A formidable witch who was caught in the throes of his gambling addiction, manipulated into a game that resulted in him being bound to a coven against his will. Since then, he's been working at the behest of his high priestess, attempting to rebel and carve out moments of indulgence for himself in between running errands on her behalf. His only hope is he might one day be released from her clutches—even if it should result in the death of those closest to him.

Which doesn't matter, of course.

Without a heart, it's difficult to care.

About ❖ Story ❖ Hooks ❖ Relationships ❖ Gallery ❖ OOC

⸻ Content Warnings ⸻

Physical abuse; magical curses limiting autonomy;
mentions of spiders; heat/rut & a/b/o themes.

♦ Name.

⸻ E'lithas Tamsin

♦ Given Name.

⸻ E'lithas Delancre

♦ Age.

⸻ 30 summers

♦ Nameday.

⸻ 32^nd Sun of the 6^th Astral Moon

♦ Race.

⸻ Miqo'te ♦ Seeker of the Sun

♦ Gender.

⸻ Male (He/Him)

♦ Build.

⸻ 5'8", 140 lbs. (Tall. Willowy. Lithe.)

♦ Scent.

⸻ Crisp morning air after snowfall with a touch of sweetness.

♦ Birthplace.

⸻ Moraby Drydocks ♦ Lower La Noscea

♦ Residence.

⸻ Three Serpents' Cottage ♦ The Lavender Beds

♦ Occupation.

⸻ Sales Executive for Saltblite Holdings.

♦ Disposition.

⸻ ISTP-T ♦ Chaotic Neutral

♦ Orientation.

⸻ Pansexual (Male preference.)

E'lithas is canonically a witch, based on a homebrewed class.
To learn more, visit the link below.

♦ He does not possess a heart, both metaphorically and physically. Something is keeping his blood flowing through his body, and he does have a pulse—one that is eerily consistent and never wavers. As a result of no longer having a heart, he is unable to experience the emotion of love. If one were to listen for a heartbeat, they would hear nothing, just the pulse of blood echoing through what seems to be a hollow chamber.

♦ Half of his magick is currently being siphoned to the high priestess of his coven, causing him to be particularly weak when it comes to combat, as casting powerful offensive spells leaves him drained and defenseless.

♦ His aether seems dampened in some way, and there is a hint of an unidentifiable dark energy muddling it. It is as if he is surrounded by webbing.

♦ E'lithas's arms, legs, and back are often covered in a series of fresh bruises, typically visible only should he happen to roll up his sleeves. Should one catch a glimpse and point them out, he's apt to dismiss the concern and move to hide the blemishes in question.

♦ Recently, he has experienced the precursor to his first heat with little idea of what is happening to his body. It's incredibly frustrating, needless to say.

Although particularly tall for a Miqo'te, the stature afforded E'lithas by his height is somewhat negated by his lithe, willowy frame and slim waist. He is quite slender, a trait that tends to emphasize his more generous assets. His hair is a deep shade of ink black and has the slightest bit of wave to it; he prefers to keep it short for the sake of it not interfering with his spellcrafting work. His skin is considerably pale, drawing attention to the bright, acidic yellow shade of his slitted eyes. The fur of his ears and tail is very sleek, tending towards the shorter, silkier side of the spectrum and often laying rather flat (unless he's unsettled, of course, in which case his tail might puff up to twice its usual size).

♦ Notable Features.

⸻ There is a dark brand on the left side of his face, standing out starkly against his skin. It appears to be something he tries to ignore due to what it symbolizes.⸻ He dresses modestly, preferring clothing with high necks and long sleeves; dark fabrics and lace are an additional boon. He greatly detests wearing color, barring an exception only for golden or silver accents.⸻ His rear is particularly eye-catching, given how round and supple it seems to be. He dislikes the attention he attracts because of it, being one of the reasons he tends to wear garments that provide more cover.⸻ He bruises quite easily. In a similar fashion, any sort of blush stains his pale features in a rather brilliant manner.

