My next book out for Pathfinder is now out!
Strange Brew: Book of Shadows
From the blurb:
Legends say that witches keep their spells inscribed into a Book of Shadows that holds their accumulated wisdom and power.
Here, in Strange Brew: Book of Shadows, you’ll find magic drawn from real-world legends, mythology, and folktales, as well as pure flights of fancy. Within Strange Brew: Books of Shadows, you will find over 100 spells and a half-dozen rituals, enough to delight your characters, bedevil your foes, and make your witch (or other spellcaster, whether arcane or divine) a formidable opponent.
Witches are magical creatures.
All for your Pathfinder Role-Playing Game!
50 pages, full color.
Again. Special thanks to +Rich Howard and +Robert Hudson for helping me get this together. And of course my editor/publisher +Christina Stiles The cover art is by +Jacob Blackmon, whom I have featured here many times.
Showing posts with label uw&w. Show all posts
Showing posts with label uw&w. Show all posts
Monday, December 5, 2016
Thursday, December 1, 2016
Pathfinder Strange Brew: Book of Shadows
My next book out for Pathfinder now has a cover!
Part of the Strange Brew line from Misfit Studios this book contains a few hundred spells for the Witch class (and others) for the Pathfinder game.
Special thanks to +Rich Howard and +Robert Hudson for helping me get this together. And of course my editor/publisher +Christina Stiles. The cover art is by +Jacob Blackmon whom I have featured here many times.
The character on the cover is my iconic half-elf witch Taryn. Here she is seen casting the spell "Moonbow".
Not exactly sure when it is hitting the shelves but I'll keep you all posted.
Part of the Strange Brew line from Misfit Studios this book contains a few hundred spells for the Witch class (and others) for the Pathfinder game.
Special thanks to +Rich Howard and +Robert Hudson for helping me get this together. And of course my editor/publisher +Christina Stiles. The cover art is by +Jacob Blackmon whom I have featured here many times.
The character on the cover is my iconic half-elf witch Taryn. Here she is seen casting the spell "Moonbow".
Not exactly sure when it is hitting the shelves but I'll keep you all posted.
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Strange Brew: Warlocks
I am interrupting this A to Z Challenge to talk about my newest book. The first part of "Strange Brew" is now out. This book features Warlocks for the Pathfinder game.
Strange Brew: Warlock
Power.
Sorcerers are born into it. Wizards spend their lives in rigorous study for it. Witches gain it through devotion to their patron. But some who seek power are unlucky enough to have been born mortal, with no access to or desire for arcane education; ordinary people who know little of witchcraft’s ancient traditions. Unlike witches, who are called by their patrons, warlocks seek out powerful beings to grant them the power they crave or desperately need.
That power can now be in your hands.
Included in these 30 pages is the new Warlock class for the Pathfinder RPG.
All for your Pathfinder Role-Playing Game!
Strange Brew: Warlock
Power.
Sorcerers are born into it. Wizards spend their lives in rigorous study for it. Witches gain it through devotion to their patron. But some who seek power are unlucky enough to have been born mortal, with no access to or desire for arcane education; ordinary people who know little of witchcraft’s ancient traditions. Unlike witches, who are called by their patrons, warlocks seek out powerful beings to grant them the power they crave or desperately need.
That power can now be in your hands.
Included in these 30 pages is the new Warlock class for the Pathfinder RPG.
- Also inside are new rules on Grimoires, the ancient and living texts of warlocks.
- Details on new warlock pacts, including unique powers and spells.
- Examples of several new warlock Patrons.
- New feats
- New hexes
- New spells
- And a new warlock NPC
All for your Pathfinder Role-Playing Game!
Friday, September 18, 2015
Kickstart Your Weekend: Strange Brew UPDATES
So for today's Kickstart Your Weekend I want to give an update on my own project Strange Brew.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/962794554/strange-brew-pathfinder-the-ultimate-witch-and-war/
So I am late. I am late though for the best of reasons. There is SO MUCH more material that I needed to go through.
I have material here that has never seen the light of day; either in any other publication or this blog. I have material that I have previewed here, I have stuff I have written in the past and am updating it and some of my favorite OGC and other content we have permisson to use.
All of this needs to updated to Pathfinder and made to work together. The spells alone are over 250 pages.
Right now I am working through the Witch themed Prestige Classes (something Pathfinder seriously lacks) and a few new witch-based hybrid classes. I need to give the witch archetypes one more look over and then I will be done.
I do apologize for the delay, but I don't want to give you anything less than the best I can do.
The art in the book is looking fantastic. I love how it is all coming together. I am going to be very proud of this book and I can't wait to share it with you all.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/962794554/strange-brew-pathfinder-the-ultimate-witch-and-war/
So I am late. I am late though for the best of reasons. There is SO MUCH more material that I needed to go through.
I have material here that has never seen the light of day; either in any other publication or this blog. I have material that I have previewed here, I have stuff I have written in the past and am updating it and some of my favorite OGC and other content we have permisson to use.
All of this needs to updated to Pathfinder and made to work together. The spells alone are over 250 pages.
Right now I am working through the Witch themed Prestige Classes (something Pathfinder seriously lacks) and a few new witch-based hybrid classes. I need to give the witch archetypes one more look over and then I will be done.
I do apologize for the delay, but I don't want to give you anything less than the best I can do.
The art in the book is looking fantastic. I love how it is all coming together. I am going to be very proud of this book and I can't wait to share it with you all.
