
AbsolutGrndZer0 |

So, I have a witch character who is a changeling raised by a wizard. Now, my question is, at what point does she decide/realize she's going to be a witch and not a wizard like her "father" would probably train her to be, and would she have to contact her patron, or might the patron contact her through the familiar?

MrSin |

A changeling doesn't have to be a witch. They can choose to be a wizard. Its sort of weird that she would become a witch instead if she has any wizard training. Most likely if she was going to become a witch she may be contacted by a familiar or patron in some manner and be taught magic through that means. The details behind the witch patron are sort of vague, so I'm not sure what to say about that myself.

AbsolutGrndZer0 |

A changeling doesn't have to be a witch. They can choose to be a wizard. Its sort of weird that she would become a witch instead if she has any wizard training. Most likely if she was going to become a witch she may be contacted by a familiar or patron in some manner and be taught magic through that means. The details behind the witch patron are sort of vague, so I'm not sure what to say about that myself.
Well yes I know she doesn't HAVE to be a witch, but I want her to. As I said, her background is that her "father" was a wizard, and in fact doesn't even realize that she's a witch and not a wizard because she DOES study books and such. She just doesn't actually prepare spells from the books like he thinks she does.

Dragonamedrake |

Well the Wizard Father could have a rival witch who secretly mentors his student in the ways of the witch...
Think Sword in the stone.

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I would have her frustrated that she can't cast spells like her adopted father, but still show promise in the arcane arts. Then, one day the familiar arrives and she starts hearing it whisper to her promises. Wanting to impress her father, she agrees to be loyal to the patron that the familiar represents and gains power to cast spells. Throw in confusion about being able to cast some spells but not others, and having some abilities that either hinder (evil eye) or help (fortune) others.
I would talk to your GM about who exactly the patron is. If you are playing a character that would struggle with an evil patron you need to make it clear that having an evil patron will be a problem. My witch knows who his patron is, and while the patron is Neutral it would cause problems if the rest of the party found out who it was. It would be downright badwrongfun if the patron had been evil.
My own witch character has a similar background.

Count_Rugen |
I've read enough lore over time that I think it's safe to say that a Mage can tell the difference between a hex and an incantation. She could hide it for a time perhaps, but not for long. :)
To answer your question, I think they leave it purposely ambiguous for a reason, but one thing is clear: "...the witch draws her magic from a pact made with an otherworldly power." So the witch-to-be is basically just a commoner. She has no innate abilities at all. This is not the kind of person a super powerful otherworldly entity would bend time and space to contact. No...more likely this is the kind of being the witch gets in contact with because she is powerless, and has no skills at magic like "father" wants her to have. So, she draws the pentagram at midnight, summons something from beyond the beyond, and cuts a deal. She gets magic, and the being gets....???
As to "when" this might occur...I'm guessing a being wouldn't enter into a pact with a 3 year old. I'd guess a safe bet would be at least 12/13 (the traditional start of adulthood in ancient times).

MrSin |

If I had to do it I'd let her be contacted by a familiar soon after she begins hitting the books for arcane training. She prepares in the morning before going to meet her father and she speaks with it during her free time when she can get away with it. This can be a cat in the window or an animal in the forest. She enters into commune and learns while reading books on the arcane. She wouldn't take long to realize she'd turned to another path, but one of similar learning. Especially since she'd been reading about arcane magic anyway.
Oddly enough it says that witches can learn their art through learning in the fluff text, but their preparation and learning from scrolls doesn't' seem to support that. Not sure what to think about that.

