Winter Witch Patron Question

[Stephan Taylor]

Earlier today I was thinking about possible character builds and I was wondering why the Storms patron from Heroes of the Wild was not considered a possible Winter Witch patron? It has no fire spells and would seem to make thematic sense. Would it violate rules to have a Storms patron Winter Witch?

[River of Sticks]

Since the rules say "A winter witch must choose her patron from one of the following patron themes: ancestors, deception, enchantment, endurance, moon, occult, portents, stars, transformation, trickery, water, winter, or wisdom.", by RAW, yes it violates the rules to have a storms patron. You could argue that since the rules say "patron themes" rather than just "patrons" there is some gray area, but I would personally call that house ruling - the list is pretty clear and definite.