Friday, February 6, 2015
Strange Brew: Art and Updates
Strange Brew is moving along. Not as fast as I would have liked, but it is getting there. Magic items are taking a lot longer than I anticipated.
But I do want to share a new piece of art from Jacob Blackmon.
My iconic Larina in flight.
I really love this one!
But I do want to share a new piece of art from Jacob Blackmon.
My iconic Larina in flight.
I really love this one!
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Strange Brew Updates
Thought I would spend some time today talking about Strange Brew.
For my part (the writing) I am moving along. Maybe not as fast as I would have liked, but 12+ years of playing around with this material has given me new perspectives.
For example last night I rewrote the Hermetic Mage Prestige Class to work a little better if your initial path to it was an Alchemist or an Oracle.
Today I am on track to finish up the magic items, though that might take longer depending work and how many pages it ends up.
The art is looking great and I love what I have seen so far. I have not seen the spells chapter in layout yet, but that is what is happening to it now.
So we are moving along. We had a team meeting a couple of weeks ago to see where all the departments are at and things are good.
I am really looking forward to getting this into your hands. It is going to be a massive volume.
For my part (the writing) I am moving along. Maybe not as fast as I would have liked, but 12+ years of playing around with this material has given me new perspectives.
For example last night I rewrote the Hermetic Mage Prestige Class to work a little better if your initial path to it was an Alchemist or an Oracle.
Today I am on track to finish up the magic items, though that might take longer depending work and how many pages it ends up.
The art is looking great and I love what I have seen so far. I have not seen the spells chapter in layout yet, but that is what is happening to it now.
So we are moving along. We had a team meeting a couple of weeks ago to see where all the departments are at and things are good.
I am really looking forward to getting this into your hands. It is going to be a massive volume.
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Strange Brew Updates
You may have noticed a drop in posts here over the last month and half or so.
That is because I am working diligently on Strange Brew.
So far the spells, feats and skills are all done. I should finish hexes in the next day or so.
I have completely re-worked my idea for witch traditions to play nicer with Pathfinder and I really like them a lot.
The Warlock class is done and we getting feedback from the backers now.
Still to do:
- Rework the base witch class just a little. Mostly some minor edits.
- Get the chapters on traditions, covens and patrons done.
When that is all done I will move on to the Castles & Crusades version. I am so excited about that one. I have so much I want to do with that. The trick now is to edit things down to our promised page count. Right now I am at 230% OVER page count.
I have other games on other burners too. Lots of new Victorian stuff for at least 3, maybe three, different systems.
It's good to be busy!
That is because I am working diligently on Strange Brew.
So far the spells, feats and skills are all done. I should finish hexes in the next day or so.
I have completely re-worked my idea for witch traditions to play nicer with Pathfinder and I really like them a lot.
The Warlock class is done and we getting feedback from the backers now.
Still to do:
- Rework the base witch class just a little. Mostly some minor edits.
- Get the chapters on traditions, covens and patrons done.
When that is all done I will move on to the Castles & Crusades version. I am so excited about that one. I have so much I want to do with that. The trick now is to edit things down to our promised page count. Right now I am at 230% OVER page count.
I have other games on other burners too. Lots of new Victorian stuff for at least 3, maybe three, different systems.
It's good to be busy!
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Interview / Round table Discussion at Aethercon
Here is a interview / round table discussion I did last month for AetherCon.
We spend a lot of time talking about Strange Brew but we talk for about an hour and half so we hit a lot of topics.
I really should have put a light on. It is kind of hard to see me.
So have a watch! Learn more about Strange Brew.
We spend a lot of time talking about Strange Brew but we talk for about an hour and half so we hit a lot of topics.
I really should have put a light on. It is kind of hard to see me.
So have a watch! Learn more about Strange Brew.
Friday, June 13, 2014
Witch Kickstarter Goodies!
If you were a backer in the Strange Brew Kickstarter at the $25 or above level then your first PDF is on the way.
Check your email!
Check your email!
Thursday, June 12, 2014
GOAAALLLLLLLLLL!
We did it!
Last night we wrapped up our Kickstarter for Strange Brew: The Ultimate Witch & Warlock at went almost $2,700 over our goal!
I am so excited now. I can't wait to get you everything!
Last night we wrapped up our Kickstarter for Strange Brew: The Ultimate Witch & Warlock at went almost $2,700 over our goal!
I am so excited now. I can't wait to get you everything!
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
The Encounter Table: Interview - Tim Brannan, Robert H. Hudson, and Morgan Boehringer
The Encounter Table: Interview - Tim Brannan, Robert H. Hudson, and Mor...:
This week the Encounter Table sits down with Tim Brannan and Robert H. Hudson, developers of the 3rd Party Pathfinder (and Castles & Crusades) book Strange Brew: the ultimate Witch and Warlock, currently funding for stretch goals on Kickstarter. We're also fortunate enough to be joined by Morgan Boehringer, developer of the stretch goal, Warwitches & Hexmavens.
Read more here:
http://www.encountertable.com/2014/06/interview-tim-brannan-robert-h-hudson.html
This week the Encounter Table sits down with Tim Brannan and Robert H. Hudson, developers of the 3rd Party Pathfinder (and Castles & Crusades) book Strange Brew: the ultimate Witch and Warlock, currently funding for stretch goals on Kickstarter. We're also fortunate enough to be joined by Morgan Boehringer, developer of the stretch goal, Warwitches & Hexmavens.
