Post by PHAROS on Jun 5, 2020 23:31:47 GMT -6
The COVEN
The Coven of Omensvale has existed since 1890. It was started by Mary Jack, who constructed Crow Cove and used the basement as a place of gathering for others like her. Prior to The Gloaming Event the frequency of preternaturals that would be classified as witches and warlocks were very few. Those that existed in Omensvale found sanctuary at the 'Cove', especially from Hunters meaning to do them harm. It was battling against these killers that was the reason behind the fires that Crow Cove endured through the years.
Today, the leader of the Coven is Coreen Xiang and like her predecessors uses hers and the power of Crow Cove to protect the preternatural and slowly work to make the world more magical without upsetting the balance. They are not like Krius, who desires to conjure the Second Gloaming, their methods are far more subtle and understanding.
They have zero tolerance for Hunters and those who upset the balance, like Krius, or religious cults. They are also, at odds with ICOR who see them as threat to their agenda since they desire to create a world with less technology and human control. Depending on the situation, they can either be enemies or allies of ICOR. They have alway seen themselves as guardians of Omensvale, protecting it from dark preternatural forces and monstrosities that can grow within the shadows of their own magic. It is not uncommon for them to join forces with the Pack to hunt down and destroy undead creatures like ghouls and vampyres. They consider themselves the authority of magic in the area, and of course, there are many that disagree with this self appointment, but there are few able to stand against the power of the Coven. They have existed in the area for so long, that they have permeated Omensvale with sigils and glyphs that they use to increase the power of their magic. Only they know the locations of these symbols and wards, and how to use them, and they are everywhere. There are very few historical items that do not have hidden magical symbols and imagery engrained within them. Naturally other practitioners of magic may pick up on this, but they remain in the dark as to how to access the power they hold. Only the Coven possesses the knowledge, which is hidden within the various books of their vast library. Knowledges that is transferred to the owner of Crow Cove, and Mistress of the Coven.
The Coven has rarely exceeded seven members, often averaging around five, but since the Gloaming that number has easily doubled. One can depict around ten members at gatherings. Only Arcanists or people who practice and perform incantations are a part of the Coven. They don't necessarily have to be able to produce their own mana, just focus on the use of ritualistic spells and the patronage of the old gods.
The practices of the Coven's members will purposefully vary in order to give them a wider range of spells to utilize. They are active members of the community, and people that few would ever suspect to be Arcanists. Writers are welcome to develop these long-standing members to serve as mentors, or conflicting characters. All of the senior members of the Coven are women.
THE PACT
The Coven has a mysterious pact with the Pack. Not much is known about it, only that the Coven does not interfere with the business of the Pack in their territory, which is the forest, and the Pack avoids Crow Cove. This does not mean they are banned from setting foot in it, they just don't frequent the establishment. Younger Pack members usually find this out on their own as the pact is not discussed among them.
THE COVENSTEAD
The cellar of Crow Cove has never been renovated. There's cold storage, and the line run down to the kegs that are stored there. Aside form that, it's storage. As the structure has been added onto through the years it extends past the parameters of the basement. What people don't know, is that there are secret passages leading to the catacombs of a forgotten church that used to stand near to where the original structure was built...
The Covenstead was built from out of the catacombs of the church. As they tunnelled deeper natural caverns were found beneath the structure eliminating the need for further digging. The natural caverns were adapted into chambers, stairs were carved out of the rock and over time electricity was introduced. We leave much of the structure up to the imagination, but for consistency the main hall is as follows.
From the catacombs a single passageway descends into the natural caverns below. They all intersect at the main hall, a grand room which looks like a gothic cathedral. Large stained glass windows line the brick walls, behind which flicker candelabras, which are now only lit for special occasions and rituals. It is a large square room with a twenty foot vaulted ceiling, large chandeliers with electric lighting suspended high above. The floor is made of stone slabs, and there are several statures and paintings of mythic creatures, combined with magical sigils. It is a powerful place, the permanent circle of magic etched into the floor at it's center being the most potent area. Here is where the Coven meets, gathering around a circular oak table at the far end of the hall. Into the table is etched a pentacle.
There are other chambers that are linked to the main hall by winding passages, such as the library, the apothecary, and the vault, among others. Writers may add details as they see fit. All the caverns have been made into rooms, the walls covered with bricks, the floors levelled, stone slabs laid, vaulted ceilings contracted. It's masterful work, and none know how Mary Jack could have done it all, but according to the history known to the Coven, it was all constructed in her time.
