Binding Ritual

Stops a witch from using her magic.

Level: Witch True Ritual – Witch 7
Components: V, S, M, AF, XP
Casters Required: 3 or more
Proxy: No
Casting Time: 1 hour + 15 minutes per caster
Range: Close
Target: One creature
Duration: See below
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless)
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)

Magic is a gift from the Goddess and God to a witch. In return for this gift, the Goddess expects the witch to act as her hands in this realm. The witch is free to act as she interprets the Goddess’ will and as long as there is understanding then the sacred trust is not broken.

But some witches, either by choice or misguided judgment, break this pact and the Goddess then must act through her other witches.

The law says, “An Harm None, Do What Thou Wilt”. When this law is broken then other witches must step in to stop their offending sister.

Three or more witches cast the Binding Ritual against another witch. All witches are typically from the same coven. It is a way to stop the witch without actually harming her and preventing her from harming others. Individual GMs must decide if this ritual is effective on other magic using classes.

The effects and duration of the ritual is dependent on the number of witches casting. In any case the duration is based on the effective casting level as detailed in the ritual magic section or as per the Combined Casting feat. The type of magic bound prevents the witch from using that type of magic during the time period indicated. All magic below that type is also effected.

# of Casters	Magic Bound	Time Period (Effective Caster Level)
3	Use of Scrolls	ECL in Hours
5	Magic Items	ECL in Days
7	Occult Powers	ECL in Weeks
9	Divine or Arcane Spells	ECL in Months
12+	All Spells	ECL in Years

The effected witch is allowed a Will save verses the effects of the magic. Again the Effective Caster Level is determined. If the witch belongs a different coven than those casting she gains a benefit of +1 to her Will. If she is also in violation of her alignment (was good now evil) or her pact with the Patron, then she is also penalized -1 to her Will.

Witches never take a binding lightly. Magic is a gift, many times a life saving one. To rob a witch of her magic will also most likely leave her vulnerable to other attacks. Many which could be fatal. A binding is always done as a last resort.

Material Components: An image or representation of the witch being bound. A personal belonging to wrap around this item, such as a bit of her hair or a scrap of clothing, say from her ritual robe. Herbs such as Knotweed are also used. Everything is bound up in a ritual cord made just for this instance. Everything is placed in a brazier and burned to ashes at the end of the spell.

The price of the materials used in the rituals will not typically exceed 200 gp.

Focus: The arcane focus for this ritual is the image of the witch to be bound. The casting witches must also use their athames to focus their energies to the witch.

XP Cost: 1,000 XP per caster.