It seems the witches give the trait "warts"

[Handel]

Some posters here wondered how exactly the witch curse the victims. So according to the description it gives the trait "warts"
"A cluster of warts are seen on his face, no doubt work of a some vile witch" (or similar)

[dopp]

Being in close proximity of a witch when the turn ends gives a good chance (20-30%) of picking up a cursed trait.

[Zoltan]

Hehee, I wonder if the's a "newt" trait, that very powerful witches can give (the ones that weight as much as ducks)

[dopp]

Depending on how powerful the witch is (skill level), your characters can get up to 4 separate curses at 30%-50% chance every turn. Burn those witches, they are almost as bad as heretics and inquisitiors.

[Quillan]

I don't think anything is as bad as inquisitors. They don't usually come into my lands since I keep heresy down and the pope happy, but when I started taking territory from the excommunicated Venetians, there was an inquisitor in there who just won't leave. About every third turn he'll decide to burn someone. I lost one general before I spammed enough priests in the area to keep him occupied. If I can get a free turn without a Venetian army to fight, I'll squash him with the surround exploit.

[Darth Nihilus]

I had that happen to one of my generals. A witch also gave one of my generals a sick stomach and he lost 2 command stars for it.

[Quickening]

I don't think anything is as bad as inquisitors. They don't usually come into my lands since I keep heresy down and the pope happy, but when I started taking territory from the excommunicated Venetians, there was an inquisitor in there who just won't leave. About every third turn he'll decide to burn someone. I lost one general before I spammed enough priests in the area to keep him occupied. If I can get a free turn without a Venetian army to fight, I'll squash him with the surround exploit.

Why oh why despite my endless playing of the game on the hardest difficulties with all the nations, have I still not yet even seen an Inquisitor? :skull:

[chunkynut]

Why oh why despite my endless playing of the game on the hardest difficulties with all the nations, have I still not yet even seen an Inquisitor? :skull:

I think this must be because there is a global trigger that sets them off, if I get a crazy inquistor I'll turn fog off war off so I can see whats happening elsewhere. (I'd suggest if others have this problem they try this too)

I've not had this problem yet either, and I'm thankful!

[Handel]

I find the trick with surround exploit kinda cheaty; but I just surround my own city with troops (this works with the assasins too). The inquisitor just sits there mindlessly and after soem turns he just vanishes.