The Witch Mother & The Banshee

[meg 1993]

The Witch Mother & The Banshee

 

 

 

The Witch Mother

The Witch Mother is considered to be the apex of the Fjarriauga, however, most, if not all, Mothers outside of Skjoldier are incomplete, fledglings. Women traveling in trader’s caravans that pass through the Witch’s Waters in Skjoldier are oft cursed in secret, sending them out to foreign lands to build their coven and gather resources, with the intent of returning to Skjoldier with new knowledge or powers. These fledgling mothers are more powerful than the basic Witch, can spread the curse, and have heightened sense in regards to their daughters, however they lack the full capabilities of a complete Witch Mother. Without a cursed heart, they can not create Cursed Ice nor be turned into a Banshee.

To become a true mother, a Witch must be taken by a Banshee and prepared. First, they are slain, a jagged blade of ice plunged directly into their hearts. Their chest is then cut open, and the cold, fleshy heart is torn out. Then, cursed ice created by the Banshee itself is plunged into the hole, made to occupy the space the previous heart did. If done swiftly and correctly, the cursed ice draws the soul towards it, and thus provides the Witch's soul with a means of remaining in the body. They return to life, their very being now strengthened by this icy heart, and they find themselves capable of funneling their curse into other women or even creating the fabled cursed ice itself. The Mother is born, left with all but a tender scar reminding her of the heartless creature she has now become.

 

-Unique Abilities and Attributes

-Can spread the curse.

-Powers over ice and snow greatly increased (x2)

-Their heart has been replaced by a functioning chunk of cursed ice, created and placed by a Banshee. Unlike the Banshee, it is not visible or noticeable from the outside.

-Power to create create Cursed Ice.

-Their sense of other Witches, especially their own daughters, is greatly increased. Whereas a regular Witch must have line of sight or eye contact to know that another is a Witch, a Witch Mother does not need to make eye contact and can generally sense any other Witches in a radius around her. ((15 blocks)) The sense does not function if the daughter is within a house, building, or underground. Example of how this sense works: The Witch Mother is mingling in a crowd in Oren. She can not see her daughter, but she can tell her daughter is in the crowd and her general direction.

-Conversely, they have an aura of grace and power obvious to other Witches.

 

The Banshee

 

While the Witch Mother is generally considered the Mother of a coven, the Banshee can be considered to be a “Grandmother” of sorts. Although their relationship varies from coven to coven, each coven requires a Banshee and a Witch Mother to work together to survive and thrive. The Banshee is a slightly more powerful, more corrupted version of a Witch Mother. They are created either by, 1. Another Banshee, or 2. When no other Banshee is present, the most suitable complete Witch Mother’s cursed heart will grow naturally and create a Banshee.

 

The creation of a Banshee begins when a cursed ice heart is inserted into the body of a Witch. (Or when no Banshee is present, and the growth of a Witch Mother’s heart begins naturally) The current Banshee then activates the growth. Once the growth has been activated, the heart pulls in the soul of the Witch, and  begins to expunge itself from her form.  This process is incredibly painful, and generally leaves the Witch little to do but lie still in agony as it continues. When no Banshee is present, it will remove itself entirely, leaving the corpse of the Witch as a lifeless, soulless husk, and begin to construct a body around the new heart. In the presence of a Banshee, it is common for her to speed up the process by ripping the heart out and placing it in a space where it can re-form uninterrupted. This reformation process causes the icy heart to create a new true form.

 

((Examples of possible Banshee forms. (Within reason, no floating arms, etc. I had a hard time finding good pictures for this part :/)))

 

Spoiler

 

 

The Banshee is based entirely out of their corrupted cursed ice heart. Their body and form are simply made of ice and snow collected around it, manipulated by the abilities of the heart. Their true form is, unlike the true form of a Witch Mother or Witch, vastly different depending upon the Banshee. Some Banshees known for mood swings and sadness have been recorded to be seemingly spectral, with elongated limbs and claws. Other Banshees notorious for their beastial cruelty have known to be hunched over and monstrous, with large icy growths dotting their form. It is affected by their previous race, appearance, and overall psyche. The true form of a Banshee is, generally monstrous or spectral, and entirely malleable, due to the fact that their form is made of ice and snow. This allows them to control and contort their appendages like they would regular ice, using it as a weapon if needed. They are also capable of reverting to their previous true form, although it takes some effort (as much effort as disguising themselves) and is generally uncomfortable for the Banshee.

