So we have a new content update with lots of new stuff. Although this is the biggest update (in terms of my effort), don't expect huge changes in gameplay, because the new content mainly concerns rare/late game mechanics or a new magical artifact. Let's take a closer look.


Unstable Source
It's good when you control the magic. It's worse when it's the magic that controls you.
So far, Witchcraft Mod has not offered much to children for obvious reasons. Now, in addition to being consumed, children with the source may also explode from an excess of uncontrollable magical power...
Between the fifth and seventh year of life, a source trait may transform into a more powerful but less stable form (currently there is a 25% chance of this happening). This reflects situations where a child's power is too great and impossible to control, at least without proper training. Such children are dangerous to themselves and their surroundings. Although this type of source has certain benefits, you will generally try to stabilize it (replace it with a 'normal' source). An unstable source can generate Magic Eruptions, events that can couse, for example, a large fire or the death of half of your court. Banishing such a child may be one of the sensible options, but there are also other ways - primarily assigning an appropriate guardian, preferably a mage or a true witch. The Aura Enhancement spell also reduces the frequency of magic eruptions.
During adulthood, an unstable source is less of a problem, but it can still kill you. If you managed to become a witch, you have a chance to stabilize the source and start a career as a sorcerer. Otherwise you are likely to face suffering and death....


Corruption Scheme
This new scheme is available to holders of the new magical artifact - Crown of Shadows - and to demons with at least two stars. It allows you to influence your target with manipulation and magic. Each character has different vulnerability to corruption, many will be beyond your reach (the chance of scheme success will be small; demons and characters with full magic protection are completely immune). The best targets are people who are already somewhat depraved, have negative personality traits, people whose secrets you know or those with whom you know well.
Corruption can benefit you and affect your target in many ways, depending on your decisions. I've listed the most common outcomes below (there will usually be more than one).

• The target will gain the corrupt trait.
  
• Target may gain stress or change personality (even if scheme fails).
  
• You will have the opportunity to dominate the target with a domination spell (unless it has basic magic protection).
  
• You will improve the target's opinion or gain a hook.
  
• You will vassalize the target (as long as it is a ruler of a lower rank than you).
  
• If the target is your liege, you can become regent, and the target will become incapable (I like to think of it as something similar to the relationship between Saruman and Theoden ^^)
  
• The target will become a witch or be recruited to your court.
  
• etc...

In addition, a corrupt character is potentially a good candidate for your Dark Champion.


Dark Champion
I took the opportunity to fill a gap in my fantasy about playing an evil sorcerer. Mages in pop culture sometimes had their sidekick, a loyal servant or a man for dirty work, who often was the first obstacle for those good protagonists of the story.
Dark Champion is a new position at your court, again, available for Crown owners and some demons. Not everyone is suitable for this position, the candidate must meet two conditions: have a bad personality AND a reason to take on this type of job (for example, he is corrupt, he is your minion, he is excommunicated, he himself is a true witch/mage, etc.)
There are several types of tasks that can be assigned to the Dark Champion (similar to the physician and chronicler). Although in my opinion Dark Champion is a cool addition to your court, it has also mechanics that can help you in negative interactions with your enemies. However, don't expect it to be very effective against demons and other mages, such opponents are your task ;)
And speaking of mages...


Mage Summit
Mages lacked an activity that would be mainly dedicated to them - it's time to change that. The Mage Summit is a new late-game grand activity, which is a prestigious event. Mages and (true) witches from all over the world meet in one place to discuss more or less official topics, and make various decisions together. Such an event is also of interest to minor witches and witch hunters, everyone has their reasons to be there ;)
The Mage Summit can be convened by a legendary mage or a mage with a very high level of fame (Exalted among Men or better). Before it starts, even two years can pass, as mages from distant parts of the world also need to arrive to this event. The Summit consists of two phases...
1) Banquet - This is an informal part that very much resembles a feast. It provides an opportunity for additional interactions between mages, gaining prestige, knowledge and hooks.
2) Council of Mages - The mages gather for a council. It begins with the election of the Speaker, who is the chair of the proceedings. In theory, any mage or true witch can be elected as the Speaker. The choice of Speaker is partly random, but the following factors increase your chances of being elected:

• you are the acitivity host
  
• you are the grand master of the coven or Yaga
  
• you have 20+ learning
  
• you have high prestige level
  
• you have "the Archmage" nickname
  
• you have a source trait or a magical artifact
  
• the result of the diplomacy check - this is a critical factor that can overshadow other factors.

Well, once we finally have a Speaker, he can put his motion, i.e., a 'reform' or a proposal to a vote. Then the eligible - mages, true witches, and characters with arcane focus - vote for or against (depending on their sympathy for the Speaker and personal views). If there are more 'Yes' votes, the council of mages has made a decision and the Speaker's motion comes into effect. Be warned, the assembly may not readily support the Speaker's ideas, probably many Mage Summits end with a failed vote. After all, there is no reason for medieval wizards to be more agreeable than contemporary politicians.


Other Things

• No new demons this time, however some of them got minor adjustments/changes.
  
• 'Whole of Body' path in magical research doesn't provide demon trait anymore, but now there is more direct way to become demon during research (though it requires unlocking).
  
• I've increased the cooldown of Magical Research from 30 to 40 years. But wait, don't curse me yet! Now the cooldown is dynamic and there are ways to reduce it: genius, scholar, erudite oracle, each reduce the time by 5 years, as does owning the Necronomicon, the Magic Theorists dynasty perk, and Research Cooperation (a temporary modifier from the Mage Summit). So instead of 30 years, we have a cooldown between 10 and 40 years.
  
• I've noticed that sometimes the secret of being a witch can disappear due to random events. If this happens, but you have at least one perk in the magic lifestyle, you will receive the 'Back to Witchcraft' decision, which will allow you to return to the right path ;)
  
• Necronomicon does not provide access to the banish demon spell by default, but it can still be helpful in learning this spell.
  
• And Abdul Al-Hazred has access to the banish demon spell, just saying...
  
• A Legendary Mage does not automatically become immortal, but gains access to conduct magical research on immortality.
  
• Well, minor changes here and there.

Future Plans
Bug fixes and minor adjustments. For now, I think of this as the last major update (but sometimes I change my mind on such matters ;p).
Let me know if something is unclear or you find bugs. As usual, I didn't have enough testers at hand to check everything :>
Have fun ^^