Read more here:
http://www.encountertable.com/2014/06/interview-tim-brannan-robert-h-hudson.html
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
AetherCon Podcast Tonight
Tonight I am going to be talking about Strange Brew at AetherCon Online RPG Convention.
http://aethercon.com/
https://plus.google.com/+AetherconOnlineTabletopRPGCon/videos
https://www.facebook.com/AetherConRPG
It starts at 9:00pm Eastern Time (8:00pm here in Chicago).
Stop on by, here me talk. SEE me talk (yeah, THAT's an incentive I am sure).
http://aethercon.com/
https://plus.google.com/+AetherconOnlineTabletopRPGCon/videos
https://www.facebook.com/AetherConRPG
It starts at 9:00pm Eastern Time (8:00pm here in Chicago).
Stop on by, here me talk. SEE me talk (yeah, THAT's an incentive I am sure).
Monday, June 9, 2014
Heading to the Home Stretch!
As of this writing we have 63 hours left of the Strange Brew Kickstarter.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/962794554/strange-brew-pathfinder-the-ultimate-witch-and-war
Currently $1,000 over we still a lot of great stretch goals to offer.
Your last chance is coming up!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/962794554/strange-brew-pathfinder-the-ultimate-witch-and-war
Currently $1,000 over we still a lot of great stretch goals to offer.
Your last chance is coming up!
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Success! 100% Funded!
Thanks to all of you we did it!
Strange Brew is 100% funded with 130 backers!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/962794554/strange-brew-pathfinder-the-ultimate-witch-and-war
I am pleased. Humbled. And most pumped to get this book out to you all!
Hell Yeah! I am so psyched right now.
Strange Brew is 100% funded with 130 backers!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/962794554/strange-brew-pathfinder-the-ultimate-witch-and-war
I am pleased. Humbled. And most pumped to get this book out to you all!
Hell Yeah! I am so psyched right now.
Witch Archetype: Voodoo Witch (Pathfinder)
I talked a lot about Voodoo this past year. I have been thinking about what a "Voodoo Witch" might be like. So here is stab at a voodoo witch (a Voudounista) for the Pathfinder rules and Strange Brew.
Voodoo
Description: The Voodoo witches (also known as Voudounista) are probably among the most mistrusted and misunderstood of all the Traditions, save for the Malefic witches. These witches, however, are usually not evil. Their area of specialty is that of enchantments and the creation of items dealing with enchantments, both good and bad.
Voodoo witches are feared because they work in secret using strange, unknown rituals, and they often catch the blame if anything bad happens (such as a flood or a bad crop season). It is rare that a Voodoo witch would be responsible for such acts of nature, but there have been times when a Voodoo witch was banished away from a village, and managed to cause some real trouble but this behavior is looked down upon by Voodoo covens as it only justifies people’s fear of Voodoo.
There is no style of dress directly related to the Voodoo witch. Some Voodoo witches choose to dress very plainly, often trying to hide the fact that they are Voodoo. Other Voodoo witches cease caring about what the average person thinks of them, and freely advertises what and who they are. In either case, the Voodoo witch will have many different ceremonial clothes for the performance of various rituals. Typical ritual garb includes a simple linen robe or dress tied with a purple sash.
Voodoo witches are not most common among any particular race. Many races distrust them, dwarves outranking any of the other races in terms of fear of the Voodoo witch. Gnomes, elves and half-elves tend to be more tolerant to Voodoo’s mysterious magic than the other races. Humans and halflings often view the Voodoo witch as the source of most problems.
Role: The Voodoo witch will often stay within their own home devising new enchantments and creating other devices. They also perform many rituals, more so than other witches. On occasion, people may come to the Voodoo witch seeking help, charms or wards against evil, or something to attract a certain someone.
Because local governments and religious authorities fear the Voodoo witch, she has a hard time dealing with paladins and clerics. On the other hand, she has no problems working with druids and rangers (though the occasional Voodoo witch has caused enough trouble in the wilderness to attract the attention of the often zealous druids). The Voodoo witch also tends to get along with wizards and sorcerers fine, since much of her time is spent working on the creation of arcane magical items. Fighters, bards, rogues and barbarians are usually viewed with indifference, though the feeling may not be mutual.
There are many sub-traditions of voodoo. These particular ones have shared many of the same roots, but then evolved in isolation from each other. GM’s will want to use whichever sub-traditions work[tb1] best with their campaign world. The examples here are from our own history.
Voodoo witches can be of any alignment or temperament. Good Voodoo witches often accuse Evil ones of serving the “False Loa”, and visa versa.
Skills & Feats
Voodoo witches prefer craft based skills that can aid them in their normal lives and their worship. They receive a +2 bonus to single craft skill of the player’s choice.
Spells
The Voudounista can replace any of her Patron spells with a spell from the Portents Patron.
Orishas & Ghedes
The familiar of the Voudounista is a spirit being known as an Orisha or a Ghedes. Orishas have always been spirits, the Ghede is the spirit of a long dead ancestor. The spirit is bound to the witch like any other familiar but it has no physical form. The Voudounista gains the ability to see incorporeal undead that might be invisible or shifted into the ethereal plane. She may attack such undead as if they were on the same plane.
Powers and Hexes
Learned Voodoo (Sp)
Replacing her 2nd level Hex, the Voudounista adds +1 to any Spellcraft check that involves magic from the Enchantment school. This increased by +1 every other level.
Enchantment Specialist (Sp)
The Voudounista can replace any spell she knows for an equal level spell from the Enchanment school. The witch retains the knowledge of both spells, but may only cast one of the spells per day.
This takes the place of one of her Major Hexes.
