The Covenant of Holzenberg

(Last update: 23/11/96)

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Name: Holzenberg ("wooded hill")
Tribunal: Rhine Tribunal

Location

In the southern half of the Black Forest, about 60 miles south of Durenmar. 2 days travel to the nearest settlement (village of Odershausen). 4 days to the town of Freiburg, between the western edge of the forest and the Rhine valley (where the covenant gets its supplies).

Setting

The covenant is situated in a large flat grassy clearing about a mile across. The forest is all around as far as the eye can see. About a mile to the north the Holzenberg rears its huge head up out of the trees. It's a large granite outcropping, a couple of hundred feet high, covered with a few scraggly trees. There is a small clear lake across the southern part of the clearing. A few horses graze lazily, and there is a small copse (with a treehouse) on the northeastern edge. The covenant itself is located on a low flat circular mound, about 200 paces across, surrounded by a low ditch and a wooden palisade. Inside there are several scattered buildings, and a small commons yard. There are 3 squat circular towers and what appears to be a large house in the centre. This houses the kitchen, council chamber/dining room and library (upstairs). The lower floor is stone, the upper floor wooden, and it is covered with ivy. Overall the setting of the covenant is idyllic.

Members

Viator of Bonisagus (disceptator)

A kindly looking middle-aged man in simple brown robes. Blue eyes, grey hair and beard. Specialities: Cr, In, Co. Approx. 80 years old. He doesn't get about much these days, not very interested in politics. Research into longevity potions.

Felamax of Tremere

A man of medium height, has neat black hair and beard, wears black robes. His face normally bears a wily expression. Bit of a generalist, but best arts are Re, Pe, Vi, Te, Im. 50 years old. Felamax is ambitious, and is in reality the main driving force behind the covenant (Viator is happy just to act as a figurehead). Responsible for most of the covenant's magical resources, including the library and vis stores.

Manfred of Bjornaer

Heartbeast is a snowy white owl. Manfred is a youngish man, with white hair and violet eyes. Of medium height, but muscular and handsome. He is a reserved man, gentle and thoughtful. Specialises in In, Mu, An.

Althemis of Ex-Miscellanea

Althemis is by far the oldest magus at Holzenberg - no-one really knows just how old. He has very little contact with the other magi - spending his time either in his treehouse or fishing by the lake. The other magi regard him just as a crazy old man, and view his pursuits with amusement. In fact the magical fish he catches are worth In vis - when he eats them he often goes into a trance and contemplates the Enigma - but none of the others know this! When engaged in conversation, he will often spend minutes in contemplation before replying with a cryptic answer. He has sparse white hair and his face is weatherbeaten, but he is still hale and hearty. He has been at Holzenberg for as long as even Viator can remember.

Saramel of Verditius

Saramel is quiet and studious, but is not around very often, as she likes to visit Verdi frequently. It is suspected that she would like to move there permanently.

Leonardo Scotus of Flambeau

A fearsome man, his fiery temperament is ill-suited to the rather placid nature of Holzenberg. He is very rarely seen, as he travels widely (or so he claims).

Notable Ex-Magi:

It was widely suspected that Vorien and Lucretia were lovers during their time at Holzenberg. After Lucretia left (about 1222) Vorien quickly grew bored with the quiet life, far from civilization, and moved on a year or so after.

Season

Winter. Holzenberg slipped gradually into Winter about 10-20 years ago, after the departure of a number of significant magi (including Lucretia and Vorien). Now the covenant has very little dealing with the outside world - it only really keeps active through the efforts of Felamax. Manfred is the only new magus for a number of years.

Resources

The Turb only numbers about 12 men or so, but they kept well trained by the hardworking captain. There are also a number of huntsmen. There are only 2 uncontested sources of vis belonging to the covenant. The first is a magical tree whose huge apricots are Creo vis (it is not far away in the forest). The other is Terram vis harvested from the caves in the magical Holzenberg. In fact the caves wind all through it, leading up to a small observatory in the summit, which affords a fantastic view of the surrounding forest for many miles. The remainder of the covenant's vis is obtained by hunting some of the various magical and fay beasts in the forest (Faerie relations have been nonexistant since the last Merinita left 18 years ago). This is rather dangerous however - over the years a number of grogs have been lost - and the hunting parties are careful never to stray too close to the centre of the forest. The library is still well stocked, with many old tomes. Specialises in Cr, In, An, He, Co, Im, Fantastic Beast Lore, Faerie Lore, Herbalism.
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