AbsolutGrndZer0 |

I would have her frustrated that she can't cast spells like her adopted father, but still show promise in the arcane arts. Then, one day the familiar arrives and she starts hearing it whisper to her promises. Wanting to impress her father, she agrees to be loyal to the patron that the familiar represents and gains power to cast spells. Throw in confusion about being able to cast some spells but not others, and having some abilities that either hinder (evil eye) or help (fortune) others.
I would talk to your GM about who exactly the patron is. If you are playing a character that would struggle with an evil patron you need to make it clear that having an evil patron will be a problem. My witch knows who his patron is, and while the patron is Neutral it would cause problems if the rest of the party found out who it was. It would be downright badwrongfun if the patron had been evil.
My own witch character has a similar background.
Hmm.. that might work. Then the patron (who I've not decided who/what it is yet that would of course depend on the GM if ever actually played this character... Don't know anyone but me that runs Pathfinder and don't live close enough for PFS games) could have imbued her childhood pet with the familiar powers.

AbsolutGrndZer0 |

If I had to do it I'd let her be contacted by a familiar soon after she begins hitting the books for arcane training. She prepares in the morning before going to meet her father and she speaks with it during her free time when she can get away with it. This can be a cat in the window or an animal in the forest. She enters into commune and learns while reading books on the arcane. She wouldn't take long to realize she'd turned to another path, but one of similar learning. Especially since she'd been reading about arcane magic anyway.
That actually works really well, even more so because I gave her familiar the "valet" archetype from Animal Archive, also she's a beast-bonded witch too. So even easier for her to have her cat sitting beside her while she's studying and the cat is secretly talking to her. Even if he knew the cat was now her familiar, her father still wouldn't mind cause wizards have familiars, and he might even be MORE impressed that she has already managed to bond a familiar on her own. :)

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MrSin wrote:A changeling doesn't have to be a witch. They can choose to be a wizard. Its sort of weird that she would become a witch instead if she has any wizard training. Most likely if she was going to become a witch she may be contacted by a familiar or patron in some manner and be taught magic through that means. The details behind the witch patron are sort of vague, so I'm not sure what to say about that myself.Well yes I know she doesn't HAVE to be a witch, but I want her to. As I said, her background is that her "father" was a wizard, and in fact doesn't even realize that she's a witch and not a wizard because she DOES study books and such. She just doesn't actually prepare spells from the books like he thinks she does.
Such a decision would make more sense if she loses her father, or plain out runs away before the question of apprenticeship comes up. Otherwise you really don't have much of a story justification other than "that's the way I want her to come out."

AbsolutGrndZer0 |

AbsolutGrndZer0 wrote:Such a decision would make more sense if she loses her father, or plain out runs away before the question of apprenticeship comes up. Otherwise you really don't have much of a story justification other than "that's the way I want her to come out."MrSin wrote:A changeling doesn't have to be a witch. They can choose to be a wizard. Its sort of weird that she would become a witch instead if she has any wizard training. Most likely if she was going to become a witch she may be contacted by a familiar or patron in some manner and be taught magic through that means. The details behind the witch patron are sort of vague, so I'm not sure what to say about that myself.Well yes I know she doesn't HAVE to be a witch, but I want her to. As I said, her background is that her "father" was a wizard, and in fact doesn't even realize that she's a witch and not a wizard because she DOES study books and such. She just doesn't actually prepare spells from the books like he thinks she does.
Well, by that respect then can story wise ANY fighter or rogue just suddenly decide to be a wizard? I realize a player always can, but can literally anyone just become a wizard?
Well as I said, he's not her father really, she's adopted and her mother was a HAG... she's a changeling. So being a witch in a way is more natural for her anyway. Plus, as for running away... not really anywhere she can go since she is from Hermea (though she chose to leave at 16 even after passing her citizenship test)... just don't see a child getting off the island very easily.

