Witchcraft and Healing in Colonial Massachusetts: The Case of "Witch" Accused Healers

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The Massachusetts Witch Hysteria, also known as the Salem Witch Trials, was a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. This dark chapter in American history took place in the towns of Salem Village (now modern-day Danvers) and Salem Town (now modern-day Salem). The hysteria began when a group of young girls in Salem Village claimed to be possessed by evil spirits and accused several local women of practicing witchcraft. The accusations quickly escalated, with more and more people being accused and a general atmosphere of fear and suspicion gripping the community. The legal system at the time worked under the assumption that witchcraft was a crime punishable by death, and the accused were often denied the right to legal representation. Many of the accused were marginalized members of society, including impoverished single women and older women who were seen as a burden to their families.


This rune stores Spells cast into it, holding them until the wearer uses them. The rune can store up to 1 level worth of Spells at a time. It uses the same DC and To Hit of the original caster at the time of casting.

This bleed damage stacks once a turn and the target takes this damage at the start of your turn every round until they take an action to make a DC 10 Medicine check, are healed with magic or you use a Bonus Action to end the effect. In those situations I m confronted to either chosing to wait 30 seconds or so for ERW to come off CD to pair it with POF and do a large burst, OR, pop POF on it s own and have ERW catch up during the pull to use later.

Empowerwd rune weapon

Many of the accused were marginalized members of society, including impoverished single women and older women who were seen as a burden to their families. However, there were also prominent individuals who were accused, including respected members of the community. The trials themselves were chaotic and fueled by mass hysteria.

Empowerwd rune weapon

A long lost craft, Runes (Ø) and their Runic Weapons (ØW) were crafted with the intent of customization and always being ready for what is to come. These rune inscriptions are slowly being discovered across the Planes and the valuable ore, Runestone, that makes the Ø is slowly being mined out of the Elemental Chaos, but it is a dangerous endeavor that ends in failure more often than success. Despite the complications of mining Runestone, it is a highly sought after ore and is growing in popularity every year.

Forgeblood Industries, formerly known as Wuvroth's Ore & Stone Company, is leading the way in mining and obtaining of this precious resource and its CEO has promised to obtain more of the precious material to feed the demands of the growing interest.

Runic Weapons (ØW) harness the power of the Runes (Ø) by channels of Runestone sunk throughout the weapon, this is an extremely difficult process but provides an unequal weapon in terms of quality and ability. By itself, a Runic Weapon is not considered magical for overcoming Resistance and Immunities. Runic Weapons, depending on the quality, can have up to 3 Rune Slots (Ø) that a rune can be inserted into. This takes an short rest to bind the Rune but only an action to remove the Rune.

Determining how many slots a Runic Weapon has is based off of Ø1, Ø2, or Ø3 with each number representing the number of available rune slots. Some Runes need more than one Ø and will list how many Ø it needs as a Prerequisite.

The same Runes do not stack when attuned in a single weapon except for pure damage runes like Corrosive Acid or Flaming, but not runes like Frost or Dark Touch that have extra abilities.

Runic Weapon

The cost of a Runic Weapon (ØW) is the weapon cost plus 750gp for the first Ø slot. You can add a second Ø slot for an additional 1,000 gp and a third Ø slot for an additional 2,000 gp. This means that if you wanted to purchase a 3 Ø slot shortsword, it would cost a total of 3,760 gp (10 + 750 + 1,000 + 2,000 gp). After a weapon has been crafted, you can not increase its Ø slots. A ØW can not be enchanted with magic, instead you must use an appropriate Ø to make it overcome non-magical Resistance and Immunities.

Massachusetts witch hysteria

Spectral evidence, which involved witnesses claiming to see the accused in an apparition or dream, was allowed in court. This allowed for accusations to be based on hearsay and unsubstantiated claims. The accused were often subjected to harsh interrogation tactics and pressured into confessing to their alleged crimes. In total, 20 people were executed during the Salem Witch Trials, with 19 of them being hanged and one individual being pressed to death with stones. Several others died in prison. It wasn't until the hysteria began to subside and the governor established a special court to handle the remaining cases that the trials started to lose credibility. Many of the convictions were eventually overturned, and the court released the remaining accused. The Salem Witch Trials have since become a cautionary tale about the dangers of mass hysteria, the manipulation of fear, and the importance of due process in a legal system. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of unchecked paranoia and the role of social dynamics in shaping history. The tragedy of the innocent lives lost during this time continues to capture the imagination and intrigue of people around the world..

Reviews for "Political and Religious Motives Behind the Massachusetts Witch Trials"

1. John Smith - 2/5 - The Massachusetts witch hysteria was a complete mess. It was based on mere superstitions and paranoia, and innocent people lost their lives because of it. The authorities responsible for this madness should have realized that these witch trials were nothing more than a witch hunt and put an end to it immediately. It is a dark chapter in our history that should serve as a reminder of what unfounded fear and mass hysteria can lead to.
2. Emily Johnson - 1/5 - The Massachusetts witch hysteria was a disgraceful episode that tainted the reputation of our community. Innocent people were accused and wrongly convicted based on hearsay and suspicions. It was a gross violation of human rights and an affront to justice. The hysteria was fueled by superstition and ignorance, and those in power should have exercised greater discernment and critical thinking before accusing others of being witches. It is a shameful part of our history that should not be forgotten.
3. Robert Thompson - 2/5 - The Massachusetts witch hysteria was an example of mass hysteria at its worst. Instead of looking for rational explanations or evidence, people let fear and paranoia cloud their judgment. Innocent individuals were accused and subjected to cruel trials simply based on rumors and gossip. It is a stark reminder of how easily a society can descend into madness when reason is replaced by baseless accusations. The Massachusetts witch hysteria should serve as a cautionary tale for future generations about the dangers of mob mentality and the importance of critical thinking.
4. Sarah Davis - 1/5 - The Massachusetts witch hysteria was a dark period in our history where innocent women were persecuted and killed based on unfounded accusations. The lack of evidence or proper investigation is appalling, and it is disheartening to think about how easily the lives of these women were destroyed. This hysteria was fueled by ignorance, superstition, and the desire to find a scapegoat for society's problems. It is a tragic reminder of the dangers of blind faith and the devastating consequences it can have on innocent lives.

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