This is a story of excess & indulgence. Luxury & depravity. Lust & love. Horror & debauchery.
But mostly it's a story of rediscovering your inner witch.
Bad Witch is set in a matriarchal, gothic universe eerily similar to our own, where magic runs the world. And at its core, it is a love letter to the incredibly strong and vibrant friendships that we forge in our youth, and how they ultimately shape the people we become.
Witxhes dominate the upper echelons of society, and magic has seeped into every facet of day-to-day life, for witches and humans alike. Humans were relegated to a lower class of living and as witches tend to be quite opulent & over indulgent [and more often than not revelling in their own personal vices], the bougie Season of the Witch began. Witching Society flourished and quickly overtook over the world, trickling down to influence even those without magic.
SO WILL YOU BE A BAD WITCH, OR A GOOD WITCH?
You were born to one of the most ancient and thus, important witching families; the only child of a famous mother and an even more infamous grandmother. Your ancestors were among the very first witches to lead the revolution, desperate to create a world where their children would never again die by human hands.
Your childhood was rather lonely and spent under the tutelage of the worlds best witches and academics, whilst your mother did her best to ignore your existence whenever it didn’t directly benefit her. And so years later you would often joke that your life really began once you were accepted into Ariadne Academy, the premiere school for exceptionally gifted Witxhes.
You were placed in a coven with eight of your peers; girls and boys who would quickly become your family, until it was almost like you couldn’t remember a time before them. They shared your all-consuming hunger for magic and knowledge and experiences, traits that made your coven [nicknamed the Silverlakers] an unstoppable force within the Demonhall arena. Everything was going so perfectly until it suddenly burned down around you, leaving your coven a husk of its former self.
Aaand this is currently where the stories splinter off.
OG DEMO — In the OG demo, your coven is still somewhat intact. MC’s feelings towards them may or may not have changed, but on the whole, the Silverlakers are still functioning as the overachieving badasses they were at the academy. They’re still your best friends, your soulmates, your lovers. You love them and they most definitely love you — it’s just one big lovefest.
As a master alchemist you tediously work through trials of your newest potion while still coasting off the success of your last serum, the wildly popular Moon Juice. The story focuses on the unnaturally strong bond that exists between the remaining Silverlakers, and the powerful magic you’ve wrought because of that. The incredibly deep but complicated friendships that you built are maintained to this day, and still just as co-dependent... or have they been making you feel stifled or claustrophobic?
You can choose how your relationship with Ash progressed post-breakup. Was it messy and dramatic, or did you keep going back to them, again and again? Have you and Ori been just the bestest friends all this time, or have things gotten a bit awkward?
AU DEMO — In the AU demo, your coven was broken following the loss of one of your own. You all went your own ways and everything that you shared was left by the wayside. You’ve spent the better part of a decade running away from your Silver Lake family, the only real home you ever knew. But now, against all of your better judgements, your returning to York. Only for a few days, of course. A couple weeks, tops.
You haven’t returned since you absconded after graduation, when you used a somewhat controversial but entirely contrived excuse for your disappearance. And as if The Fates themselves had seen to it, you once again find yourself thrown together with the other witches formerly known as Silverlakers. Their reactions to your return are not at all what you had expected, and you’re left second-guessing what actually happened all those years ago.
No matter how deep of a rift was left between your coven, Ori was the one who really refused to give up on you. In their very unique way, they practically strong-armed you into maintaining some kind of contact. Of all your former covenmates, you are hands down closest to Ori. Your breakup with Ash, no matter how it was done, was shocking and cut deep. You can choose whether to stand by your past actions or try to make amends with your first love.
Both the OG & AU stories will feature opportunities to reconnect with: the former childhood friend turned academy rival; as well as the young professor from your university years. And despite their shorter and more mysterious descriptions, they are both main RO’s, along with Ash & Ori.
Will you try to repair the broken connections plaguing your coven, or forge a brand new path? Will you decide to confront the nightmares of your past face on in the Demonhall arena, or continue to ignore the literal demons that chase you?
