Malleus Maleficarum [Puritans, Supernaturals, Witchcraft and more! | LGBTQIA+]

[Faustus]

Do you believe that there are Hunters in other cultures? Say, if I wanted to play a Hunter of Chinese descent that was purchased as a slave to a wealthy puritan that is trained in Asian defensive and offensive arts instead of those taught by the church would that be okay?

Yes, that would be totally neat to see played! Mind, the religious-culture clash would exist between the Hunter and the Puritans because of their personal stances, but they certainly won't be turning away assistance from anyone brave enough to fight the Woods.

In fact, I would really love to see multiple cultures and religions represented in the Hunters -- see how each group handles things a bit differently.


As for part two...

Also: do white witches only know healing and protective magic, or are white and green witches able to study forms of magic that could be used as self-defense in case they are attacked by black witches?

White Witches and Green are aware of offensive forms of magick -- like what the Black Witches use -- but choose to ignore them unless necessary. Each of the styles of Witches could be considered a "path of life," really. They have chosen which route to take and walk, but understand the basics of one another's other styles.

Having said this, a White Witch will never be able to use some of the more powerful forms of Black Magick that a Black Witch could and would never form a pact with a Demon. A pact with a holy-type of creature? Sure. But not a Demon.


These were excellent questions, thank you! I'm going to add versions of them to the FAQ for easy reference, if you don't mind~ 

[Vael the Destroyer]

Yay! Cuz the Hunter character I have in mind is quite a bit different than the Church-going, Bible-thumping puritan out for thrills deep in the woods.

White Witches and Green are aware of offensive forms of magick -- like what the Black Witches use -- but choose to ignore them unless necessary. Each of the styles of Witches could be considered a "path of life," really. They have chosen which route to take and walk, but understand the basics of one another's other styles.

Having said this, a White Witch will never be able to use some of the more powerful forms of Black Magick that a Black Witch could and would never form a pact with a Demon. A pact with a holy-type of creature? Sure. But not a Demon.

I am assuming that there could be forms of White and Green magic that are offensive instead of Black magic though, correct? And their magic could be strengthened by making pacts with Angels, nature spirits, and other powerful, spiritual beings of light, correct?

[WhatLiesAbove]

Should we post character sheets here! Or mail them to you?

[Faustus]

Should we post character sheets here! Or mail them to you?

WIPs can be posted here. Completed sheets you can PM to me and I'll be able to approve them when I get home tonight. I'll start an Accepted Characters thread then too.



@Symph: Right. I'm leaving a lot of the magical design a little open, but if anyone wants more specific ideas I can create a sort-of Magic Spellbook to give better ideas of what I have in mind?

And you're right on the pacts thing too!

[Kuroneko]

Take your time and enjoy the process~ Let me know if you need a Faceclaim reserved too.

I haven't completely decided male or female yet, but I'm going to grab Billy Wirth as a faceclaim just to make sure he doesn't get nabbed by anyone else

[Vael the Destroyer]

@Symph: Right. I'm leaving a lot of the magical design a little open, but if anyone wants more specific ideas I can create a sort-of Magic Spellbook to give better ideas of what I have in mind?

And you're right on the pacts thing too!

Awesome sauce! I am tremendously excited.

[Captain Whitebread]

Colour me interested

Gabriel Obadiah Wood - Puritan Hunter who is unshakable in his faith that he walks at the right hand of God and any who question him also questions the divine will.

Devout.

Celibate.

Impotent.

One of the most hateful and evil men to ever walk the earth.  He's denied his sexuality for so long that it has pretty much shriveled up and died but not before twisting him into a sexual sadist who blames others for his lust and punishes them savagely.  His solution to any problem is terrifyingly simple.  If the forest is the source of evil, cut it down.  The wood can be used to build houses and cook food.  It doesn't matter that any evil still in the wood will work its way into those who live within those walls or eat that food.  He will learn your secrets and he will punish you for them.

(Permission given in advance for anyone to try and murder him.  God help you if your plan isn't good enough to finish the job....)


And at the opposite end of the spectrum  Micah David Smith, a priest who has questioned his vows and is feeling horribly guilty because he has feelings for a native woman and through her has discovered that he has the power of a white warlock.  She is a temptation he is trying hard to resist but his faith is not the bastion the once thought it was......

All of this is assuming I can clear a few other unmoving RPs off my list.

[WhatLiesAbove]

 Here's a question!

