Story Elements

Below are ideas and plot hooks that need resolving by one of the GMs.

Regional Plots
Covenant's Centralised Kingdom Location All the lands in this area are owned. If the covenant becomes known it will need to explain its presence and come to some sort of terms with the lord and owner. Until then we best be careful keeping it secret. ''With Templar patrols and several of our members becoming more and more known to the peaks of nobility there are some with concerns over how well the secret can be kept... Moreso now that 'Fairhaven' could well be entering into conversation.''

Ruined Covenant Site The ruins beneath our covenant are still somewhat of a mystery. We know it has a deep history. Originally a Roman Temple to a forgotten deity stood here. Later a Covenant of the Order was settled here, but it was destroyed two hundred years ago during the Schism War. Who knows what treasures our forebears have left us... or what secrets they would rather left forgotten.. Besides Tancred that is.

Tasks to Complete
Assart Rights Forestry in Sherwood is dictated though the assart rights provided in the name of the king by his Foresters, these men are servants of the king and of the Sheriff of Nottingham; Robert Gisgard. Could Sagehollow utilize these rights to support a greater and more legal form of income? Arianwen has become known to Prince John and Essel has begun to manipulate Rohen d'Aincourt.

Agents With so many mundane villages and noble estates around Sherwood, the covenant will require agents to keep tabs on the local area, hear about any intriguing information and if necessary remove problematic issues which could threaten the magi. ''We have made a couple of associates, especially in the criminal circles of Nottingham. We'll probably have to pay for any information though.''

Monastery Monasteries of Mythic Europe often contain the greatest collections of mundane knowledge outside of the Order of Hermes. Sagehollow luckily has one of these nearby, if they could be convinced to trade, then Sagehollow's library will grow to contain books of Philosophae and Artes Liberales. The Cistercian Abbey has been mentioned in game - further narrative to be written once discussions with the GM have been had. ''We have managed to obtain a vast number of such books. There seems to be no trouble having the Monastery so close for now.''

Banditry Income Source Robin will stop at nothing to make sure that Giscard gets his comeuppance. Robin also has ambitions above his station, and is looking to improve not only his own life, but the lives of his people as well. He and his men provide the covenant a decent income source (their raiding the caravans of the king and the Sheriff). However if this were to be connected to the covenant, it would be highly damaging politically and dangerous physically. An alternative income source needs to be investigated. ''Before we can persuade Robin and his men to retire, we need to deal with Robert Giscard. Baron Richard of Blyde and Giles of Vennes may prove useful to this end.''

Knights Templar - Mannor at Wishborne In 1185 King Henry II gave the Knight Templar the hospital at Newark as their base of operations in England, this lead to the Knights Templar gaining the Manor at Wishborne, only a stones throw from the covenant. The new King; Richard Cœur de Lion, has decreed that the knights are immune to the crimes of Danegeld (viking tax), Murdrum (Assassination/Murder in Secret) and Latrocinium (Guerrilla Warfare). This would make Templar's either great friends or foes to the magi. ''Evelyn is soon to present them with some enchanted items. We shall see how things fare from there.''

Marian and Rohen of Farnesfield Marian, the former Lady of Farnesfield, was kept in Gresham Abbey and her son driven away, with the village being controlled by its sheriff. Perhaps this bears looking into. ''Rohen d'Aincourt has reclaimed his land to much annoyance. He is an ally of Ser Humphrey (Essel) and Fairhaven (Sagehollow).''

The Stone Tree Rylon spoke of a great stone tree to the north-east of the ruined temple within Sherwood Forest. This could be a source of vis for the covenant.

Prince John Arianwen has struck up the beginnings of a potential friendship with Prince John. This could be leveraged for great political gain.

Rylon The Black Dog of Sherwood Forest, Rylon, has began to form a friendly relationship with some members of Sagehollow, particularly Chimi and Osanna. Perhaps a more formal alliance could be struck to safeguard one another from danger when needed, to reduce the covenant's dependence on the Aegis and its secluded nature.

Lady Tessora After the Miracle of Summerbridge, Lady Tessora has been blessed by God and charged with being His Sword upon the earth. This newfound power qualifies her - in the eyes of Hermetic Society - as being equivalent to a mage of the Order, and therefore subject to the same laws and customs. It is probably only a matter of time before House Mercere discovers this, and extends a formal "invitation"...

Other Plot Possibilities
Keeping Magical Secrets out of the hands of Mundanes, Cataloging Magical Sites and Retrieving Missing Texts Essel holds the position of Spring Tenens within House Bonisagus giving the young maga a responsability across the Britannia, Hibernia, Loch Leglean and Stonehenge Tribunals. The Redcaps and other magi trianoma in those areas are expected to help with this but the position is hers.

Magi
Arianwen - Plagued by Supernatural Entity During the 'Gathering of Twelve Years' that all Bjornaer apprentices undertake, the ceremony was interrupted by the appearance of one of the Great Beasts, ancient Bjornaer who have become one with the magical realm and singled Arianwen out before disappearing into the wilds. Whatever this ancient Bjornaer has planned for the young maga only time will tell.