TW/CW: violent & horrific imagery; explicit language; explicit sex scenes (with options to fade to black); misandry (within context of the story); mentions of blood/gore; child abuse (past tense against MC); very questionable magic usage; frequent scenes where NPCs are intoxicated, under the spell of drugs or magic, as well as just as many options for MC to imbibe; elder abuse; voluntary magical torture
~ Fully customisable character — you can currently play as a woman, man, or non-binary person; straight, gay, or bisexual. Customise your character's personality, style and how they reacted in major moments of their life leading up to present events,
~ Choose how to react to your current coven dynamics — fight to save your soulmates & strengthen your long-established bonds, or play around on greener pastures with other witches
~Experience the Witch's Journey through the Major Arcana – but will your MC make it to the final tarot reading?
~ Meet your familiar and decide which form it takes, with your familiar's animal impacting the story
~ Set up a cozy, witchy corner to call your own! A few options include a reclaimed lighthouse, luxurious penthouse in the sky, and a secluded cabin in the woods
~ Continue to cross sexual conquests off your list of Lovers to Bed, or get serious and pursue a more serious connection. There are currently 4.5 love interests [all gender variable] as well as an optional poly route. I'm also considering bringing back a character who was cut from the OG story... TBD!
~ Decide what happened to MC's relationship with Ash, in the years since graduation. Have they drifted apart while leading separate lives, or have they been on-and-off for the better part of a decade?
~ Get answers & closure by chasing down ghosts from your past. Give yourself over to the demons in your past, or fight to find a balance between your life and the monsters at the gate.
~ Explore the ever-changing hellscapes of Demonhall and confront your demons, or keep those traumatic memories in the past where they belong
~ But above all else, choose which path your character takes going forward. Chase your dreams and loves, or turn your back, light it up & watch the world burn around you.
During your time at Ariadne Academy, rumours swirled nonstop about your coven.
You got along too well.
You loved each other too hard.
Some people said you were a bunch of weirdos, while others whispered [a little too loudly] that all of your parents had conspired together, bribing the Witches Council to put you all together in one coven. But back then you couldn't give a shit about anyone or anything outside your Silver Lake home.
You found your first love within your coven, as well as seven other soulmates. And for a long time, that was all you needed.
☆ Elijah Akos {m}
☆ Suki Aoki {f}
♡ Aisling Casablanca {f} // Asher Casablanca {m}
♡ Oriana Helyr {f} // Orion Helyr {m}
☆ Belladonna Humphrey {f}
☆ Endora Stills {f}
☆ Hazel Trout {f} — Deceased
☆ Bren Wylder {nb}
The grandiose and horrifying Demonhall is a favourite pastime for Witches young and old. Two opposing covens enter the arena (or as it's lovingly called by fans, the Demon Dome) and are sealed inside. Usually a timer is set for 6 hours, but some exhibition games run a 'last Witch standing' simulator, that can go on for days.
At the core of every Demonhall arena lies it's true power, a demonstone. The crystalized heart of a demon powers and creates unique and dangerous environments for covens to progress through. Whether it's a futuristic, neon playground; the dilapidated ruins of Titans; or a much too lifelike version of the floor is lava, each unique setting has been randomly and lovingly crafted by the demonstone.
Just as each demon is unique and come with their specific set of baggage challenges, so do their corresponding arenas. Some are more manipulative in luring you into their traps, while others don't waste time in throwing everything they've got at you.
The object of the game, quite simply, is to challenge & toss opposing witches out of the match, using whatever spells & curses, or hexes & charms you keep in your arsenal. All while avoiding the real terror of the Demonhall, the demon itself.
For over a decade, your life revolved around Demonhall. You were the Lead for your coven, meaning you often bore the brunt of whatever the demonstone was hurtling at you. Your Silver Lake coven dominated the amateur Demonhall circuit for the better part of a decade. You and your covemates were elevated to a level of celebrity that few others at Ariadne Academy could relate to, as you were splashed across dozens of magazine covers before you were 18.
You planned your life around your obsession and love of the game, and as your graduation approached, you fielded dozens of offers to play for top-tier professional teams. But then... the unexpected happened during a match and you lost a member of your coven.
