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Description
In many places, the title of "witch" is often seen as a stigma. Of all humanity's magic users, witches are those who will face the most fear and disgust from the public. While these magic users can come in many shapes and sizes (as well as provide great aid to many folk) there is only one image that the terrified masses think of. First is the discolored skin, often green, which comes from years of exposure to potions and the vapors that rise from their bubbling cauldrons. Then there is the long, warty nose, often extending from the face like a crooked beak. Inhalation of the fumes that come their brews can cause mutations over time, and the respiratory organs are the first to see change. To complete this vile picture is greasy black hair, a humped back and teeth crooked and rotten. This mutated hag is what many commoners see when someone mentions the word "witch," despite the fact that many look quite human and those who have changed don't always go down this route. Compared to mages and sorcerers, witches get the short end of the stick. Even when mages and many other magic users can transform into destructive Mancers, most folk fail to visually connect the two. Mancers are so alien and bizarre, that most cannot accept that such monstrosities were once human. Witches, though, still carry that image with them. A look of humanity that has been corrupted and malformed, a blasphemy upon the creation of the Gods. While many witches have fought to dispel these images and notions from the public mind, they have found themselves fighting quite the difficult battle. Past incidents and ancient witches of infamy are the ones who sowed the masses with this fear, and commoners are rare to forgot such horrid tales. One example of these past horrors are the Witches of Greten, who brought into creation the Avitatrix, who still roam the lands to this day.

The tale of the Witches of Greten took place long ago, during the time of the Akristikos and their siege upon magic. After the fall of the Scourge of Steel, the many kingdoms sought to bring an end to such magical monstrosities, so they set forth the Akristikos to police the magic community. Heavy restrictions and harsh laws were set in place to keep magic users in line and to prevent them from gaining too much power. The Akristikos served as the hammers of the law, taking down those who defied its commands. During this time, many magic communities feared that this was the beginning of their end, and that the Akristikos would soon wipe the art of magic from the face of the earth. Groups of rebels and radicals soon sprang up across the land, each looking to defy the laws and bring an end to this smothering age. In some cases, though, these rebels would cling too tightly to their art, and would unintentionally devolve into the monstrosities the kingdoms sought to prevent The Witches of Greten were one such group, as they hid in the dark forests and practiced their forbidden techniques. What their original intention was will forever be unknown, but many are sure that they sought to gain such power that they could rival the Akristikos. In secret, they created heretical brews and consumed experimental potions, all for the sake of their mission. The commoners who resided in the village of Greten knew nothing of this forbidden coven, until the attacks began.

When night fell upon the town of Greten, creatures from the woods and grassy fields crept into the streets. They loped about on all fours, but they were no woodland animal. Survivors caught only glimpses of them as they tore through the town, speaking of creatures with long necks, glowing gullets and spiny crests. Storehouses were raided, children were snatched from their beds and guardsmen were slaughtered at their posts. When morning came after the first night of horror, citizens emerged from their homes to find the melted, glowing remains of their protectors. Terror soon rocked the town, but it seemed no one could stop the nightly attacks. Those who boarded their windows and barred their doors were no safer than the others, but those who dared walked the dark streets were instantly doomed. Barricades were seared through, and no amount of armor could prevent one from being reduced to a glowing skeleton. Knights and mercenaries came to dispatch these hound-like creatures, but their plans fell through as the beasts outwitted them and tore them to shreds. Word spread that these creatures served a coven of witches, snaring children and ingredients for their vile brews. But when warriors searched the woods to find these hidden masters, they found only death. Soon people fled their homes, seeking shelter in any other place than Greten, but the creatures were quick to follow. Fear gripped the region, but just as people were about to give up hope, the Akristikos arrived.

