What is this Witchcraft actually about?
In vanilla, witches don't have much to do. This mod extremely expands their range of possibilities and gives some greater sense to the game (striving for power). Personally, I have my own informal division of witches into three categories:

1. Casual witches - that is, witches from vanilla game, they treat being a witch as an eccentric entertainment or as a way to worship the horned god. Being a witch itself, however, takes a back seat and is rather an addition to playthrough.
   
2. True witches - and here our mod begins. In this world magic exists, and true witches are aware of it. They have some knowledge, but they do not possess real magic power (or they do, but to a very limited extent). Most true witches focus on striving to learn magic, or possibly on using their current knowledge for other purposes, such as political ones.
   
3. Mages - those few witches who have managed to discover the secret of true magic are on the right path to becoming full-fledged mages. They have access to powerful spells, and ordinary mortals usually do not pose a problem for them. However witch hunters, demons and other wizards are still a huge threat.
   Becoming a mage is just the beginning of the path that leads to communing with demons and gaining even greater powers than before.

More power with greater effort - that's the essence of the Witchcraft mod.


How can I unlock perks trees?
You need to unlock related focuses. The first tree corresponds to the first focus, the second to the second. The Witchery focus requires being a witch - that means having the witch trait or witch secret. The second tree is more powerful, so the requirements for unlocking the focus are even greater. In addition to being a witch, you also need something to base your power on - usually a magical artifact or an extraordinary talent for practicing magic (any type of source trait).
There are also alternative ways, although they are rarer or very random (all of them also require you to be a witch):

• Having a place of power (a special construction) also unlocks the arcane focus.
  
• Choosing the first witch specialization gives a small chance of triggering an event that can unlock the focus.
  
• The focus can also be unlocked as a result of the Teach Sorcery interaction - when another mage decides to teach you true magic.
  
• There is also a slim chance of unlocking arcane focus during the Search for Magical Artifacts activity or during random events.

How can I become a witch?
Even in vanilla there are several opportunities to become a witch, mainly as a result of random events. One of the more efficient ways is to choose a guardian who is a witch for your heir. You can also use the ruler designer to play as a character with the witch trait. The Witchcraft mod also adds several ways - reading the Necronomicon (one of the magical items) or conducting an Esoteric Training (33% chance of becoming a witch, this is a decision from Arcana Legacy). You can also simply set the game rule to start the game with the witch secret.


What are magic artifacts and how do they work?
Magical artifacts are unique illustrious items that every witch dreams of. In addition to stat bonuses and unlocking the Arcane Focus, each magical item also has unique powers or features. There are currently nine basic magical artifacts:

1. Magic Catalyst - increases collecting power saturation.
   
2. Necronomicon - studying the book (via decision) can bring benefits.
   
3. Darkblade - magical sword that grows in strength every time you kill someone with it.
   
4. Ring of Life - provides longevity / upgraded healing spell.
   
5. Ancient Singularity - may have different effects depending on the outcome of the story chain.
   
6. Dragonscales - provides significant protection, including against magic.
   
7. Hell's Scepter - allows to summon demons by name.
   
8. Crown of Shadows - allows corrupting other characters.
   
9. Orb of Truth - greatly enhances scrying.

How to find a magical artifact?
At the beginning of the game, nine items are placed in an area depending on the game rules (by default - the whole world). You can come across them by chance, but usually the player will receive information about the location of at least one of them through random events (especially: 'Rumors About Mages'). Choosing the first witch specialization, participating in the Grand Rites, being a true witch or a court mage increases the chances of obtaining information about magical items and their current owners. Use Scrying decision also has a small chance of indicating the location of a magical item. The magic triangulation spell will always show you a magical artifact, but it requires an already unlocked Arcane Focus. Artifacts can also be searched for manually, with a bit of luck. In the character finder, you should look at characters with the true witch trait or mage trait. Often at least one of them is in possession of a magical artifact.
Update: Now true witches can also use a new activity - Search for Magical Artifacts.


How to get a magical artifact?
Knowing the location of the artifact is the first step to acquiring it. The main way is to make claims that will allow you to demand it, steal it or fight a duel (or even a war) for it. Fabrication of claims for an item is possible using one of the perks from the diplomacy tree. Claims for an item can also be obtained from some random events that indicate their location. With the help of the first Arcana Legacy perk, you can also acquire magical artifact even without claims - if you imprison its current owner. Also, you do not need a claim to acquire artifacts as a result of winning a mage duel.
In theory, an artifact can also be inherited.