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Wait, how did a changeling come to Hermea? Did she just show up on the island? Was she brought there?
I ask because no one just shows up on the island unexpected and a hag certainly wouldn't have been allowed anywhere near it. Unless Mengkare had a very good reason to allow the child to enter the population, I don't see how or why this character could be from Hermea. Mengkare and his agents are very much aware of who is on the island and what they are.
Thinking about this, and I am not sure you want advice on this part, here is how I would spin it. Assuming that Hermea is a Lawful Good society, Mengkare decided to allow a changeling into his kingdom for reason related to improvements to the island's genepool. However, none were found at an adult age that met his strict guidelines. Basically, there there none that were Lawful Good, that would believe in the purpose of Hermea, and that was considered an expert in some field or study.
So he and his agents instead decided to bring in and adopt changeling babes, hoping to raise them so that they could be groomed to meet the requirements of citizenship. Your character would be one such adopted babe (assuming that you decide to go with this.)
Now, clearly they would have adopted several babes. They can't assume that all of them would pass the tests, nor can they assume that all of them would want to stay. If it was my game, I would say Mengkare uses magic to remove some of your memories of the island before you leave. Doing so would keep some of the secrets of Hermea out of enemy hands. I doubt he would be so cruel as to remove memories of a person's parents and family. He certainly would remove memories of any important projects or points of study, as well as knowledge of island security.
I am working on a write up of how I would do Hermea, which is why I suddenly have an interest in how you are going to do it.

AbsolutGrndZer0 |

Wait, how did a changeling come to Hermea? Did she just show up on the island? Was she brought there?
I ask because no one just shows up on the island unexpected and a hag certainly wouldn't have been allowed anywhere near it. Unless Mengkare had a very good reason to allow the child to enter the population, I don't see how or why this character could be from Hermea. Mengkare and his agents are very much aware of who is on the island and what they are.
Thinking about this, and I am not sure you want advice on this part, here is how I would spin it. Assuming that Hermea is a Lawful Good society, Mengkare decided to allow a changeling into his kingdom for reason related to improvements to the island's genepool. However, none were found at an adult age that met his strict guidelines. Basically, there there none that were Lawful Good, that would believe in the purpose of Hermea, and that was considered an expert in some field or study.
So he and his agents instead decided to bring in and adopt changeling babes, hoping to raise them so that they could be groomed to meet the requirements of citizenship. Your character would be one such adopted babe (assuming that you decide to go with this.)
Now, clearly they would have adopted several babes. They can't assume that all of them would pass the tests, nor can they assume that all of them would want to stay. If it was my game, I would say Mengkare uses magic to remove some of your memories of the island before you leave. Doing so would keep some of the secrets of Hermea out of enemy hands. I doubt he would be so cruel as to remove memories of a person's parents and family. He certainly would remove memories of any important projects or points of study, as well as knowledge of island security.
I am working on a write up of how I would do Hermea, which is why I suddenly have an interest in how you are going to do it.
Well, first of all it is very strongly implied (but not outright said) that those leaving Hermea are killed. I say this because it mentions how those who are exiled from Hermea are never seen again by those on the island, and any bodies that happen to wash up on shore burned beyond recognition are dismissed as pirate attacks. That's not outright saying it, but it definitely implies it. At the very least, that's how I'm running with it. Her now best friend just happened to be walking by as she was fighting her "escorts" and helped her kill them instead. She DOES have the Hermean Paragon feat, to reflect that she once lived there but no longer does, and that feat mentions that they might be after her either for recruitment or to silence her. Really, Mengkare might be a gold dragon, but I seriously doubt he's Lawful Good like most of them are... I figure he's turned to Lawful Evil or maybe Lawful Neutral, but running a human breeding program and making everyone cede all free will to him (which is the major objection she had, being that she's Chaotic Good) so they are, really no more than his well-treated slaves? No way that's Lawful Good behavior.
Second, that is sort of the idea I had for it. Basically, they DO have recruiters out in the world, and so her "Father" was a recruiter who when he found her (after killing her mother) he moved back to Hermea to raise her.

