Witch's Brew

Cults of Mestama

We continue this week’s discussion on witches by taking a closer look at one of the goddesses most revered by witches and hags. Since I’ve already covered Alazhra that leaves us with the Demon Lord, Mestama. The Mother of Witches has much more written about her than many of the other Demon Lords and she even has a worshiper in the fourth book of the Shattered Star Adventure Path. But even with the slightly deeper delving into this deific being there is a surprising amount of room left to expand upon. So today we look at three possible sects of Mestama.

As always, let us imagine we are sitting at our theoretical gaming table. Our imaginary GM sets out the rules for the game we will play. In this game, we are to make a follower of Mestama. The character does not need to be a divine caster, just a devotee of the Demon Lord. What character do you make?

For more information on Mestama

Mestama’s Pathfinder Wiki Page 

Mestama’s Archives of Nethys Page 

The Bubbling Cauldron

The Bubbling Cauldron is not just the name of the sect but it is also the name of the establishment where these witches are based. The Bubbling Cauldron is located in the plagued town of Edme, a city that seems to be a magnet for criminal activity. No small part of this is thanks to the coven of witches who runs the Bubbling Cauldron.

There are seven members in the coven of Mestama worshipers and each is an Alley Witch connected to the rotting city. Whereas other criminals and instigators wreak havoc physically upon the city, the coven adds their contribution to the city’s blight by corrupting the very spirit of the city itself. The coven’s great deception is that, in a city of scarce food due to a pestilence in the surrounding countryside, the Bubbling Cauldron goes out of its way to feed the poor and hungry. What is in the food, nobody really knows.

Kilner’s Hope

When love fails, many in Taldor look to the small shop of Kilner’s Hope. Kilner is one of the few male worshipers of Mestama. He is a eunuch alchemist who specializes in love potions, or at least that’s what the people who visit his shop believe. Kilner’s Hope actually houses a small cult of Mestama and their potions last for a while, at least until they drive a wedge between lovers that usually ends in violence.

The cult in Kilner’s Hope is actually led by mute hag who was once a spurned woman of Taldor. Her would-be paramour is now the eunuch, Kilner. She seeks nothing but to make the lives of others miserable and devoid of love. Those women who fall victim to her machinations and live – many commit suicide – find their way into the cult for a time as they also seek to make other’s lives hell.

Widow’s Promise

Mestama finds her followers among those who have suffered. Often women who have tied themselves up in their spouses and cannot live without them. When women like this lose their husbands to the hands of another, whether actually or just perceived, their need for vengeance drives them to the cold arms of the Lord of Deception.

Although many of Mestama’s followers are witches, all of the members of the Widow’s Promise are Antipaladins of the Demon Lord. After they exact vengeance upon the person they believe stole their true love, they then seek out others who stand in the way of love. They see their own loving relationships as the pinnacle of love and have a special hatred for cheating spouses.

From cities to forests, only the most vile revere the Demon Lord of Hags and Deception. Who is your follower of Mestama? Why have they chosen to dedicate themselves to the Mother of Witches? Where does their devotion come from? Let me know in the comments.

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