How to get the source trait?
You can obtain it as any other genetic trait, most often through a sensible eugenics policy. However, this trait is the rarest genetic trait in the game. It can appear randomly on a normal character, but it is also a trait possessed by every demon. 'Unknown Potion' (from Potion Creation decision from proper witch specialization) can gives you random effect, including source trait. Consume child interaction (unlocking via another witch specialization) also has a chance for absorbing source trait. In rare cases, you can get the source trait from an event (Magical Research) or interactions with demons.


Why is this mod so difficult? I can't unlock arcane focus/witch hunters keep killing me :(
I believe that with a high level of difficulty comes satisfaction. It's not a mod that will make the game easier for you (...okay, that’s not always true, it’s complicated ;p). It's a mod that can reward you for extra effort, but also brutally exploit your carelessness. Sometimes you may also be unlucky and die even if you don't make many mistakes. If you need any tip or suggestions, ask for them in the comment ;)


Why is this mod so easy? I have all the magical artifacts and I am an immortal wizard who can win wars with one spell...
I'm still working on improving the balance, I'm making an effort to make the mod challenging. Maybe you were lucky or you're actually a good player. Let me know if you have any ideas for a reasonable increase in difficulty level.


I can't cast my spell because: 'This spell requires physical contact'. What does it mean?
Some spells are powerful, but they can only be cast at close range - that is, on a person you may spontaneously meet without arousing suspicion. The condition of physical contact is met for:

• characters in your location (province for rulers, camp for adventurers)
  
• your positive relationships e.g. friends, lovers, wards
  
• your consorts
  
• your prisoners and characters on whom you have a strong (unused) hook
  
• direct vassals

If you want to cast your spell on other character, you need to lure them to a common activity (then you will be in the same location).


I keep getting beaten in mage duels, what am I doing wrong?
You may find useful tips here:
https://psteamcommunity.yuanyoumao.com/workshop/filedetails/discussion/2837844350/597396108583377338/


How can I increase the magical potential of a source trait?
Magical Potential is an innate parameter that is determined at birth. It may change a little during childhood or source stabilisation, as well as during magical research, random events or a pact with a demon - however, it will not change significantly during the lifetime. To have a high magical potential you have to be born with one.


According to my faith, witch trait is a crime, but true witch trait is not. Why?
If you are a true witch or mage, for other witches, it is a sign of your high skills - but for non-witches, it means they have heard rumors that you practice magic, though it is not confirmed or official. However, if you have the witch trait, you are recognized as a confirmed witch, and no one can dispute it. Public opinion will accept your burning at the stake or any other punishment, as long as your religion considers witchcraft a sin.


Are there any known issues I should be aware of?

1. The mod may not work properly if there is no player character in the unpaused game i.e. the player is an observer. In this case some scripts may block/bug.
   
2. T&T and R2P DLC are required for the full mod content to be available/working for the player.
   
3. The mod has quite a good compatibility with other mods, but problems can sometimes arise, especially against mods touching on similar themes such as magic, demons, etc.
   
4. Camp Purpose: Secret Seekers may not always be visible/accessible to the player. This indicates a mod conflict - one of your active mods has overwritten the camp purpose from Witchcraft. Changing the order in which mods are loaded may help in such cases.

How do you become an Archmage?
1) If there has been no Archmage so far: convene a Mage Summit, select Show Superiority intent. Become the Speaker and nominate yourself for Archmage - and then win the vote on the matter :>
2) If the Archmage exists (or existed), then after his death, a Mage Summit must be convened. Elections for a new Archmage will begin automatically (instead of voting for the Speaker and his proposals).


Is this mod compatible with AGOT?
All indications are that the two mods are compatible.


Are there any plans for further development of the mod?
Nope :)


I have other question...
Feel free to ask your question here or in the comments section. You may also be interested in the following threads (but beware, they may contain big spoilers):

• Tips (a little outdated, but can still be useful): https://psteamcommunity.yuanyoumao.com/workshop/filedetails/discussion/2837844350/4513255283366641852/
  
• Witch-Hunteropedia:
  https://psteamcommunity.yuanyoumao.com/workshop/filedetails/discussion/2837844350/603043051218440901/
  
• Special Projects: https://psteamcommunity.yuanyoumao.com/workshop/filedetails/discussion/2837844350/4353368163571187925/
  
• Mage Duels: https://psteamcommunity.yuanyoumao.com/workshop/filedetails/discussion/2837844350/597396108583377338/
  
• Spell List:
  https://psteamcommunity.yuanyoumao.com/workshop/filedetails/discussion/2837844350/4629233756626039698/
  
• Lore: https://psteamcommunity.yuanyoumao.com/workshop/filedetails/discussion/2837844350/4844273660404636047/