Bellaquin

Symbol: A red plumed hawk clutching a scroll, inside a gold circle

Located in the Andorran parish of Ordino, the renewed covenant of Bellaquin is paradoxically isolated yet deeply involved in mundane and Hermetic affairs. A mere generation ago, they enjoyed the peak of Summer from the Chateau d'Penne in Tarn, perched high above the Aveyron river, a day's march north northeast from Toulouse. A legend amongst magi and mundanes, they wielded great influence in the Order and among nobles. Undone by their own decadence and intrigues, a combination of mundane forces — possibly orchestrated by other magi — resulted in the destruction of their original location. However, taking the advice of certain archmagi, Bellaquin had prepared for such a disaster. With hidden emergency reserves and a secured, alternate location, the attack's survivors took what they could, destroyed what they could not, and abandoned the site to their mundane proxies.

Now, twenty years later and located in Andorra, Bellaquin has reached an even greater peak than before, but on a different scale. However, it is greatly transformed and many consider it a different covenant. They

Established in the waning times of the Schism War, magi originally built Bellaquin in the ruins of an abandoned castle restored with magic. Its Flambeau members intended it as a stronghold during the Schism War, but the conflict ended shortly thereafter and Bellaquin never participated. The Flambeau magi departed and gave Bellaquin to the Jerbiton who have presided over it ever since.

Celebrated throughout Mythic Europe, the original site enjoyed a reputation as one of the most beautiful and magnificent edifices in the Order. Following the departure of the Flambeau magi, Bellaquin became thoroughly enmeshed in mundane affairs. The restored castle attracted peasants to resettle the land, forcing the magi into the role of land management. This unintentional stewardship eventually involved the covenant in aristocratic politics, and led the magi to consider themselves as lords over a private fiefdom. They took on other lands as vassals, granting portions to friends and companions as puppet domains.

Despite becoming an extreme example of mundane involvement, Bellaquin's skillful management allowed Quaesitors to permit them a wide discretion, as they never brought "ruin on my sodales." Jealous neighbors twice charged them of violating their Oaths, but each time the Tribunal found Bellaquin had not brought ruin upon the accusers or the Order, and the covenant endured. Their success at preventing "ruin" allowed them to function within the Code, but barely. The covenant served as a vital link between mundane and Hermetic society; one considered, at the time, essential to the prosperity of the Tribunal.

Entangled in feudal alliances, Bellaquin soon overextended itself, becoming caught between conflicting obligations to warring

allies. Supporting one side preferentially would be a flagrant Code violation. Refusing to support either would undoubtedly draw the nobles' wrath for failing their feudal obligations, serving only to increase the breadth of their potential Code violations. In a failed compromise, they assisted both sides through peaceful means, paying scutage and providing curative elixirs. Supported by senior Church officials seeking to eliminate Bellaquin, the warring nobles concluded that the magi had secretly instigated and fueled their conflict for personal gain. They turned their forces upon Bellaquin, destroying the castle in a surprise assault, abetted by a traitorous companion. The attack killed several magi and the lucky escapees evacuated to Andorra. With the damage limited to Bellaquin, no one pressed charges against the survivors.

Originally founded in 1016, Bellaquin's current location was established in 1202. Now functioning as a large house built within a lacunae in the village and region of Ordino in Andorra, they endeavor to create a different sort of covenant, one more subtle but still engaged in mundane affairs.

Enjoying a Magic aura of 3 and maintaining an 8th magnitude Aegis of the Hearth, Bellaquin enjoys a local reputation as a helpful group of wealthy outsiders who frequently bring trade from distant merchants. Amongst the Order, they encourage a reputation for casual indifference and occasionally unhealthy, stubborn tendencies.