A reclusive and independent individual by nature, E'lithas is surprisingly capable of mingling with proper and plentiful company. His sharp tongue is often curtained behind a polite and charming façade... although it tends to slip at the most minor of grievances against him. His ill-spoken, sarcastic remarks have gotten him into trouble so often that keeping record of such occurrences would be both foolish and a waste of one's time (and parchment, undoubtedly).E'lithas's greatest weakness (and one that is most often used against him) is his addictive personality. Most notably, he suffers from a severe gambling addiction, but it is rather easy for him to form obsessive behavior around other vices, whether those be substances, activities, or individuals. As it stands, his latest personal fixation is the antagonistic companionship he shares with a certain antique broker.For the most part, however, E'lithas has an incredibly short attention span and limited patience when it comes to dealing with others. If an individual bores him or proves themselves aggravating in any way, he is quick to make it known.Should one be able to earn E'lithas's attention and prove themselves trustworthy, they will find themselves to have gained a fiercely loyal ally—though his allegiance may often act as a double-edged sword, for he will stop at nothing to protect those he cares for with little regard for whomever may be caught in the crossfire.

♦ Habits.

⸻ He keeps a worn deck of playing cards on his person at most times. When egregiously bored or attempting to relax, he'll retrieve it and begin to play games against himself, either testing or practicing strategies.⸻ A true night owl, E'lithas tends to sleep in well past noon, given the option. If he's to be woken up before then, there had best be coffee readily available, otherwise he will be considerably unpleasant for some time.

♦ Vices.

⸻ A victim of an addictive personality, E'lithas's most crippling vice is gambling, no matter the form it takes. The greater the risk, the greater the pleasure he derives, often seeking to raise the stakes whenever the opportunity to do so presents itself.⸻ If it should be offered, E'lithas will find it hard to turn down absinthe, given that it's his drink of choice.

♦ Strengths.

⸻ Cunning, intuitive, charismatic, intelligent, loyal.

♦ Flaws.

⸻ Abrasive, deceitful, manipulative, selfish, distrusting.

♦ Likes.

⸻ While E'lithas enjoys all forms of gambling and card games, he has a penchant for blackjack. He's capable of counting cards, but more often than not, he'll resist the temptation to do so; risks aren't nearly as interesting if he's rigging a game in his favor, after all.⸻ One of E'lithas's favorite aspects of witchcraft is the potential of new discoveries; it is a practice that fosters invention and creativity. He personally enjoys experimenting with potion-making due to its more mathematical nature, but as of late, he's also found himself drawn to experimenting with applications of transmogrification magicks.

♦ Dislikes.

⸻ An introvert by both nature and nurture, E'lithas greatly detests prolonged social interaction and pleasantries. Fortunately, he's capable of politely suffering through such situations as a result of the extensive etiquette training he underwent as a child.⸻ Although E'lithas himself has no qualms with it, his pale complexion takes a certain disliking to intense sunshine, typically resulting in a severe sunburn or, should he push himself too much in such a situation, heatstroke.⸻ Despite having grown up in the coastal region of La Noscea, E'lithas is incapable of swimming. If thrown into a body of water, it's more likely than not he'll drown unless somehow rescued.

♦ The Disappointment ♦

⸻ moraby drydocks ⸻

ㅤchildhoodㅤ 1551 - 1563

E’lithas was born an only child to a mother and father who chose to have exactly one heir to “keep up the appearances” of being happily bonded. They treated E’lithas more like a business asset than anything else and raised him to be cultured, investing in private schooling, piano lessons, etiquette tutors, and advanced arithmetic courses after realizing his inclination towards mathematics, something they hoped would benefit their business ventures once he was of age to begin contributing to his father’s company.Their son, of course, proved to offer none of those things.While growing up, E'lithas was subjected to neglect and mistreatment by those around him. To escape, he found himself drawn to a different application of his mathematical prowess: card games. Playing such games against himself alone in his room became a his way of escaping an otherwise lonely childhood.

After an unpleasant encounter with one of his father's business associates, a young E'lithas awakened abruptly at three bells past the twelfth that same night. Sitting up in bed, he looked out his window and caught movement at the edge of the estate property, close to the treeline. Curious, he ventured outside (none were awake to notice, nor would they have cared if they were) and crossed the well-kept lawn. Upon reaching the edge of the property, he entered the cedarwoods and was offered freedom.A deal was struck, a book signed, and a price promised to be collected at a later time — when it 'twould be delicious.Until then, E'lithas continued his tutoring, far more focused on putting his knowledge of card games to use. Now old enough to navigate the roads to Limsa Lominsa on his own, he made it a habit of regularly traveling into the main city-state, where he began to indulge in what would become one of his greatest vices: gambling. Over the next few summers, he established a reputation in the guild halls, taverns, and Limsan docks as a striking miqo’te lad with the wits about him to clean out an entire crew’s coin purses.

