Sagehollow

= Sagehollow =

Description
The covenant of Sagehollow was founded in 1190 on the site of a Diedne covenant which fell during the Schism war, which itself was built on the ruins of a Roman temple. Hidden away within Sherwood Forest, its inhabitants have begun mastering the secret paths through the woodland. House Bonisagus provided the initial means of setting up the covenant, since they previously had little to no representation in Stonehenge - their hope is that fresh blood will help reinvigorate the Tribunal.

The covenant is located in a small valley, with a waterfall leading into a stream which bisects the site. At the pool the waterfall feeds there is - almost uniquely for Britain - a hotspring, large enough to host several people at once. A Latin inscription carved into the stone above the hotspring reads "May the blessings of Asclepius be on those who cleanse themselves here", and it has been discovered that resting for a time in the pool hastens recovery.

Most of the mages' laboratories are inside a cave network within the covenant, though much of it has seemingly caved in, and is as-yet unexplored. On the surface lay all the other covenant buildings, including the covenfolk's quarters, a mess hall, and a ruined Romanic forum - though its open plan has proven unsuited to England's climate, and thus it has been repurposed as a training yard for the turb.

After the enforced relocation of the magi to the covenant of Ungulus following the death of Prince John, it has been stripped of its vis sources and library, and many of the covenfolk have followed the magi or taken up residence in Farnesfield, with a small number remaining to maintain the property as a small commune until such a time as the magi may reclaim it.

Sagehollow Council
Arianwen of Bjornaer: Arbiter Cirice of Ex Miscellanea: Praetor (absent) Essel of Bonisagus: Consul Lady Evelyn of Verditius: Aegis and Custode Millicent the Inquirer of Mercere: Diocetes Master Richard: Librarius (interim) and Scribe Master Silk: Grog Tribune Ser Tancred Viscart: Praetor (interim) Lady Tessora of Artois: Grog Tribune and Turb Captain

Frequent Specialists
Ailuros and Maahes (Loremasters) Torvi Ylvakrí: Librarius (in training)

Role Descriptions
Aegis The Aegis is in charge of casting the Aegis, and may automatically bypass the Custode in requisitioning vis in order to conduct their duties.

Arbiter The Arbiter holds no particular place within the hierarchy; rather, their job is to act as intermediary between the other council members should disagreements arise, and to interpret the covenant hierarchy in such cases where it is ambiguous.

Consul The Consul deals with all matters of a political nature – mundane and magical – outside of the covenant. They often wield the other mage’s sigils at Tribunal.

Custode The Custode manages magical resources, including vis, magic items and non-standard laboratory equipment. They are responsible for their maintenance, inventory and distribution within the covenant.

Diocetes The Diocetes manages mundane resources, including finances, livestock and buildings. They approve planning permission for new buildings, the implementation of covenant income sources, and the purchasing of all significant non-magical items – the day-to-day items being managed by the Steward, Ari d'Emory.

Librarius The Librarius is responsible for the maintenance and distribution of books at the covenant. They keep a record of who is in possession of books at any given time, and mediating between parties if multiple people want access to the same book at the same time.

Praetor The Praetor is the principal figure in charge of dealing with perceived threats to the covenant. They determine whether a matter falls within their purview or that of the Consul or Tribunes, and takes charge in dealing with said threats, whether magical or mundane.

Scribe The scribe has no formal duties outside of the council meetings, and has no say within it; their role is simply to keep a record of what is discussed at meetings for posterity, and distribute them to relevant parties if needed - such as Council Members who were unable to attend.

Tribunes The Tribunes manage the personnel at the covenant. They represent the grogs and other non-council members at council meetings, and if the two of them agree on a matter, then they have veto rights on anything that they deem to be excessively or unnecessarily detrimental to their welfare. They vet any external parties before admittance to Sagehollow, and also handle the punishment of covenfolk when needed.

Turb Captain The Turb Captain is responsible for the covenant’s military. They are its leader in defence of the covenant, and are responsible for training the covenant militia. They may also organise defences and arrange for the acquisition and maintenance of weapons and armour.