Led to these besieged villages by the rumor of witches and the odd auras of magic, the Akristikos rode in upon their Lancers. Wordlessly as always, they inspected the ransacked houses and examined the bizarre corpses. When they learned all they needed about their foes, they turned to their tools and rode off into the forest. When night fell, the creatures returned, lured by the strange scent that sat in the grassy fields. Remnants of magic and shattered artifacts were strewn through the tall grass, gaining the attention of these beasts. But as they approached, they set off hidden runes and traps, alerting the Akristikos that laid in hiding. Upon their trusty steeds, they rode in bearing their blades and bells. With their magic-canceling abilities, they crippled the powers of these creatures and ran them down like dogs. Even the Lancers claimed their fair share of kills, pouncing upon and impaling the fleeing beasts with their long stingers. When dawn returned, the Akristikos stood victorious and the menace was no more. With their minions slaughtered, the Witches of Greten became the next target on the magic hunters' list, but things took a strange turn when they searched the woods. Despite finding sights of ceremony and hidden dwellings, no one could find any of the supposed witches. Their personal belongings and forbidden brews remained, but no trace of them were found. It was only after deciphering their abandoned tomes that they realized what became of the witches. It turned out that no witch hunt was needed, as these crones were already lying dead in the bloodied fields. The malformed creatures that terrorized the land had once been human, taking on this monstrous guise when the moon rose. Over time, though, they succumbed to their own art and grew feral, slowly losing their minds and humanity. With the help of the Akristikos, this menace was brought to an end, but this did not stop the art that created them.

Years after the Akristikos fell from power and were purged from the world, new interest grew for the forbidden arts. The magic community sought to regain their lost knowledge and many were eager to expand in this age of freedom. During this time, the coffers of the dead Akristikos were ransacked, and their spoils revealed to the world. The tomes that came from the Witches of Greten soon fell in the hands of other witches, who happily deciphered their pages. Within those stained and dusty books lay the formula for the Avitatrix, magical beasts that could be formed from one's own body. This discovery was quickly shared with others, and what was once forgotten and forbidden soon returned to the light.

Though monstrous in shape, the Avitatrix are beastly forms that can be summoned by a special potion. With the right ingredients and recipe, one can create a brew that can mutate their flesh and bones, transforming them into an Avitatrix. The form of these beasts varies between individuals, but many share common traits. The body takes on a quadrupedal gait, and the limbs turn into bird-like talons. The neck elongates while the head warps into toothy snout. The hair becomes a mane, while the gullet swells and glows. The back is hunched and humped, and the Splenus magus grows to obscene proportions. In this bloated muscle will go the witch's wand, embedding itself into the source of humanity's magic. What comes out from this transformation is a creature of terrible appearance, speed and strength, but that is not the only thing the witch gains. In this form, the Splenus magus will produce an extreme amount of raw mana, which is pumped throughout the body. While this substance is extremely caustic and unstable, the primal flesh of the Avitatrix is capable of withstanding its power. With their muscle churning out this glowing blue liquid, they store vast quantities within their gullets, breasts and stomachs. This fluid serves as their power source, energizing their spells and bodies. The distorted wand that rises from their backs is still capable of casting spells, except now it requires no charging or filling. Linked directly to a cistern of mana, the wand can summon a wide variety of primitive spells, never slowing until it has exhausted its mana supply. While fire balls and magic bolts are effective weapons, the Avitatrix are in possession of one far greater. When in battle, they are capable of vomiting this raw mana from their mouths, spraying attackers with the deadly fluid. This liquid easily melts through metal, wood and flesh, leaving behind a glowing residue. Victims who are doused in this fluid will melt as if made of wax, leaving behind a malformed corpse that glows with a sickening light. If magic is not an option, the Avitatrix still possesses tooth and claw, and can use them with deadly efficiency. One must remember that while these creatures look monstrous and obscene, they still possess the mind of a human, and that makes them even more dangerous.