♦ The Devil ♦

⸻ lower la noscea & limsa lominsa ⸻

ㅤ12 - 15 summersㅤ 1563 - 1566

♦ The Descent ♦

⸻ lower la noscea ⸻

ㅤ15 - 17 summersㅤ 1566 - 1568

Shortly after his fifteenth nameday, his father's business associate would make his ill intentions towards E'lithas known. Though E'lithas drove him off with teeth and nails, favor was given to the rich lord, not the petulant child. He was punished for his attempt at tarnishing such a prestigious reputation and left seething at the injustice of it all.The later date had thus arrived. As promised, the price would be collected — and with it paid, E'lithas would be made a witch.For the next two cycles, E’lithas devoted himself to his occult practices, guided by the grimoire bequeathed to him. He quickly became adept at hexes and curses, the latter of which he utilized to wrong those who had harmed him over recent summers. Vengeance felt quite satisfying, he realized.

At the age of eighteen summers, E’lithas’ parents discovered his occult practices and gave him the ultimatum to either cease them immediately or be disowned from the family. E’lithas chose the latter and left the mansion shortly thereafter, bringing with him only what he could carry by broom. From Limsa, he made is way to Ul'dah, knowing that it was home to the largest network of casinos and gambling houses in all of Aldenard.E'lithas spent the next several cycles gambling his way through the lowest of Ul'dah's seedy underground backrooms to the finest of its upper level casinos. His winnings grew at an alarming rate, and he soon earned enough gil to purchase a cottage in Gridania as a place to practice his occult magicks away from the streets of Ul’dah. It became a home of his own, and within it, he flourished.He was becoming both a powerful witch and a successful gambler, and E'lithas felt he had achieved what he sought: freedom.

♦ The Departure ♦

⸻ ul'dah & the lavender beds ⸻

ㅤ18 - 21 summersㅤ 1569 - 1572

♦ The Deceit ♦

⸻ wine back sky lounge: ul'dah ⸻

ㅤ22 summersㅤ 1573

Such freedom did not last.In the year of 1573, E'lithas encountered a fellow witch in a reputable gambling lounge. She, a high priestess of her own coven, had heard of a witch growing his power within the region. She requested a game of chance, and during it, she requested that E'lithas join her coven. He dismissed the notion, won the game, and cleaned six million gil from her coin purse in one fell swoop.Alas, he had insulted her. A grave error on his part.Several moons later, the high priestess tracked E’lithas down. She offered a second game with greater stakes: if E’lithas won, he would never see her again; if she won, he would join her coven.E'lithas lost to a rigged game, but held to an oath made between witches, he was forced into her coven and bound by ritual.

E’lithas, now adapting to a life in which he was bound to the coven, began doing the high priestess' bidding. He was assigned a “caretaker” by the moniker of the Benefactor, who operated Saltblite Holdings, the cover business for his coven's dissemination of cursed artifacts and objects. In addition to being effective at placing the curses on the objects by his own hand, E’lithas had quite a way with words and manipulation; he excelled as a “sales representative,” making sure each cursed object arrived in its intended victim’s hands.The Calamity struck in 1574. E’lithas paid it little mind. It was a good time to make a profit.The Benefactor was not a kind man, but he was good at his job: he kept E’lithas in check. He was taught to hold his tongue; to do what he was asked; to perform well if he wished to be treated well.

♦ The Downfall ♦

⸻ ul'dah ⸻

ㅤ22 - 29 summersㅤ 1573 - 1580

♦ The Decision ♦

⸻ ul'dah ⸻

ㅤ29 - 30 summersㅤ 1580 - Present Day

In the present, all is not... entirely so bad.Though E'lithas is still at the beck and call of his high priestess, his own magick being siphoned off for the needs of the coven, he has managed to form a handful of small but nonetheless important allegiances. (He hesitates to call them friendships.)It is only when those bonds begin to strengthen that they pose a threat in the eyes of the high priestess, and at long last, E'lithas' most trusted companion has issued a word of unsolicited advice: "You are hardly the type who can live forever only doing what you are allowed." Is this how E'lithas wishes to live, or will he not fight for the freedom he has always wanted?E'lithas is, currently, undecided.But he believes that he may fight.

