#cat but it varies and neither of them even classify themselves as witches nor do they know were their abilities come from of course the girl | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

riddledeep · 5 years

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Fomorians and Witches

Disclaimer: I have taken more creative liberties with the Fomorians than with any other Irish and/or Celtic folklore mentioned in my fanfics; I do not claim to represent the Fomorians perfectly as they are portrayed in Irish folklore. I have drawn inspiration and used the name, but in order to include them in backstory ‘fics, I shifted their stories back a few million years, and associated their supernatural powers with the elements of the Fae zodiac. Thus, the stories about Fomorians exist, but they happened long, long ago and happened to members of the seven elemental species under the Fomorian umbrella.

I’ve described the Fomorians as an ancient supernatural race divided into seven tribes, each one based off an element on the Fae zodiac. Those who hold Zodii beliefs believe each of the zodiac spirits handmade one of the Fomorian tribes, while other fae believe any parallels to be simple coincidence and wishful thinking. The Fomorians are neither Aliens nor Fae. They are simply another class of powerful beings altogether, categorized as Dawnfolk alongside other notable races such as the Tuatha Dé Danann and the nature spirits.

Most witches are born from Fomorian x Alien unions, or from Fomorian x Angel unions. The only witches we see in the Riddleverse have Fomorian heritage, so this post will focus on that. If you’re curious, the Creature Directory (AKA, the list of possible witch parentage combinations) can be found HERE.

I’ve recently been questioning whether it was appropriate of me to adopt the term Fomorian and use it to encompass so many magical beings that aren’t connected with Irish folklore. I humbly apologize for any offense regarding my use of the term. I am working to be more thoughtful about the connections to folklore I draw upon. The term Fomorians has appeared in my fanfics only a few times and I do not plan to use it going forward. In fact, at a later date I may go back and replace it in my ‘fics with a different term; I am still trying to decide how best to approach the situation. Thank you for your patience.

WHAT IS A WITCH?

Officially, a witch is a being with one magical parent and one non-magical one (This excludes nature spirit x mortal combinations since they are known as demigods). Witches themselves are magical beings, and thus can produce more witches. Magic abilities vary between witches according to the race of their magical parent. As stated above, we will only discuss witches with Fomorian heritage in this post, as we will only see witches with Fomorian heritage in the Riddleverse.

Fomorian magic is sentient. It thinks, sleeps, has desires, and tries to obtain those desires if given the opportunity. Some people make little distinction between a Fomorian or witch and their magic, believing both to have the same mind- For example, that the user is greedy and constantly takes what it wants, or that the user is essentially a husk, and the magic has taken full control of the former owner’s body.

Magic is most powerful in the Fomorians themselves and is watered down with each successive witch generation. Fomorians vary despite sharing the title Fomorians. For example, genies obviously wield magic, and always seem to have full control over their powers. However, merfolk don’t seem to have any control over their powers at all; they are simply magical beings who can’t utilize magic, only reap its silent benefits.

CHARACTERISTICS

A magical parent will pass a third sex chromosome onto children they have with a non-magical individual. In humans, this results in magical variations of syndromes very similar to Triple X syndrome for girls (resulting in XXZ sex chromosomes) and Klinefelter syndrome for boys (XYZ sex chromosomes).

Because of this, witch heritage can only be passed down by the mother, as male witches are always sterile.

While exceptions can occur, these traits tend to be associated with witches:

MALES

Taller than average for their age

Reduced testosterone production leading to less facial and body hair, and the development of more feminine physical traits (Breast enlargement, wider hips, etc.)

Highly youthful and energetic even as they age

Sterility

“Witch’s hips” (Pelvic bones similar to snake vertebrae)

Increased risk of health problems

Much more likely to have black or blond hair than female witches (Sex-linked coloration, like male orange cats)

Frequently stereotyped as being overactive, annoying, and not too smart

FEMALES

Shorter than average for their age

Hands may appear more crooked / gnarled (Think stereotypical witch)

More reserved and less energetic than male witches

Early signs of wrinkles and graying hair

“Witch’s hips” (Pelvic bones similar to snake vertebrae)

Reduced risk of health problems

Much more likely to have brown or red hair than male witches (Sex-linked coloration, like female calico cats)

Frequently stereotyped as being clever, creative, and not too social

Witchhood is a separate concept from the actual Triple X and Klinefelter syndromes; many of the characteristics overlap, but those syndromes are real and witchhood is entirely a fanmade concept.

