The Witches of Skjoldenhjold [Chapter I]

[Diogen 3729]

 

 

Spoiler

This book and its contents can only be accessed if given the respective item through valid roleplay.
 

 

♫       ♪       ♬
 

The Witches of Skjoldenhjold: Chapter I

Written by Rheya S.

 

 

“Grim and frost-forged, she reigns from the heart of winter’s abyss. Under her rule, the witches rise, unbound and unrelenting, sweeping through the lands like a storm of vengeance and power.”
 

 

Despite the little information known about the Witches of Frost, this book aims to gather all current-known knowledge about the current generation of those that roam within Aevos.
 

It is worth mentioning that the knowledge available on the current-known ranks of the Witches were recovered from their ‘bible’, left behind by a slain witch.

 

What is generally known of the Frost Witches?

 

Tales across cultures speak of countless mythical beings, often depicted as enchanting and enigmatic women. Women, who were capable of deceit. Their gestures, their words, their smiles, almost too perfect. They struck as viciously as their words, capable of shattering the strongest of men, always caught within a horribly unfavorable scenario. Orchestrated by the Witch herself.

 

Yet men, despite them fueling the very existence of a Witch, are not the sole victims of such an irredeemably evil creature. For the women with the most broken of minds, and coldest of hearts, too fell under the spell of the Witch’s beguiling, serpent-like whispers. An almost hypnotic persuasion, records claim.

 

Among these, the Fjarriagua stand out, though what many have failed to realize for generations is that many of these legends are, in fact, varying representations of the frost witches across different societies.

 

The Witches of Frost are voracious entities, their behavior and mindset shaped by the influence of their individual covens. They wield their voices to craft powerful songs imbued with magic, capable of controlling ice and snow or casting malevolent curses.

 

But one remaining coven remained prosperous for many Saint’s years. One, that shifted the very way that the Witches behaved, hunted.

 

What were once beings of pure deception, hidden from the gaze of the living, have now transformed into monstrous forces. No longer content with secrecy, they ride forth like maddened frost-bound marauders, ravaging nations and leaving destruction in their wake, all under the iron rule of a new Witch Queen, leading to their current Golden Age.

 

 

SKJOLDENHJOLD

The Northern Fortress

 

 

 

The infamous name of the fortress that now serves as the dark seat of power for the Witches. Within its walls, a ruthless monarchy reigns, led by the tyrant Naele. Under her oppressive rule, the once elusive witches have become a militaristic force, possessing legions of infernal demons and warlocks.

 

Frost Matriarch

Naele

 

 

In the hidden echelons of the cult, the Frost Matriarch stands as a formidable figure, the ultimate authority over both unholy rituals and worldly operations. Esteemed by the Frost Witches as a guiding force, they blend the roles of spiritual sage and strategic leader.

 

While the rest of the cult adheres to a ritualistic dress code, the Sovereign revels in their unique sartorial freedom. Whether choosing robes interwoven with mystical symbols or mantles crafted from the skins of ice-borne creatures, their attire is a deliberate manifestation of their unequaled standing within the order.

 

The signature emblem of the Sovereign remains constant: a circlet, wrought from materials like silver or obsidian, cradling a gem at its center. This is not a mere jewel, but an eternal fragment of ice, extracted from the depths of an age-old glacier. Ensorcelled to remain forever frozen.

 

Abbess

 

 

Directly beneath the Frost Matriarch, the Abbesses serve as the spiritual caretakers and doctrinal enforcers of the cult. Usually ascending from Motherhood, they are also occasionally drawn from the Fjarriagua, if proven competent in their spiritual and administrative prowess. As the innermost advisors to the Frost Matriarch, these Abbesses are the preeminent Mothers and Witches within the order, each holding sway over a specific sect and entrusted with its teachings, rituals, and disciplinary measures.

 

Their attire is no less significant than their role. Draped in an imposing Habit that obscures them from head to toe, they exude an air of solemn authority. This ceremonial garb may be embroidered with elaborate patterns, each thread and motif capturing the interconnected natures of the Witches, Mothers, and Jokul—key pillars of the cult's theology. The Guimpe, a cloth covering the neck and shoulders, is particularly distinguished: it often features intricate embroidery or designs that mimic patterns of frost, underlining the Abbess's alignment with the wintry elements they revere.