Count_Rugen |
If I had to do it I'd let her be contacted by a familiar soon after she begins hitting the books for arcane training.
No can do. At first level, the familiar has an INT of 6 (won't be having sophisticated convos with anyone). Additionally it cant "speak with master" at all until 5th level. Remember that the familiar is just a spell storage device chosen by the witch-to-be as the conduit through which "The Power" funnels it's magic to the witch.
1) pact with otherworldly power goes down
2) witch picks familiar
3) otherworldly power funnels power into animal
4) slowly the familiar gains abilities as the witch levels, until it eventually has average human INT and can talk
Just making it clear this ain't no Druid we're talking about here. No bunny is going to hop up one day and be all like "sup? So you trying to learn magic?"

VRMH |

No bunny is going to hop up one day and be all like "sup? So you trying to learn magic?"
Provided the PC performed some sort of ritual (which wouldn't need to be more complex than speaking her wish for magic out loud in a sacred place of sorts), I'd call that a perfectly valid background for a Witch.

Count_Rugen |
Count_Rugen wrote:No bunny is going to hop up one day and be all like "sup? So you trying to learn magic?"Provided the PC performed some sort of ritual (which wouldn't need to be more complex than speaking her wish for magic out loud in a sacred place of sorts), I'd call that a perfectly valid background for a Witch.
The familiar is just an animal until after the pact is made. This is RAW.
The familiar has a very low initial INT. This is RAW.
The familiar and the witch cannot speak at all (barring some sort of spell, etc.) until the witch hits 5th level and the familiar gets the "Speak With Master" ability. This, as well, is RAW.
So no, the scenario you describe could not happen unless you are saying the "otherworldly being" is taking the form of a bunny (i.e., it's not the familiar-to-be)? That would be kind of *eery cool...
*edit: as long as the bunny had glowing red eyes and spoke in a voice like thunder

Count_Rugen |
Actually, directing the actions of an animal (soon to become familiar to the prospective witch) and speaking through it is the very least ability IMO of any being who can become Patron to witches.
Possessing the bunny, you mean? Yeah, I suppose that makes sense too from a fictional/background standpoint, but the rules do state that the witch chooses the animal, not that the patron chooses. Obviously from a metagame standpoint it's kind of irrelevant.

MrSin |

MrSin wrote:If I had to do it I'd let her be contacted by a familiar soon after she begins hitting the books for arcane training.No can do. At first level, the familiar has an INT of 6 (won't be having sophisticated convos with anyone). Additionally it cant "speak with master" at all until 5th level. Remember that the familiar is just a spell storage device chosen by the witch-to-be as the conduit through which "The Power" funnels it's magic to the witch.
1) pact with otherworldly power goes down
2) witch picks familiar
3) otherworldly power funnels power into animal
4) slowly the familiar gains abilities as the witch levels, until it eventually has average human INT and can talkJust making it clear this ain't no Druid we're talking about here. No bunny is going to hop up one day and be all like "sup? So you trying to learn magic?"
Empathetic link. Magic. Forget the rules, I have plot!
The problem I have when I look at the witch class is that its super vague on origins of power. This is good because it means you can say what you want, but bad because its hard to make it match up. Somehow you gain powers from a patron and gain a familiar to use as a spell book. The fluff says you can somehow get it through learning and the witch may not know where it comes from, but might know where it comes from. She might care, or she might not. Its not a bad thing to just use plot and cutscene power with your GM.

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There is no reason your witch could not become one through your father’s encouragement. I am sure he is aware of what she is and is very aware of the most likely course her studies will take.
I would play the supportive and loving father figure who dotes on his exotic daughter and teaches her to be as good a witch as he is a wizard. Of course he could be evil and likes the power and unexpected powers of the witch to throw off his enemies.
What father does not want the best for his child, I could imagine them sitting down to breakfast round the table littered with books on various patrons and animals. You being about the age of six and him looking over the books to find a suitable animal companion and patron which would appeal to a six year old; you living the moment and wanting something cute and cuddly and him with a longer view looking for something with staying power and growth for your future. Discussing options around mouthfuls of bacon and sausages.
The pride in his voice as he talks of your growing power with his peers, the jealousy of his competitors as you take part in various trials displaying your budding power. The eventual betrayal which leads to his untimely death at the hands of his enemies or their manipulation of yourself and your changeling blood which allows them access to you father to kill him.
Your years of anguish and guilt over his death believing that it was al your fault that you fell to the seductions of a smooth talking assassin.
I could go on but writing up a back story is a lot of fun once you get the groundwork done.
Have fun
Sic

