We are witches. We do and desire what others cannot. We see the paths of kings and peasants and let others walk them. No laws but our own govern us; gold is dross to us, and dross gold. We keep our heads in the world of flesh and our feet tangled in the Roots. Of all mortals, we are the closest to Namelessness: we traffic with kami, tutelars, ogres, and ghosts.

And yet we are alone. No house will host us long. No crowd will love us. No kin will own us. From the places people gather people will drive us. Though we may walk in wisdom's light, our shadow is misfortune -- And to keep company with us means sometime coming into that shadow.