 

Whether it's the crafting of spiritual rituals or the administration of esoteric teachings, the Abbesses function as the bedrock of the Frost Matriarch’s reign, vital in maintaining the order and spiritual coherence of the enigmatic sisterhood. Their garments, embroidered with symbolic artistry, serve not merely as uniform but as a tangible emblem of their elevated standing, and their critical role in the harmonious fusion of the coven’s multiple spiritual dimensions.

 

Nun

 

 

Devoted adherents to the dark and the spiritual, Nuns serve as the backbone of the coven’s daily operations. Exclusively hailing from the Fjarriagua, these holy women enact the coven’s rituals, guide fledgling members on their journeys, and support the Abbesses in their manifold responsibilities.

 

Their attire, while less ostentatious than that of the Abbesses, remains rich in symbolism and purpose. Forsaking the full cloak worn by their superiors, Nuns are clad in a traditional Habit. The garment's individual elements—the veil, bandeau, coif, and dress—stand out prominently, each contributing to their somber yet purposeful appearance. But unlike a traditional Nun, such pieces of cloth are generally draped around a full plate. A true blend of militaristic values and faith.

 

In lieu of a crucifix or rosary, which would be customary in other religious orders, a shard of ice or a specific cult emblem dangles from their waist. These icy tokens are not mere ornamentation; they serve as a spiritual conduit, drawing upon the cold elemental forces that the coven reveres.

 

Whether involved in ritualistic duties, disseminating teachings to novices, or assisting their spiritual leaders, the Nuns represent the living embodiment of the coven’s faith.

 

Naele’s Chosen

 

 

Witches, or Witches-to-be brought into the fold. Militaristic in appearance, yet retaining aspects of the faith of their sisterhood.

 

Their attire offers two distinct options, each infused with its own set of significances. Yet whatever it is they choose, such would be draped around a set of armor worn on their person.

 

The first is a straightforward robe, unadorned yet purposeful, cinched at the waist with a tie belt. From this belt dangles either a shard of icicle or the coven’s own emblem, serving as an initial bond to the elemental forces or spiritual tenets they aspire to understand.

 

The second choice is more elaborate, featuring garments in hues revered by the cult—perhaps colors that echo the icy landscapes or celestial entities worshiped by the order. Complementing this ensemble is a special mask, which might either capture the cold, unyielding features of the tyrant they venerate, or illustrate the raw elemental forces that define their lineage and potential roles within the cult.

 

Whether donned in the simpler robe or the more elaborate garb, the attire of the Chosen is designed not just as clothing but as a rite of passage.

 

Whispered Acolyte

 

 

At the cult's outermost edge dwell the Whispered Acolytes, newcomers whose commitment to the order's mysteries is yet to undergo the crucible of testing. Drawn solely from the Jokul, these aspirants find themselves at the foundation of a rigorous spiritual and unholy training regimen, designed to prepare them for the next stage in their journey: ascending to the status of a Chosen.

 

Their attire is as elemental as their rank, consisting of simple robes devoid of the complex embroideries or mystical symbols that grace the garments of the more advanced members. This sartorial simplicity serves a dual purpose: it underscores their embryonic status within the cult, while also constantly reminding them of the profound journey that lies ahead, replete with challenges and revelations.

 

The attire of the Whispered Acolytes serves not merely as a uniform but as a physical manifestation of their foundational place within the cult's hierarchical tapestry. In this way, each level of the order's structure, as represented by the varying complexity of its attire, functions as both a mirror and a roadmap.

 

What truly is the faith of the Witches?

 

The original verdict on the Fjarriagua’s current faith is generally known to be Ibleesian, yet some knowledgeable sources seem to contest such a claim, believing them to rather follow a sect derived from Iblees. That of a long-gone Lieutenant of the High Hells, hence their now-militaristic approach to growth in the coven.

 

An approach of rapid growth, through the relentless attacks upon Descendantkind, to dig their claws into societies, only to then subjugate them into their new footsoldiers. Granting them, in turn, a large set of numbers and influence.

 

Author’s note:
 

While the information granted in this book is limited, I aim to write a second chapter to it, once more (accurate) information is brought to light.








OOC Credits:
 

Spoiler

 

Myself - Writing
Songwitch - Snippets of an old culture book