Count_Rugen |
That's a good one Sic_Pixie. Unfortunately, the real spoiler here is the fact that it's on Hermea.
http://pathfinder.wikia.com/wiki/Hermea
No clue how a changeling was brought on as they only allow humans (and rarely elves and half-elves).
Every single child raised there is monitored, gauged, profiled, and studied, so it's almost a certainty that the witch-in-question is known as a witch (pops would probably have to clear the patron with the Council).
Any evil/killing of one of his experiments (i.e., a citizen) would be relentlessly rooted out by Mengkare himself.

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I would think that her father is one of the enlightened and was invited and as his daughter she would also be welcome. Also she could also be considered another experiment by the high and mighty Dragon overlord to see if evil is in the blood or if evil is taught. …
We have enough discussions on here to confound even the most patient and noble of Dragons.
The Dragon is not omnipotent and as such would not know everyone who is on the island; I'm sure someone being invited to the island despite the obvious hindrance of having a hag spawned child would be like spitting in the eye of some of his competitors on the mainland who considered themselves more suitable. Jealously grows and assassins are sent; sneaking onto an island would not be that difficult if you are prepared for the wards which most likely are there.
Anyway … facts always seem to get in the way of a good story … Forget the facts and just go with the flow
Sic

Degoon Squad |

There is no reason your witch could not become one through your father’s encouragement. I am sure he is aware of what she is and is very aware of the most likely course her studies will take.
I would play the supportive and loving father figure who dotes on his exotic daughter and teaches her to be as good a witch as he is a wizard. Of course he could be evil and likes the power and unexpected powers of the witch to throw off his enemies.
What father does not want the best for his child, I could imagine them sitting down to breakfast round the table littered with books on various patrons and animals. You being about the age of six and him looking over the books to find a suitable animal companion and patron which would appeal to a six year old; you living the moment and wanting something cute and cuddly and him with a longer view looking for something with staying power and growth for your future. Discussing options around mouthfuls of bacon and sausages.
The pride in his voice as he talks of your growing power with his peers, the jealousy of his competitors as you take part in various trials displaying your budding power. The eventual betrayal which leads to his untimely death at the hands of his enemies or their manipulation of yourself and your changeling blood which allows them access to you father to kill him.
Your years of anguish and guilt over his death believing that it was al your fault that you fell to the seductions of a smooth talking assassin.
I could go on but writing up a back story is a lot of fun once you get the groundwork done.
Have fun
Sic
Darn I was going to say about the same thing.
A wizard raising a changeling, if a loving father would keep an eye out for her developing an affinity for Witchcraft, And might even befriend a Witch of the same alignment, so as to have some one he can trust to apprentice his daughter to when she became of age.
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I wouldn't say it is strongly implied, only that conflicting hints are given to keep everyone guessing at what goes on there. It makes sense that no one on island sees the exiles again, as they are exiled and are not allowed to return to the island. As for the charred bodies on the shore, they could be pirates (which are frequently in that area of the Inner Sea) or other trespassers. If Mengkare (assuming he is evil,) was killing people who failed in the meeting the strict requirements he wouldn't be so dumb as to leave their charred bodies in places his own people or outsiders would find them. It would be too sloppy and a risky move. Considering that he is probably at least an Ancient dragon, he has powerful magic he could use to completely remove all trace of them, including a wish spell if it came down to it. Allowing to much fear into the population would ruin the experiment, and he has a self interest in making his population believe that it is all Lawful Good to keep things moving in the right direction.
It would actually benefit the island to create some misinformation. A rumor that they were killing undesirables would keep down the number of people trying to become citizens. Actual sightings of charred bodies wouldn't just deter pirates and trespassers, but give those rumors some credit. That doesn't mean that the rumors are false, but at the very least they are exaggerated.
It would also benefit an evil Mangkare to allow "failures" to go back into the rest of the world. Using his powerful magic he could modify memory to make them believe some of these rumors, but also create blocks so that they were fearful to talk about it too often. The result is an unsuspecting agent who spreads misinformation and discourages undesirables from attempting to spoil his grand experiment.
You are free to run your way of course, and certainly your GM will have fun with what you presented.