Hierarchy of Roles
The following list outlines who wields ultimate authority in a specific matter. In cases where there is room for interpretation as to whose purview a given situation falls under, it defaults to whichever is higher on the hierarchy. In instances where there is disagreement and the roles are of the same level, it is put to a vote across the council.

Praetor - Aegis Consul - Tribune Custode - Librarius Diocetes

If two members of the council disapproves of the manner in which another council member has conducted themselves – even when operating within their area of presiding authority – then the matter is raised before the council for discussion. Note that the two Tribunes only ever count as one vote in such matters, regardless of whether one or both of them agree that it should be raised.

Substitutes
If any roles within the council are absent or otherwise unable to fulfil their duties when called upon, they are to pass their role’s token to a nominated deputy until they are once more able to retake their post. Note that the Arbiter’s role cannot be deputised; instead, any disagreements or tied votes fall to the Praetor to resolve.

External Parties
If any parties are looking to join or enter the covenant, or members of Sagehollow are looking to invite them in, then they must be directed to The Red Boar Inn. When able, one or both of the Tribunes are to meet with them to conduct an informal interview to ascertain whether they are trustworthy enough to be brought into the covenant’s trust. Only in the direst emergency is this buffer to be bypassed, and will likely require explanation to the Council.

In the case of non-mundane beings, such as a faerie or magical creature, a magus should also be consulted for their wisdom; usually, this is the remit of the Praetor.

Rights

 * All mages are entitled to a laboratory if they wish.
 * All covenfolk are entitled to food, drink and shelter.
 * All covenfolk are entitled to draw pay.
 * All covenfolk are free to practice their religion.

Obligations
There are no defined obligations, but if two council members think that a member of the covenant has not been contributing a sufficient amount towards the betterment of the covenant as a whole, then it can be raised before the Council as with any other matter.

Censor
Any breaking of covenant rules – or unspecified rules that may be reasonably determined to exist – is to be brought before a Tribune for their verdict and handled on a case-by-case basis.

A common punishment may be the withdrawal of certain privileges, such as access to the hot spring, or being assigned extra duties for a time. In extreme circumstances (such as wilfully jeopardising the safety of covenant members), punishments can be as severe as execution; though this is obviously never taken lightly.

Mages are not permitted to cast any aggressive or manipulative magic on covenfolk except in extreme circumstances; any such use of their abilities is to be brought before the council for discussion.

Oaths
All covenfolk at the age of ten or older are required to swear an oath. This is fairly standard, covering such things as not divulging covenant secrets to outsiders, not bringing harm to members of the covenant, and standing in defence of the covenant if called upon.

All those under the age of ten are treated fairly as members of the covenant, upon which point they are given the choice to swear the oath or leave the covenant, as they wish.

Mages swear an oath to work together for the betterment of Sagehollow and not to undermine one another, and to protect the covenfolk that serve them faithfully.

Dependents
All dependents (such as those too young, old or infirm to work) are provided for. Any covenfolk that retire or are rendered incapable of providing for themselves in the line of duty are given a fair pension and permitted to remain inhabitants of the covenant if they wish.

Overview


Following the death of Prince John and Robert Giscard during the covenant's liberation of the folk witch Arianne's sister Erin, the Order has decided to relocate the magi and any of the covenfolk who wish to accompany them to go to the Winter covenant of Ungulus. They have sworn an oath not to return for thirty years.

Many of its covenfolk have stayed behind to maintain it until it can be reclaimed.

At the current time Sagehollow is safe from threats as long as the mundane owner of the land does not learn of its existence. Current Loyalty of the Grogs and Covenfolk is 3.

Current Magi
Arianwen - A Bjornaer maga looking into the ancient and lost art of fertility magic.

Cirice - Child of Ceridwen. Maga seeking items of the past.

Essel - A Triamonae maga looking to stabilize the Stonehenge Tribunal.

Evelyn - A Verditus maga looking at the magic of Runes from the Order of Odin.

