Hag

“The only thing worse than having a hag in your

stanitsa is not having a hag in your stanitsa.”

—Chag lyn, Ungol Ataman

Few Ungol women develop magical powers without first demonstrating “the sight.” Thus, most hag witches—women who can invoke the spirits of Kislev—were wise women first. Their powers are said to be a blessing and a curse, for although the hags can undoubtedly aid their local communities, the spirits demand a high price for their compliance: premature aging. Because of this consequence, most wise women dread the possibility of the spirits answering their call. As well as the wise women, those who suffer a great loss—such as the death of a husband or child—may also be chosen by the Ancient Widow and gain an intimate understanding of Kislev’s tormented spirits. Hag witches who come to power in this way often live alone, grieving for their lost loved ones and fading youth.

Magic
Millennia ago, the Ungols learned to cast magic without using the mutating Chaos Winds. Their spellcasters mastered techniques to manipulate, cajole, bully, and bribe the many spirits of Kislev to do magic for them. However, these spirits are capricious and demand a terrible price in return: a witch’s youth. The Ungol hag witches have dealt with Kislev’s spirits for countless generations. In that time, several distinct traditions have formed.
 * The koldunja, or spirit witches, are hags who tend the spirits of the land and are called upon when the spirits need placating, banishing, or summoning.
 * The vorozheja, or fate witches, specialise in communicating with spirits of fortune and are consulted by those wishing to know the future.


 * The znarkharja, or folk witches, ward against the influence of Chaos and tend all manner of ailments plaguing their communities. But no matter what ancient traditions a hag practices, all are known for one power above all others: their ability to curse their enemies.

Hag Mothers
The legendary hag mothers are very powerful hag witches, known for their powers of divination, healing, and their influence over the Ancient Widow’s spirits. Most eke out simple lives in rustic huts far from the communities they watch over. These hag mothers rarely leave their haunted homes, forcing those seeking their aid to undertake arduous journeys to reach them. However, a few hag mothers do wander Kislev, following wherever the spirits lead them and sharing their knowledge. Although most appear impossibly old and bent—their twisted spines creaking alarmingly at the smallest movement—many retain their youthful vigour and can be unexpectedly spry.

Famous Hag Witches

 * Baba Khubleya - When Khubleya was born, the spirits were said to have gathered in unseen numbers, clamouring to take her youth. She was an extremely ugly babe, having wrinkled skin, wisps of white hair, and rotten, black teeth. The wise women recognised the blessed birth and immediately took her away to be trained. Now eight years old, Khubleya is an extremely powerful fortune teller, and Ungols travel from far and wide to have their fortunes told by the wizened child.
 * The Sea Hag - History has forgotten the name of the witch now called the Sea Hag. Once she advised Khan Wieran’s defence against the Gospodars when Erengrad was still the Ungol capital of Norvard. However, her curses were nothing to the freezing magics of the invading ice witches, and after a bitter war, her people were driven into the Sea of Claws and slaughtered. Legends claim she lives there still, under the waves, sending the spirits of her people to curse the Gospodars with undiminished rage.
 * Baba Osuleg - Said to live in an isolated hut made from the bones of fallen Ungols, the hideous Baba Osuleg trains a large community of the tainted deep in the Troll Country. However, Osuleg recently developed a mutation, and her centuries of service will mean nothing if the wise women find out. So, Osuleg is making preparations to hold them off, as her work is more important than an extra limb or two, and cannot be allowed to stop.

Source

 * Warhammer Fantasy RPG 2nd ED -- Realm of the Ice Queen (pg. 44, 101, 108, 115).