Marcus Cantii Jocelini sodali suo salutem dicit. Si tu vales bene est, ego quoque valeo.
Honoured collegue, I rejoice at your acceptance into House Mercere, and I wish you all the best in your service to the Order of Hermes in the Stonehenge Tribunal. I intend in this letter to provide background information regarding the Tribunal, so that you might be prepared for your up-coming duties to the Order. The area covered by the Tribunal is the entirety of the Island of the Mighty, including all lands south of the Wall of Emperor Hadrian. Two covenants, Burnham and Horsingas, are located to the North of the wall; however only the first of these attends the Tribunal of Stonehenge.
As a whole, the House Ex Miscellanea is the most prevalent here; for this is where that House was first founded, and where its domus magna is to be found. Other Houses which hold great sway here are the Tremere and the Jerbiton, who fight over the right for primacy. The danger from wizards is not negligible - this was ever the stronghold of Díedne.
Though apparently civilised, the political situation in Stonehenge is a seething mass, not recommended for the novice. Blackthorn, a covenant which as has existed virtually from the founding of the Tribunal, has long dominated the politics of the Tribunal, but there is evidence that this control is slipping. Voluntas opposes Blackthorn at every turn, and it won’t be long before the alliance of Jerbiton-lead covenants headed by Voluntas attempts to wrest power away from Blackthorn.
Etiam atque etiam vale. Marcus Cantii, MCCCLXXIX A.P.
Located in a warren of caves in the Black Mountains of South Wales, Blackthorn is possibly the most powerful covenant in the Stonehenge Tribunal. Lead by Goliard of Tremere, Blackthorn has dominated politics by having both the praeco (Talion of Flambeau) and the chief quaesitor (Iudicium of Guernicus) of Stonehenge as members. They have received stern competition over the last few years at tribunal meetings, but the covenants of Ungulus and Whitehollow still regularly side with them. There are 8 magi in all, all members of traditional Roman Houses (Tytalus, Tremere, Flambeau, Guernicus)
It was the second covenant to be founded in the Tribunal (818 AD), and was intended to be a base for the domination of the tribunal. Until recently Blackthorn was the dominant political force in the tribunal. Most tribunals were not quorate due to apathy, which meant that the covenant could not be called to account, and at those which were quorate, Blackthorn controlled most of the votes. This changed radically over the last twenty years, and the magi are scrambling to adjust.
Blackthorn is allied with Whitehollow and Ungulus
Burnham is an enigma. Located in the far north of the tribunal, its magi are by and large unknown. Only one (Caitlin of House Ex Miscellanea) is regularly seen outside of the covenant, and little more than the names of the other five are known. They are rumoured to be deeply involved in mundane politics, but no evidence has ever been found that will hold water. They do not side with either faction at tribunal meetings.
The domus magna of House Ex Miscellanea, located in a set of regiones in North Wales. The Prima, Immanola, once wielded a fair degree of local power, but she has faded as her doom-laden prophecies have failed to come true. Six magi live here all told; each is the leader of the major traditions within House Ex Miscellanea. Many claim that the apparant disorganisation of the House is a sham, and that the hedge-wizards do not want to reveal their power.
Situated within the university town of Cambridge, this covenant of Jerbitonis have been accused of loving mundane knowledge more than magic. The leader of the covenant, Edward of Milton, is famed for being a teacher, and all of the other 3 magi are his filii. They prefer to stay out of politics, but tend to side with Voluntas against Blackthorn, as they see this covenant too traditional in their interpretation of the Code of Hermes.
The wandering covenant is something of an enigma, appropriately enough for one led by a Criamon. No one is ever sure where the covenant may be found, as it is sited in a number of large wagons. The only effective ways to find the covenant are to accompany a Redcap, or to send a message and arrange a meeting. There are three members including the mysterious Gerfallon, and have a whole host of vagrant covenfolk who accompany their wagons.
A Saxon covenant near to Uffington in White Horse Vale, Seven Sisters is well known for breeding horses of all shapes and sizes. Only three magi live in this covenant, which is well-known for its dislike of Normans in general, and Blackthorn in particular; which the covenant sees to be too heavy-handed.
Located in the middle of England where five roads meet, the six members of this covenant if fascinated with magical auras. Although not the leader of the covenant, Varanius Via is the best known – he is a member of the Pillar of Hiram, an esoteric society that has learnt how to manipulate magic auras through the use of sacred architecture. For a price he will work for anyone – but few can meet his price.
Founded by House Flambeau in the Lake district on the eve of the Schism War, Ungulus now lives on past glories, and its members are generally considered to be less than perfectly sane. Once famed for its Verditii, the last was killed by a dragon several decades ago, and the covenant is clearly deep in its Winter phase. Few credit it with lasting much longer, and the vultures have begun to circle. The 5 surviving members usually side with Blackthorn
One of the most vigorous and active covenants in the tribunal, and a centre of opposition to Blackthorn, as it has been almost since its foundation. As it was found by Norman magi, it has hostile relations with Horsingas, but this has not lead to serious confrontation for several decades now. Lead by Julia of House Jerbiton, the six magi are politically savvy and powerful in magic.
This small covenant of four magi are all devoted to the study of Aquam magics. They come from very different backgrounds, but are united by this common goal. The leader of the covenant, Berenguer of Tytalus, was instrumental in getting the politics of the tribunal ‘kick-started’ after its stagnation caused by the Norman Invasion.