The whole, Witches stealing children to do horrible things to them? Only half a truth.

Witches will go after anyone who they think they can catch... and love going after those who think they're safe. Strong men especially always have a look of utter shock when they end up in a Witch's lair.

Witch hunters, angry mobs, inquisitors, entire communities have devoted themselves to trying to find and kill witches. Nothing seems to work for long. And the people who learn the most never are able to share it. Even what they look like sparks debate and argument, much less what they can do.

While people are arguing and shouting, about old crones or hags, or people flying on brooms, or sudden appearance of animal skull totems, or wandering black cats- they don't notice young women or men with bright yellow eyes, the appearance of small symbols on soon to be victim's homes, and while chasing nothing... they strike.

One could find themselves out chopping wood. Then faced with a particularly stubborn block, then a moth flies by, and like a little child all one can do is follow that moth wherever it leads. The victim will never know what the community thinks, but the community only thinks they know what the witches want them to know. A wooden statue of the victim, shattered into pieces. Keeps them from hunting....

But deep in the woods, the witches lure, drag, or invite their prey.

Sometimes they use their victims for new household objects, a new chair, some more mortar for their house, a new cape or blouse. But, most of the time, it's just time for dinner.

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Witches are interesting! Nearly every culture has them. Some magic user who goes a little too far, becomes something they're not. Swallowed by dark urges, fits of power, and the temptation to be more than they ever could be.

I imagine real witches would use their powers to make finding a real witch really hard, and finding fake ones to be really easy. Why just kidnap a person to eat, when you can leave a doppelganger that explodes into feathers? Then people don't look for the real body. And one can feast at their leisure.

I always tend to associate witches with a strong animal motif. Around here, mostly moths and lynx.