The Coven of Omensvale has existed since 1890. It was started by Mary Jack, who constructed Crow Cove and used the basement as a place of gathering for others like her. Prior to The Gloaming Event the frequency of preternaturals that would be classified as witches and warlocks were very few. Those that existed in Omensvale found sanctuary at the 'Cove', especially from Hunters meaning to do them harm. It was battling against these killers that was the reason behind the fires that Crow Cove endured through the years.
Today, the leader of the Coven is Coreen Xiang and like her predecessors uses hers and the power of Crow Cove to protect the preternatural and slowly work to make the world more magical without upsetting the balance. They are not like Krius, who desires to conjure the Second Gloaming, their methods are far more subtle and understanding.
They have zero tolerance for Hunters and those who upset the balance, like Krius, or religious cults. They are also, at odds with ICOR who see them as threat to their agenda since they desire to create a world with less technology and human control. Depending on the situation, they can either be enemies or allies of ICOR. They have alway seen themselves as guardians of Omensvale, protecting it from dark preternatural forces and monstrosities that can grow within the shadows of their own magic. It is not uncommon for them to join forces with the Pack to hunt down and destroy undead creatures like ghouls and vampyres. They consider themselves the authority of magic in the area, and of course, there are many that disagree with this self appointment, but there are few able to stand against the power of the Coven. They have existed in the area for so long, that they have permeated Omensvale with sigils and glyphs that they use to increase the power of their magic. Only they know the locations of these symbols and wards, and how to use them, and they are everywhere. There are very few historical items that do not have hidden magical symbols and imagery engrained within them. Naturally other practitioners of magic may pick up on this, but they remain in the dark as to how to access the power they hold. Only the Coven possesses the knowledge, which is hidden within the various books of their vast library. Knowledges that is transferred to the owner of Crow Cove, and Mistress of the Coven.
The Coven has rarely exceeded seven members, often averaging around five, but since the Gloaming that number has easily doubled. One can depict around ten members at gatherings. Only Arcanists or people who practice and perform incantations are a part of the Coven. They don't necessarily have to be able to produce their own mana, just focus on the use of ritualistic spells and the patronage of the old gods.
The practices of the Coven's members will purposefully vary in order to give them a wider range of spells to utilize. They are active members of the community, and people that few would ever suspect to be Arcanists. Writers are welcome to develop these long-standing members to serve as mentors, or conflicting characters. All of the senior members of the Coven are women.
THE PACT
The Coven has a mysterious pact with the Pack. Not much is known about it, only that the Coven does not interfere with the business of the Pack in their territory, which is the forest, and the Pack avoids Crow Cove. This does not mean they are banned from setting foot in it, they just don't frequent the establishment. Younger Pack members usually find this out on their own as the pact is not discussed among them.
THE COVENSTEAD
The cellar of Crow Cove has never been renovated. There's cold storage, and the line run down to the kegs that are stored there. Aside form that, it's storage. As the structure has been added onto through the years it extends past the parameters of the basement. What people don't know, is that there are secret passages leading to the catacombs of a forgotten church that used to stand near to where the original structure was built...
The Covenstead was built from out of the catacombs of the church. As they tunnelled deeper natural caverns were found beneath the structure eliminating the need for further digging. The natural caverns were adapted into chambers, stairs were carved out of the rock and over time electricity was introduced. We leave much of the structure up to the imagination, but for consistency the main hall is as follows.
From the catacombs a single passageway descends into the natural caverns below. They all intersect at the main hall, a grand room which looks like a gothic cathedral. Large stained glass windows line the brick walls, behind which flicker candelabras, which are now only lit for special occasions and rituals. It is a large square room with a twenty foot vaulted ceiling, large chandeliers with electric lighting suspended high above. The floor is made of stone slabs, and there are several statures and paintings of mythic creatures, combined with magical sigils. It is a powerful place, the permanent circle of magic etched into the floor at it's center being the most potent area. Here is where the Coven meets, gathering around a circular oak table at the far end of the hall. Into the table is etched a pentacle.
There are other chambers that are linked to the main hall by winding passages, such as the library, the apothecary, and the vault, among others. Writers may add details as they see fit. All the caverns have been made into rooms, the walls covered with bricks, the floors levelled, stone slabs laid, vaulted ceilings contracted. It's masterful work, and none know how Mary Jack could have done it all, but according to the history known to the Coven, it was all constructed in her time.
, Jr.