Every magus at Bellaquin has customized his laboratory to some degree, and a vacant lab currently serves as storage space. Vis-rich, Bellaquin holds nearly 100 pawns, and their vis sources supply an average of 30 pawns per year. They keep a fortified manor on the outskirts of town, at the beginning of a road leading up the mountain which overlooks most of Andorra. Their grogs participate in local militia patrols and volunteer in the village's defense.

Still deeply involved in mundane affairs, Bellaquin now employs far more subtle tactics. Instead of conspicuously consorting with powerful nobility, Bellaquin works through mercantile channels, utilizing an influential network on both sides of the Pyrenees and ranging as far as Germany and Italy. No actual trade occurs on the covenant grounds, but it lies at the heart of a financial machine. Bellaquin offers banking services to both mundanes and magi. They do not engage in money lending as the Italian bankers do, but provide the service of transferring funds between distant locations, similar to the Templars. Using Hermetic magic, they can easily transport funds or other resources to a prearranged location at established times, and with some extra effort to nearly any location.

Bellaquin has five members, though only one member remains from the original location and one other is the filia of an old member. The rest of the current members joined after the relocation. Of the other members from the first site, three died in the attack which ended the old covenant, two departed the Tribunal afterwards, and three others have died or passed into Twilight since the transition.

Bellaquin is strong and self-sufficient with five members, but it has room and resources to take on a few more. They would welcome prospective young magi with promise who petitioned for membership, such as player characters.

Archmage Valgravian of Jerbiton

Age: 114 (Apparent age: 77)

Personality Traits: Dedicated to the prosperity of Bellaquin +3, Compassion for old friends +1

Reputations: Archmage 4 (Hermetic), Canny 3 (Hermetic), Capable Musician 3 (Local)

Archmage Valgravian is the oldest magus of the covenant, an immigrant from the Rhine Tribunal. He created the contingency plan which saved the covenant, and his leadership guided Bellaquin through the transition. He maintains indirect contact with a few of his old noble friends, but he is far more cautious about his involvement in their affairs. He limits himself to advice and Longevity Rituals for the two or three closest to him. For the most part, he remains dedicated to the smooth management of the covenant. Other Bellaquin magi sometimes find him annoying, since he regularly talks to them about their covenant tasks. However, he gives members wide discretion in their offices and responsibilities. He rather seeks to exchange advice and knowledge about project execution, playing a fraternal role with the older members and a paternal role with the younger ones.

Valgravian is old friends with Constantine, and has known Antoinette since she was born. Beyond those relationships, he doesn't know the other member magi very well, and sometimes he feels like a stranger in his own home. He remembers a time when Bellaquin was a covenant of poets and musicians, and laments the lack of troubadours in the area. New members mean new interests and ideas, and although Bellaquin remains a patron of the arts, it is so to a much lesser degree than previously.

The archmage concentrated his magical endeavors in the musical arts, having a Minor Magic Focus in music. He created various spells to create or enhance music, and fashioned an enchanted necklace which "captures" and memorizes the musical performance of the person wearing it, reproducing it later. His archmage contest demands a musical performance which moves him to tears.

His sigil is a faint fanfare of horns.

Constantine of Jerbiton

Age: 67 (Apparent age: 49)

Personality Traits: Avarice +3, Gluttony +2, Jovial +1, Serious +1

Constantine is a merchant deeply invested in banking, and he is a master of his craft, utilizing a network of trusted contacts gained through travel and Imaginem magics to coordinate business and transfers. An old friend of Valgravian, he facilitated the

He is uninterested in the affairs of other members, and younger magi often find him intimidating. Strict and serious most of the time, he grows lighthearted and jovial amongst friends and family. Respectful of his fellow magi at Bellaquin, Constantine gladly provides them with whatever assistance he can, but he expects a favor to be repaid for a favor. He is an avid collector of coins, and especially seeks ones from distant or ancient lands.

His sigil is a light dusting of gold appearing on the target or in the air around Constantine.