Solid Mind (Sp)
The Voodoo witch is immune to mind affecting magics, and gains a +8 bonus against all saves against spells and spell-like abilities from the school of Enchantment.
This replaces one of her Grand Hexes.
Equipment
Voodoo is the only Tradition that allows the witch to use a sharpened Athame. This ritual dagger is often used for animal sacrifice, ceremonial bloodletting or for carving magical symbols into fetishes. The Voodoo witch can use it for combat, with no penalty, but rarely do because they do not wish to damage it.
Voodoo Patrons
The Voodoo witch is more likely than any other Tradition to practice monotheistic religious worship. This is because the Voodoo witch generally looks at the God and Goddess as all-encompassing and all-present. Some Voodoo witches may follow patrons of nature or earth, though these may be few and far between.
The main Patron of the Voodoo witch is usually known by the title “Gros Bon Dieu” or “The Great Good God/Goddess,” all other gods honored by the Voodoo witch are lesser and subordinate to the Great God. While this Patron is the ultimate source of all, the Voudounista has more contact with intermediate spirits known as the Loa.
The Loa are the ones that grant the Voodoo witch her powers. The Loa are powerful spirits of god-like abilities. They give the Voodoo witch her power. When the Voodoo witch begins she chooses one of the Loa as her Patron. She may choose spells from one of the area the Patron controls.
The various Loa are:
Source/Views of Magic
The voodoo witch’s magic is viewed as the loa’s will being pushed through the witch. The enchantments of a witch are viewed as the goddesses will being enforced. Magic comes from the Loa. By serving the Loa and the spirits one can gain magical knowledge and thus knowledge of our world and the next one.
Voodoo witches use magical focuses to cast their spells. These focuses are known as fetishes. Every spell or type of spell has a specific fetish. The Voodoo witch can not cast any spells without the proper fetish. These typically include a poppet (doll of the victim), an animal part (such as a claw or feather) and blood (typically animal, but sometimes human).
A powerful fetish imbued with the witch’s own power is known as a Gris-gris.
Joining this Tradition
The requirements of joining the Voodoo Tradition tend to vary coven to coven. Usually, an extensive ritual is performed to initiate the ones who hear the call. After the ritual, the witch is bestowed the title of Houngan (for males) or Mambo (for females).
The Voodoo witch covens seldom meet more than once a year. However, they also perform more rituals than the average witch. It’s customary for the voodoo witch to have an extensive ritual to perform at each full and new moon. Large numbers of the participants in these rituals are not witches themselves, but lay people, sometimes referred to as “Hounsi”. They may share the same beliefs, but are not members of a voodoo coven.
These ceremonies are loud musical explosions of dance, fire and free form religious expression. It is not uncommon for some of the participants to become overwhelmed as the Loa are communed with. Participants can be found speaking in tongues, enduring large amounts of pain, and even damage and occasionally having disease spontaneously cured.
Other: As been noted voodoo witches get along well with wizards and sorcerers. Often a multi-classed Voodoo Witch/Sorcerer is known as a Hoodoo, or even a Hoodoo Man. These individuals are usually given much respect in the community.
A warlock Voudounista usually follows Papa Legba or Baron Samedi and is known as a Bokor.
http://timbrannan.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-to-z-of-witches-v.html
http://timbrannan.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-to-z-of-witches-g.html
http://timbrannan.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-to-z-of-witches-o.html
http://timbrannan.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-to-z-of-witches-j.html
Marie Laveau, Voodoo Queen |
Description: The Voodoo witches (also known as Voudounista) are probably among the most mistrusted and misunderstood of all the Traditions, save for the Malefic witches. These witches, however, are usually not evil. Their area of specialty is that of enchantments and the creation of items dealing with enchantments, both good and bad.
Voodoo witches are feared because they work in secret using strange, unknown rituals, and they often catch the blame if anything bad happens (such as a flood or a bad crop season). It is rare that a Voodoo witch would be responsible for such acts of nature, but there have been times when a Voodoo witch was banished away from a village, and managed to cause some real trouble but this behavior is looked down upon by Voodoo covens as it only justifies people’s fear of Voodoo.
There is no style of dress directly related to the Voodoo witch. Some Voodoo witches choose to dress very plainly, often trying to hide the fact that they are Voodoo. Other Voodoo witches cease caring about what the average person thinks of them, and freely advertises what and who they are. In either case, the Voodoo witch will have many different ceremonial clothes for the performance of various rituals. Typical ritual garb includes a simple linen robe or dress tied with a purple sash.
Voodoo witches are not most common among any particular race. Many races distrust them, dwarves outranking any of the other races in terms of fear of the Voodoo witch. Gnomes, elves and half-elves tend to be more tolerant to Voodoo’s mysterious magic than the other races. Humans and halflings often view the Voodoo witch as the source of most problems.
Role: The Voodoo witch will often stay within their own home devising new enchantments and creating other devices. They also perform many rituals, more so than other witches. On occasion, people may come to the Voodoo witch seeking help, charms or wards against evil, or something to attract a certain someone.
Because local governments and religious authorities fear the Voodoo witch, she has a hard time dealing with paladins and clerics. On the other hand, she has no problems working with druids and rangers (though the occasional Voodoo witch has caused enough trouble in the wilderness to attract the attention of the often zealous druids). The Voodoo witch also tends to get along with wizards and sorcerers fine, since much of her time is spent working on the creation of arcane magical items. Fighters, bards, rogues and barbarians are usually viewed with indifference, though the feeling may not be mutual.