THE COLOR ORANGE

Except where merfolk are concerned, orange coloration is rare in the magical world. Finding a naturally orange magic user is like finding a shiny Pokémon. They don’t have any extra special powers. They just look a bit different, and those who are in the know might stop and stare.

If two orange Fairies or genies had a kid, and you would more likely than not get a baby who would be classified as either yellow or red. It’s not much more likely to breed an orange than it would be to breed two shiny Pokémon and expect another shiny.

As rare as natural orange coloration is in the Fairy and Fomorian populations, it’s even rarer among witches.

TRIBES

In the Riddleverse, there are seven snake-like magical races, each one tied to one of the seven elements. Because of this, the Fomorians are sometimes called “eelementals.”

A true Fomorian appears humanoid from the waist up and snake-like from the waist down in their natural state. Powerful magic allows them to alter their forms temporarily, so they can mimic the reproductive system of another creature (such as an alien or human), and successfully reproduce.

The seven tribes are as follows:

Succubi - The Love Tribe. Considered very beautiful, although their hands are birds’ claws and their lower halves flow as though made of silky cloth. Basically temptresses akin to sirens. Males are usually known as incubi, but are still considered part of the same race.

Witches of Succubus descent are highly empathetic and in tune with others, and can even read the thoughts of those they bond with, even from far away.

They have an affinity with snowy weather.

The stereotype is that they’re all flirty and highly promiscuous.

Genies - The Fire Tribe. The only wish-granters of the lot, and famous for being imprisoned in lamps that only non-magical creatures can release them from. Their lower halves are made of smoke.

Witches of Genie descent have the ability to rapidly create, alter, and destroy matter even on a large scale.

They have an affinity with clear, bright, sunny weather.

The stereotype is that they’re all cunning and claustrophobic.

Merfolk - The Water Tribe. This goes without saying. They dwell in oceans across many planets and their lower halves mimic those of fish. People in the magical world debate on whether Marrow are classified as Merfolk.

Witches of Merfolk descent have far-reaching senses that grant them extra awareness of their surroundings from a distance.

They have an affinity with rainy weather.

The stereotype is that they’re all narcissistic and grudge-holding.

Pressyne - The Sky Tribe. Technically, “Pressyne” is the name for the wife of King Elynas and the mother of Melusine, a woman of myth whose legs became a snake-like tail every Saturday. In my works, Pressyne are a whole species for worldbuilding purposes. Their tails resemble various types of clouds.

Witches of Pressyne descent have the ability to float.

They have an affinity with stormy weather, particularly when lightning is involved.

The stereotype is that they’re all flighty and ungrounded in reality.

Milesians - The Soil Tribe. Their lower halves are made of dirt, rock, sand, and/or clay. Material can vary depending on the planet they reside on.

Witches of Milesian descent have the ability to melt into the background, often becoming entirely invisible.

They have an affinity with hot, dry weather.

The stereotype is that they’re all stubborn and not very sociable.

Djanggawul - The Breath Tribe. Life-giving spirits of Australian myth. Their lower halves appear to be rainbow ribbons.

Witches of Djanggawul descent have powerful dreams, and can even tune into the dreams of others nearby.

They have an affinity with cool, cloudy, fresh weather.

The stereotype is that they’re all overly polite and charitable.

Cnemida - The Leaves Tribe. There isn’t an “actual” mythological creature known as a Cnemid. Cnemidophorus is the genus with several asexually-reproducing lizards in it. The Cnemida have lizard-like arms, though the scales can vary from being shoulder-down, elbow-down, or wrist-down depending on the individual. They tend to have grassy, flowery lower halves.

Witches of Cnemid descent tend to be highly spiritual, connecting strongly with nature and animals.

