Rite against the White Witch

[Fizzgig]

We will need to attempt something bold, daring, and utterly foolish against the White Witch if we are to gain the upper hand. Thus I suggest we collect ourselves, and our allies before heading into the mysterious Stoneland ruins. There, we attempt to turn the White Witch's magic upon herself so we may stare into her mind. Once inside, we nab what we need and run for it.

Other suggestions are welcome.

Luckbringer Ottilie

[Burgesse]

I like this plan.

I'm working on a rite to draw her attention, but if we have a site to do this at I'm open to suggestions.

We know the Witch came from the Stonelands, so perhaps a place there would be a good choice, though that 'does' mean she might be able to draw on the Horde.

So a defensible site.

I'm hoping to pull her over and part her from the Staff, of question her if we can't.
I'll speak to Rismente about some kind of magic array, otherwise I'll make something up.

-Fang Kirin

https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?msg=Countdown+Timer&iso=20210207T05&p1=47

[Fizzgig]

Excellent idea! I cannot promise my attendance, but will do my best.

Luckbringer Ottilie

(( Will try to be there ))

[SadGruffman]

Fang Kirin,

Do you believe, given what we know of the White Witch, that with the right reagents (illuminated by this insane attempt to enter the White Witches mind) that we could form a banishment spell to hold her - perhaps, permanently?

Her mind will be a mess, I'm sure. We need to have some idea of what we're trying to find it we wish to succeed. I think planning to steal this knowledge, a means of imprisoning her, would be a good plan.

-Sir Nicholas, Dawnknight of Eveningstar.

[Harlequin]

I will do my best to attend.
Osco

[MiladyMouse]

We will come aid as we an.

• Children of the Redwoods

[Burgesse]

@SadGruffman

Nich,

I've no idea. I'm not a wizardry person, so I'm going off my gut here.

I'm drawing out a spell array that feels like it might hold her but for how long or if it even does, I've no idea.

But! I'm pretty sure it'll get her attention good and proper.

-Kirin

[Burgesse]

Kirin leaves a thick wad of notes in the file.

I made this.

Dozens of notes, drawings of the runes from the Witch's spells and the Netherese ruins, lists of spells and components that have meaning litter the pages.

'Cobalt - Healing/Cleansing? Gold to focus/mirror the sun
Gems charged with magic- Ruby for dawn and dusk. Topaz for noon and Sapphire for night.
The dagger cuts the link- symbolic of the intent?
Blood for beginnings and Grave dust for ends- the Hourglass
The Censor is a key- but what of the lock? Let it break if it must...'

*Finally, a drawing of a spell array, a mix of abjuration and conjuration runes written over a massive symbol- the Rune of a Thousand Faces.

If this goes terribly wrong, please take care of my cat, perhaps Jastyne could use a furry friend.
-Kirin Ashewood, Friend.

[Zolm]

Well on the one hand it didn't go horribly wrong like unleashing a new evil so that's positive!

On the other hand, beyond having four fingers and a thumb, it was the absolute worst.
-Therene

[Harlequin]

We all survived. We found out who the Witch really is. We discovered a way to defeat her.
I would not call this a failure on a grand level. On a personal level, all the choices that were made were not forced or coerced, but made willingly by those who made them. Regardless of how dumb those choices might have been, they were made honorably and we should respect that.
Osco

[SadGruffman]

White Witch Identified: Maura Marliir, War Wizard.

Source of Incredible power: Staff of Maluradek

Persons involved: Fang Kirin Ashewood, Fang Therene, Dawnsquire Sunguard, Dawnknight Nicholas Alwin Appleberry, Aerlalorn of the elves (Fallen), Exchequer Osco Appleblossom, Jess the Bard, Danny Steele, Kaldo the Undead Hunter, Gibbs the Ghost of Cormyr.

Opposition: Khadeejah, Genie in service of Karsus of Netheril

Maura Marliir entered into a pact with a genie, she was granted this staff of Maluradek in exchange for her life force. As time passes, the White Witch will age dramatically. She already appears well over 1,000 years old, however she is still unbelievably strong.

We gained this knowledge by completing a ritual at Griffons Hill Temple. The Ghosts of Cormyr and the Fangs of the Legion held off countless horde oppressors as Kirin began to cast her spell. What we intended to be a ritual to draw out the White Witch ended up teleporting us to an arcane sanctum far beyond the reach of Toril. My personal belief, as there was a strange blue and green sphere in the distance, is that we were teleported to another Plane.

This plane, was in fact, a prison.

Our first course of action was to proceed onwards - though we found ourselves met with multiple wards. At first we intended to disable them and make our way, however I was struck with a familiar feeling. In the Ruins of Amanazdar, we crossed long gaps with a grappling hook. Why could we not do the same here?

So, we used the grappling hook and spanned the distance, leaving all but one ward in place.

We were then met by what appeared at first to be an Air Elemental. We learned it was named Khadeejah, a name found in the temple built by Karsus of Netheril called the Temple of Ten Thousand Faces. Khadeejah was put here by Karsus as a guardian for his "Pet" a slaved-creature of humanoid structure that had never gazed upon mortal life. Khadeejah admitted after some conversation, that she traded the staff of Maluradek in trade for Maura Marliirs' (the White Witches true name) life force. This is why she appeared so old.

After a few minutes of speaking to the creature, one of us asked to look upon the "Pet" of Karsus. We were again teleported closer to the center of the warded prison, and we could see beyond golden bars of magic, a beautiful man of impressive stature. A god, perhaps. Khadeejah found it humorous, the first mortals this man had ever seen, and we could not communicate through language. A member of our party began to sing a sad yet soothing song, and the man joined her. It was the most transcendent and beautiful thing I've ever witnessed it my lifetime. "This is he of Ten Thousand Faces, lover of Karsus" Said the genie.

We began to question this Genie and revealed it could not leave this prison even if it wished to, nor could He of Ten Thousand Faces. The magic required to free them no longer existed.

The creature offered a deal, as all powerful horrors sometimes do. A trade, a life our soul, to break the staff. We were given ten minutes to decide.

Aerlalorn refused to be part of any such dealings, and stated we should destroy the creature. But this creature was protected by Karsus and his magic, it was a genie trapped in its own domain, we knew well that it possessed god-like power here, and a few blows from a pair of misguided paladins would do nothing but further agitate the state of affairs.

Despite this, after the time period, when the Genie returned, Aerlalorn attacked..

And was quickly cast aside, off the ledge of the prison, never to be seen again. He, my brother in arms, last of the elves of Selifrey, will be mourned.

I was having difficulty processing this choice... When Kirin stepped forward and offered herself. A bold move. She said she would not trade her life, but her ties to magic, and her vision.

The Genie, accepted...

And promised that the staff of Maluradek would fade into memory along with Fang Kirin Ashewoods vision and magical powers.

We were then teleported out of the prison by the Genie, and Aerlalorn was never seen again.

-Sir Nicholas, Dawnknight of Eveningstar

[A sketch detailing the prison lies below]

[Fizzgig]

The powers of the White Witch have begun to visibly diminish, however we are unaware of her location nor do we have a plan how to strike her down. Anyone got any good ideas how we may do so?

Luckbringer Ottilie