Ash was your first love. You dated for several years during your time at Ariadne Academy. You grew up together in your Silver Lake cottage and soon after you met, you found it hard to deny your teenage crush.
You bonded over a mutual (rather mad) obsession with Demonhall, and it didn't take long for that bond to translate onto the arena. The Silver Lake Demonhall coven dominated the competition, thanks in large part to the connection you shared with Ash.
You made plans together to follow your passions after graduation, and even courted the interest of several top-tier professional clubs. They wanted you both, and were willing to restructure their teams around you & Ash.
But life happened, and you surprised everyone when you suddenly broke things off with Ash and the Demonhall teams. Instead you followed a secondary love and traveled across the world in pursuit of cryptozoological mysteries.
In the decade that you've been working out in the field, Ash has been named Demonhall MVP for three years in a row. Their legions of adoring fans have only multiplied. Is there room for you in their life nowadays, or is it truly too late?
☆The Best Friend☆ ...& Ori's playlist
Oriana Helyr {f} // Orion Helyr {m}, 30
Ori has been your longest and closest friend. No matter what your relationship was like with the rest of the coven, you could always count on Ori having your back. And sometimes being a shoulder to cry on, during the rockier parts of your relationship with Ash. In a way, it's always felt like the three of you had your own kind of connection, but at times, that could put Ori in the middle of your shit with Ash.
Ori is a highly sought after Master Architect, one of only two in the country. They’re instrumental to the buildings integrity and the future success of it’s residences. Ori often spends weeks onsite, crafting intricate enchantments around the bones of the structure, ensuring not only structural safety but doing everything in their power to position them for prosperity.
There's never been any fronts or facades with Ori, just transparent (sometimes brutal) honesty. You've never had to pretend around them and you might even be your truest self when you're with them. And then the two of you would stay up all night, talking and watching movies, and polishing off copious amounts of alcohol. In fact, many of those nights ended up serving as inspiration for your new experimental potion, a cure-all hangover draught.
In the years since the academy, Ori has tracked you down across the globe too many times to count. It always seemed like they had some magical way of knowing when your life was going to shit and they'd spontaneously turn up with boxes of wine & chocolate, immediately taking over your kitchen to cook up something utterly delicious
☆The Lifelong Rival☆ ...& Poe's playlist
Viridian ‘Poe’ Black {f/m}, 31
Poe was one of your very first friends, long before the academy. Your mothers ran in the same high society circles and so you were often left to your own devices. For Poe that usually meant running off into the woods to scout for berries and beasts, or tirelessly watching or reading up on anything to do with Demonhall. And in fact decades later, you've still never met anyone as obsessed with the game as them. Even as a kid, Poe was haughty and overtly snobby; they always knew exactly what and who they liked, and rarely strayed outside the lines.
But for some reason or another, you were someone they happily tolerated and actually seemed to like. Much to their delight their Demonhall fanaticism eventually infected you as well, and you spent countless hours debating the various forms, methods, and positions of the beautiful but deadly game. The two of you would often daydream about your future life at Ariadne Academy, and their eyes lit up with unabashed glee when they spoke of how together, you would bring about a new era of Demonhall. But then came the week before coven placements. And even after all of their extensive testing, you & Poe weren't placed together.
After that Poe very rarely spoke to you and altogether stopped responding to your many messages over the years, and just like that, the delicate friendship you once shared was snuffed out. And while they'd always been sarcastic and biting, that had rarely been directed towards you. Until you were put in competition, both academically and in the Demonhall arena, and then you were introduced to an entirely different side of Poe. The one that knew your weaknesses and just when to exploit them, who seemed to take a particular happiness from your defeat.
☆The One That Got Away☆
Julia St. James {f} // Julian St. James {m}
Jules is the youngest of nine children and grew up in Bilbao, Spain. They were generally spoiled as a child, doted on by all of their siblings, aunts and uncles. They could never want for tutors or toys or courtiers, but it was all rather tiresome.
