Rebel Witch

Rune’s invisibility spell, Ghost Walker, is a motif that thematically aligns with The Critical Role of Identity. This spell, which Rune uses most often and is a spell she personally created, enables her to survive by evading notice, much like how her role-playing of different personas—socialite, spoiled aristocrat, or grand seductress—helps her evade notice as a witch and the Crimson Moth. However, in Rebel Witch, Rune begins to struggle with her identity. She often wonders who she really is, and her recurring use of the Ghost Walker spell highlights this struggle. She’s so used to disappearing into various roles to survive that she loses sight of her identity beneath them all.

In most instances when she uses the Ghost Walker spell, the text points out the crimson moth signature floating above. Chapter 25 notes “a crimson signature […] in the air next to her head, the only trace of her Ghost Walker spell” (149). This is a reminder that no matter how much Rune loses herself to the roles she must play to survive, a trace of her will always linger to lead her back to herself.