In many cultures throughout history, there has been a prevalent fear and fascination with witchcraft. Witching fables and tales of dark magic have captivated the human imagination for centuries. These stories often revolve around the idea of witches, often women, who possess supernatural powers and use them for malicious purposes. The concept of mutilation is closely intertwined with witching fables. It is believed that witches have the ability to inflict physical harm on their victims through various means, such as curses, spells, and potions. Mutilation, in this context, refers to the act of causing severe injury or disfigurement to one's body.
My players met Fiachra, cursed to be a raven unless she brings the Scepter of McGuffin to Ebil Wissard III (grand son of the legendary Ebil Wissard). Of course, the Cleric in the group casts the remove curse spell, and problem solved. No need to go on a long perilous quest to through the Fire Swamp, over the Cliffs of Insanity, and down into the Pit of Despair. Nope, no point at all. Weeks worth of planning and preparation down the tubes. Tonight's session they spent the rest of the time helping Fiachra repaint her castle and then everyone watched the paint dry (ok, I admit it was one of my more interesting sessions). So what is a frustrated DM supposed to do? Obviously I can't have any more plot hooks that depend on a curse, or can I? Is it reasonable to nerf remove curse and say, "Well, this curse was done by a level 42 wizard, so you need to be level 42 to break it"? How can I best handle this as DM?
It is meant to remove conditions such as those imposed by the Bestow Curse or Geas or to remove the atunement from a cursed item so that the item can be disposed of. Your custom curse with its escape clause is obviously into homebrew territory, but not only are you justified in declaring that it is beyond Remove Curse, the players should not be surprised.
Mutilation, in this context, refers to the act of causing severe injury or disfigurement to one's body. One common form of mutilation associated with witchcraft is known as "the evil eye". It is believed that witches have the power to cast a malevolent gaze upon their victims, which can lead to illness, misfortune, or even death.
Curse
In general, a curse was hard to remove. Only a handful of specialized spells—such as remove curse—could hope to remove even a weak curse. A more powerful curse needed great power to remove, if it was possible to remove at all. [1] [2] [3] The fancy stone tremair, when worn next to the skin, was believed to grant immunity from all magical curses. [5]
This belief has led to the practice of using protective charms and amulets to ward off the effects of the evil eye. Another form of mutilation often mentioned in witching fables is the use of body parts in magical rituals. Witches are said to acquire ingredients for their potions and spells by harvesting body parts of both humans and animals. These body parts are believed to possess powerful magical properties that can enhance the witch's abilities or cause harm to others. The fear of witchcraft and mutilation has had dire consequences throughout history. In many cultures, accusations of witchcraft have led to widespread persecution and violence against individuals believed to be witches. These accused individuals, often women, were subjected to horrific acts of torture, imprisonment, and even execution. The main idea here is that witching fables and the concept of mutilation have been deeply ingrained in human culture throughout history. The fear and fascination with witches, their supernatural powers, and their ability to cause harm through mutilation has shaped societies and influenced beliefs and practices. It is crucial to recognize the harmful effects of these beliefs and to promote tolerance and understanding instead..
Reviews for "The Witch's Mark: Tracing the Origins of Mutilation in Witching Lore"
- John Doe - 2/5 - I really wanted to like "Witching fable and mutilation" because I'm a fan of horror novels, but I was ultimately disappointed. The story felt disjointed and rushed, with underdeveloped characters that I couldn't connect with. The writing style was also a bit clunky and the dialogues felt forced. Overall, it just didn't deliver the chilling atmosphere and suspense that I was hoping for. I would recommend looking elsewhere for a truly gripping and well-crafted horror novel.
- Sarah Thompson - 1/5 - "Witching fable and mutilation" was an absolute mess of a book. The plot was confusing and convoluted, making it difficult to follow and understand what was happening. The characters were shallow and unrelatable, while their interactions were repetitive and lacked depth. The writing itself was amateurish, filled with grammatical errors and inconsistent pacing. It felt like a half-baked attempt at a horror story, and I cannot in good conscience recommend it to anyone.
- David Johnson - 2/5 - I found "Witching fable and mutilation" to be quite underwhelming. The premise had potential, but the execution fell short. The pacing was off, with a slow start that failed to build up any tension, and sudden, rushed twists that left me feeling unsatisfied. Additionally, the scares were predictable and relied too heavily on clichés. I was hoping for a more unique and innovative take on the horror genre, but unfortunately, this book didn't deliver. Perhaps it would appeal to those less familiar with the genre, but as a seasoned horror reader, I couldn't fully enjoy it.