"Surely you've heard of Tamsin? The bastard's known to clean the house out wherever he rolls dice."

(Common)

If one is a frequent patron of casinos or participates in gambling rings themselves, they undoubtedly have heard his name before, as his gambling reputation precedes him—as does his rather frenetic behavior at the gambling table during the very height of a match.

"Negotiating with Tamsin? Best of luck and keep yer' wits about ye'. He's keen of eye and sharp of tongue."

(Common)

If one has ever delved into the market of rare artifacts, they have certainly heard of Saltblite Holdings, a company that deals in the trade of magickal objects that are often sold for the highest of prices. After proving his merit for the last seven years, E'lithas has become known as one of their top sales executives.

"Never quite seen casting like that. Chalk, blood, and bones? It seems nigh impractical, if ye ask me."

(Rare)

If one possesses any knowledge of the occult practice of witchcraft, one might recognize his runic casting. Furthermore, if one has connections to covens, they might recognize his as a nasty coalition, responsible for a litany of horrific incidents.

"Enjoy thy freedom, little witch. I shall come for thee when it is time for thee to fulfill thy purpose."

(Extremely Rare)

If one has a powerful affinity for the Void, they may sense something rather strange and off-putting about E'lithas, particularly in relation to his aether. It feels as if it has been touched, not by a Voidsent... but rather something far, far worse.

♦ The King of Sable ♦

⸻ that which stalks ⸻

It hungers.
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤIt waits.

♦ Morgause ♦

⸻ she who lures ⸻

Should you find yourself wandering within her web, it is already too late. Little is known of Morgause, particularly that of her life before becoming the High Priestess of the Yafaem Coven. Even how she achieved that position is unknown, as all who were present at the time are no longer alive to share the tale. Her lust for power precedes her reputation; many witches outside the Yafaem Coven have heard her name and fear the day when they too will be sought out, leaving them with a single ultimatum: join her coven, or perish.

♦ The Benefactor ♦

⸻ he who controls ⸻

Unto an evil counsellor, close heart, and ear, and eye. Upon being enlisted in the Saltblite Holdings sales force, E'lithas was assigned to the Benefactor, a man intended to keep him in check by teaching him to obey and hold his tongue. They share a bed if E’lithas must reside in Ul’dah and cannot return to his cottage for the evening, which is often. Sometimes the Benefactor is gentle, sometimes he leaves E’lithas bruised and aching. It is bad, but it is not all bad, no.He makes E’lithas’ skin crawl.

♦ Tahze ♦

⸻ she who whimpers ⸻

A fool in her own right. Despite the fact that her beloved mate was slaughtered by Morgause in retribution for crossing the high priestess' path, Tahze has thrown loyalty to the wind. Faced with the prospect of a life lived upon the streets or aligning her magickal talents with that of Morgause's coven, she chose the latter, regardless that this choice spat in the face of her lover's memory. Safety and comfort oft win over nostalgia, after all. Whereas E'lithas at first thought to be a possible ally within the coven, being one of the only fellow miqo'te within its numbers, she has since proven that she will always defer to their high priestess and will not hesitate to inform her of any murmurings.

♦ E'varhil Delancre ♦

⸻ he who decries ⸻

In strictness, there is control. Just as his father had before him, E'varhil devoted his life to the Kujira Trading Company, an industrious shipping corporation whose business operated out of the ports of Kugane. When it came time for the chief officer to retire, he wanted to ensure it would be passed to someone trustworthy who had proven their loyalty. Having recognized the dedication of the Lord Delancre, the chief officer declared that E'varhil would take over for him, and thus was E'varhil married to S'Jin, the officer's daughter, to ensure his company would remain in family hands. E'varhil chose to expand the company and relocate its headquarters to his childhood home on the Isle of Vylbrand. Ever a father with a firm hand, his focus on his trade left little time and care for his son.

♦ S'Jin Delancre ♦

⸻ she who denies ⸻

Can such coldness be called a mask when it hides no warmth beneath it? In his eighteen summers spent growing up at home, E'lithas learned very little of his mother's life prior to bonding with E'varhil. Upon arriving in Vylbrand, she sought to distance herself from her Hingashi heritage, leaving no traces of it within her self-presentation and the estate in which the family lived. Such a fierce desire to distance herself from her past was never shared with her son. Where E'varhil was strict in his parenting, S'Jin demonstrated no motherly affection for E'lithas and was instead utterly loveless towards him, treating him as a nuisance she was obligated to care for — which was not her responsibility, as she ultimately decided, instead hiring a handmaid to care for her son.

