The Covenant of Saxum Ruberis

(Last update: 23/11/96)

Name: Saxum Ruberis ("red rock")
Tribunal: Roman Tribunal

Location

Near to the city of Pisa on the western coast of Italy. From the city, it is about 20 miles south along the coast, and about 3 miles inland, in a small mountainous region which is sparsely populated. The towns of Livorno and Volterra are within half a day's travel.

Setting

The sturdy fortess of Saxum Ruberis is nestled at the upper end of a secluded valley, between the stream that runs in the valley and the base of a large cliff. The rock of the cliff is a characteristic red colour, from which the covenant draws its name. The fortress, although formidable, is small: about 60 paces by 50 paces. Cramped within the walls are a disorganised assortment of buildings of various styles. The principal of these are the two square towers; one with 5 floors, the other with 3. The council chamber and library occupy the top two floors of the taller tower. The covenant hides a lot of its space behind the high walls; there are a large number of cellars and basements. Over the years the covenant has grown to the extent that some of the buildings (such as the stables) are actually located outside the walls. It is in an excellent defensible position, and is also rather scenic as the huge red cliff forms a rather dramatic backdrop.

Members

Archmage Sarath of Tremere (disceptator)

Sarath is fairly old (the oldest of the magi) and dignified. Long straight white hair falls over his proud forehead. He has blue eyes and typically wears dark blue robes. He carries an ornate staff and is an Imaginem specialist.

Halicarni Tantus of Tremere (filia of Sarath)

She is a glamourous-looking middle-aged Tremere. She has long black hair. Like her master, she also specialises in Imaginem.

Maltor of Bonisagus

The newest member of the covenant is a nervous young man in grey attire. He is scatterbrained and speaks very quickly with a slight stutter.

Horatius Maximus of Jerbiton

A huge gruff man with grey hair and beard. He is easily six and a half foot tall, as well as very broad. He oversees many of the mundane aspects of the covenant. Specialises in Me and Co.

Lucretia of Tytalus

Lucretia is slim and attractive, and her medium length dark hair is known to be a source of vis. Fearsome in certamen, she has an iron will and is known for her ruthlessness. Most of the covenfolk are afraid of her. She has tried once to become an archmage. Specialises in Pe, Re, Me and Vi. Her reputation with the Order is rather unsavoury - she has been in trouble before, and is rumoured to have invented a spell to knock down the Parma Magica. Her presence at the covenant is thus a bit of a mixed blessing for the others.

Ignatius of Flambeau

Ignatius is the archetypal man in black: tall and thin with lank greasy receding black hair. He has penetrating sunken black eyes. Of all the magi, he seems to know Lucretia the best. He is her junior, and despite the fact that they are of different Houses, a strange rumour persists that they had the same parens. Specialises in Pe, Co, Ig, Vi. He is often away in Iberia hunting Moors with Ricard (his favourite hobby).

Ricard de Flavus of Flambeau

This man is impressive in appearance. Quite young, and although short, he is well built. He has tousled blond hair, and a short, neat goatee. He has grey-blue eyes and is quite handsome. He dresses expensively; his chain mail and broadsword and covered with a fine yellow and red surcoat, and his bejewelled boots are spotless. He is often seen with his familiar, a large yellow bulldog. With his gentle Gift and his repertoire of social skills, Ricard could easily have been a Jerbiton. However his scholarly talents are somewhat lacking. Strangely, he behaves somewhat deferentially towards Ignatius. Specialises in Cr and Ig (his magic is not renowned for its subtlety). His parens, Samson, was a huge man with long flame red hair, famous as a warrior. Ricard has inherited his master's fine swordsmanship, but not all of his gentle demeanour.

Notable Ex-Magi:

Crantatus of Criamon

This old magus was not at Saxum Ruberis within the memory of any of the current magi. However, records tell of his departure in 1089AD. He was one of the original founding members in 1023AD.

Season

(2nd) Summer. Saxum Ruberis is not the most powerful covenant in the Roman Tribunal by any means. Nevertheless it has a good complement of magi from the Roman Houses and is politically active.

Resources

The covenant has a large, well-trained Turb, comprising about 30 men. The library is only average, but has good scores in Pe and Ig, and an excellent score in Im (due to the writings of Sarath). The covenant is quite wealthy, with small townhouses in Pisa and Venice. It owns some nearby land, including a vineyard.

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