Cirice - Dark Secret (Ceridwen was Diedne) As yet Cirice has kept her secret, though some historic descriptions have been seen by Torvi. She remains resolute and perhaps fearful of its discovery by Tancred.

Edric - Mentor Occultes, the leader of the Linden gild of magi in the Rhine tribunal has taken an extra interest in his filius' filius Edric since their time together at Durenmar. Often acting as a mentor to the academically gifted magi and providing aid whenever possible. However, there will likely come a time where Occultes has need of Edrics unique talents, after all, he has done much to help his young magi... ''Edric has been granted aide by his sodales. Has he considered quid pro quo?''

Essel - Blackmail Due to an accident when both were apprentices, which caused Essel to be inflicted with a Faerie curse. Essel is now blackmailing the Red Cap Fabian for his part in causing her affliction. How long will Fabian continue to be blackmailed... or how long until Essel requests too much from the young man, only time will tell...

Evelyn - Envied Beauty Jealousy and female paranoia follows in Evelyns wake, though she herself is oblivious to it. Who knows what trouble could come of this.. ''A number of individuals have had their heads turned by Evelyn passing. Talks of angels and witchcraft among the Templars and religious penance during her visit to Gresham Nunnery are only the start.''

Companions
Lady Tessora of Artois - Gender Nonconforming Due to Tessora's belief that she is a knight regardless of her gender, she often conducts herself - and expects to be treated - in a way that is only applied to men in English society. People may take issue with this; nobility may be offended by her claiming the rank of knight, low-born warriors may feel emasculated by her, or the church may believe her claims of being blessed by the Divine to be the fanciful imaginings of a delusional woman. ''While the Templars have seemingly tolerated Tessora in previous encounters tales of summerbridge are likely to have spread. Will they be so forgiving as rumours of a holy woman go from village to village?''

Rohen d'Aincourt - Devoted Lord Farnesfield has been through interesting times and its people are looking to their new lord to bring stability and improvement. He, of course, feels compelled to help in whatever way he can come what may.

Tancred - Oath of Fealty A crusader born in the 10th century, Tancred met and befriended the Magus, Darius of Flambaeu. During their time together, Tancred swore his enteral service to the Order of Hermes. While assisting his friend with putting the heathens of House Diedne to the blade, Tancred was trapped in time. Now freed nearly 200 years later, he must find his place in this new world, in which his oath to the Order still remains.

Torvi Ylvakrí - Pagan Torvi's Paganism is fairly apparent to others. She is unwilling to feign Christianity on principle, such as attending mass or observing Christian holidays. Even when dressed in normal attire, her strange appearance, mannerisms and accent may draw unwanted attention and cause issues; let alone if she is seen in her traditional garb and performing a Pagan ritual.

Will Scarlet - Curse of Venus Mercenary captain Will Scarlet can never seem to catch a break with the Ladies; he always seems to enchant the worst possible people into his tent. Whether that is noble Ladies whose husbands are currently hosting his party, young daughters of powerful Lords, or simply members of his own Chosen Men. Love never seems to be easy for Will.

Potentially Hooks Encountered
Captain Sabre and the Naglfar/Wave Cutter - This feline captain and his largely female crew were encountered by Cirice. His memory was faulty but it was hinted he was once the familiar of a late mage of the order. How did Sabre survive?

Last Bastion of Norse Paganism in Britain - Torvi was told of this remnant on the Isle of Man.

The North Sea - A shipbound spring Covenant of 'mad' mages who sail the North and occasionally Irish Seas causing trouble. Do they belong to the tribunal?

Eustace the Pirate King - A highly feared pirate whose home is at the channel isle. His past transgressions were forgiven by King Richard in exchange for ferrying crusaders. His flag bears a devil upon a black background.

Rufus and his hunters - The Redcap Rufus found himself targetted by a determined group he barely managed to escape from. Who were they and why did they attack him? ~

Future Historical Events
The first Tribunal to happen since the covenants foundation takes place in 1193 at Blackthorne in Wales The first "Contest of Verditius" takes place in 1198, Evelyn is obliged to attend. King John taking the throne in 1199 following Richard's death. Scintilla of Flambeau and her filius Focus arrive from eastern europe around 1200, joining the Burnham covenant. Redcaps raise the issue of magically created silver as 'interfering with mundanes' causing the rule of 'No covenant may put more than two pounds of magically created silver per resident into circulation each year. This happens in 1208. Immanola stops moving in 1208 and is declared fully Twilighted in 1216 when Ebrion replaces her. King Henry III taking the throne in 1216. The Second Contest of Verditius takes place in 1216. William Fireheart of Ungulas (Flambeau) dies in a Wizard War in france in 1220.

Several apprentice magi in Stonehenge becoming full magi.