While working out the character sheet, and doing research, I've come to learn that people of the First Nations didn't actually HAVE surnames. Wasn't until they were placed on reservations that they were given the option. Is that going to be a problem going into this game? If not, then cool. Below is the beginning work of my CS.

Aiyana

Player Username: Aiyana
Player Preferences: Have no issues playing opposite any characters for any reason, regardless of who the player is.
Character Status: Trial

In the Deep Dark. . .
Full Character Name: Aiyana
Alias and Nicknames: Ai, Yaya (term of endearment used by close friends)
Age and Birthdate: February 12, 1621 (Age 18)
Identified Gender: CIS-female
Country of Origin: The Area now known by settlers as "Massachusetts"
Occupation: Craftswoman/hunter

Only the mirror knows. . .
Character Type: Wampanoag
Height: 5'5"
Hair: Black hair, typically left loose to cascade about her features.
Eyes: Brown
Body Type: Slender, but exceptionally curvy
Piercings or Tattoos? (Does your character have any piercings or tattoos on their body? If so, what are they? Where are they? While not required, something to think about might be why your character got them. Remember the sort of tattoos that would be obtained in the 1600s.)
Other Physical Characteristics: (Does your character have any other physical characteristics that should be noted? Do they have any noticeable scars? How did they get them? Do they have freckles? Does the faceclaim you have used for your character differ in any other way from what you picture in your head that should be noted? [For instance, does your character have a crooked nose in your head, but your faceclaim has a perfect nose? Note that here!])
Faceclaim: Ashley Callingbull

Dig a little Deeper. . .
Personality
(The most critical aspect of a human being. Maybe. Who knows? What you should consider for this section is who your character is. Think about how you can describe this to someone else. You should strive for at least one good, solid paragraph describing your character's personality.)

History
(A novella isn't required here, but again we are looking for a few good paragraphs describing how your character has gotten to where they are now. Where did they come from? How have they progressed? Now is a good chance to explore what has made your character into the person they are. Enjoy yourself and have fun!)

Sins of the Flesh. . .
Sexuality: (What is your character's sexuality? Heterosexual? Homosexual? Asexual? Pan? Grey? Something else? Can't identify? Sexuality is a broad and complex thing to approach, so feel free to explain in detail.)

Are you willing to allow your character to participate in non-consensual acts? (Please confirm for us if you are willing to either have your character receive a non-consenting act or instigate this. You absolutely may reserve the right to say “No” and this will, at all times, be abided by.)

Anything Else? (Is there anything that we have forgotten? Please feel free to add that here.)


Developing Relationships. . .
(Chances are, this section will not be applicable to your application in the beginning and should only be used as a placeholder. As you progress through the game, your character will meet others, develop friendships, rivalries, enemies, and maybe even a steady love life. This section may be used to keep those sorted! We suggest updating periodically. However, if your character comes in with a pre-set relationship [such as a sibling, friendship, etc] you can note this from the start. Detail as much, or as little, as you desire over the course of the game.)

[Faustus]

Fly-By Response (I'll be answering questions and PMs in a few hours when I'm home from D&D) regarding surnames -- It's fine for characters to NOT have a Surname if they are from a religion/culture/etc where one may not exist.

[Faustus]

I haven't completely decided male or female yet, but I'm going to grab Billy Wirth as a faceclaim just to make sure he doesn't get nabbed by anyone else

Added to the Reserved list for you!



@Captain Whitebread

Oooohh, these are lovely ideas! I rather like Gabriel's intense approach to the Woods, and Micah sounds absolutely tragic in such a good way. <3



Just so everyone knows as a whole -- Tomorrow morning when I'm up I will be constructing a Accepted Characters thread for those who have submitted Character Sheets, an OOC, and I'll also create a rough "spellbook" of sorts to reference when working with your Witches and their magic so you have a general idea of what I have in my mind. It's all pretty up-for-interpretation and modification, so it is far from set-in-stone, and can be worked to suit.

[Captain Whitebread]

Thank you.

I've been trying to find a way to explore my dark side.  Gabriel sounds like a great way to do so.  He's pretty much designed to be one of those 'pillar of the community' types that everyone secretly hates and fears but no one is willing to stand up to because the wield so much power and authority.

Micah is just for fun.

I'll likely have their character sheets up by the end of the weekend.

[Faustus]

Gabriel definitely sounds like he is going to fit that bill pretty good, and should run into his own clashes with some of the other pillars in the community that might not feel as strongly as he does. I love it.

I look forward to seeing the character sheets when you're done!

[Kuroneko]

Added to the Reserved list for you!