Millicent "Millie" the Inquirer - An unGifted redcap with an irrepresible interest in... everything, really

Current Companions
Rohen d'Aincourt - An ambitious young noble looking to remove the Sheriff from office and rebuild his home

Tancred - A timelost crusader from the time of the Schism War

Lady Tessora of Artois - A young noblewoman on a God-given mission to protect the innocent

Torvi Ylvakrí - A Pagan folk witch and seeress, fleeing from Christian persecution

Covenfolk
Steward (Ari d'Emory) Chamberlain (Anne) 11 Unskilled Labourers 10 Bandits (including Robin of Loxley) 10 Unskilled Housekeepers (cleaners, maids, servants) 5 Cooks (including Mary) 5 Hunters (including Bryne) 3 Teamsters 2 Apothecaries 1 Beekeeper 1 Carpenter 1 Glassblower 1 Glassblower's Apprentice 1 Mason 1 Smith (Old Whatsit) Total Covenfolk: 53

Wanted Covenfolk: Carpenter's apprentice, Smith's apprentice, Tailor, Medical Orderly, Mason's apprentice, Groom.

Militia
The labourers and teamsters of Sagehollow are currently being trained one season a year by the Turb Captain, Lady Tessora. Brawl 2 (Grappling) Single Weapon (Shield) 14 Soak: 5 Encumbrance: 1 Armour: Heavy Leather

Buildings and Locations
Three buildings may be constructed per year with our current crafter level (7).

Locations

 * Hot Springs
 * Vegetable Patch
 * Livestock Enclosures

Tents

 * Tessora's Tent
 * Torvi's Tent

Caves

 * Mage Laboratory: Arianwen
 * Mage Laboratory: Cirice
 * Mage Laboratory: Essel
 * Glassblower's
 * Library/Meeting Room

Constructed Buildings

 * Woodworker's Workshop
 * Mason's yard
 * Kitchen
 * Smithy/Mage Laboratory: Evelyn
 * Mess Hall
 * Barracks
 * Covenfolk Quarters
 * Stables
 * Infirmary
 * Guest Quarters
 * Forum/Training Yard

Under Construction: Hunting Lodge Future Buildings: Mage Laboratories, Covenant Council Room, Brewery Future Projects: Clear the cave-ins

Accurate as of Spring 1194

The No Mages Club
Giles "Old "Iron Fist" Giles" "Jack" Cooper (Grand Chancellor) Percival "Arrow Bait" Fletcher (Master of Keys) Theopania (Mistress of Coin) Silk (Keeper of Secrets)

Osanna (Refuses to be implicated where possible)

Books and Vis
''' Sagehollow's Library and resources can be found here. '''

Aegis
No one is currently is in charge of the Aegis. Current strength of the Aegis: 25

Hooks
Centralised Kingdom, Ruined Covenant, Unknown

Boons
Aura, Hidden Ways, Seclusion, Healthy Feature, Promised Favours, Hidden Resources, Criminals, Hunters

Covenant Finances
Current Covenant Silver Reserves: £113 (As of Spring 1191)

Banditry - Typical (£100 per annum) Apothecary - Minor (£0 per annum) Beekeeper - Minor (£0 per annum) Glassmaker - Minor (£0 per annum)

A Detailed view of the covenant's finances can be found here.

Loyalty
Mages Arianwen – 0 Cirice – -30 Essel – 0 Evelyn – 0 Millie - 0 Other main Council Members Silk - 0 Tessora - 0 Total: -30 / 8 = -5

Living Conditions for Covenfolk/Grogs: +10 Equipment for Covenfolk/Grogs: 0 Covenant Standard Salary: 0 Tribune of Grogs: +10 Turb Captain (Lady Tessora of Artois): +12 Steward (Ari d'Emory): +9 Chamberlain (Anne): +7

Total: +43 Prevailing Loyalty: 3 (43)

Score: 0 – The Covenfolk are moderately content. They have learned to ignore the social penalty of The Gift of their masters in the main, and treat them as they would normally treat members of the gentry.

Score: 2 – The Covenfolk are unusually loyal to their masters. They are close-mouthed about their secrets around strangers, and resist most inducements to betray them.

Score: 4 – The magi are treated as staunch friends or honoured as benevolent rulers; most covenfolk treat them as they would close family members. They will not betray the covenant except under the most severe duress.

