Where Priests walk the path of salvation, Witches chose the path to damnation.
There is nothing that perfectly illustrates the dichotomy of Good and Evil like Priests and Witches, and the consequences of tethering one’s soul either to the Mortal or Demonic Planes of existence.
Through servitude and devotion to the religious paths of Aynca (The Fayth, Confluence and Heltevei), Priests are able to channel the powers of Good which manifests in blessings, sanctification and consecration. A life long pledge to Good and acceptance of Mortality, to eradicate Evil in all of its forms.
Conversely, by desiring power beyond the means of the Mortal Plane, a pact must be made between a willing participant and a Demon. A Witch sells out their connection to Mortality, instead forsaking it and embracing Evil in its truest form. This pact grants the use of magic, for the destruction of all that is Good.
Scholars have studied this carefully, and the currently accepted theory is that Witches and Priests are two sides of the same coin. This also explains why a Witch cannot use Good like a Priest can, and vice versa for a Priest to use Evil.
Of course, there are those on both sides who arguably do not embody these established rules. There are Priests who use their piety as a means of control over their flock, and Witches who see the error of their ways may sever the link they have to Evil.
Witches
Any Witch wishing to redeem themselves must first figure out a way to free themselves of the unholy bond they made to a Demon. Witches do not know the true name of the Demon with whom they formed a pact, being truly at their mercy, and names are power.
They must use any means at their disposal to trick, trap, or by learning and using the true name of their Demon; for killing a demon cuts off all access to their magic, leaving a Witch utterly powerless. This process of escaping a pact strips them of much of their previous power now that they are no longer empowered by a Demon. However, they hang onto the wisps, bending this remnant of Evil to what is now finally their own free will.
When Witches were still lost to the shadows there is no doubt that the things they did were Evil, truly Evil. Their soul was severed from the light and never again shall they truly find it, though many reformed witches do what they can to atone. However, this atonement is a personal one and not spiritual, for there is no afterlife for a Witch, no matter the good they achieve later in life. They are stained by a choice they once made long ago.
Some people will never forgive a Witch, both because it can be hard to trust a person who was tempted once not to be tempted again but also, many have first hand trauma that stemmed from a Witch’s cruel grasp.
Priests
Priests sit diametrically opposed to Witches in the spectrum of Good and Evil. If a Witch gives their life to darkness and Evil, a priest has given their life to light and good.
The Fayth is the widest spread religion of Aynca but priests are not limited to that one faith alone. Heltevei and Confluence have it’s own priests, who have dedicated themselves to the teaching of those faiths as steadfastly as any other though their practices may differ to what many have experienced. Gaulois has its own spiritual practices that feel alien to the rest of the continent, with names invoked of powerful gods never heard elsewhere.
Priests have chosen to walk a path of enlightenment, spirituality and Good. They represent the ideals of Good embodied in the mortal form. They are strong but they are kind. Paladins and beacons of faith against an encroaching darkness.
By walking this path, Priests are able to utilise Good in subtle but powerful ways. Where magic is visual and overt, faith is demonstrated through resilience in the face of Evil, acts of grace and calm under pressure and the stalwart line of defence as they invoke the name of God to defend their flock. A Priest might not conjure flames or bend the winds, but they can mend the broken, soothe a tormented soul, or banish corruption with prayer.
The methods of Priests are arguably less flashy than Witches, but are always laden with meaning and burden. Priests remind others of hope, mercy, and the enduring strength of God.