A Brief History of Pre-Runa
What are witches?
“Beware those of treacherous tongue and h’mak hand.”
The Realm is Psevon, and the Land that this story predominantly takes place in is Candar. There are numerous forms of magic and arcanism, each with their own beliefs and rules. However, one law transcends all those that access the Weave: blood is sacred.
In Candar, witchcraft has been around for eons. It started with true malice. Rahnshaht, Guile of H’la, the famed father of the first Witch, bestowed upon his child the knowledge within blood. To manipulate. Control. Kill. The sanctity of life was defiled, respect for the “natural order” sundered. With this craft came necromancy, soul-hexes, and all manner of vile experimentation.
The Crusades followed. And after the sands were bleached white to erase all signs of bloodshed, the slaughter ended. The Ward was created to oversee all magical organizations, setting enforceable rules regarding practice and privilege. Shortly after, the spreading faith of Sha’aoh was deemed the official religion of Candar by the Emperor Supreme, and there was peace. An age of peace for all, including witches. Sha’aoh taught acceptance, understanding, and with the help of the Ward, allowed practitioners of arcanism to explore the possibilities of weave in safe and sane manners.
But nothing lasts forever. When war with Zemya, the other half of Psevon’s Dualism across the Pierden Sea, broke out, all tension returned. With it, a rise in fear, and questions about blame.
Why create an answer when you have the perfect scapegoat?
The Ward cracked down on witches again, slowly amending their Articles until every part of magic they couldn’t assert their dominion over suddenly became witchcraft. Not long after, they began draping the Umak over towns. A veil-enchantment designed to affect those using arcanism outside the metaphysical bounds set by the Ward, the Umak scars the hands of practitioners, working its way up the forearms in cases of repeat offences. Since hands are kept uncovered when meeting strangers as a sign of respect, it makes clear those in violation of the Ward’s rules, and sows distrust of any wearing hand coverings. Not every city is under the protection of the Umak, but the Ward increases its coverage constantly, aiming to blanket all of Candar.
And that’s where this story begins.
The first part of the comic introduces Nero and Umbra, the main characters. They are witches, living in the small town of Kir’a, making their way in life. While both have faced adversity regarding their practices and beliefs, it has been mild in comparison to the Crusades of old. Umbra has always had a thirst for the forbidden, which often puts her at odds with those that wish to control knowledge rather than share it. Nero doesn’t like to be controlled. The two naturally find familiar ground here, and have been living together for some time, unaware of how large the threat to their existence actually is.
History has been revised. Propaganda and lies long ago replaced truth.
What are witches?
Umbra and Nero are about to find out.