 

Banshees act as matrons and spiritual leaders for their coven, as they are unable to go out into the world and curse new Witches; that responsibility lies  with the Witch Mother. They are generally tasked with the creation and defense of the Coven’s home, as they are capable of transforming areas into icy biomes. In this home, a Banshee will often place her Witch’s stone, binding her icy heart to it so that it may reform there if ever something happens to it. They can not transform hot or dry climates such as a desert, but with time, they can use their powers to create a suitable home, should there be none. This magic is incredibly taxing on the Banshee, and will make them incredibly weak and hungry for a period afterwards.

 

Banshees are extremely volatile creatures, their emotions and emotional stability taxed heavily by the growth of their cursed heart. As they grow, they may  become better at masking their volatile emotions, however they never truly go away and can be triggered easily by sudden shifts or feelings. They are emotionally and mentally unstable, prone to lashing out and sudden, uncontrollable mood swings and violent outbursts.

 

When a Banshee is killed, by conventional means, their heart cracks and breaks, and their form falls apart, no longer being held together by the power of the heart. It is important to note that, while they are centered around the heart, it is not their weakest point, and severe damage to their form will destabilize and cause their heart to crack, killing them. (Such as severance or severe damage to the neck/head, consistent wounds, removal of limbs, etc.)  From this point, there are a few possible outcomes.

Their heart is shattered and for one reason or ather, does not reform. ((PK.))

Their heart is shattered, and it reforms at their respective Witch’s Stone ((All death rules still apply))

If there is no Witch’s Stone, it will re-form at the place they consider home.

It will re-form, however the body will not re-form, the stone going dormant. ((For when a Banshee goes inactive. Upon their return, they will retain certain aspects of the Banshee, such as being made of ice, and their monstrous form, but they DO NOT retain any of the abilities. They can NOT control the ice related to their form, can NOT create Witch Mothers or other Banshees, etc, etc.))

 

((If the current Banshee existing on LOTC plans to go inactive or leave the server, they must transfer the title of Banshee to the current witch mother. Their character will then either die or devolve into a regular witch, with their cursed heart receding and becoming dormant.  If they leave before doing such, this event will happen naturally.

 

The exact details of the true form of the Banshee MUST be approved by the LT, as it varies but also has some limitations. Can’t be like a big spooky dragon or anything.))

 

-Unique Abilities and Attributes

-Can turn a Witch into a Frost Mother or Banshee

-Requires replacing their heart with a chunk of Cursed Ice

-Requires forcing the growth of the Ice Heart

-Powers over ice and snow  greatly increased (x2)

-It is important to note that the Banshee and Witch mother are on EQUAL FOOTING in terms of power. They just have different utilities, appearances, and purposes.

-Since they can no longer produce daughters, lack the sense that a Witch Mother has, however they share the aura of power.

-Power to create Cursed Ice

-Due to their lack of any internal organ system, they can not benefit from the effects of potions. They also can not be poisoned or generally be affected by anything ingested.

-Due to their lack of actual blood, they are incapable of being affected by blood bending, nor can they learn blood magic.

-Their true form is corrupted and disfigured, with varying shapes and sizes. This also allows them control over certain aspects of it. Within reason, as any large alterations would cause them pain and or discomfort.

-They can disguise normally, with their heart being able to slightly mediate their temperature so they do not feel ice cold to the touch. This ability is volatile however, and depends on their current emotional state and whether or not they have eaten recently.

-Can NOT spread the curse normally like a Witch Mother.

-Their chunk of cursed ice protrudes out of their chest in obvious, jagged chunks. It emits a slight glow and is hardened, like icy stone. It can be flattened to wear armor with little trouble, although it is tender and somewhat painful, with the Banshee having faint feelings of suffocation. They are unable to fully disguise their heart growth, looks like a translucent splotch partially obscured by the color of their disguised skin.

-Due to the nature of their heart, they are limited to 3 magics, not including Frost Witch.