Thank you

[Faustus]

Good morning, MM! We now have Accepted Characters and Out of Character threads for everyone! Promised "Spellbook" is in progress as well~

[Caela]

Faustus, you come up with some truly intriguiging ideas!

I've got two super basic ideas in my head. One would be a werecat of some form (need to look up common wildcats in Mass.) and the other is a Puritan girl chaffing against the strictures of her own society and envious of the freedom that the Native women seem to have in their own.  This could totally change with a bit of research lol.  Just the first ideas that popped into my head.

[Faustus]

Faustus, you come up with some truly intriguiging ideas!

I've got two super basic ideas in my head. One would be a werecat of some form (need to look up common wildcats in Mass.) and the other is a Puritan girl chaffing against the strictures of her own society and envious of the freedom that the Native women seem to have in their own.  This could totally change with a bit of research lol.  Just the first ideas that popped into my head.

We could definitely do for those ideas, Caela! I know we don't have as much interest in the Puritans, so more are always welcome, but werecat yes good! These are already lovely, I must say~

If you need any help with digging around, I'll be thrilled to get on it. <3

[Caela]

LOVE the Audrey gif!

Glad you like the bare bones ideas I tossed out. I'll work on CS's over the next couple days while I'm trapped at work lol and will definitely as for help if I get stumped.

[Caela]

WIP

Runa Ragnadottir

Player Username: Caela
Player Preferences: I'm open to writing with anyone as long as everyone is having fun and is respectful of each other.
Character Status: Trial

In the Deep Dark. . .
Full Character Name: Runa Ragnadottir
Alias and Nicknames: Called "Kitten" only by her Mother
Age and Birthdate: 260 | February 12, 1379 (appears late 20's-mid 30's)
Identified Gender: CIS-Female
Country of Origin: North America
Occupation: Hunter (for actual animals not Supernaturals)/ Fur Trader with the Wampanoag

Only the mirror knows. . .
Character Type: WereCougar
Height: 5'11
Hair: Chestnut brown and falling to her waist in loose waves when not bound in a tight braid
Eyes: Human:Typically a pale blue to steely grey depending on her mood **Note: The more pronounced the grey, the more likely she is to resort to sudden outbursts of violence, but a shift toward an icy blue indicates a cold fury that will wait its time to be unleashed
Eyes: Cougar: A mix of green and gold. **Note: If her eyes flash to green in her human form her cougar is near the surface of her emotions or she is about to shapechange
Body Type: Statuesque/Athletic
Piercings or Tattoos? Rarely seen, Runa has a tattoo of a cougar racing up her spine in bold, black strokes that almost seem to actually sit above the paleness of her skin
Other Physical Characteristics: Runa has a series of claw marks on the back of each of her arms, four stripes, the two in the middle more pronounced that the two on the sides. If one doesn't look closely it's easy to assume she was attacked but a second look reveals that the markings line up precisely and there is no jaggedness or tearing, as if the animal deliberately marked her that way.
Faceclaim: Jaimie Alexander

Dig a little Deeper. . .
Personality: Grounded is the first word that comes to mind when meeting Runa. She is a woman with a strong sense of herself and her place in her world. It's easy to use words like steadfast and trustworthy and to come to the conclusion that she is a stoic, maybe even cold woman, but this is just the face she presents to an often changing, and sometimes trecherous, world. Under the surface is a kind, fierce, and passionate heart.

While she is sure of herself and honest in her dealings with others, Runa, also knows how to keep, and use, secrets when necessary. She's never pleased when she feels she has to manipulate others but if it's for the safety of those she calls her own she'd seek to manipulate Loki himself. Though if it comes to protecting those she loves, she is quicker to seek her bow, her sword, or the use of teeth and claws, than manipulation. She doesn't flinch to spill the blood of those that prove themselves her enemies.

History: Runa's, great-grandfathers had been among of the many waves of Vikings that had sailed from Greenland to North America, and tried to settle, on the Eastern shores of what would, eventually, become Canada. While those settlements didn't last, not all of the Vikings who landed on those shores were killed by the natives they encountered. Some were folded into the various tribes they met and her ancestors were some of those. What her great-gradparents hadn't known at the time was that the small band they encountered weren't "normal" even among the natives. It was a small group of WereCougars whose numbers had been dwindling due to generations of isolation and in-breeding. They saw in the pale Warriors who came to their land a chance to add strength to their blood and numbers to their band. Those that stayed with the small band interbred with them, some children breeding true to the bands heritage and being shifters and others being simply human.