They would later travel the continent as a young apprentice of a new philosophy, but they were never alone; always in the company of their cousins, Vix and Maz. Jules developed a deep appreciation for the fine arts and very delicious things during this time away from home.
Jules has now perfected the balancing act, living in both worlds. They work tirelessly as a professor of Theological Witchcraft but lately they've been feeling the pull to leave the classroom and get back out into the world.
Hey Witxhes!! it's been so long and I miss y'all and Bad Witch sooo fucking much. apparently I greatly underestimated the difference between healing a single rib fracture and trying [and failing at least twice] to get them all to set in harmony. it was a whole thing and it took a lot out of me, each day, to the point where even updating tumblr seemed out of my reach.
I'm slowly trying to get back into the swing of things, even if that means relying a bit more on voice to text apps than before. but I'm getting there! I won't promise anymore post dates for the new draft but I'm writing and still looking forward to sharing with y'all ✨
Hey Witxhes! So the votes are in and first of all, I can't tell you all how much I appreciate the time you took to read & vote for the samples. The process was very illuminating, to say the least, hahah.
I'll start with the voting results! With 64.8% of the vote, 2nd person POV came out on top (which isn't too surprising!).
Next up, winning 66.7% of the vote, y'all made it VERY clear that you would much rather have your MC in their lab, working away at trials of the Hangover Cure.
Now, onto the tricky bit... OG vs AU. It seems you guys had as hard of a time deciding between them as I did, leaving the vote split pretty evenly.
So that being said, I'm gonna go back to the storyboard to see what threads I can take from the OG and AU stories to weave into something new... something that combines the best elements of both. A new story where the reader can choose if their MC has been closer or more isolated from the Silverlakers, among some other things. But I'm excited and really intrigued to see where this new story format ends up taking us!
And as planned, I'll be adding a bunch back to the prologue so the reader can get a better feel of the Silverlaker dynamics, right off the bat.
Alright, onto the most frequent thing I was asked about during this run... Ash. Soo I heard a lot of feedback from some readers having issues with MC having an established relationship in their teenage years, that was out of the control of the reader/MC. And while I'm not trying to take away your character's autonomy, I am trying to tell a story that begins a specific way.
I know that this story is new, and our relationship as writer and reader is also new and tentative and vulnerable, but I'm asking you to trust me with the story I'm telling. There will be sooo many options, dearest readers, for you to explore all of the ways your MC's relationship with Ash was or wasn't... whatever. And how MC feels about it now. Nothing will be assumed or shoe-horned, as there will be lots of choices, questions, and room for customization.
So! While I work away on the first rewrite, I'll be posting character profiles. ROs & Silverlakers to start with, and then family & some of the outer Witching World. As for the actual demo, I'm going to try to have it written and posted for 15 May. But if everything aligns and I finish it before then, I'll be running over here to share it with y'all. So thanks again, and please don't forget about me & the Silverlakers in the next couple weeks 😅
Hey Witxhes! I was really hoping not to have to make an update like this for at least a few months, but here we are... 😅
so I've written & rewritten this a few times but here's the short & sweet version. I've never really been a healthy person, and in addition to an evergrowing list of health problems, I've had a condition called osteogenesis imperfecta since I was a kid. you might know it as brittle bone disease. and over my lifetime I've broke or fractured dozens of bones
aaand a few days ago I fractured 3 ribs leaning over a short fence in the front yard to pet our dog. snap snap *snappity* snap, there went a few of my ribs 🦴
sooo yeah, unfortunately this seems to be a new thing, as I've done it a couple times already in the past year. that means I have a semi-decent idea about rest & healing times and such, but it is gonna slow me down for the next couple weeks
I was making good progress with the prologue before this mess, so I think my original date of 1 June should only be affected by a few days. but if anything else pops up (pun intended) I'll keep y'all informed (=
ohh hey Witxhes! sooo as I've mentioned, I'm deep in prologue-rewrite mode and finding myself in darker & darker territory. and as usual, I'm just seeing where the story takes me but I'm genuinely curious... where's everyone else fall on the horror spectrum? 👀
Bad Witch now starts right in the middle of some seriously twisted shit, MC's disturbing childhood, and lays the groundwork for a particular brand of insidious, unholy magic...