With such an appearance and reputation, many may wonder why anyone would seek to take on such a form. The thing to remember, though, is that this transformation is not permanent. While one potion turns them into the Avitatrix, another can revert them back to a human. Many who partake in this art will have both of these brews already made before they transform. Once their duties are done, they shall return to their lairs and drink the restorative potion to become human once again. Since one can turn back and forth with ease, certain witches use this form to defend themselves, fight battles, gather resources, travel or just let loose. It should be noted that despite its infamy, the art of the Avitatrix is not something restricted only to "evil" witches. Plenty of other witches use such a technique and never devolve into the bloodthirsty beasts of legend, merely switching into it like a shapeshifter transforming into a horse or dog. Some enjoy the form for the power and strength it gives, which helps for witches not suited for physical combat. Others like it for its acute animal senses, which help them locate specific ingredients and resources. For a certain group, the form of the Avitatrix gives a strange sense of freedom and release. It is an odd feeling that many users can attest to. While in this state, they feel the joy and rush of a simple primitive life, perhaps much like what a hound feels when running through the woods or out on a hunt. In this body, they are free from the shackles of civilization and humanity, free to enjoy the simple pleasures and desires. This pleasant euphoria, though, is something to be wary of. Its strong allure can cause users to remain in this form for longer periods of time before they turn back, which is not healthy for the human mind. The longer one stays as an Avitatrix, the easier it is to forget your duties and vows. As time stretches on, the animal instinct will become louder and stronger, causing one to succumb to primal desires. If a witch is not careful and gives in to these primordial wants, then their mind shall become forfeit. They shall devolve like the Witches of Greten and remain as a ravenous beast. For some, the shackles of humanity may seem suffocating but, in certain cases, they are the only things keeping us from falling into the darkness.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Got looking at the Halloween style witches and felt like they would work well as animalistic creatures. Something about their long noses, distorted bodies and clawed hands seemed good for a beast-like being. For designing them, I took inspiration from the Chasers from Parasite Eve 2, as I loved the look of a human extended into some quadruped. Even with that, I felt something was still missing from their design, so I went and jammed a wand into their backs. I think that move may have been inspired from Ancestor, as tossing a big old fin onto some terrestrial monster is a good way to liven things up!

Description
In many places, the title of "witch" is often seen as a stigma. Of all humanity's magic users, witches are those who will face the most fear and disgust from the public. While these magic users can come in many shapes and sizes (as well as provide great aid to many folk) there is only one image that the terrified masses think of. First is the discolored skin, often green, which comes from years of exposure to potions and the vapors that rise from their bubbling cauldrons. Then there is the long, warty nose, often extending from the face like a crooked beak. Inhalation of the fumes that come their brews can cause mutations over time, and the respiratory organs are the first to see change. To complete this vile picture is greasy black hair, a humped back and teeth crooked and rotten. This mutated hag is what many commoners see when someone mentions the word "witch," despite the fact that many look quite human and those who have changed don't always go down this route. Compared to mages and sorcerers, witches get the short end of the stick. Even when mages and many other magic users can transform into destructive Mancers, most folk fail to visually connect the two. Mancers are so alien and bizarre, that most cannot accept that such monstrosities were once human. Witches, though, still carry that image with them. A look of humanity that has been corrupted and malformed, a blasphemy upon the creation of the Gods. While many witches have fought to dispel these images and notions from the public mind, they have found themselves fighting quite the difficult battle. Past incidents and ancient witches of infamy are the ones who sowed the masses with this fear, and commoners are rare to forgot such horrid tales. One example of these past horrors are the Witches of Greten, who brought into creation the Avitatrix, who still roam the lands to this day.