Those children who looked Native in appearance were, typically, given Native names while those that took after their Viking heritage were given Viking names. If a child seemed to mix the best of both sides of their heritage they were often given a combination name. It was one way that the band attempted to fold the newcomers into their way of life. While the Natives taught the Vikings how to survive and live off their land, the Vikings taught them how to wield swords and new ways of hunting and trapping. It was a partnership that blended the best of both worlds until something new was formed.

Always small, they moved often, not wanting to stay in one place to long because the local tribes would start to notice that members of their small band seemed not to age, or to age very slowly as was truy the case. Even those who lived closest to the Earth could be spooked when those they called friend never showed so much as a frown line while others became wisened with age. They found it best not to remain in any one place for more than a decade, perhaps 15 years, before moving on and finding new lands to settle, new tribes to become friendly with. It was a semi-nomadic way of life that suited Runa well. She liked the change, the chance to see new places, meet new people, learn new skills that they had to teach.

Many of they tribes they encountered found it odd that a woman was a hunter, but Runa's skill with a bow, and her ability to track, even through the densest foilage or dampest weather (it helped that even in human form her sense of smell and eyesight far outstripped even the most talented human) made her such a natural that no tribe they'd encountered had commented on it for long. She increased the yield of meat and furs brought into any village they stayed near, though her band itself preferred to actually stay deeper in the woods and not actually within the villages themselves, and trade was always good.

This was how they had met the Wampanoag. Her small band had moved on from their last home and been pushing south. Most has stopped for the evening but with some light still shining through the forest, and a restless beating in her heart, she'd taken her bow and gone in search of fresh meat. She'd smelled deer as they'd traveled but hadn't been certain she'd have time to hunt. She suspected their Chief had paused early for the night so that their hunters could provide just that. The children would lay out lines to catch small game, rabbits, squirrels, perhaps some fat birds to roast, but Runa and four others took up bows to go and seek out larger game. They just brought down a large buck when a group of hunters from the Wampanoag village came upon them. They'd shared the kill and the hunters from the village had agreed to speak with their own Chief about allowing the band to remain and share hunting grounds with them.

This was the year before the European settlers would come and Runa's pale skin and eyes had been quite an exotic sight to the Native's eyes.

With the arrival of the Europeans, however, the band considered leaving. These strangers, with their dower clothing and strange ways seemed frightened and angered by anything not like them and the band's combination of Native and Viking was definitely not like them, but they chose, instead, to simply move deeper into the forest and avoid them the best they could. The land was plentiful enough to support everyone...even if the strange settlers didn't know that the bad was there. Life was good so long as they were avoided...


Sins of the Flesh. . .
Sexuality: Heterosexual

Are you willing to allow your character to participate in non-consensual acts? Totally negotiable if it works with the storyline.

Anything Else? I'm pretty open about negotiating scenes so long as they make sense for the characters and move the storyline forward

Developing Relationships. . .

Eastern Cougar/Puma images

   

WIP

Esther McDougal

Player Username: Caela
Player Preferences: None...I'll play with anyone as long as we're all having fun and being respectful of each other.
Character Status: Trial

In the Deep Dark. . .
Full Character Name: Esther Hannah McDougal
Alias and Nicknames: None
Age and Birthdate: 18 | August 22, 1621
Identified Gender: CIS-Female
Country of Origin: Scotland but feels more at home in America
Occupation: Apprentice Seamstress

Only the mirror knows. . .
Character Type: Puritan | Human
Height: 5'4
Hair: Straight red hair that is usually kept under a covering except when at home. Loose it falls nearly to her hips.
Eyes: A vibrant blue.
Body Type: Trim but soft, with gentle curves that are mostly hidden under her Puritan gowns.
Piercings or Tattoos? None
Other Physical Characteristics:
Faceclaim: Molly Quinn

Dig a little Deeper. . .
Personality
Esther is young and has the exuberance and brashness that comes with use but it is tempered by kindness, generosity, and wisdom taught to her by a kind and gentle, though demanding, mother. She views the world through the gaze of a young woman wanting it to be a better place, but uncertain of just what "better" would be. She is forthright, trustworthy, and slightly naive, due to lack of life experience, but under the sweetness there is a core of steel that promises that the woman the young lady will grow into will be formidable in her own right.

Under the sweetness of a, seemingly, perfect young Puritan woman however, is a growing level of resentment and bitterness over thr strictures her life places upon her when all she wants is the freedom to choose her own path for herself.