"One day you look at them & see something more than you did the night before. Like a switch has been flicked somewhere. And the person who was just a friend is suddenly the only person you can ever imagine yourself with."
Ori was born into a loving family of Humanes, and is the only member of the Silverlakers who is a first generation Witxh. Their mother and father met at Ocean City University, while both pursuing humane architecture. Ori was only three years old when their favourite (and only) sister Lyra was born, and their little family was complete.
Their house was large and warm and filled with easygoing laughter. There was only a couple years between the siblings and they were practically best friends, and definitely protective of each other. Their family was content to live in the Humane world and didn't have many magically-adjacent hobbies or interests like most other Humanes. The Helyrs preferred traveling to non-magical capitals, or else spending time at their cottage on the Witch Finger Lakes.
Even at that young age, Ori was known for having a quiet, calm disposition, and could hardly remember the times they'd raised their voice in anger or frustration. Whenever Ori met a problem they couldn't solve, a small smile would pull at the corner of his mouth until they'd finally worked it through. They found love and relaxation in the form of painting and getting their hands dirty.
Joining elementary school, Ori found they were quite naturally a social butterfly. They would literally buzz around the classroom, going from group to group. Checking in on everyone & catching up on the latest gossip. Like many students, Ori really responded to the classes that interested them, but to the great surprise of their parents, those subjects tended to be math and abstract theories where they would use their hands to build things.
It was around this time, when Ori was becoming more interested in the connection between architecture and fashion, that their sister first noticed little hints of magic. Lyra said that at first, it fell off them like glittering, magic dust. Like fairy dust. She told Ori right away but they dismissed it; not because they thought Lyra was lying, but because they didn't feel like a Witxh.
But soon it was too impossible to deny, Ori Helyr was a Witxh. Too many mornings were spent at the local Healer's Clinic, where volunteer Witxhes helped the community's Humane patients deal with magical-related injuries, when Ori would wake up with glowing appendages, or else floating above their bed. After a few visits they were assigned to a case manager, who laid out the rather grim options.
They could take a series of inoculations to help prevent the magic from taking root in their body, but it wasn't guaranteed. And if Ori didn't join proper Witching Society, they'd forever be labeled a half-mage in the Humane world. The second option would be to sign up with the local, government-run magic school. They were set up much like their Humane counterparts, with a lot of attention dedicated to theory and very little time spent on practice.
The third option was to send Ori across the country to York, where the assessments for the country's premiere witching academy were being conducted. And with no guarantee that they would be accepted, Ariadne Academy was quite the gamble.
It was all so new but Ori loved the feeling of magic running through their fingertips; it felt as natural as the blood flowing in their veins. And although they really hated to admit it, they really loved the idea of living a life with magic. They couldn't begin to imagine living a life apart from their family, but they already couldn't see a life without their magic.
And so they made the biggest bet of their life, leaving it all up to chance. Ori said goodbye to Lyra and their parents, promising to write and call as often as they could, if all went well. They boarded a train and set in for the longest and loneliest few days of their young life. When they finally arrived at the ultra swanky hotel where the assessments would take place, the normally bubbly Ori found themselves at the end of a very frayed rope. And that's when they met MC, who [REDACTED].
When the nine of them finally came together, it felt like Ori was exactly where they were supposed to be. They felt it in their soul before the covens were even officially announced, it felt like family. And while Ori saw them all as a strange, new kind of sibling, it was different with MC and Ash. It sounded so strange but when they met, it felt like they'd known each other for ages. They immediately fell into step with one another, picking up where the other had left off, like they'd been doing this for years instead of weeks.
When it came to the coven’s extracurricular activities, Ori was usually one of the first to suggest that they dial things back a bit. They were always a little squeamish when it came to the grittier aspects of magic, it made them physically uncomfortable.