♦ V'aspar Tia ♦

⸻ he who perseveres ⸻

Only those who have fallen from great heights know what it means to claw their way back from the depths. As a former nunh who had once held a harem of his own, Asp's influence was undeniable; E'lithas found himself naturally drawn towards the other Miqo'te upon meeting — much to the elder Sunseeker's chagrin, as E'lithas's teasing and inadvertent flirtations placed him in a position of great danger when it came to igniting long since dormant instincts. While dancing around such tensions, Asp and E'lithas have continued to cross paths amidst trade markets and high society as they each continue to pursue matters of curses, artifacts, and other curiosities.

• Carrd

♦ Myrki Svalras ♦

⸻ he who vanishes ⸻

And so did a little mouse wander into the serpent's den. A Viera hailing from Dalmasca who has made his way to Ul'dah and found a profitable use for his rare teleportation magicks: thievery. While often taking jobs for clients with deep pockets, he's not unaccustomed to pursuing his own leads — and the draw of a witch's cottage supposedly filled with rare, cursed artifacts was simply too tempting. Unfortunately, that cottage belonged to E'lithas, and upon teleporting within its walls, Myrki triggered a ward that placed a curse upon him. Confined to remain within the cottage lest he meet his death by setting foot outside, he now finds himself acting as an "assistant" to the witch who caught him attempting to steal.

• Carrd

♦ Agatbryda Riverwyn ♦

⸻ she who tames ⸻

Those who have walked through fire leave sparks wherever they go. A huntress who seeks to protect her charges, no matter how often they rush headlong into danger. Her adventures and loyalty to her companions led her to inadvertently crossing paths with E'lithas and unexpectedly coming to his rescue during an auction in which he was the artifact up for purchase. The witch found himself... surprised that one would have intervened with no reason other than helping another. Since then, the two have formed a sense of camaraderie — though there is a feeling that they have more in common than first might meet the eye.

• Carrd

♦ Piper Galloway ♦

⸻ she who recounts ⸻

Songs carry many stories upon their notes, but do listen to the whispers in-between the melodies. A bard dedicated to her art of storytelling, Piper would seem quite the unlikely individual to earn both E'lithas's trust and friendship, and yet, it would seem she has managed to do just so. Though he has his own questions about the mysteries surrounding Piper's abilities, for now, E'lithas is simply grateful for her companionship, even if it means she's adamantly attempting to convince him to call her Piper, rather than "Miss Galloway," with little success.

♦ Rezla Kish ♦

⸻ she who strives ⸻

To be driven to the ground and crushed, only to rise back up and blossom. A local within the Lavender Beds and mutual acquaintance between himself and Piper, E'lithas shares a simple, neighborly relationship with Rezla, first begun when the Viera peeked over his garden fence and expressed her curiosity over the rare and unusual herbs and plants growing within it. Their interactions have been relatively pleasant, despite E'lithas' cold exterior.

• Carrd

♦ Shri'ke Lanius ♦

⸻ he who protects ⸻

Thus rolls in the thunder of an oncoming storm. The name of Lanius is well known amongst the Temple Knights, being an outsider who was appointed the position of Commander of a search and rescue unit during the emergency situation of the Calamity — only to disappear alongside the rest of his unit just a little over a summer later. Returning to Ishgard three summers later, Shri'ke has managed to claw his way back up to some modicum of martial status, particularly after serving on the front lines of the Bozjan Resistance. A master of strategy and one who never hesitates to place himself in the line of danger to protect those he loves — and perhaps that is why he and E'lithas clash like oil and water. Little is known about what, exactly, occurred between the two, but the end result is a fierce distrust and loathing.

• Carrd

♦ Nore Vilsaia ♦

⸻ she who enchants ⸻

A songbird who doesn't know sorrow is hardly a songbird at all. A renowned singer whose vocal talents mesmerized the classiest of halls owned by Ul'dah's most elite socialites — before she was swayed to join the Reingold heir's harem, of course, taking up the helm of second within its ranks. She acts as an advisor to newer members, teaching them the ropes until they find their feet. Given that she's deeply entangled with the Killery, a fledgling tia or fellow female is hardly anything over which she'll bat an eyelash. Consistently found with a beer bottle or a cigarette in hand.

