Magic has always largely been gendered in Etelel . Men trained men, and dominated court wizard positions and mage numbers in the Adventurers Guild. But witches formed their own secret covens, building powers that grew increasingly dark and sinister with their lack of visibility. This led to the king forming an Inquisition and the witches defeating that Inquisition and seizing power themselves.
After, the witches banned men in Etelel from training in a dedicated magical caster class such as Wizard, Sorcerer, or Warlock—with an exception made for the Adventurers Guild, on whom the Ruling Coven relies to help keep the peace in the place of a weakened nobility. Exceptions are made for low-level tavern bards or wandering druids, who keep the people’s spirits up and who the witches do not consider ‘real’ mages. 'Half-caster' classes are also tolerated, as the witches are not threatened by a ranger or paladin using a few spells.
When the gift runs strong in a bloodline, many witches find themselves exiling their sons. Other undertake difficult attempts to seal a child's power away from him - or simply forbidding that he ever practice or learn to use it. That is only a problem for those witches who keep their sons at birth, however - not all do.
Rumors abound that some witches - Violet Thornhallow of the Ruling Coven among them - kill their male children. Violet herself is rumored to be a warlock in pact with some horrific eldritch being, and among some witches and nobles in the know, it is said that she had several male babies before and between the birth of Sophie and Elena. Some think part of her pact with her patron is to sacrifice these children to her - and that perhaps that is how she gained so much power. This is all just hearsay, though, never confirmed. Certainly no one has ever dared asked Violet about it.
Her daughter Sophie has heard these rumors, and believes them. Elena has heard them and considers them a vile slander by jealous, lesser witches.
The many human, elven, and dwarven deities have not taken an active part in the world in recent times. Like routes to the Underdark or knowledge of the origin of tieflings, the reality of gods has become a thing of myth to many. Thus, when the Ruling Coven took over and declared that no clergy would put divine authority above theirs, the resulting fury was somewhat less than might be expected. Still, people believe even the unseen on faith, and the faith of some remains, even in the apparent absence of the gods and the atheist rule of the Coven.
The witches have also greatly suppressed religious institutions. While the worship of gods is not outrighted banned, most clerical orders and churches have been outlawed and torn down. The Ruling Coven will brook no institutions that could challenge their power, be they mystical or holy.
The witches proclaim that their is no celestial authority above them. Any supernatural deities are simply demons, occult entities, or natural forces that might be harnessed, negotiated with, or even bound by one of their own elder witches.
Any group religious gathering, for worship, learning, or fellowship, is banned. Family teaching their children 'superstitions' is explicitly allowed, however. Some of the Ruling Coven are aware that even their tyrannical rule has limits beyond which it is wise not to attempt to push. Thus, the witches claim that 'freedom of superstition and family beliefs' are absolute under their rule. It is only the 'spiritual manipulation of others' that is forbidden.
As a result, Etelel has greatly secularized in the last twenty years. Without open religious community, many children were only passingly exposed to the gods their families had long followed, and many adults today view the lack of divine retribution on the Ruling Coven as evidence, if nothing else, of the absence or non-existence of the gods.
However, faith persists. Many religious communities are actually tolerated if they keep their activity quiet and unobtrusive. Informants for the Covenate Guard are everywhere, and almost all 'secret' religious communities are known to authorities. Generally, raids are only made when the Coven has a reason - and then they already have the excuse. However, any group that agitates against the witches and their rule is rapidly seized and viciously dealt with. Over time, even the most devout faithful of Etelel, have learned to always moderate their language and avoid speaking against the Coven, even in the most private setting. Religion continues in some quiet chambers across the land, but its effectiveness as a vehicle to raise dissent against the Ruling Coven has been neutered.