As a Crafter for the Demonhall team, it was Ori's responsibility to create structures and buildings the coven could use during the match. It was this part of the game that truly intrigued them, being able to manipulate something out of nothing on such a grand scale. But for Ori it was never really about Demonhall, especially once started researching Master Architects: Witxhes who use magic to create and uphold out of this world designs, and then pump them full of strength and protection charms, to put it in layman's terms.
Following graduation Ori enrolled with an Italian architectural college where, despite missing their Silverlake coven immensely, they aced their courses and graduated early. They've since spent their time alternating between both of their families, while traveling the world, creating award-winning, awe-inspiring buildings.
Despite their naturally flirtatious manner, most romantic prospects never saw a second or third date. It wasn't until college that Ori discovered what it was to be in a mostly happy relationship. It lasted just shy of a year, but that was eleven months longer than any of Ori's past entanglements. Despite some dates and dalliances, there was never anything more than that...
Perhaps because they were carrying a torch for someone (or someones) they were too close to, and never really let themselves think about it for too long for fear of getting burned.
Ori’s inherent love for structure starts with their daily (self-imposed) work ‘uniform’: lots of Yohji Yamamoto, strong lines & dark neutrals. For night-wear, their love of a more daring fashion silhouette comes out to play, often with their favourites, Elie Saab & Zuhair Murad
Ori has a warm, dark brown complexion. They're about average height. Despite spending most of their time on job sites, Ori has a very muscular build, with arms (and thighs) that frequently just end conversations entirely.
They have black, tightly coiled curly hair, that they tend to wear in a lot of different styles, but have lately been favouring in a short afro. Orion has a dark, full beard that he's become rather fond of in the past year or so.
Ori has heterochromia, giving them one brown eye and one grey eye. They have a very warm, enigmatic smile that immediately sets off their deep dimples.
Aaand here's a link for the Ori playlist! Which... I'll remind y'all again, is more of a 10hr long ✨vibes✨ playlist, than actual music Ori would listen to 😅
*another disclaimer that I don't own any of these images 😬 and 1001 thank yous to the incomparable Gillian Anderson who came up with the lovely quote at the top of the bio 💜
I'm not saying i stole this from other pages, but i did lol but not a serious argument.
Literally just arguing over something dumb like who ate the last slice of pizza or where to go for dinner. I love this ask so much 🤣
Also helllooooooooo hope you are doing well! 😇💜
Hahah well 'anonymous', cute question! 🤣
ASH would respond in kind, if they didn't already beat MC to it, lol. There's no scenario where Ash is turning down making out with MC [there's no scenario if you haven't chosen the heartbreak route, lolol] 🫣
...but if they did eat the last slice of pizza I can see Ash just pushing the crust at MC's mouth 💀
JULES would sigh rather dramatically and give you a little tsktsk for not going along with whatever game they were currently playing. And then, depending on apologies or brattiness... 🫡
ORI would give in, for a little bit. And then get a bit flustered and want to make sure MC wasn't still arguing or wanting dinner or whatever. Then they would suggest moving to a more comfortable location to continue the argument 🥰
POE would be the one to really dig their heels in, brick walling with an unbearably boring, firm lipped kiss until MC answered/relented, and then it would be GAME ON LIKE DONKEY KONG!! 🔥
Thanks for the ask Phantom! Hope you're well toooo ☀️
I'm a huuuge trailer nerd and after an extremely crap day yesterday, it's not an exaggeration to say this trailer made my day. aaand then I proceeded to watch it like, 6 times in a row, because that's how I do.
there are a LOT of 80s influences throughout Bad Witch, so much so that I've joked that it takes place in a world where time just sorta... paused. but the biggest influence overall was the brat pack
I knew when I started creating this story that I wanted it centered around a group just like the brat pack — the relationship dynamics of a group of people that were put in a pressure cooker during adolescence, and then further scrutinized when they became famous together. but obviously with a big injection of ✨magic✨
aaand then we pick up the story a decade later! so it's fair to say the general public feels some sort of way about MC & the other Silverlakers. regardless if they were fans or cheered for rival covens during Demonhall matches at the time, they were very overexposed. and you either loved them, or...