There are many sub-traditions of voodoo. These particular ones have shared many of the same roots, but then evolved in isolation from each other. GM’s will want to use whichever sub-traditions work[tb1] best with their campaign world. The examples here are from our own history.
- Bocur: One of the very few purely evil off shoots of Voodoo.
- Candomblé: (“Kun-don-blair”) A Brazilian sub-tradition related directly to Macumba. Leans more towards the darker sides of Voodoo.
- Macumba: A Voodoo sub-tradition of Brazil. Has much in common with SanterÃa. Often very neutral.
- Obia: Also Obeah, common to the islands of the Caribbean, in particular Jamaica. Most often believed to be evil. Obia has actually been outlawed in some lands.
- Quimbanda: Also known as Cuimbanda.
- SanterÃa: Sub-tradition that began in Cuba and spread to South-east United States. Origins go back to the Yoruba religion of West Africa. Despite the stereotype and sacrificing live chickens, a SanterÃa witch is most often good aligned.
- Voudou: A form of voodoo that is common to the peoples of Haiti. Comes from the French words “vo” introspection, and “du” the unknown. Also known as “Haitian Voodoo”.
Voodoo witches can be of any alignment or temperament. Good Voodoo witches often accuse Evil ones of serving the “False Loa”, and visa versa.
Skills & Feats
Voodoo witches prefer craft based skills that can aid them in their normal lives and their worship. They receive a +2 bonus to single craft skill of the player’s choice.
Spells
The Voudounista can replace any of her Patron spells with a spell from the Portents Patron.
Orishas & Ghedes
The familiar of the Voudounista is a spirit being known as an Orisha or a Ghedes. Orishas have always been spirits, the Ghede is the spirit of a long dead ancestor. The spirit is bound to the witch like any other familiar but it has no physical form. The Voudounista gains the ability to see incorporeal undead that might be invisible or shifted into the ethereal plane. She may attack such undead as if they were on the same plane.
Powers and Hexes
Learned Voodoo (Sp)
Replacing her 2nd level Hex, the Voudounista adds +1 to any Spellcraft check that involves magic from the Enchantment school. This increased by +1 every other level.
Enchantment Specialist (Sp)
The Voudounista can replace any spell she knows for an equal level spell from the Enchanment school. The witch retains the knowledge of both spells, but may only cast one of the spells per day.
This takes the place of one of her Major Hexes.
Solid Mind (Sp)
The Voodoo witch is immune to mind affecting magics, and gains a +8 bonus against all saves against spells and spell-like abilities from the school of Enchantment.
This replaces one of her Grand Hexes.
Equipment
Voodoo is the only Tradition that allows the witch to use a sharpened Athame. This ritual dagger is often used for animal sacrifice, ceremonial bloodletting or for carving magical symbols into fetishes. The Voodoo witch can use it for combat, with no penalty, but rarely do because they do not wish to damage it.
Voodoo Patrons
The Voodoo witch is more likely than any other Tradition to practice monotheistic religious worship. This is because the Voodoo witch generally looks at the God and Goddess as all-encompassing and all-present. Some Voodoo witches may follow patrons of nature or earth, though these may be few and far between.
The main Patron of the Voodoo witch is usually known by the title “Gros Bon Dieu” or “The Great Good God/Goddess,” all other gods honored by the Voodoo witch are lesser and subordinate to the Great God. While this Patron is the ultimate source of all, the Voudounista has more contact with intermediate spirits known as the Loa.
The Loa are the ones that grant the Voodoo witch her powers. The Loa are powerful spirits of god-like abilities. They give the Voodoo witch her power. When the Voodoo witch begins she chooses one of the Loa as her Patron. She may choose spells from one of the area the Patron controls.
The various Loa are:
- Mama Aida Weido (female): The mother Goddess, wife (or mother) of Danabala. Goddess of the rainbow. Patron Spells: Ancestors, Healing, Light
- Danbala Weido (male): The main god of the Voodoo pantheon. Snake god. Creator of the world. Patron Spells: Ancestors, Animals, Strength
- Papa LeBas. Papa Legaba (male): The devil. King of black magic. Patron Spells: Deception, Occult, Plague, Vengence
- Baron Samedi (male): Lord of the crossroads and the cemetery. Patron loa of many voodoo witches. Appears as a skeleton in fancy dress. Patron Spells: Moon, Occult, Shadow, Spirits
- Erzulie (female): Goddess of love. Appears as a beautiful dark skinned woman. Patron Spells: Devotion, Enchantment, Healing,
Source/Views of Magic
The voodoo witch’s magic is viewed as the loa’s will being pushed through the witch. The enchantments of a witch are viewed as the goddesses will being enforced. Magic comes from the Loa. By serving the Loa and the spirits one can gain magical knowledge and thus knowledge of our world and the next one.
Voodoo witches use magical focuses to cast their spells. These focuses are known as fetishes. Every spell or type of spell has a specific fetish. The Voodoo witch can not cast any spells without the proper fetish. These typically include a poppet (doll of the victim), an animal part (such as a claw or feather) and blood (typically animal, but sometimes human).
A powerful fetish imbued with the witch’s own power is known as a Gris-gris.
Joining this Tradition
The requirements of joining the Voodoo Tradition tend to vary coven to coven. Usually, an extensive ritual is performed to initiate the ones who hear the call. After the ritual, the witch is bestowed the title of Houngan (for males) or Mambo (for females).