♦ About the Player ♦

Hi, I’m Chevalure (they/he)! I appreciate you visiting E'lithas' carrd. I’m a 30+ writer, curriculum designer, and streamer residing on the East Coast (USA). I'm always excited to meet new roleplay partners, so please don't hesitate to reach out!♦ In-Game Name: E'lithas Tamsin
♦ Server: Crystal • Balmung
♦ Walkup/Tells: WU ✔ (if RP tag is on) • Tells ✔

• @chevalure

• chevalure

♦ Schedule ♦

I am primarily online during the following timeframes:♦ Monday - Friday: 8 PM to 1 AM EST
♦ Saturday and Sunday: 6 PM to 1 AM ESTIf you would like to set up a scene between our characters, I'd prefer to be contacted OOC first, just because I love pre-planning and chatting about plot ideas.However, if that isn't an option, feel free to approach E'lithas… at your own risk, of course.

⸻ I Will Roleplay... ⸻

✔ Mature & dark themes
✔ Lore-bending; not everything has to be by the book, but it should make sense.
✔ RP combat and/or rolls for fights and other determiners
✔ Graphic violence & torture
✔ Dubcon (with prior discussion)
✔ Imprisonment
✔ Magical bonds, curses, oaths, etc.

⸻ I Won't Roleplay... ⸻

✘ Noncon
✘ Metagaming/godmoding/powerplaying
✘ Permadeath
✘ Permanent disfigurement
✘ Relationships focused solely on romance

** ♦ RPG Rating ♦**

Click the numbers to learn more.
This rating was generated using RPGRating.com.

** ♦ Miscellaneous ♦**

• E'lithas's Character Playlist

• Lodestone Profile

♦ History ♦

The Fifth Astral Era of Hydaelyn's history saw society driven by the forces of magick, primarily those of the White Mages of Amdapor; the Black Mages of Mhach; and the Scholars of Nym. However, amidst the devastating conflict that emerged between the three warring city-states, so too did another form of magick: that of witchcraft, but unlike its counterparts of the era, it remained a magick shrouded in secrecy... for if it was secret, it was safe.The exact origin of witchcraft remains unknown, but it is assumed that witches have existed from this era onwards, passing on their knowledge and techniques by inducting prospective witches.

⸻ THE WAR OF THE MAGI ⸻

Upon recognizing the animosity between the mages of Amdapor, Mhach, and Nym, the most prevalent witches of the era decreed that their craft be kept private in order to protect their practice from the aggression displayed by other magick users. These witches gathered together, enacting a powerful ritual that placed a protective curse of secrecy upon all witches at the time and all of those to come that would prevent them from sharing details of their practice and their coven. The measure was taken to ensure the other mage city-states would spare little energy towards investigating the practice of witchcraft—and so did their ploy work in their favor.The three city-states of mages destroyed one another upon enacting a Calamity... but the witches remained untouched by their war, protected by their cloak of secrecy. Though their kind was scattered and displaced by the Flood of the Sixth Astral Calamity, witchcraft was preserved, contained within passed-down grimoires and whispered words.

⸻ AS THE ERAS PASS ⸻

Following the Sixth Astral Calamity, witchcraft has remained a subtle practice, one that is not openly shared nor one that eagerly invites new members into its folds. Rather, it is a practice one must discover on their own, through which ever means they manage to do so. The difficulty in doing so is that witches are still bound by the curse of their predecessors, unable to speak of their practice without risk of their own life.

⸻ Spell Casting ⸻

Spellcasting is the ability to enact change and preside one's will over the course of events through the use of incantations, recitations, rituals, or manufacturing bewitched objects. A spell is, essentially, a magical formula initiated to produce a supernatural effect, thus consisting of a ritualistic action, a specific phrase of words or verses, the activation of a magical instrument, or any combination of these. A particularly advanced witch is capable of manifesting the results of a spell without resorting to incantations and rituals.

⸻ Bloodletting ⸻

As elaborated upon further in the "Tools" section, the act of bloodletting augments and amplifies the power of a witch's spell or ritual, particularly when the blood is acquired by sacrificial means.

