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An ex-sorceress with a scar...
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Author:  Lady Mhuire [ July 13th, 2012, 11:34 pm ]
Post subject:  An ex-sorceress with a scar...
Hello, all! I joined HW some time ago but am just now getting around to actually getting involved. Please forgive any newcomer's clumsiness. ;)
I have a situation in a WIP that I'd love to get some outside opinions on. In my fictional world, Reyem, there is an order of sorcerers (the bad guys) who undergo an initiation process consisting of a cut being made in their scalp in concert with a lot of incantations by an order master, etc. All magical power in Reyem is demon-based, and this ceremony is essentially an applicant's request, directed to a demon, to be accepted into the order.
If the hair along the scar from the cut grows back in white, the applicant has been accepted. If not, tough luck.
The problem I'm having is this: I have a character who is a sorceress (white streak in her hair and all) who later turns from that path to follow the True God. I'm torn trying to decide whether the white streak in her hair should still be there since it's the result of a permanent scar, or if it should start growing out and be replaced by her natural color since it was connected to her alliance with demons.
Any thoughts or suggestions will be appreciated. :)
Author:  Politician de Paz [ July 14th, 2012, 7:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: An ex-sorceress with a scar...
Hmm. You said that if a person where not accepted by the demon's, then their hair would not turn white even with the scar. Therefore, I would assume that when the demon left her the scar would gradually return to her natural hair color.
Author:  BushMaid [ July 14th, 2012, 7:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: An ex-sorceress with a scar...
Hrm, fascinating concept! The thing about things like this is that even though there is redemption through Jesus for those who have made horrible mistakes and done evils in their lives, the redemption does not always erase the consequences of past actions. If you left the white streak there, it would give you a lot of opportunities to grow the character through the trials they may face from others over having it, and in the end, it may also be a powerful witnessing tool to others. Just a thought! :D
Author:  Arien [ July 14th, 2012, 9:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: An ex-sorceress with a scar...
It really could be either, I think. It's a question of whether the white hair is a one time event that stays forever, or if it's a continuous thing that depends on the alliance with demons. Either could be easily justified, I think.
Author:  Aragorn [ July 14th, 2012, 12:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: An ex-sorceress with a scar...
Another idea might be to have it fade, but only to gray. It's clear there has been a change, but the mark partly remains.
Author:  Lady Mhuire [ July 15th, 2012, 12:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: An ex-sorceress with a scar...
Good thoughts. Thank you all! :D
Bushmaid's comment brought something else to mind: namely, that the overarching theme of the book and its sequel is dealing with the regrets that come with redemption (hence the title Redemption's Regrets). So if the white streak in her hair remains as a physical reminder of her spiritual past, it might tie in very nicely with the theme. Why didn't I think of this before?
Again, thank you all!
Author:  BushMaid [ July 22nd, 2012, 7:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: An ex-sorceress with a scar...
You're welcome! Glad I could help. :D
Author:  Neil of Erk [ August 3rd, 2012, 7:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: An ex-sorceress with a scar...
I would leave the white streak. People who smoke suffer ireversible throat and lung damage, people who do drugs permanently alter their minds and bodies. The scar, and the white streak, are physical consequences and should remain.
Author:  Lady Mhuire [ August 3rd, 2012, 10:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: An ex-sorceress with a scar...
Another thought (one that I probably should have included in my original post): some time after her initial redemption, the ex-sorceress is killed by her former cohort, a sorcerer. But a short time after that she is miraculously brought back to life. I've toyed with the notion of the white streak in her hair staying until that point. When she comes back to life, it disappears.
But I can't decide for sure what the implications of that would be or if I like them. She's still mortal, but all her wounds have been healed - the ones that killed her, anyway. If the white streak disappears at that point, it could be construed to symbolize evil's complete loss of control over her... but on the other hand, evil had already completely lost its hold on her when Christ redeemed her so I don't know if that symbolism would be well-placed or not.
I do know that up until he kills her, her old comrade has taunted her by telling her she's fooling herself and really still belongs to the side he's on, and he's tried to lure her back with promises of incredible power. She knows in her head that he's lying, but she still struggles with doubt and unease in her heart from time to time. The disappearance of her white streak after she comes back to life would be a great form of assurance for her, but that's where this becomes more of a theology issue: is that something God would do, or not?
Taking away her white streak would be a beautiful gift to her, especially since she's still going to have a lot of other regrets and consequences of her past life to deal with so it's not like she's going to forget where she's come from. But would God see such a thing as necessary or beneficial? Because on the other side of the coin leaving the white streak there would be an excellent way to make sure she stays humble.
So to sum up: white streak for sure stays in place after her initial conversion. Question remaining: does it stay in place after she dies and is brought back to life?
Author:  Aragorn [ August 3rd, 2012, 2:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: An ex-sorceress with a scar...
Lady Mhuire wrote:
The disappearance of her white streak after she comes back to life would be a great form of assurance for her, but that's where this becomes more of a theology issue: is that something God would do, or not?
Taking away her white streak would be a beautiful gift to her, especially since she's still going to have a lot of other regrets and consequences of her past life to deal with so it's not like she's going to forget where she's come from. But would God see such a thing as necessary or beneficial? Because on the other side of the coin leaving the white streak there would be an excellent way to make sure she stays humble.
So to sum up: white streak for sure stays in place after her initial conversion. Question remaining: does it stay in place after she dies and is brought back to life?

Having it stay or leave both seem fine theologically. God would choose whether to leave it or not depending on what He foresaw as being best for her. One possible factor is what she would struggle with most down the road: If pride, then the white streak might be left. If the darkness of her past, then the white streak might be removed.
Author:  Lady Mhuire [ August 3rd, 2012, 3:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: An ex-sorceress with a scar...
Very good point, Jonathan. I think that's what I was trying to wrap my brain around, but just couldn't seem to come at it from the right angle. Thanks so much for your input! :D
Author:  Aragorn [ August 3rd, 2012, 4:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: An ex-sorceress with a scar...
You're welcome, Lady Mhuire. :D
Author:  Willow Wenial Mimetes [ August 15th, 2012, 10:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: An ex-sorceress with a scar...
Do demons actively keep the hair white? Or is it a one time altering?
Author:  Lady Mhuire [ August 15th, 2012, 10:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: An ex-sorceress with a scar...
It is a one-time thing. I've never really gone in and tried to hash out the details of whether the demons turn the hair white when they accept an apprentice's request to become part of the order, or whether the demons make their decision of whether or not to accept based on whether the hair turns white or not, since that particular detail isn't terribly relevant to the story. But yes, it is a one-time, physical effect.
Author:  Willow Wenial Mimetes [ August 16th, 2012, 10:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: An ex-sorceress with a scar...
So, if it doesn't mean that she is still under demonic influence, I don't quite understand why you're debating whether to get rid of it or leave it. :)
Author:  Lady Mhuire [ August 16th, 2012, 11:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: An ex-sorceress with a scar...
Because the presence of the white streak is directly related to her acceptance into the demonic order of sorcerers. Regardless of whether the white streak determines the demons' acceptance of her or the demon's acceptance of her determines the white streak, it's still related, and is a very prominent mark used as a sign of what and who she is.
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