The Voodoo witch covens seldom meet more than once a year. However, they also perform more rituals than the average witch. It’s customary for the voodoo witch to have an extensive ritual to perform at each full and new moon. Large numbers of the participants in these rituals are not witches themselves, but lay people, sometimes referred to as “Hounsi”. They may share the same beliefs, but are not members of a voodoo coven.
These ceremonies are loud musical explosions of dance, fire and free form religious expression. It is not uncommon for some of the participants to become overwhelmed as the Loa are communed with. Participants can be found speaking in tongues, enduring large amounts of pain, and even damage and occasionally having disease spontaneously cured.
Other: As been noted voodoo witches get along well with wizards and sorcerers. Often a multi-classed Voodoo Witch/Sorcerer is known as a Hoodoo, or even a Hoodoo Man. These individuals are usually given much respect in the community.
A warlock Voudounista usually follows Papa Legba or Baron Samedi and is known as a Bokor.
http://timbrannan.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-to-z-of-witches-v.html
http://timbrannan.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-to-z-of-witches-g.html
http://timbrannan.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-to-z-of-witches-o.html
http://timbrannan.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-to-z-of-witches-j.html
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Another "Witch" Kickstarter!
So we are in the last week (or so) of my Strange Brew Kickstarter.
But while I was out advertising it I noticed this other kickstarter.
Fantasy Miniatures by Minx Studio
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fantasyminiatures/rpg-fantasy-miniatures-by-minx-studio
This one is for miniatures. So if you play Pathfinder then you are going to need some minis.
If you get my Pathfinder witch book then you are going to need some witch minis.
Well they have one and it is one of their stretch goals.
Here are some great pics of the sculpt.
The "Magic" characters look pretty awesome too. The Sorceress, Druid, Wizard and Clerics would work very nicely for my book as well.
So check them out. These minis look awesome and I REALLY want that witch! Frankly I love witches with pointy hats. So make me happy, pledge for us both.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fantasyminiatures/rpg-fantasy-miniatures-by-minx-studio
But while I was out advertising it I noticed this other kickstarter.
Fantasy Miniatures by Minx Studio
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fantasyminiatures/rpg-fantasy-miniatures-by-minx-studio
This one is for miniatures. So if you play Pathfinder then you are going to need some minis.
If you get my Pathfinder witch book then you are going to need some witch minis.
Well they have one and it is one of their stretch goals.
Here are some great pics of the sculpt.
The "Magic" characters look pretty awesome too. The Sorceress, Druid, Wizard and Clerics would work very nicely for my book as well.
So check them out. These minis look awesome and I REALLY want that witch! Frankly I love witches with pointy hats. So make me happy, pledge for us both.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fantasyminiatures/rpg-fantasy-miniatures-by-minx-studio
Just Over a Week
It's just over a week left in my Strange Brew Kickstarter.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/962794554/strange-brew-pathfinder-the-ultimate-witch-and-war
If you can please consider giving us some support. I have so many great things to share with you.
These books are going to be great and I can't wait to get them into everyone's hands.
So please consider a pledge or pass this link on to others.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/962794554/strange-brew-pathfinder-the-ultimate-witch-and-war
If you can please consider giving us some support. I have so many great things to share with you.
These books are going to be great and I can't wait to get them into everyone's hands.
So please consider a pledge or pass this link on to others.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Who is Your Favorite Witch?
Something I did for another site, but thought it would work well here. I started watching "Salem" finally. Love it so far. Has not grabbed me like American Horror Story did, but it is only a matter of time.
We also have Maleficent out this weekend so really it is a good time for witches on TV and Movies.
Or as Time Magazine said it, "Witches are the new Vampires".
My goal with Strange Brew: The Ultimate Witch and Warlock would be to allow you play ANY type of witch. Good, Bad, Wicked, whatever type of witch is YOUR favorite, that is what I want to do.
Here is a list of my Top Ten witches, in no particular order. Who is your favorite? Let me know in the poll below and in the comments section.
1. Cordelia Foxx (American Horror Story: Coven) - In the 13 episodes of 'American Horror Story - Coven' we saw Cordelia go from meek instructor of Miss Robichaux's Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies and living in the long shadow of Jessica Lange's Supreme to be being blinded, given the Sight, finding out her husband was a witch killer, given some new eyes, blinded again and then finally displaying the Seven Wonders to become the newest Supreme.
As the Supreme she is in charge of all the world's witches. Since going public that is a lot more girls that need training. American Horror Story never shied away from death, gruesome dismemberment, sexual taboos and killing off main cast members. While we might not see Supreme Cordelia again, we certainly will see Sarah Paulson in more seasons.
2. Hermione Granger (Harry Potter Books and Movies) - Harry may have been the 'Chosen One' but you know what he would have been without the "most brilliant witch of her generation"? Easy. Dead. Remember in the books Hermione was shy, not very attractive and an infuriating know-it-all. By Book 3 Harry and Ron both begin to notice, but long before her magical makeover Hermione was proving she was worth more than a full Quidditch team of Chosen Ones. She mastered spells long before any of her classmates, she brewed the Pollyjuice potions, even in Book 3 (the Prisoner of Azkaban) she is using a Time Turner to take extra classes in the same day. Who else has done that? Not to mention while dealing with the whole You-Know-Who thing she still manages to fight for House Elf rights.
Plus, and let us be honest here, she could have a wicked temper. She was the one that tricked Dolores Umbridge into the Forbidden Forest to get captured by Centaurs and she keeps Rita Skeeter trapped in a jar for the last part of The Goblet of Fire.