History
Born in Scotland, Esther was only 7 when her parent packed up what they had and borded a ship for the new world. She turned 8 on that voyage and has been in America longer than she ever lived in Scotland, most of her memories and experiences have happened in Magna Anglia and she considers it her home far more than Scotland ever was.

The voyage to Magna Anglia wasn't a pleasant one. Esther suffered from excruciating sea sickness almost the entire trip, but what was worse, was that, during a storm that came up and lasted for days, her father was swept overboard and lost at sea. Sick in body, and in heart she cried for days, clinging to her mother and, silently, railing in her young way against a God that would take her father away from them. She never spoke those words aloud, however, even then she knew better than to say some things where others could hear.

Only in the establishment of their colony did she, eventually, realize that the loss of her father, could have a silver lining for her mother and herself. As a widow, her mother had more rights than she would have as nothing more than a wife. She was allowed to establish her own business (establishing herself as a seamstress for the growing colony) and own their home in her own right. The first few years were difficult and Esther found herself working for her mother as a sort of unofficial apprentice but she actually enjoyed the work. Her favorites were when women she knew wanted her to help add special embroidery to their best dresses to decorate them for their weddings but she learned to do everything from spinning the thread they used, to learning to dye fabrics, to learning to sew clothing as well.

Their skills with a needle and thread ensured that Esther and her mother were never a burden on their growing colony.

Despite the greater freedom that they had because of her mother's status as a widow (and her good reputation as a duitiful wife before that) Esther's life was also even more restricted in some ways. Her mother worked hard to ensure that their reputation in Magna Anglia was above reproach which meant that, at times (especially in a public setting) she was even more stern with Esther than many other mothers would have been with their children. As she grew, Esther chaffed at the discipline even when she understood the necessity and she did her very best to at least appear to be the perfect child when they were where others could see them. While she smiled demurely and spoke quietly and respectfully there were times that all she wanted to do was scream and felt as if the village itself was closing in around her.

The only time she felt even remotely at ease within herself were on the weekly trips her mother allowed her outside of the village to go and pick flowers and root vegetables to be used for making the dyes they used for their threads and the garments they made. Even these didn't put her entirely at ease as a chaperone was required so she was never actually alone, but the chance to get away from the village at all wasn't one she was going to turn down.

What she never mentioned, to anyone, ever, was that she, sometimes, on those trips would catch glimpses of the Natives she knew lived in the area as well and those brief glimpses of their women (often smiling and laughing and clearly not under the watchful gaze of anyone trying to curtail their activity) filled her with a longing and jealousy that she didn't entirely understand. She wanted what they seemed to have but had no idea how to attain it.

Sins of the Flesh. . .
Sexuality: Heterosexual...virgin

Are you willing to allow your character to participate in non-consensual acts? Possibly if it forwards the storyline but it would need to be closely negotiated.

Anything Else?


Developing Relationships. . .

[Vael the Destroyer]

Random question: do you believe that it will be more acceptable to be LGBTQIA+ in a coven than it is in Puritan society?

[Faustus]

Random question: do you believe that it will be more acceptable to be LGBTQIA+ in a coven than it is in Puritan society?

I think, in general, yes it definitely would be? The Covens are already made up of people that would be outcasted by Puritan society, so why would they behave like those that would faster burn them at the stake than welcome them?

But, in many of the Covens -- especially more neutral-ground ones or White Covens -- there is no particular form of religion that the members must indoctrinate themselves into. They could very well be practicing Christians (for example) but still Witches in a nice Coven. The individual people themselves may not approve of LGBTQIA+ relationships due to their religious beliefs, but they would not discriminate within the Coven either.

Basically -- yeah, it's definitely going to be more acceptable and at least ignored in a Coven than in Puritan society. Individuals will still have their own biases, but won't actively be a jerk about it.

[Kuroneko]

Caela! *huggles*

[Vael the Destroyer]

That is some awesome sauce. A little slice of heaven in a time period of hell.

[Captain My Captain]

Hello all! I found a very inspiring image that may serve as inspiration for a potential character. I found it while looking for paranormal creatures in Native American society. It was related to the Ghost Witch.

[Caela]

Caela! *huggles*

Kuro! How goes it lady? -hugs- Ready to being in the new year?

[Faustus]

Are these rivers deep enough for a mermaid to get around in? Asking for a friend. Who is a mermaid.

Most definitely. In some places it may be a little too shallow for her personal comfort, but those are mostly side channels and springs I doubt she would go into anyway.