The Cunnings

Adrian

• 25
• Tall and lanky (+6ft), jet black hair, starting to grey at the temples. Well trimmed goatee. Storm grey eyes. Aquiline nose
• Far sighted; wheres reading glasses. 
• Greek/Italian descent
• Grew up in Boston with his mother, a university professor at Harvard
• ENTP
• Gemini
• Fav food: Mediterranean. Chicken pasta
• Very well educated. Studied Philosophy, Linguistics and Political Science. 
• Fluent in Greek/Latin/Hebrew. Very talented with languages.
• Academic, eloquent, highly literate. 
• Has smooth, soothing singing voice. Can beatbox.
• Plays transverse bamboo flute while alone, to help him think. 
• Innovative mind. Very reasonable and logical. Wants to lead the world to a brighter future.
• Out of touch with his emotions; cold. 
• Ambitious, arrogant. Has to be the smartest guy in the room. Despises stupidity. 
• Not above manipulating and lying to people; especially people he doesn’t respect or thinks is stupid (most people)
• Magickal gifts: Clairaudiance; can hear people’s thoughts/true meaning behind words. Hears spirits/ghosts/daemons. Suppressed since childhood. The Voice; can compel and manipulate others with his speech. Suppressed since childhood.
• Advanced magick: Telepathy. Psychokinesis.  
• Comparable character: Reed Richards, Rupert Giles, Captain Sean Renard

Gwen

• 22
• Voluptuous, stocky build. Big mop of copper red curls flowing everywhere. Rich green eyes. Pug nose.
• Irish/Scottish descent.
• Grew up in Montana in foster care. Strong ties to local Native American community.
• ISFJ 
• Taurus
• Fav food: all fruits and vegetables, especially root vegetables. Lactovegetarian. 
• Excellent cook and gifted gardener. Domestic, home body. All about creature comforts.
• Deep smoky singing voice. 
• Loves percussion, drums. Bongos.
• Very green politics. Despises waste. Good head for economics. Very practical, down to earth. Strong work ethic.
• Values tradition. Craves routine, structure, stability, security, order. 
• Very stubborn and close-minded. Hates technology. Afraid of change. Materialistic.
• Magickal gifts: Clairkinesthesia; physically sensitive to vibrations, forces and energies. Suppressed since childhood.
• Advanced magick: Can cause stillness/silence/darkness under stress. Can block, absorb or negate forces and energies.
• Comparable character: Monica Gellar, Paula Proctor

Hugh

• 20
• Muscular and hirsute. Straight golden hair & thick beard. Amber eyes. Prominent brow.
• Eagle eye vision; 20/10.
• German/Norse descent.
• Grew up in Texas with mother and two younger half-brothers in trailer.
• ESTP
• Leo
• Fav food: Red meat. Tex-mex. BBQ. Spicier the better. 
• Played football in high school, rides a Harley. Discharged from the military for insubordination. 
• Smokes. Likes tequila and beer.
• Deep, forceful singing voice. Works with heavy metal or reggae.
• Secretly plays the Irish fiddle and the Spanish guitar.
• Fearless and bold; true lust for life. Bit of a adrenaline junkie
• Rebellious and defiant to a fault. Hates authority figures and being told what to do; values his freedom above all else. 
• Aggressive, angry, impulsive, bad temper
• Redeeming quality: High value on the truth. Absolutely despises hypocrites and liars. Not afraid of the truth, no matter how unpleasant, ugly or harsh.
• Magickal gifts: the Sight (clairvoyance). Can see through time and space, auras. Suppressed since childhood.
• Advanced magick: Fire-starter.
• Comparable characters: Johnny Lawrence, Poe Dameron, Eric Northman, John Constantine, Mickey Milkovich

Vivienne

• 17
• Petite. Fine soft long flowing brown hair. Big saucer sea blue eyes. Cupid lips.
• French/Russian descent.
• Grew up in San Francisco with stepfather and stepsister after mother’s death.
• INFP
• Pisces
• Fav food: Japanese. pescatarian.
• Dances ballet, plays the piano. Swims. Likes bells and cymbals.
• Raised Catholic, but familiar with Eastern philosophies 
• Keeps dream journals since childhood. Lucid dreamer.
• Very artistic and emotionally sensitive. Naive, romantic, idealistic, childlike. Still a virgin.
• Sweet, delicate, heartbreaking soprano voice.
• Magickal gifts: Dream-walking. Empathy. 
• Advanced magick: Astral projection. Reiki (laying on hands). 
• Comparable characters: Dawn Summers, Rachel Berry, Jenna Hamilton, Charlotte York, Usagi Tsukino, Elena Gilbert

Magick is everywhere and in everything. The world runs on it. Almost all people have magickal talent, though the vast majority of people never harness their skills. They live their lives as Mundanes. But the most magickally talented people throughout history have no choice but to answer their calling. 

