Witches are people that are known to be users of magic, whether that magic be forbidden or not. Witches normally cast spells drawn with a special ink, made from the sap of the Silverwood Tree.
History[edit]
Long ago, the vast majority, and potentially all people were aware of how magic functioned as well as how to perform it,[1] making almost everyone of that era a "witch". However, as of the Day of the Pact, the Pointed Cap Witches wiped the memories of all other witches so they would forget everything about magic. This resulted in those who had their memories wiped no longer remembering how magic is performed, resulting in the Pointed Caps being the only remaining group of witches through process of elimination.
Those who do not know of the secured truth of magic are referred to by modern witches as an Outsider. In accordance to Pointed Cap law, outsiders are never allowed to learn of the secret of magic, and in the event that they do, their memory must be wiped immediately.
The only group of individuals other than the Pointed Cap Witches who are shown to have knowledge of the secret of magic are the Brimmed Caps, a group of witches who have rebelled against the strict laws of the Pointed Caps and chose to continue practicing the forbidden magic. Unlike the Pointed Cap witches, the Brimmed Caps seem to have no qualms with letting Outsiders in on the secret of magic.
Extinct Groups[edit]
Other than the Brimmed Caps and the Pointed Cap Witches, all other groups of witches have been wiped out. The only group of witches explicitly stated to have gone extinct are the Healing Witches of old,[2] however it is likely that there are more.
Society[edit]
Most witches are born in the Great Hall, an underwater magical city built for and by witches, or other centers of witch society like Kalhn in the south and Ghodrey in the north. The Great Hall, and witch society as a whole, is governed by three outstanding witches who take on the responsibility to manage the three important pillars of witch society: The Wise in Principles, who adjudicates the transgression of the statutes of witch law; The Wise in Friendship, who negotiates foreign relations with other nations; and the Wise in Teachings, who teaches young witches the principles of magic. Together they're known as The Three Wise.
A considerable amount of the funds available for witches comes from the magic tax, a diplomatic agreement made between Pointed Cap witches and various nations across the land. In this agreement, the nations pay a yearly tax to The Three Wise. In return, the witches vow to help Outsiders with their magic whenever possible, excluding scenarios of warfare or armed conflict. In addition, magical contraptions made by witches are available for purchase to the general public or through their nobility.[3]
In the Great Hall, young witches are taught general education,[4] and the basics of magic under the tutelage of the Wise of Teachings.[citation needed] Between the ages of roughly seven and ten, witches are able to choose their master and be accepted as an apprentice,[4] but are only formally recognized as such once they've passed the first of the five tests, The Consent of the Crown.[5] From this point forward, the witch might remain in the Great Hall, or they might move out to live on land, such as in Kalhn, depending on where their master's atelier is located.
The Great Hall offers newly graduated witches a single-room atelier, motivating most to live there as they're guaranteed room and board as well as supplies.[6]
Culture[edit]
- Mythology - There are a number of legends across Zozah, though only a few have been mentioned. For the witches there are tales of their origin as by The Star and The Silverwood Maiden as well as other Silverwood Tree myths. There are also a few known epics from before the Day of the Pact that involve ancient witches and kings, as well as region-specific tales. Click the Mythology link for more info.
- Magic - Much of witch society revolves around magic and the use of spells and contraptions. Click the Magic link for more info.
- Clasp of Covenant - A show of commitment between two parties whether between witches or with Outsiders, and has been used for official purposes[7] as well as personal.[8][9] It involves the two parties clasping each other's hand and bringing them to their foreheads, with eyes open or closed. Click the link for more info.
- Writing - Perhaps not exclusive to witches, but a Zozah writing system has been briefly included in the series. Click the link for more info.
- Dancing - Although not shown directly in the series yet, a witch's dance involves jumping lightly with their sylph shoes together, turning and landing with their cloak fluttering, bowing to the person in front of them, and then jumping again... and repeating that process. It's easy to learn, but because those involved have to fly, only witches can do it.[10]
Known Witches[edit]
These are all of the named witches in the manga:
Pointed Cap Witches[edit]
Full-fledged Witches[edit]
Apprentices[edit]
- Agott (Qifrey's Apprentice)
- Coco (Qifrey's Apprentice)
- Euini (Kukrow's Ex-Apprentice)
- Jujy (Hiehart's Apprentice)
- Loroga (Unknown Professor)
- Richeh (Qifrey's Apprentice)
- Riliphin (Beldaruit's Apprentice)
- Tartah (Mr. Nolnoa's Grandson, not formally an apprentice)
- Tetia (Qifrey's Apprentice)
Knights Moralis[edit]
Three Wise[edit]
Brimmed Cap Witches[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ Witch Hat Atelier Manga: Chapter 2
- ↑ Witch Hat Atelier Manga: Chapter 15
- ↑ Witch Hat Atelier Manga: Chapter 48, Page 11-13
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Witch Hat Atelier Manga: Chapter 32, Page 6
- ↑ Witch Hat Atelier Manga: Chapter 3, Page 23
- ↑ Witch Hat Atelier Manga: Chapter 32, Page 7
- ↑ Witch Hat Atelier Manga: Chapter 48, Page 16
- ↑ Witch Hat Atelier Manga: Chapter 40, Page 7
- ↑ Witch Hat Atelier Manga: Chapter 61, Page 24
- ↑ Shirahama Kamome on Twitter, posted January 20, 2020 as a note on a sketch of Qifrey dancing in this way: https://x.com/shirahamakamome/status/1218922851224342528