3. Piper Halliwell (Charmed) - For eight seasons of Charmed Piper went from the quiet middle sister of the Halliwell witches to the ass-kicking, demon killing leader of the Charmed Ones, the most powerful witches in the world. She helped kill the leader of the demon-world, The Source of All Evil, twice. Three times if you count the near attempts in the later seasons. She married a Guardian Angel (a "White Lighter" in the show), gave birth to two sons that were half-witch and half-lighter and destined to be the future protectors of the innocents of the world. But more importantly she did all of this while keeping her family and friends safe. Well...mostly safe.
4. Willow Rosenberg & Tara Maclay (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) - Willow was the shy Scooby. The one that didn't want cause problems, but she helped her new friend Buffy Summers, another chosen one, because if nothing else Willow does what it right. She got a little taste of magical power in Season 2 and the rest. Well Willow became the most powerful witch in the series. She re-ensouled Angel, she went toe to toe with demons of all sorts, and when a god destroyed her girlfriend Tara's mind then Willow did something that the Slayer herself had not done. She made a god scream. Willow though struggled with her power and when a stray bullet killed Tara, Willow (and the Willow and Tara fans) went crazy and nearly destroyed the world. She was talked back down, but she never seemed the same after that.
Tara was and is my favorite Buffy character. For me she is a quiet, but deep well of power. Spend anytime on this site to see what I mean.
5. Samantha Stephens (Bewitched) - You know what real power is? Not strangling the annoying people around you! At least that is what I think Samantha's real power was. Married to a muggl-sorry, mortal, Darren, Samantha still managed to use her powers, stay out of the spotlight (or at least the prying eyes of neighbor Mrs. Kravitz), solve the problems and still look fantastic all in 25 minutes. A lot of Samantha's problems came from trying to please her husband Darren or from her relatives and later daughter. With a twitch of her nose and nary a "hocus pocus" heard she still managed it all.
6. Joanna Beauchamp (Witches of East End) - Joanna Beauchamp has managed to do something so magical it makes the other witches seem like First Years at Hogwarts. She made me really like Julia Ormond! I am being slightly snarky with that I fear. I like Julia Ormond, I just never cared for her characters till now. Joanna is a fierce witch. She is the protective mother (and ALL that entails) of Freya and Ingrid and loving sister of Wendy (who I thought was going to be my favorite Beauchamp witch). She has proven to be strong, determined and despite all that, she still doesn’t know all the answers. I like that in my witches; knowing that magic can’t solve all her problems. Joanna and Julia keep me coming back for more Witches of East End.
7. Lafayette Reynolds (True Blood) - Lafayette may have died in the books early on, but in the TV series he is a series regular and one of the most popular characters. Later on he learns he is witch when his boyfriend Jesus reveals to him that he is a Brujo. Lafayette can channel the spirits of the dead and possibly even a demon.
8. Mary Sibley (Salem) - I have only just started watching this series but so far I love what I see. Mary is an interesting, conflicted character. It is hard not to sympathize with her, but she is certainly not on the side of angels here. Special recognition has to go out to Tituba, one of the historical Salem “witches” and the bridge point between this series and American Horror Story Coven.
9. Katrina (Sleepy Hollow) - We have only seen glimpses of Katrina and her power. But one thing is for sure she is firmly in the camp of the “Good Witches”. Also given her birth she would be one of the first women to truly be called an “American Witch”. I am looking forward to seeing so much more of her next season of what turned out to be one of my favorite shows of 2013.
10. Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty, Maleficent) - She is either a fairy or a witch, maybe both, but there is no doubt that she is powerful. She put a princess to sleep for 100 years and raised and entire forest of thorns.
Honorable Mention: Cassie (Hex), Wicked Witch of the West (Oz, Wicked), Angelique (Dark Shadows), Robin (Witch Hunter Robin), Sabrina (Sabrina the Teen Aged Witch), Luna and Tonks (Harry Potter), Witchiepoo (H.R. Puffinstuff), Jadis (The Lion, The Witch and Wardrobe), Rachel Morgan (The Hollows Series) and Kiki (Kiki’s Delivery Service)
Who is your favorite?
We also have Maleficent out this weekend so really it is a good time for witches on TV and Movies.
Or as Time Magazine said it, "Witches are the new Vampires".
My goal with Strange Brew: The Ultimate Witch and Warlock would be to allow you play ANY type of witch. Good, Bad, Wicked, whatever type of witch is YOUR favorite, that is what I want to do.
Here is a list of my Top Ten witches, in no particular order. Who is your favorite? Let me know in the poll below and in the comments section.
1. Cordelia Foxx (American Horror Story: Coven) - In the 13 episodes of 'American Horror Story - Coven' we saw Cordelia go from meek instructor of Miss Robichaux's Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies and living in the long shadow of Jessica Lange's Supreme to be being blinded, given the Sight, finding out her husband was a witch killer, given some new eyes, blinded again and then finally displaying the Seven Wonders to become the newest Supreme.
As the Supreme she is in charge of all the world's witches. Since going public that is a lot more girls that need training. American Horror Story never shied away from death, gruesome dismemberment, sexual taboos and killing off main cast members. While we might not see Supreme Cordelia again, we certainly will see Sarah Paulson in more seasons.
Plus, and let us be honest here, she could have a wicked temper. She was the one that tricked Dolores Umbridge into the Forbidden Forest to get captured by Centaurs and she keeps Rita Skeeter trapped in a jar for the last part of The Goblet of Fire.
