Baba Yaga is a powerful and feared Archfey aligned with the Court of Wither, known as the Mother of Witches. Her influence extends across the Faewyld and beyond, as her dark magic and insidious bargains ensnare mortals and Fae alike. She is often believed to be the most powerful and cunning witch ever known, her reputation spanning planes through her infamous Walking Hut, which appears wherever her whims take her. She wasn't always a malevolent hag, however, as she used to be a beautiful Sylvarin noble before being cursed by King Cernunnos for her deceitful and despicable actions against the Court of Verdance.
Appearance and Nature
Baba Yaga’s appearance is as unsettling as her nature, shifting between forms to suit her mood or purpose:
- A hunched, skeletal figure with a long, warty nose, sharp iron-like teeth, and thin, wispy white hair.
- She sometimes takes on a plump, almost grandmotherly appearance, though her smile always holds a predatory edge.
- Her fingers end in iron claws, capable of rending flesh and weaving powerful spells.
Her nature is dangerously unpredictable—just as likely to devour a supplicant as she is to grant their request. Neither politeness nor rudeness guarantees her favor; her actions are governed solely by her whims and the bargains she chooses to make.
Role in the Court of Wither
Baba Yaga is one of Morrígna’s closest allies, serving as the Court of Wither’s master of dark magic and curses. Her role is pivotal in spreading the court’s influence through fear and manipulation.
- She delights in corrupting mortals and Fae, twisting their desires into chains that bind them to her service.
- Her teachings have spawned countless witches across the Faewyld and Prime Plane, each owing their power to her dark tutelage.
- Her cunning is unparalleled, often serving as the mastermind behind the Court’s most insidious plots.
The Walking Hut
Baba Yaga’s infamous Walking Hut is a plane-shifting construct that allows her to appear wherever she is needed—or least expected. The hut, mounted on giant chicken-like legs, defies logic and can traverse even the most impassable terrains. Inside, it holds a labyrinthine interior filled with magical relics, cursed artifacts, and the remains of those who crossed her.
The hut is as unpredictable as its owner, sometimes offering sanctuary to the lost, other times becoming a trap for the unwary. It serves as a symbol of Baba Yaga’s chaotic nature and her ability to transcend boundaries.
The Bargains of Baba Yaga
Baba Yaga is infamous for the bargains she offers—contracts laced with double meanings and hidden costs. While she is willing to share powerful secrets and grant immense boons, those who accept her deals often pay a price far greater than they imagined.
Her contracts are riddled with dangerous loopholes, and her true intentions are rarely clear until it is too late. Many who seek her help find themselves bound to her service, their lives and souls becoming tools in her ever-growing arsenal.
Corruption of the Faewyld
Baba Yaga is widely believed to have been corrupted by Morrígna, the Black Rose, and has since become one of the most potent forces of decay and chaos in the Faewyld. Her influence has spread far and wide, giving rise to witches, cursed glades, and malevolent spirits that plague the plane.
Her most infamous act was her role in attempting to deceive King Cernunnos into bedding Morrígna, nearly breaking his bond with Queen Visunna. Though the plan ultimately failed, it deepened the enmity between the Court of Verdance and the Court of Wither, solidifying Baba Yaga’s position as one of Morrígna’s most trusted allies.
Worship and Fear
Baba Yaga’s followers—primarily witches and dark sorcerers—revere her as the Mother of Witches, a source of unparalleled arcane knowledge. They perform rituals in her honor, often involving sacrifices and acts of cruelty to curry her favor.
To most, however, Baba Yaga is a figure of fear, her name invoked as a warning to avoid making deals with forces one does not fully understand. Her influence extends beyond the Faewyld to the Prime Plane, where tales of her walking hut and deadly bargains persist in mortal lore.
Legacy
Baba Yaga is a living embodiment of the Faewyld’s darkest aspects: chaotic, dangerous, and unpredictable. Her presence ensures that no corner of the plane is truly safe, and her bargains remind all who hear them that power always comes at a cost. As one of the most feared members of the Court of Wither, her legend continues to grow, a testament to the enduring danger of her cunning and power.