-Dealing damage to a Banshee works in that excessive damage to the limbs and form of the Banshee will begin to weaken and damage the heart, as it struggles to hold the form to the desired shape. After sufficent damage, the heart will break and they will die. It is difficult to break the heart on its own, however a blunt hit will disorient the Banshee.

-Due to the fact that they are made out of ice, they are even more susceptible to heat and fire than the regular frost witch. Their heart will regulate their temperature to an extent in warm places, but due to their physical nature, spending long enough time in a warm place without some outside way to cool off, they will begin to visibly melt.

-Their emotions are volatile and they are naturally temperamental. With time they may learn to maintain a calm facade, but it is easily broken with sudden flares of temper or other strong emotion.

-Their disguises fall victim to their emotions as well, stuttering or failing completely if they feel too much of a powerful negative emotion. It is impossible for a Banshee, regardless of time or effort, to be completely calm and collected. They will ALWAYS be reckless and unstable.

 

 

The Witch's Creations

 

Cursed Ice

 

In the lands of Skjoldier, the most valued item that is not a precious mineral or gem is something known as “Witch’s Ice.” It is clearly and functionally different than the ice a Witch summons and controls, and can only be created by Witch Mothers and Banshees. It is distinctive from regular ice in that it usually comes in small chunks, and has a dark coloration, emitting obvious wisps of cold air. It is cracked and veiny, with a light blue light emitting from such cracks. Cursed Ice is more resistant to heat than regular ice, and in Skjoldier is used by the Witches to create weapons, armor, and magical artifacts. The methods to create such are heavily guarded however, and unknown to most. Another use for cursed ice is the creation of Witch Mothers and Banshees, as it is the basis of their hearts. The creation of cursed ice is a long process, requiring that the Witch concentrates only on the creation of the ice, and even then it takes considerable time.

 

((At this point in time, it  is currently impossible for PC frost witches to make use of Cursed Ice except for 3 cases, 1. A Banshee to make a heart for a Mother/Banshee, 2. A Banshee and a Witch Mother to make A Witch’s stone. 3. Creating Witch’s Cloth. The  Skjoldier weapons/armor/etc is used to explain a few artifacts that exist from an event related to a  Skjoldier Frost Witch group, and to add some flesh to the currently bare bones lore that is  Skjoldier. It will be elaborated on in future lore. :) ))

 

 

The Witch’s  Stone

 

When condensed and molded into an elongated stone with two openings in the center, cursed ice can be imbued by a Witch Mother and a Banshee working together to create something known as “The Witch’s Stone” or a “Calling Stone.” When placed in the coven’s home, it can be activated by either the Banshee or the Witch Mother to alert all the Witches in a large area to return to the stone for a meeting. There is a LARGE delay on the stone, the Witches will get the message 3 elven days from when it is activated. No information can be relayed other than for the witches to converge upon the stone’s location. The stone does not function if it is moved, and must remain stationary. Smaller versions of the stone do not function, and the minimum size is 4-5 feet in height.

 

-Must be created by the Witch Mother AND the Banshee

-Can only be activated by the Witch Mother or the Banshee

-There is a MANDATORY 3 IRL day delay on the activation of the stone.

-The stone will cease to function if moved, broken, or disturbed.

-Minimum size for the stone is 4-5 feet in height, any smaller and it will NOT function.

 

Legends tell of a larger Witch’s Stone existing for ages that ignores most of the limitations of a regular calling stone. It also has the properties of eventually forcing any Witch to heed its call, unless it is physically impossible for them to do such.

 

 

Witch’s Cloth

 

Frost Witches, while they are known to be able to transform their physical form to almost any shape or size they wish, are unable to alter the shape, size, and color of their clothing. They are however, generally self-taught seamstress, due to the general need of requiring many different kinds of outfits for their various disguises. The problem arose, however, was when their disguise’s form vastly differed from that form of their true form, leaving clothes tight-fitting or too loose. Thus, the Witch Mother Arach was noted for discovering another use for Cursed Ice, and that is, when crushed and mixed with water, any cloth dipped in the water will absorb some brief properties of the Ice, making it so that any outfit made from the cloth will automatically fit the shape and form of whatever Witch wears it. They have no cognizant control over it, and it only responds to a Witch’s quick form shaping.