Robert Vasquez of Flambeau

Age: 59 (Apparent age: 42)

Personality Traits: Brave +3, Protective of children +3, Honorable +2, Overconfident +1

Valgravian invited Robert to be the covenant's champion. Chosen for his prestigious reputation as a skilled combatant and an honorable magus, he is a Flambeau with the Gentle Gift, which fit in with Valgravian's vision. However, Robert insisted that Bellaquin invite the Blatantly Gifted Artemis as a member to assist him. Robert also brought his two children. His son, Michael, has become Captain of the covenant's guards, transforming them into a disciplined and effective force. His daughter, Carmen, completed her apprenticeship at Bellaquin, passed her Gauntlet five years ago, and left the Tribunal. He is a widower, as his wife died from complications during childbirth.

His sigil is a faint taste of ashes in the air.

Artemis of Tremere

Age: 49 (Apparent age: 33)

Personality Traits: Disciplined +3, Loyal to Order of Hermes +3

Robert insisted upon Artemis' invitation to Bellaquin based on her reputation for

dedication and discipline. Given the role of Guardian, she oversees covenant security. She works closely with Captain Michael, and the two have developed an attraction for one another, yet refuse to acknowledge it due to their dedication to duty and sense of propriety.

Strong with Corpus magic, Artemis' sigil is a dull aching of the teeth felt by those targeted or those near her during casting.

Antoinette of Jerbiton

Age: 26 Personality Traits: Expressive +2, Creative +2

Just a child of eight when the original covenant fell, she has truly only ever known the Andorra location. It is where she completed her apprenticeship. She has the Gentle Gift and nurtures a secret, unrequited love for Captain Michael—having watched him grow into the bold, capable man he is today. Antoinette has considered expressing her feelings for Michael, knowing she could give him children and her father, Constantine, grandchildren, but fears the repercussions with Artemis. She also fears Michael might learn of a dalliance with a certain Carolus of the Rhine Tribunal, an indiscretion from a Jerbiton fosterage at Oculus Sepentrionalis. She is willing to seek out a Verditius who might help arm Michael's soldiers, or a certamen specialist able to teach her techniques to counter Artemis or discover the Tremere's weak Arts.

A budding Imaginem specialist, Antoinette's sigil is the sound of barely audible whispers.

Three groups inhabit the covenant, and some rivalry exists between them. During covenant relocation, Robert of Flambeau was invited to become a member and oversee security. One of his first actions was to hire a band of Almogavars to serve as custodes. He knew their captain and had his unGifted son, Michael, serve as the captain's secretary and protégé. The second group, the original covenfolk, were mildly resentful, but they had grown few in numbers and many were too old or uninterested in martial service. The third and largest group of covenfolk consists of Andorrans native to Ordino. They fill many miscellaneous roles as wage-earning employees, and a few fulfill specialist roles. Several miscellaneous minor groups also exist, as newer magi brought their own personal shield grogs. Artemis of Tremere is always accompanied by two wiry, leather-clad personal guards specially trained at Coeris, whom she calls "the Danior." Whispered rumors claim these two men are actually homunculi, secretly fashioned constructs less susceptible to Mentem magics, easily repaired, and possessing a bloodthirsty tendency to twist Artemis' orders. Trying to impress Michael and surpass the Tremere, Antoinette brought a quartet of Scandinavian warrior women back from an Itinerarium to serve as sanctum guards.

The Andorra Company

Robert of Flambeau recruited his band of elite Almogavars from Iberia and France. Bringing them together at Bellaquin, they formed the Andorra Company and took over the role of the covenant's turb. There are roughly 18 soldiers in the Andorra Company, including two sergeants. Since the old captain was eaten by a mountain drake three years ago on a vis hunting expedition, Robert's 30-year-old son Michael has held the rank of captain. The troops consider Robert to be the overall commander and Artemis serves as a second in command.

Robert intends to equip each of these soldiers with at least one lesser enchanted device, providing them with added protection, increased stamina, or heightened senses, but he has only just begun this task.