⸻ Runes ⸻

Regardless of a witch's classification, all spells and rituals require the use of runes. These may be inscribed upon a surface, a vessel, an artifact, an accessory, or even the caster's skin, should such an act be necessary. Much like other mages may use a staff or codex, so too does a witch channel their magic through runes.

⸻ Witchtongue ⸻

Spells and incantations are recited in a language presently referred to as Witchtongue; alas, its original name was lost amidst the floodwaters of the Sixth Astral Calamity. As such, it is unclear what language from which it was originally derived, given its stark contrast in pronunciation to most Eorzean dialects.

♦ Familiars ♦

Familiars are living creatures to which a witch has bound themselves by weaving together their individual aether. The familiar acts as a witch's domestic companion, servant, and spy, able to perform feats that they normally would not be able to as a result of their connection to their master's magick. Most witches prefer familiars of a small, compact stature, as it allows for easier transportation and concealment.A witch is able to utilize their familiar in a variety of ways. Not only does the familiar serve as something of an attendant to the witch's practice of magick, but a familiar most commonly assists with acts of espionage. In a situation wherein the witch's presence might be questioned or thought of as suspicious, their familiar can easily serve as a conduit through which they can observe matters. This is most frequently done by channeling one's eyesight through the familiar; however, it comes with a price: while the witch's eyesight is being channeled, they are left blind and relatively defenseless in their own body.As familiars are bound to their witches, should their master die, so too will they, though it is unclear if this occurs due to the splitting of their shared aether or simply the agony of losing their closest companion.E'lithas's familiar, Blair, is an infant bat who he found abandoned within the attic of the cottage he purchased for himself in the Lavender Beds. After nursing her back to health, she pledged loyalty to him, and he bound them together as witch and familiar. She is a small, skittish thing, but also tremendously playful once she warms up to someone.

⸻ Distraction ⸻

Given the nature of their casting abilities, witches need the opportunity to concentrate on their spells with their full attention—should they be unable to do so, their spells may be rendered ineffective. As spells are spoken verbally and require a certain amount of time to take effect based on their complexity, the witch casting such a spell is left vulnerable until it is completed.

⸻ Containment Sigils ⸻

There exist certain sigils which can be utilized to contain a witch by neutralizing their magick, thus binding them in place. Knowledge of these sigils is few and far between, however; the most common is an Somtu Binding Sigil, but even that requires the collective power of a coven to maintain. Less common and more powerful sigils (ones possible to maintain as an individual) are carefully guarded and remain known only to a select few witches.

⸻ Physical Restriction ⸻

As witches require the ability to trace runes and speak a verbal incantation to utilize their magick, they may be prevented from doing so by restricting their hands through the use of restraints, as well as by gagging or otherwise silencing them. If one truly wishes to guarantee that a witch should be unable to cast any of their spells, the dismemberment of their hands or the removal of their tongue is recommended.

⸻ Preparation ⸻

The majority of complex spellwork requires ingredients, tools, and other components specific to the nature of that particular spell, as well as knowledge of the necessary incantation to invoke it. If a witch wishes to cast such a spell, they must carefully prepare beforehand. It is an anticipatory form of magick, requiring witches to "play the long game," always attempting to remain a step—or several—ahead of potential obstacles and enemies.

♦ SUMMONING CHARM

A simple charm, used to summon objects from a distance. An advanced variation of this charm may be used to summon individuals. It is unclear through which plane the subject in question travels during the summoning, even if briefly.

"Venire loc ata."

(Translation: Come to me.)

♦ SEVERING CHARM

Whether it be fabric, chain, shackles, or material of an organic nature, this charm is apt to release one from such bindings — quite a necessary spell for any witch to ensure they are never caught without the ability to cast.

"Somdu cau erotelile."

(Translation: Sever this binding.)

♦ A MANIFESTATION OF SPIDERS

Think of many small, insectile legs, skittering across one's tongue and spilling forth from one's throat without abandon. It's truly unpleasant to picture in one's imagination, isn't it? Now consider it actually happening to you.

"Vamou, vamou! Phe omvocus laresos vocan,
Qud latlunis om duq serotusin,
Phriu phe ontilic rilesos,
Al etelau s'nevuralom."

(Translation: Forth, forth! From unseen webs I call
That which scuttles in the dark
To pour from vile mouths
And manifest thine ill will.)