AbsolutGrndZer0 |

I wouldn't say it is strongly implied, only that conflicting hints are given to keep everyone guessing at what goes on there. It makes sense that no one on island sees the exiles again, as they are exiled and are not allowed to return to the island. As for the charred bodies on the shore, they could be pirates (which are frequently in that area of the Inner Sea) or other trespassers. If Mengkare (assuming he is evil,) was killing people who failed in the meeting the strict requirements he wouldn't be so dumb as to leave their charred bodies in places his own people or outsiders would find them. It would be too sloppy and a risky move. Considering that he is probably at least an Ancient dragon, he has powerful magic he could use to completely remove all trace of them, including a wish spell if it came down to it. Allowing to much fear into the population would ruin the experiment, and he has a self interest in making his population believe that it is all Lawful Good to keep things moving in the right direction.
It would actually benefit the island to create some misinformation. A rumor that they were killing undesirables would keep down the number of people trying to become citizens. Actual sightings of charred bodies wouldn't just deter pirates and trespassers, but give those rumors some credit. That doesn't mean that the rumors are false, but at the very least they are exaggerated.
It would also benefit an evil Mangkare to allow "failures" to go back into the rest of the world. Using his powerful magic he could modify memory to make them believe some of these rumors, but also create blocks so that they were fearful to talk about it too often. The result is an unsuspecting agent who spreads misinformation and discourages undesirables from attempting to spoil his grand experiment.
You are free to run your way of course, and certainly your GM will have fun with what you presented.
True, I just have a hard time seeing him as "Good" like most dragons... while the society as a whole may be lawful good, remember in D&D slavery has always been considered a Lawful Evil institution. While some people might think indentured servitude is not slavery, many think it is. The people of Hermea are Mengkare's slaves, nay his PETS. They sign a contract with him ceding all free will, so that makes it more indentured servitude, but still... It's like in Mass Effect 2 you have a chance to help out a girl who accidentally sold herself into "slavery" because she signed a contract she didn't fully understand for a loan then couldn't pay it back. By the way the dialogue is written, it's obvious the writers were very much of the idea that slaves and indentured servants are the same thing in the end.
Anyway, as I read it at least, it seemed to me perfectly valid that Mengkare would allow a recruiter to bring in come changeling babies, just as he would a elf or half-elf. They have power in their blood, just make sure to dispose of their mother so she can't do the hag ritual.
Then again, as for why my witch is leaving Hermea, it's because she refuses to sign away her free will to Mengkare, she's chaotic good (and after reading Champions of Purity, I very much see her as a freedom fighter type) which might be another reason to kill her rather than just send her away. Fear she might return to the island to fight Mengkare (which she wouldn't necessarily... it was their own free will to sign away their free will.. would be hypocritical in her eyes to stop them, because then isn't she going against their free will? Kind of a catch 22 in a way.)

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I must say that I love the idea of Hermea and Mengkare as LG, even as it is a despicable attempt at eugenism.
Because I despise the idea that absolute Law and Goodness is rainbows and bunnies everywhere.
And I love the idea that what a Dragon (and many humans) considers as good and proper (ie, LG) is an atrocity to many people.