Temple of Venus Genetrix
Secluded in a glade in the middle of a dense patch of woodland lies a lost Roman temple to Venus Genetrix. While most of the temple has fallen into ruin, the inner temple has somehow remains intact. Deep within the inner temple, upon a raised alter lies the body of the last high priestess, an iron dagger pushed into her rib-cage; an act that looked self inflicted. The Magi who discovered this local believed that much like Trianoma, the priestess sacrificed herself to help raise the aura of the temple. The sacrificial dagger buried into her rib-cage has become a source of Vim Vis over the many centuries since her death. Vis: Vim Vis Per Year: 3

The Glade of the White Stag
Every year in the spring, the stags of the British Isles shed their horns to grow new ones for the coming summer rutt. The Great White Stag of the Forrest is no different, however as Lord of the Forrest, the stag enters the same glade each year to rest before removing its crown upon a nearby oak tree and prepares itself for the summer rutt where it shall defend its new crown against the young males who seek topple its majesty. Vis: Rego Vis Per Year: 4

The Tears of the Blood Oak
Hidden deep within a large circular patch of trees upon the moors, lies a glade which contains the entrance to a regio. Within the regio is a huge blood red tree with the face of a primeval entity formed in the bark of the tree. Once awakened the face cries the blood of all those who have fallen in some ancient war, the life of those who would have lived appears in the blood as Creo vis. The regio and the tree are a mystery to the magi, and who knows what secrets might still be hidden within. Vis: Creo Vis Per Year: 3

The Spring of Asclepius
A large natural spring of hot water which leads into the river and waterfall which flows through the valley the covenant is situated within. Around the pool are a collection of ancient ruins which have both evidence of pre-roman architecture, roman architecture and post roman architecture from the original covenant situated within the valley. On a stone carved above the pool is an inscription "May the blessings of Asclepius be on those who cleanse themselves here" anyone who spends at-least an hour a day within the pool gets a +3 bonus to recovery rolls. Furthermore the pool also provides a +1 bonus to aging rolls due to a hygiene bonus. The vis from the pool is extracted by hanging a piece of cloth over the pool, at the end of the season if the cloth is washed 4 pawns of corpus vis can be extracted from the residue Vis: Corpus Vis Per Year: 4

Golden Eggs
A large golden goose lays large magical golden eggs which all contain 1 pawn of Teram vis, due to the magical nature of the goose it must be fed a grander diet than normal birds of its type to sustain it. To utilize the vis, the eggs must be cracked open and once the vis has been utilized the gold which the eggs are made from crumbles to dust. Vis: Terram  Vis Per Year: 3

Irminsul
This large stone pagan monument is shaped in an artistic representation of Yggdrasill, the world tree in norse paganism. Every Spring, so long as the tree remains in a magic aura, the tree seems to bloom with strange wintry silver leaves. These leaves - which are cold to the touch - are made of vis. At the beginning of Summer, if the leaves are not collected, the vis for that year is lost. Torvi believes that the leaves appearing on the tree may represent Gimlé; the world that comes after Ragnarök. Vis: Rego Vis Per Year: 5

Vis Per Year
Accurate as of Spring 1193 Vim: 3p Corpus: 4p Rego: 9p Creo: 3p Teram: 3p

Vis Stock
3p Vim (Total Earned: 9)(Updated for Winter 1193) 11p Corpus (Total Earned: 16)(Updated for Winter 1193) 2p Rego (Total Earned: 17)(Updated for Winter 1193) 12p Creo (Total Earned: 12)(Updated for Winter 1193) 8p Teram (Total Earned: 8)(Updated for Winter 1193)

Vis Usage
2 Rego & 3 Vim for Aegis - Spring 1190 2 Rego & 3 Vim for Aegis - Spring 1191 3 Rego & 2 Vim for Aegis - Spring 1192 2 Rego used by Evelyn to Create "Sages' Safeguard" - Summer 1192 3 Rego & 2 Vim for Aegis - Winter 1192 (Put the Aegis into the winter month) 2 Rego used by Evelyn to study - Summer 1193 2 Rego used by Evelyn to study - Autumn 1193 2 Rego used by Evelyn to study - Winter 1193 3 Rego & 2 Vim for Aegis - Winter 1193 5 Corpus used by Essel to boost her Spellpower for a Spontaneous Spell - Winter 1193 Insert Map here!