 

-Will passively allow clothes to fit the shape and form of a Witch if they disguise.

-Can not be controlled at will, and does not change the overall design or function of the clothing.

 

 

 

 

The Degeneration of Witches

 

For reasons unknown, sometimes when Witches or Witch Mothers leave their coven or disappear for long periods of time, rather than starting their own coven or, in the case of a Witch, developing into a Mother, they degenerate. During this degeneration period, they will naturally gravitate towards ice and snow biomes, and become feral. While they are feral, they have no capabilities of thought or reason, and function solely on instinct. Their curse becomes  dormant, and they lose the ability to disguise or control ice and snow. They will attempt to kill any living thing they come in contact with, their will being tied solely to their ravenous hunger. Witch Mothers are naturally drawn to any nearby ferals, as they are the only thing the feral will not attempt to kill on sight. Witch Mothers can re-curse the feral witch to restore their sanity, however they must first take the feral on a hunt or feed them with meat they’ve brought in advance.

 

-If a feral exists, the current Witch Mother will be COMPELLED to find and re-curse them. The feral CAN NOT be ignored. 

-Ferals can not disguise or control ice and snow. 

-Ferals are violent and volatile, like an animal.

((This is for ppl who leave/go inactive to re-integrate with the coven. Their MA should be revoked if they’ve been offline for more than a month, and then re-instated when they’ve been re-cursed.))

 

Ending Notes & Acknowledgements 

 

The purpose of this lore is to re-adjust and elaborate upon aspects of the Frost Witch lore that was previously unwritten or unexplored. The elaborations upon the Witch Mother and addition of the Banshee serve to clarify the hierarchy of the coven and flesh out the lore. As it has been brought up before, I feel as though it is important to note that the Banshee is not an 'end game', as there will generally only be one at a time per coven, and are on equal footing with the Witch Mother. Based upon new concerns or suggestions, I am fully willing(and hoping) to tweak things I am not entirely happy with. Enjoy the read, please be kind. I plan to write a future lore submission that will be a Skjoldier elaboration, as I feel there is a lot of untapped potential. Most of the aspects of this lore will be implemented (hopefully) in an event I have planned. Also we are recruiting if someone is somehow interested. Please get in touch with Halsi.

 

Thanks To

 

Core Ideas

Mephistophelian

Halsi

Mkk

Revisions/Suggestions

Tsuyose

Swgrclan

KnghtArtorias

 

 

 

 

 

 

[excited 10833]

I really like the idea, seems interesting. You have my support. 

[GodEmperorFlam 3447]

Agreed with Aerial, I like this. +1

[Halsi 381]

: )

[Cooliomafia 397]

+1, really interesting lore, good job!

[Dakirennis 957]

Love it.

[Angmarzku 1247]

This is nice.

[Mephistophelian 972]

I'm totally for this. I didn't write it and I'm glad I didn't; you actualised it very well!

[Slayy 816]

Love it. 

[Suicidium 1295]

I support this +1

[The King Of The Moon 5121]

Very fancy! I'm going to go out on a whim and affirm that the limbs/body is operated in the same way a Frost Witch usually manipulates ice and snow and will be disabled by Anti Magic at first, freezing then falling eventually apart and 'killing' the banshee?

Regardless of answer to that, really cool lore and it's good to see Frost Witches getting additions! +1

[Harri 4813]

this is too much like striga i can't support this you oppressive pigs

 

 

 

Good stuff, I'm for it.

[SpiltMemes 367]

I'm biased :J

[GDPR 014 23]

I like it. Has my undying support 

[Mephistophelian 972]

3 hours ago, Valmir said:

Very fancy! I'm going to go out on a whim and affirm that the limbs/body is operated in the same way a Frost Witch usually manipulates ice and snow and will be disabled by Anti Magic at first, freezing then falling eventually apart and 'killing' the banshee?

Regardless of answer to that, really cool lore and it's good to see Frost Witches getting additions! +1

 

The limbs and body would be controlled by the actual soul, not via the use of mana. That said, added parts to the Banshee body would be affected!