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I don't want to derail this discussion, so I will just do a big post on Hermea elsewhere and you can comment there if you like.
The short of it is that I don't think the term "Free Will" was the appropriate or correct term. This is mostly because of the fact that the people actually govern themselves and Mengkare only bothers himself with big, important issues. Everyone has a measure of power there as well.

AbsolutGrndZer0 |

I don't want to derail this discussion, so I will just do a big post on Hermea elsewhere and you can comment there if you like.
The short of it is that I don't think the term "Free Will" was the appropriate or correct term. This is mostly because of the fact that the people actually govern themselves and Mengkare only bothers himself with big, important issues. Everyone has a measure of power there as well.
Fair enough, um can you link to the "big post on Hermea"?

AbsolutGrndZer0 |

I must say that I love the idea of Hermea and Mengkare as LG, even as it is a despicable attempt at eugenism.
Because I despise the idea that absolute Law and Goodness is rainbows and bunnies everywhere.
And I love the idea that what a Dragon (and many humans) considers as good and proper (ie, LG) is an atrocity to many people.
Except that D&D alignment doesn't work that way. I could just as easily say that what a demon considers good and proper is an atrocity to most everyone else. The demon can CLAIM and even BELIEVE he's Lawful Good as he's slaughtering kittens, doesn't mean he is good in any way using the D&D alignment system.

Buri |

JJ has pointedly said if Mengkare were statted he would almost force an evil alignment.
Abs... if you're trying to maintain as much of the ethos as possible no one *accidentally* becomes a witch. They need to make a pact of some sort. For example, I played a witch who was from Hermea but decided he didn't like the reality of the experiment. Having been given a boat he set sail for land. At night he was attacked from above by a fireball and almost died. While grasping onto bits of boat and kicking to shore he eventually succumbed to exhaustion and had a period of drifting in and out of consciousness. At some point in this time he pleaded for help although he doesn't remember it. Or, at the very least, it's a foggy memory that his mind has chosen to push way back in the recesses of his mind. Next thing he knows he washes up on land and a ring he was wearing suddenly begins communicated dark, arcane secrets with him. I went ring as it provides protective options in the bonded witch archetype.
So, yeah, it may be purely fluff like mine was. But it should probably be in there somewhere.

AbsolutGrndZer0 |

JJ has pointedly said if Mengkare were statted he would almost force an evil alignment.
Abs... if you're trying to maintain as much of the ethos as possible no one *accidentally* becomes a witch. They need to make a pact of some sort. For example, I played a witch who was from Hermea but decided he didn't like the reality of the experiment. Having been given a boat he set sail for land. At night he was attacked from above by a fireball and almost died. While grasping onto bits of boat and kicking to shore he eventually succumbed to exhaustion and had a period of drifting in and out of consciousness. At some point in this time he pleaded for help although he doesn't remember it. Or, at the very least, it's a foggy memory that his mind has chosen to push way back in the recesses of his mind. Next thing he knows he washes up on land and a ring he was wearing suddenly begins communicated dark, arcane secrets with him. I went ring as it provides protective options in the bonded witch archetype.
So, yeah, it may be purely fluff like mine was. But it should probably be in there somewhere.
Been awhile since I came to this thread, life's been pretty hectic. Heh.
But yeah, I'm kind of thinking that maybe her "father" was a recruiter and found her abandoned as a baby, then when he returned to Hermea, he got permission to bring her with him since she was mostly human (since changelings are born to hags, one would assume the child of a non-hagified changeling would be human) but had magical potential due to her heritage and that was intriguing. If she passed her test, she could stay after 16, if not she had to go just like everyone else. Then, being a wizard himself, he was teaching her things, and she understood it on an intellectual level, but the magic just wasn't there for her,and her father was very disappointed thinking he was wrong, she has no magical potential at all... So in her frustration at being a failure in her father's eyes that's when her familiar showed up and offered her the pact so she could finally have the magic she so desired.