They become community leaders in their tribes. Shamans, Viziers, Philosophers, Druids, Priests, Mystics, Seers, Wizards, Witches or perhaps just cunning folk. Some become Sorcerers or Enchanters who use their gifts selfishly, or worse still, Warlocks; traitors who turns against or harm their own kind.

Almost all mages commune with daemons, spirits, ghosts, faerie or gods of some kind. The oldest worship in human history is Earth Mother. The hunter-gatherers of Europe worshipped the creative power of women and the Earth that provides and shelters them. Her and her son/consort the Horned God were the Divine. When the nomadic, patrilineal, horse-ridding, cow-herding tribes conquered from the East, they brought their Sky Father with them, along with his daughter, the Goddess of Rain and Rivers. While associated with agriculture and irrigation, her healing, benevolent qualities translated to modern Divine Feminines, such as the Virgin Mary and Quan Yin. And the first Hieros Gamos between cultures occurred.

The philosophers of Greece establish the 4 Elements, the components that make up all the Universe: Earth, Air, Fire and Water. All of creation can be corresponded this way: The phases of the moon (new, waxing, full, waning) , the seasons of the year (spring, summer, autumn, winter) , the times of the day (dawn, noon, dusk, midnight), the four stages of life (childhood, adolescence, maturity, geras), the four aspects of the Human (body, mind, spirit and heart). When all elements are in balance, can Life truly flourish; the quintessence. 

When tribes and cultures mingle and join, their wisdom and magicks is shared and enriched, making theirs magicks stronger. But darkness pervades throughout humanity, thus hatred and fear murder and destroy. Ancient wisdoms and magicks have been lost. Whole families have been wiped out by the ignorant and suspicious. The Burning Times (13-18th centuries) are a primes example. 

It was during the Burning Times that many mages and their families were wiped out, while others escaped to the New World. In America, peoples and cultures from all over the planet converge and meet. One particular family, the Cunnings, who can trace their lineage to the founding of Londinium, made their way across the Atlantic. Having mixed and reinforced their blood and magicks from Celts, Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Normans, etc., they became possibly the most magickally gifted family in Western culture. After centuries of itinerancy across the British and French colonies, they eventually settled in the center of this great new land: St. Louis. Where the East meets West and the Mississippi connects the North to South, a grand manor was built in 1904, during the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. 

The manor has Arts & Crafts, Art Nouveau, Aestheticism influences, including Neo-Romanesque and Edwardian Baroque touches, accomplishing Gesamtkunstwerk. Foursquare style, but on a much grander scale. Spacious grounds. Study with Library, Music Room, Full Kitchen with adjacent dining room, nook, garden conservatory and root cellar. Access to spacious side garden. Billiard Room with full service bar, weight room and sauna in basement, spacious backyard with pergola, fire pit and swimming pool. Unattached garage fits four. 5 bedrooms. Guest bedroom on first floor. Master bedroom has bath for two and balcony overlooking backyard. Attic observatory has 360 views, but currently sealed off to conserve heating. 

Jack Cunning, the last heir to the Cunning estate and fortune, was a infamous playboy and confirmed bachelor, who dies suddenly under mysterious circumstances. In his will, he names Adrian, Gwen, Hugh and Vivienne as his blood kin and heirs. The entire estate is to be split between them, the manor is in all their names, and have full access… on the condition they all live in the manor together for at least one calendar year. 

There are many bloodlines currently existing all over the world. Bloodlines of both Good, Neutral and Evil witches. Not all of the descendants become witches in these families. Only the most talented ones are selected and raised into a specific tradition of esoteric origin. 

Hereditary Witches like British, Irish, Greek, Hoodoo, Voodoo, Slavic, Nordic, Celtic, Arabian, Mexican, Italian, Stregherian, are passed down from one generation to another. Hereditary Witches are common in parts of the world where families live together most of their lives.

Why do they keep their magical identity Secret? 

For two reasons. 

1. Witches are not easily accepted in society probably because of the power they possess. Hence, these families, often try to keep this as a secret, NEVER exposing themselves or their powers, not even to their own descendants. Witch craze of the Dark Ages made witches more secretive (as if they were not secretive enough).

2. These Bloodlines, often serve different purposes. Others serve the Light, others serve Evil purposes, others become more political or meddled with financial interests. Hence, it’s not uncommon to see Bloodlines engaging in Witch Wars. There are actually rumors, that great wars (for example the World War 2) begun as a result of Witch Wars. Remember the British Witches fighting the Nazi occultists? Or maybe think of the Crusades for example. There are many who believe that the crusaders where actually trying to search and locate powerful magical artifacts, some of them which had nothing to do with Christianity whatsoever. 

