Feachir

The Féachnóirí are a small group of recluse mages that dwell within the Wilds of Thedas. They were originally named by The Chasind as ‘Watchers’ since these women rarely interact with others but instead observe from afar. The Chasind are extremely wary of the Féachnóirí since they are shrouded in mystery. Tales have been told that the Féachnóirí are ‘birthed’ by the Wilds itself. Which is ironic since the Féachnóirí were actually once Chasind children.

Legend
When mention is made that the Witch of the Wilds was seen it is more often than not one of the Féachnóirí and not the famed ‘Flemeth’ or her daughters. Because these recluse mages are often mistaken as being Witches of the Wilds they are feared. Little else is known about them other than they have the ability to influence the Wilds. Chasind stories tell of how these women can make trees walk and animals sing. Less amusing tales speak on how they devour children.

Truth behind the Myth
Féachnóirí are protectors of ‘old magic’ they refer to as the Craft. It is magic that is not taught outside of their group. The Craft is heavily connected to the Wilds. These witches have the ability to tame animals (magically control them) as well as create illusions using the essence of the wildlife. They also have the ability to control foliage, such as cause roots to rise and vines to move. This magic does not extend beyond the Wilds. The Féachnóirí’s main purpose (known only to themselves) are they are caregivers of dragonlings. Such creatures have dwindled over the years, but the few that survive are protected and nourished by the Féachnóirí until they are of age where they become drakes and move on to larger hunting grounds. The hope is that they will one day grow into adulthood and become dragons. Dragons are believed to the original source of magic by the Féachnóirí.

Few have ever encountered these women and even fewer have survived such a meeting. The Féachnóirí are fiercely protective of the Wilds and of each other. Any person or persons they deem a threat is dealt with swiftly. There are no more than five Féachnóirí within a region. One region being Ferelden, another is Antiva. Usually where there is mention of Witches of the Wilds the Féachnóirí exist. The actual number of Féachnóirí is very few, especially since the Féachnóirí within Ferelden no longer exist. They were discovered by The Templar Order and murdered (all except one).

Féachnóirí are chosen
Young Chasind girls are selected and taken from their tribes by the Cré Mháthair, the leader of the Féachnóirí. Sometimes it is in the middle of the night when the child is asleep or sometimes it is during the day when the child is isolated. How these girls are chosen is known only by the Cré Mháthair, but it is said that ‘a voice’ that comes to her when she in a dreamstate and instructs her.

The girl (always female) is usually around the age of 4 – 6, never older. The reason for this is because these girls are selected for having magic surface within them early, a sign that they gifted. This does not mean the girl is automatically inducted into the Féachnóirí. There is one final test. The child is put into a nest of dragonlings. If the child is devoured then she was not meant to become one of them. However if the dragonlings allow the child to live then she is ‘chosen’ and raised as Féachnóirí and taught the Craft.

Magical specification - The Craft
Féachnóirí have a magic that is all their own. It is old magic that is based on the lifeforce of the Wilds and is referred to by them as ‘the Craft’. The plant life, the animals, even the very air that exists there can be harnessed to power their magic.

Spells (this magic can only be cast within the Wilds)

 * Tame - animals that habitat the Wilds are influenced / mind controlled for a period of time. This magic can be cast on only one animal at a time and the length of control is based on the mage’s power.


 * Outreach - foliage that thrive in these swamps can be controlled by the mage. (Similar to the Dalish Keepers magic but is solely rooted in the Wilds).


 * Mirage - using the aura and life essence of the Wilds the mage is able to create illusions within a specific area. No more than twenty feet from the mage’s proximity.

Shapeshifting
The Féachnóirí are very advanced in this specialization of magic. The animal forms they assume are indigenous to the Wilds and it is not uncommon for a mage in her thirties to have mastered at least eight forms. What sets the Féachnóirí apart from other Shifters is their ability to shift into Dragonlings. This ability is granted to them due to their connection with the infant dragons. They cannot shift into any higher form of the species no matter how advanced they become in the Craft. One power they are granted in dragonling form is the ability to breath fire.

Religion
These mages do not believe in the same gods as The Chasind or The Avvar even though their lineage is interlinked. Instead the Féachnóirí believe in a goddess who can take the form of a High Dragon.

"Important note: The Féachnóirí do not socialize with the outside world. If they do then it is a brief encounter but they will not leave their haven."