The Dark Witches

The following document was discovered on the body of Steiger. It was the results of the research into the Dark Witches he received from Shiranui, the court librarian at Tahirah.

The Dark Witches

When the world was young, and the Creator was fashioning the mortal races, there arose from the Void a consciousness. This consciousness too coveted worship, and fashioned from the gnarled and hard places the crones that became the Dark Witches. It is said when Tien Lung brought the body of his sister Tiamat to the Apsu, Tiamat’s consciousness splintered and became the life-force of these Witches, each embodying parts of the chaotic dragon’s psyche.

They are immortal, fed by the Apsu and in turn feeding it the souls of light from the Creator’s “pets.” They are macabre and delight in darkness, often toying with mortals or creating elaborate pacts which they use to their advantage. They can alter their form, curse their enemies, travel enshrined in the ethereal plane, and they delight most in blaspheming against the Creator and his Middle World.

They dwell in the deepest hollows and ruins, often roaming to keep from being found out. They steal infants and fester in mortal dreams. They often turn the very land into traps and wards, ensuring most mortals do not visit them unwanted.

The witches are difficult to truly kill, regenerating lost limbs and flesh through the darkness they serve. The only way to kill them is to throw them into their own portals to the Void, feeding them to the beast that created them.

You met Tataka, the Bog Witch, in Gurigashon. She is devoted to catching travelers in that festering swamp. She represents Hunger. Other Witches dwell in the dark corners of the earth. Known Witches are:

Zeniba, the Money Witch, who grew out of the greed of Taishan. She dwells hidden in the ruins of Xendu on the east coast, preying on the lure of treasure-hunting fools. She is Greed or Covetousness.

Keket—the Dark Sandsiren—who dwells in Dekri Cataract, driven there by the Kaftar when they overtook Nemburu. She reviles the sun and stalks Majirahans during the night. She is Lust/Desire.

Holda, the Weasel, who lives in the Northern Kelim woods around the Labyrinth of Sirrush. She beguiles traders and Northmen explorers. She is Deceit.

Your cameo bears the visage of Harinidra, the Dream-Thief. She dwells in Ra’s Shalan Wadi by the Bazahn Wastes and torments sleeping mortals with their fears and failures. Thus, she represents Dreams and Fear. It is said she inhabits a special realm around a place called Nyura’s Point, and possesses potent magic.

It should be noted that other emanations of the Void’s Daughters probably exists, as most mortals who encounter them do not live to catalogue them. Some can be easily dealt with (if not killed), but others are dangerous and require magic or silvered weapons, while having the advantage of other immunities as well.