They have an affinity with warm, humid weather.

The stereotype is that they’re all judgmental and ultra-vegan.

CLASSIFICATIONS

Along with being descended from a certain Fomorian tribe, witches differ in the way they express their powers, bringing us to three classifications:

Commensalistic-Class (C-Class) - Witches with magic that can be actively manipulated by its host without much struggle. Most prominent in early-generation witches, since this is how raw Fomorian magic works. The host benefits in this relationship; the magic does not.

Mutualistic-Class (M-Class)- Witches with magic that activates of its own will to manipulate its surroundings, usually to benefit its host (Ex: Host is falling to their death, magic kicks in and helps them survive in one way or another). Most prominent after a few generations. Fomorian magic is so powerful that it seems to have a mind of its own. Both host and magic benefit in this relationship.

Parasitic-Class (P-Class)- Witches with magic that is parasitic and will eventually take control of the body of its host. Most prominent in witches far removed from the original Fomorian ancestor. If you can’t handle all that Fomorian magic, then all that Fomorian magic will handle you. The magic benefits in this relationship; the host does not.

These classifications are not described in my works in detail as they are not particularly relevant to what I write, but a few characters who are in the know occasionally toss around this vocabulary.

KNOWN WITCHES

Alden Bitterroot and the Crocker Family - The Crockers are Pressyne-descended and belong to the Sky tribe. Denzel is an M-Class witch whose powers result in his spazzing, floating tics; he can’t control himself there. Kevin is a C-Class witch; his powers are polite and don’t like to bother him... but they don’t really help him, either.

These powers, being sentient, have their own sleeping schedule. When both Kevin and his powers are awake, he can see “living memories” of people, objects, and animals in places where stinky magic has built up. If his powers are awake while he’s asleep, he might dream about past events he’s never witnessed.

Denzel doesn’t have this ability, as he got the floating. Kevin can jump, but not float; he gets the memory-viewing power instead. Mrs. Crocker can sense the emotions of her loved ones even from afar. Kevin’s mom can move at incredible speeds.

Happy Peppy Gary - Gary is Genie-descended and belongs to the Fire Tribe. He is an M-Class witch; he has moderate control over his powers. His powers can get restless at times, but normally he’s able to keep them in line. However, they become very excited around music and tend to cause trouble while in that state- during the song “Get Flappy” from the Musical, he created multiple clones of himself. That’s one of his witch powers.

Gary is the only orange witch documented in fae history, which makes him a (small) celebrity in the cloudlands. He is six generations removed from his Fomorian ancestor, which means his magic is more powerful than Elmer’s and most of the Crockers’. More difficult to control, too. Because of his Genie heritage, Gary also has the ability to temporarily transfer his powers to someone he exchanges body fluids with. In Pink and Gray, H.P. and Sanderson are constantly pushing him to kiss Betty for this reason.

Elmer - Elmer is Genie-descended and belongs to the Fire Tribe too. He is a P-Class witch; his magic is parasitic and has taken the form of Bob the boil. The older he gets, the more Elmer wrestles for control of his body with the sentient magic he’s suppressing. All the magic in Elmer’s family is rather primal by nature with little on their minds except overtaking their hosts and living however they please.

(Side note - the boils appear due to magical build-up and stress. Elmer’s mom is the witch and she spread magic - i.e. the boil - to her husband by being regularly intimate with him. If she stopped for a long time, his boil would fade because he’s not a magical being and can’t sustain it.)

Elmer’s boil appeared at a young age due to stress as he tried and failed to catch Timmy’s attention. That’s my explanation for why he didn’t have it in “It’s a Wishful Life” when Timmy wished he’d never been born (even though I don’t consider that episode canon anyway).

Elmer’s powers are fairly dangerous since Bob actively plots world domination. Elmer has a plot arc in the ‘fic Along the Cherry Lane that focuses on his struggle with Bob as the years go by.

Some relatives of the above characters are also witches, but these are our only notable witch characters.

#RD worldbuilding #RD Denzel #RD Kevin #RD Gary #RD Elmer

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