Baethlae
The Baethlae are the least powerful tier of Hycathae.
Overview
The first daughter of a Hycatha takes her mother’s power and subsequent daughters only inherit lower ones. For example, a Cyntha mother’s first child will be a Cyntha too but any daughters who come after will only be Baethlae. The first-born child of a Baethla will inherit her mother’s Baethla powers, but any subsequent daughters will be powerless. At this point, future children could be female or male.
It is very important for young Hycathae to practice their magic, since it is the only way they can develop and improve. A very experienced and well-practised Baethla has indeed on occasion proved more powerful than an untrained Cyntha.
Abilities
See also: Hycathic Powers
Similar to Cynthae and Nyridiae, the powers of Baethlae are nature-based. They have an understanding of how to manipulate atoms but lack the raw capacity of the more powerful tiers. This means although they might be able to perform telekinesis, pyrokinesis, self-healing, or shape-shifting, they can only do so on a much smaller scale, and for a much reduced time period.
A Baethla’s power drains more rapidly and requires a longer time to recharge before the magic can be repeated and their power is limited to the touch. In the case of shape-shifting, blood is also required in order to map the DNA and emulate the image of the person being impersonated.
Notable Baethlae
- Meredith Eymor (1056 – 1141), mother to Alice
- Alice Eymor (1107 – 1141), 1st Duchess of West Mercia
- Mered Eymor (1124 – 1183), 2nd Duchess of West Mercia, Alice’s daughter
- Some of the Blomgren Sisters (late 19th century)
- Melanie Howe (1990 – )