10 Signs You come from a Line of Witches

Only if a child shows specific signs of Magical Power, may the ancestor reveal their powers and wisdom. However, there are many ‘hints’ or ‘signs’ that your ancestors actually know much more that they will ever admit. 

I, myself, come from an old Bloodline of Witches. Only when I become 20 years old, my grandmother revealed the truth. The age is not standard. Other families reveal their ‘Magical Identity’ to their descendants in a young age, other prefer to keep it secret for more. 

But let’s see some signs, when we come from a Bloodline of Witches. 10 Signs that all hereditary witches should know!

1. Your Ancestors are Story Tellers

Did/do you ancestors keep telling you interesting stories and fairytales? Hereditary Witches are often raised with stories and ‘fairytales’ which are told over and over again. It is very important for their descendant to learn about the World of Witchcraft. 

Moreover, these stories often possess a certain pattern. It teaches the young witch something about their esoteric tradition or builds up their moral integrity. ‘With Great Power comes Great Responsibility’.  

2. Your Ancestors are Potion Makers

Did/do you ancestors always had a potion for everything? It is very common in Bloodlines, to craft potions for almost any condition and pass them through generations. A potion to help you study, a potion for sweet dreams or help you dream better, a potion to ease anxiety, a potion for better sex life… the list is endless. 

3. Your Ancestors are Dream Interpreters

Did/do your ancestors were always interested in listening to your Dreams? Witches and of course Hereditary Witches know that in our dreams we become more aware of our true nature. When the physical plane ceases to influence our judgement, our true potential might be unveiled. Moreover, the Hereditary Witches may wait for the right moment to talk to their children or grandchildren about their magical powers. This ‘right moment’ might come after a dream the child saw. A dream revealing his/her true destiny. 

4. Your Ancestors are Peculiar Advisors

Did/do your ancestors give you weird advice? My grandmother always used to give me advice which made no sense, UNLESS you’re a witch. They sounded more like superstitions to others who made laugh of her. Of course I’ve listened to them carefully. 

Advices like, do not whistle at night in forest, have always a pot of basil in your home or do not leave your hair in a brush, or always flush blood covered paper-towels made sense only when I’ve studied witchcraft.

5. Your Ancestors are Amazing Cooks 

Did/do your ancestors cook in an odd way – using spices and herbs no other knows and of course uses? Kitchen Witchcraft is very popular because it’s concealed and powerful at the same time. Witches love herbs and spices and they like to use them every day to enchant the living. 

Do you keep getting amazing by their vast collection of dried herbs and exotic spices organized in glass bottles with handwritten labels? Cooking becomes a unique experience when you also employ Witchcraft…

6. Your Ancestors are Nature Lovers

Did/do your ancestors raise you to love and spend time outdoors in Nature?Hereditary Witches love to teach their heirs about the miracles of nature. New Witches are taught to recognize birds, reptiles and trees. They organise activities in the Wilds, spending much time around lakes, rivers, forests, coasts etc in order to help their heir get in touch with Nature.

7. Your Ancestors are Lone Wolves

Did/do your ancestors love to spend time alone? They may be old and/or widowed but they have no problem staying alone at home. Somehow they manage pretty good. Witches are not afraid of being alone. In fact they prefer it for certain rituals and procedures. It’s not that they don’t enjoy the company of the ones they love. On the contrary. However they love spending time alone. 

8.  Your Ancestors are Living Calendars 

Did/do your ancestors always know what’s the current moon phase or know exactly what holiday is today? They may know the religious calendar by heart too. Witches are always attuned with the Circles of the Sun and the Moon. It is very important for witches to be up-to-date with the Zodiac. 

9. Your Ancestors performed Weird Birth, Death and Other Rituals 

Did/do your ancestors performed little rituals when a new child was born or moved to a new house, or when new Year has come? Witches, although they want to keep their practice in secret, they always try not to neglect important moments. Do they bury the placenta in a blessed grove when a new child is born? Have you noticed them covering the mirrors of the house when someone has died? 

Although they don’t talk much about what they are you doing, they insist on performing these rituals. Moreover, they want to their descendants to attend some of these rituals or maybe tell them with every little detail. 

10. You and Your Ancestors Have the Same ‘Witch Marks’

Did/do your ancestors have the same markings on their body as you? Did they keep telling you that you’ve inherited these weird spot on your body? 

As we’ve extensively explained in our Witch Marks article, it’s very common for Lines of Witches to possess the same Marks on their body as a proof of their ‘Spiritual Bloodline’. What’s even more interesting is that one might be adopted and have the same ‘Witch Marks’ too. Witch Marks is the magical imprint of a Magical Bloodline in the genetic code.