A Witch's Broom

The most fascinating thing I learned while on the Moorlands, was of the long standing relationship between the Gnomes of this place and Witches. Did you know that all Witch's Brooms are made by the Moorland Gnomes?

Jerotus Rosethorn, explorer and travel writer

Design

The Broom consists of a Shank made from a whole piece of wood. This can range from a rough, but reasonably straight, trimmed down branch, to a worked and carved staff. The Witch must collect the wood themselves, and then also work it in whatever fashion they wish themselves.
The heather the Moorland Gnomes use for the Bristles comes from a very unique source, it grows on large chunks of floating soil, up to ten feet wide. The Gnomes say it isn't the ground that floats, but the heather that seems to want to fly. The stems used are carefully selected for length and maturity, ensuring not to over harvest any one particular patch. These are then twisted and bundled together and attached to the Shank, in a process known only to the Gnomes. They are finished off by trimming the heather into a neat Broom shape, either flat edged or rounded depending on preference.

by laurabones

Propulsion

The heather is imbued with magical properties, even when harvested it retains it's compulsion to fly. The Gnomes are adept at harnessing this latent magic, and using it to create Witch's Brooms. They also have a long history with the heather of the Moorlands and have become highly skilled in working with it.
The Broom always hovers, and thus provides it own power and propulsion. Why the heather has an inante ability for flight is the subject of as many stories as there are Broom makers, as each will spin their own tale or theory. As of yet no one has been able to determine whether the Gnomes simply don't know or do not wish to say.

A long time ago a giant by the name of Hethrupep the Strider came through here. Passed the night on the ground right there, nestled in the heather. It's said he had the best night's sleep he's ever had. Anyway, in the morning he relieved himself in another patch nearby, and well, you can see the results here for yourself.

— A Gnomish Broom maker

Steering

Riding a Broom requires a combination of physical movements, excellent balance and the occaisional magical nudge. The Broom itself wants to fly so it is simply a matter of controlling direction and speed. Direction can be altered by applying pressure on the Broom handle in the appropriate direction, and also leaning from side to side. Speed can be controlled by leaning forwards for faster or backwards for slower.

Once the Witch has become attuned with the Broom, they can sense the magical energies which flow through it and can use their own magic to enhance the Brooms movements. This can be used for sudden bursts of high speed or complicated manouvres. A skilled Witch on a trusted Broom is capable of impressive aerial feats. An inexperienced flyer can sometimes find themselves at the mercy of their Broom's whim.

by laurabones on Canva

Association of Broom Makers

The art of making Brooms has been handed down over the years from Master to Apprentice in an unbroken cycle. Several hundred years ago they formed an official association, and it is one of the most secretive of the Gnome associations. While it is not a secret that the Gnomes make Brooms, the process and magic behind it is known only to those have studied the craft.

Forged in Combat

It is said that hundreds of years in the past the Witches and the Gnomes stood against a great abomination which rose from the depths beneath the Moorlands. Apparently some Dwarves had been digging for this void thingy and disturbed an evil they were unable to withstand. It was a hard fight but the combined efforts of Gnome and Witch won the day, and ever since then there has been an accord between the two. At least that is what they say.