The tale of the Witches of Greten took place long ago, during the time of the Akristikos and their siege upon magic. After the fall of the Scourge of Steel, the many kingdoms sought to bring an end to such magical monstrosities, so they set forth the Akristikos to police the magic community. Heavy restrictions and harsh laws were set in place to keep magic users in line and to prevent them from gaining too much power. The Akristikos served as the hammers of the law, taking down those who defied its commands. During this time, many magic communities feared that this was the beginning of their end, and that the Akristikos would soon wipe the art of magic from the face of the earth. Groups of rebels and radicals soon sprang up across the land, each looking to defy the laws and bring an end to this smothering age. In some cases, though, these rebels would cling too tightly to their art, and would unintentionally devolve into the monstrosities the kingdoms sought to prevent The Witches of Greten were one such group, as they hid in the dark forests and practiced their forbidden techniques. What their original intention was will forever be unknown, but many are sure that they sought to gain such power that they could rival the Akristikos. In secret, they created heretical brews and consumed experimental potions, all for the sake of their mission. The commoners who resided in the village of Greten knew nothing of this forbidden coven, until the attacks began.

When night fell upon the town of Greten, creatures from the woods and grassy fields crept into the streets. They loped about on all fours, but they were no woodland animal. Survivors caught only glimpses of them as they tore through the town, speaking of creatures with long necks, glowing gullets and spiny crests. Storehouses were raided, children were snatched from their beds and guardsmen were slaughtered at their posts. When morning came after the first night of horror, citizens emerged from their homes to find the melted, glowing remains of their protectors. Terror soon rocked the town, but it seemed no one could stop the nightly attacks. Those who boarded their windows and barred their doors were no safer than the others, but those who dared walked the dark streets were instantly doomed. Barricades were seared through, and no amount of armor could prevent one from being reduced to a glowing skeleton. Knights and mercenaries came to dispatch these hound-like creatures, but their plans fell through as the beasts outwitted them and tore them to shreds. Word spread that these creatures served a coven of witches, snaring children and ingredients for their vile brews. But when warriors searched the woods to find these hidden masters, they found only death. Soon people fled their homes, seeking shelter in any other place than Greten, but the creatures were quick to follow. Fear gripped the region, but just as people were about to give up hope, the Akristikos arrived.

Led to these besieged villages by the rumor of witches and the odd auras of magic, the Akristikos rode in upon their Lancers. Wordlessly as always, they inspected the ransacked houses and examined the bizarre corpses. When they learned all they needed about their foes, they turned to their tools and rode off into the forest. When night fell, the creatures returned, lured by the strange scent that sat in the grassy fields. Remnants of magic and shattered artifacts were strewn through the tall grass, gaining the attention of these beasts. But as they approached, they set off hidden runes and traps, alerting the Akristikos that laid in hiding. Upon their trusty steeds, they rode in bearing their blades and bells. With their magic-canceling abilities, they crippled the powers of these creatures and ran them down like dogs. Even the Lancers claimed their fair share of kills, pouncing upon and impaling the fleeing beasts with their long stingers. When dawn returned, the Akristikos stood victorious and the menace was no more. With their minions slaughtered, the Witches of Greten became the next target on the magic hunters' list, but things took a strange turn when they searched the woods. Despite finding sights of ceremony and hidden dwellings, no one could find any of the supposed witches. Their personal belongings and forbidden brews remained, but no trace of them were found. It was only after deciphering their abandoned tomes that they realized what became of the witches. It turned out that no witch hunt was needed, as these crones were already lying dead in the bloodied fields. The malformed creatures that terrorized the land had once been human, taking on this monstrous guise when the moon rose. Over time, though, they succumbed to their own art and grew feral, slowly losing their minds and humanity. With the help of the Akristikos, this menace was brought to an end, but this did not stop the art that created them.

Years after the Akristikos fell from power and were purged from the world, new interest grew for the forbidden arts. The magic community sought to regain their lost knowledge and many were eager to expand in this age of freedom. During this time, the coffers of the dead Akristikos were ransacked, and their spoils revealed to the world. The tomes that came from the Witches of Greten soon fell in the hands of other witches, who happily deciphered their pages. Within those stained and dusty books lay the formula for the Avitatrix, magical beasts that could be formed from one's own body. This discovery was quickly shared with others, and what was once forgotten and forbidden soon returned to the light.