3. Piper Halliwell (Charmed) - For eight seasons of Charmed Piper went from the quiet middle sister of the Halliwell witches to the ass-kicking, demon killing leader of the Charmed Ones, the most powerful witches in the world. She helped kill the leader of the demon-world, The Source of All Evil, twice. Three times if you count the near attempts in the later seasons. She married a Guardian Angel (a "White Lighter" in the show), gave birth to two sons that were half-witch and half-lighter and destined to be the future protectors of the innocents of the world. But more importantly she did all of this while keeping her family and friends safe. Well...mostly safe.
4. Willow Rosenberg & Tara Maclay (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) - Willow was the shy Scooby. The one that didn't want cause problems, but she helped her new friend Buffy Summers, another chosen one, because if nothing else Willow does what it right. She got a little taste of magical power in Season 2 and the rest. Well Willow became the most powerful witch in the series. She re-ensouled Angel, she went toe to toe with demons of all sorts, and when a god destroyed her girlfriend Tara's mind then Willow did something that the Slayer herself had not done. She made a god scream. Willow though struggled with her power and when a stray bullet killed Tara, Willow (and the Willow and Tara fans) went crazy and nearly destroyed the world. She was talked back down, but she never seemed the same after that.
Tara was and is my favorite Buffy character. For me she is a quiet, but deep well of power. Spend anytime on this site to see what I mean.
5. Samantha Stephens (Bewitched) - You know what real power is? Not strangling the annoying people around you! At least that is what I think Samantha's real power was. Married to a muggl-sorry, mortal, Darren, Samantha still managed to use her powers, stay out of the spotlight (or at least the prying eyes of neighbor Mrs. Kravitz), solve the problems and still look fantastic all in 25 minutes. A lot of Samantha's problems came from trying to please her husband Darren or from her relatives and later daughter. With a twitch of her nose and nary a "hocus pocus" heard she still managed it all.
6. Joanna Beauchamp (Witches of East End) - Joanna Beauchamp has managed to do something so magical it makes the other witches seem like First Years at Hogwarts. She made me really like Julia Ormond! I am being slightly snarky with that I fear. I like Julia Ormond, I just never cared for her characters till now. Joanna is a fierce witch. She is the protective mother (and ALL that entails) of Freya and Ingrid and loving sister of Wendy (who I thought was going to be my favorite Beauchamp witch). She has proven to be strong, determined and despite all that, she still doesn’t know all the answers. I like that in my witches; knowing that magic can’t solve all her problems. Joanna and Julia keep me coming back for more Witches of East End.
7. Lafayette Reynolds (True Blood) - Lafayette may have died in the books early on, but in the TV series he is a series regular and one of the most popular characters. Later on he learns he is witch when his boyfriend Jesus reveals to him that he is a Brujo. Lafayette can channel the spirits of the dead and possibly even a demon.
8. Mary Sibley (Salem) - I have only just started watching this series but so far I love what I see. Mary is an interesting, conflicted character. It is hard not to sympathize with her, but she is certainly not on the side of angels here. Special recognition has to go out to Tituba, one of the historical Salem “witches” and the bridge point between this series and American Horror Story Coven.
9. Katrina (Sleepy Hollow) - We have only seen glimpses of Katrina and her power. But one thing is for sure she is firmly in the camp of the “Good Witches”. Also given her birth she would be one of the first women to truly be called an “American Witch”. I am looking forward to seeing so much more of her next season of what turned out to be one of my favorite shows of 2013.
10. Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty, Maleficent) - She is either a fairy or a witch, maybe both, but there is no doubt that she is powerful. She put a princess to sleep for 100 years and raised and entire forest of thorns.
Honorable Mention: Cassie (Hex), Wicked Witch of the West (Oz, Wicked), Angelique (Dark Shadows), Robin (Witch Hunter Robin), Sabrina (Sabrina the Teen Aged Witch), Luna and Tonks (Harry Potter), Witchiepoo (H.R. Puffinstuff), Jadis (The Lion, The Witch and Wardrobe), Rachel Morgan (The Hollows Series) and Kiki (Kiki’s Delivery Service)
Who is your favorite?
Monday, May 26, 2014
Strange Brew. Now for Castles & Crusades
I am pleased to announce that are also offering Strange Brew: The Ultimate Witch & Warlock for Castles & Crusades!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/962794554/strange-brew-pathfinder-the-ultimate-witch-and-war
This book is part of the same Kickstarter as the Pathfinder book. So really for one price you could get 4 books instead of 1.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/962794554/strange-brew-pathfinder-the-ultimate-witch-and-war
This book is part of the same Kickstarter as the Pathfinder book. So really for one price you could get 4 books instead of 1.
- Strange Brew for Pathfinder
- Strange Brew for Castles & Crusades
- The Witch for Basic Era Games
- and the update of Way of the Witch for Pathfinder
We are at 75% funded now with about 2 weeks left to go.
Material is written. We just need to secure the art and layout.
Thursday, May 22, 2014
One more Reason to Support my Kickstarter
Say that 256 pages of witchy goodness is not enough?
Ok, how about another 200. For free?
Pledge at $25 or above level and I will throw in a PDF copy of my 2012 "The Witch" for Basic Era/OSR games.
It makes a great companion to my Pathfinder book.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/962794554/strange-brew-pathfinder-the-ultimate-witch-and-war
Ok, how about another 200. For free?
Pledge at $25 or above level and I will throw in a PDF copy of my 2012 "The Witch" for Basic Era/OSR games.
It makes a great companion to my Pathfinder book.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/962794554/strange-brew-pathfinder-the-ultimate-witch-and-war
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