.

A Coven is not merely a group of Witches, but a harmonious community that exists in balance with the natural world. These Covens are typically located near sacred sites—places of profound spiritual and natural importance to the Kami and nature spirits. Such locations could include ancient groves, secluded springs, towering mountains, or dense forests, where the veil between the physical and spiritual realms is thinnest. The Covens act as guardians of these sacred spaces, ensuring the preservation of the natural order and the flow of magical energies that sustain the realm.

While elder Witches often remain within the Coven, acting as the anchor of knowledge and leadership, younger Witches—those who have moved beyond their novice training but have not yet achieved the status of an elder—are typically nomadic. These wandering Witches travel across the realm, learning the landscape intimately, forging new connections with the spirits, and deepening their understanding of the world’s natural rhythms. This period of wandering is an essential part of their training, allowing them to become more attuned to the spiritual and natural forces of the realm. Their journeys not only help them develop their magical skills but also ensure that they can serve the realm more effectively, wherever they may be called.

Witches in the Court of the Ōkami

In each realm, a powerful Kami known as the Ōkami embodies the entirety of the realm itself. Unlike the countless Kami who may govern specific elements or natural phenomena within the realm, the Ōkami represents the realm as a whole, acting as its celestial administrator. Though they are immensely powerful and hold great responsibility, the Ōkami do not necessarily rule the realm; instead, their role is to care for and maintain it according to the higher laws of the Bureaucracy of Reality—a cosmic organization that governs all realms. This distinction emphasizes the Ōkami’s role as custodians rather than rulers, ensuring the realm adheres to Celestial Law and remains in balance.

The Court of the Ōkami is located at the peak of the realm’s Eudotree, the colossal life-giving tree that anchors and sustains the realm. This court exists in a special pocket dimension that allows the Ōkami to oversee the realm while maintaining a degree of separation from the physical world. It is within this sacred court that the most important decisions regarding the realm’s maintenance and harmony are made, often involving the realm's spiritual health and the balance of its natural forces.

Witches hold a special and unique place within the Ōkami’s Court. As intermediaries between the physical world and the spiritual forces that shape it, Witches are granted common rank within the court. While all Witches are respected for their mastery of the Kannagara—the natural and spiritual laws governing the realm—Elder Witches are especially revered. These elders, having attained a deep connection with the realm’s spirits and natural forces, are often called upon for counsel by the Ōkami and other high-ranking spiritual entities. They are valued for their wisdom and understanding of the intricate balance required to keep the realm thriving.
Despite their respected status, Witches are also bound by a strict duty to the Ōkami. As stewards of the natural world and keepers of the realm’s magical balance, Witches are directly under the authority of the Ōkami and must comply with the decrees and edicts issued by the court. These edicts often pertain to the management of the realm’s spiritual and natural resources, and failure to comply is considered a serious offense. In the eyes of the Celestial Bureaucracy, such defiance could be seen as a slight not only to the Ōkami but to the cosmic order itself, potentially leading to dire consequences for the Witch involved.
It is important to note, however, that this obligation is unique to Witches. Ordinary people of the realm, as well as travelers or passersby, are not beholden to the authority of the Ōkami in the same way. They are not subject to the spiritual or legal demands placed upon Witches, as they do not play the same vital role in maintaining the realm’s balance. Only those who have mastered the Kannagara and serve the spiritual and natural well-being of the realm are expected to fulfill these duties.

As Above So Below As Within So Without Logo by Khali A. Crawford

Grandmaster SixPathsSage

Khali Crawford

   

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Material Components

Witches leave behind a Witchblade when they die, a metaphysical relic of immense Natural Energy and power. When used by another Witch who also serves the same Kami that the deceased Witch did, they can, but for a moment, tap into the power of the Kami even when not on their world or in a location where the Kami's presence is weaker.

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Witchcraft is a deeply ritualistic practice, with ceremonies designed to honor and maintain the balance of the realm. Witches conduct rituals to purify rivers, heal the land, bury the dead, and protect their communities. These ceremonies are essential for maintaining the natural order and strengthening the bond between the Witch, the land, and the Kami. Two powerful artifacts that Witches use in their practice are the Ofuda Talisman and the Go-Shintai:

• Ofuda Talisman: A rectangular tablet made from natural materials native to a realm, the Ofuda must be blessed by a Kami or a Witch. It is a powerful talisman, offering protection, fortune, and amplified power. However, its power diminishes when taken away from the realm of its creation.
• Go-Shintai: The sacred body of a Kami, the Go-Shintai is an immensely powerful artifact. It channels the essence of the Kami, granting the Witch unparalleled spiritual and magical abilities. However, obtaining a Go-Shintai without the Kami’s consent can result in devastating curses.

Gestures & Ritual

The Eudotheric Wyrms are immense, serpentine beings that wrap themselves around the roots of the Eudotree, protecting it from harm and maintaining its health. Witches, as custodians of the natural world, are also responsible for tending to these Wyrms, ensuring that they continue their vital work of safeguarding the Eudotree and, by extension, the realm itself. The symbiotic relationship between the Witches and these Wyrms further deepens the Witch’s role as a protector and guardian of the natural world.