Though monstrous in shape, the Avitatrix are beastly forms that can be summoned by a special potion. With the right ingredients and recipe, one can create a brew that can mutate their flesh and bones, transforming them into an Avitatrix. The form of these beasts varies between individuals, but many share common traits. The body takes on a quadrupedal gait, and the limbs turn into bird-like talons. The neck elongates while the head warps into toothy snout. The hair becomes a mane, while the gullet swells and glows. The back is hunched and humped, and the Splenus magus grows to obscene proportions. In this bloated muscle will go the witch's wand, embedding itself into the source of humanity's magic. What comes out from this transformation is a creature of terrible appearance, speed and strength, but that is not the only thing the witch gains. In this form, the Splenus magus will produce an extreme amount of raw mana, which is pumped throughout the body. While this substance is extremely caustic and unstable, the primal flesh of the Avitatrix is capable of withstanding its power. With their muscle churning out this glowing blue liquid, they store vast quantities within their gullets, breasts and stomachs. This fluid serves as their power source, energizing their spells and bodies. The distorted wand that rises from their backs is still capable of casting spells, except now it requires no charging or filling. Linked directly to a cistern of mana, the wand can summon a wide variety of primitive spells, never slowing until it has exhausted its mana supply. While fire balls and magic bolts are effective weapons, the Avitatrix are in possession of one far greater. When in battle, they are capable of vomiting this raw mana from their mouths, spraying attackers with the deadly fluid. This liquid easily melts through metal, wood and flesh, leaving behind a glowing residue. Victims who are doused in this fluid will melt as if made of wax, leaving behind a malformed corpse that glows with a sickening light. If magic is not an option, the Avitatrix still possesses tooth and claw, and can use them with deadly efficiency. One must remember that while these creatures look monstrous and obscene, they still possess the mind of a human, and that makes them even more dangerous.

With such an appearance and reputation, many may wonder why anyone would seek to take on such a form. The thing to remember, though, is that this transformation is not permanent. While one potion turns them into the Avitatrix, another can revert them back to a human. Many who partake in this art will have both of these brews already made before they transform. Once their duties are done, they shall return to their lairs and drink the restorative potion to become human once again. Since one can turn back and forth with ease, certain witches use this form to defend themselves, fight battles, gather resources, travel or just let loose. It should be noted that despite its infamy, the art of the Avitatrix is not something restricted only to "evil" witches. Plenty of other witches use such a technique and never devolve into the bloodthirsty beasts of legend, merely switching into it like a shapeshifter transforming into a horse or dog. Some enjoy the form for the power and strength it gives, which helps for witches not suited for physical combat. Others like it for its acute animal senses, which help them locate specific ingredients and resources. For a certain group, the form of the Avitatrix gives a strange sense of freedom and release. It is an odd feeling that many users can attest to. While in this state, they feel the joy and rush of a simple primitive life, perhaps much like what a hound feels when running through the woods or out on a hunt. In this body, they are free from the shackles of civilization and humanity, free to enjoy the simple pleasures and desires. This pleasant euphoria, though, is something to be wary of. Its strong allure can cause users to remain in this form for longer periods of time before they turn back, which is not healthy for the human mind. The longer one stays as an Avitatrix, the easier it is to forget your duties and vows. As time stretches on, the animal instinct will become louder and stronger, causing one to succumb to primal desires. If a witch is not careful and gives in to these primordial wants, then their mind shall become forfeit. They shall devolve like the Witches of Greten and remain as a ravenous beast. For some, the shackles of humanity may seem suffocating but, in certain cases, they are the only things keeping us from falling into the darkness.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Got looking at the Halloween style witches and felt like they would work well as animalistic creatures. Something about their long noses, distorted bodies and clawed hands seemed good for a beast-like being. For designing them, I took inspiration from the Chasers from Parasite Eve 2, as I loved the look of a human extended into some quadruped. Even with that, I felt something was still missing from their design, so I went and jammed a wand into their backs. I think that move may have been inspired from Ancestor, as tossing a big old fin onto some terrestrial monster is a good way to liven things up!