Lower Burgundy

Once part of the Kingdom of Lower Burgundy, or Cisjurania, declared by Boso of Provence at Arles in 879 and then part of the reunited Kingdom of Arelat in 933, this area fell under the imperial control of Conrad II in 1032. Lately it has become increasingly independent of its imperial overlords. Like its French counterpart in the Normandy Tribunal, the Duchy of Burgundy, the area is known for its cathedrals, monasteries, and pilgrimages rather than trade.

The current Dauphine of Viennois and Countess Albon is Beatrice of Albon, grandmother of the eight year old Hugh IV of Burgundy, ruler of the Duchy of Burgundy in the Normandy Tribunal (see The Lion and the Lily, page 111–114). It is notably separate from the former Kingdom of Upper Burgundy formed by Rudolphe of Auxerre north of the Jura range in 888 and the Free County of Burgundy that lie within the Tribunal of the Greater Alps.

This large monastic complex in the mountain cluster above the town of Grenoble consists of a main cloister of individual cells each with a high-walled garden connecting to a long corridor. Each so-called choir monk's living quarters consists of a two-story hermitage with a small walled courtyard isolated from its neighbor. Here the monks live a secluded life of communal retreat, devoting themselves to prayer.

Several of the current choir monks are unGifted Ascetics, members of a Holy Tradition for Mythic Companions introduced in Realms of Power: the Divine Revised Edition, page 47. The current prior and at least one of the other monks possess True Faith. At least two older brothers are very adept at Mythic Herbalism and the old hunchbacked cellarer, Salvatore, possesses the Blatant Gift.

The Great Motherhouse has a strong Divine aura of 7, strengthened by the simple unworldly devotions of the hermit monks. The valley itself has a Divine aura of 3.

The Coenobium Rhodanien Symbol: An arched bridge

This covenant is still referred to officially in the Redcap rolls as Mascum Sub Pontem after the original name of the main site. Most Provençal magi refer to it just as The Coenobium. Normandy magi prefer the official term "Coenobium Rhodanien" to distinguish it from the small unofficial covenants of their home Tribunal designated by the same term.

This covenant is arguably the largest in the Tribunal, depending on the number of visiting magi present at any one time. The level of cooperation amongst the magi is somewhat unusual, but all members appreciate the benefit of being able to call upon the collective's extensive resources to defend their personal interests when required. The many Jerbiton magi here are focused less on the acquisition of magical power than on their various mundane pursuits. Despite being dominated by a single House philosophy, many of its members pursue somewhat varying visions of Beauty compared to their housemates elsewhere.

Formerly the capital of the Gaulish Allobroges, then an important Roman colony, Vienne is the seat of the archbishop of northern Arelat. Although the legitimate count of the area on behalf of the emperor, the current prince-archbishop, Jean de Bernin, is constantly challenged by the local dauphins for control of the region. Armed conflict has not yet occurred but the situation threatens

Once named Aquae Graticule (Latin: "waters of Gratian") to commemorate the emperor assassinated in Lyons in 383, the town was renowned as a bath during the Roman Empire. Travelers still frequent the hot thermal springs of the hilly country that forms the foothills of the Jura and the Alps.

Aix lies just south of the beautiful Lac du Bourget, purported to be the largest and

An ostracized Mercurian magus from the Greater Alps originally founded this fallen covenant in the Cottian Alps. Established in 821 by Julius Donnus of Flambeau just outside Briancon, near the border of the Roman Tribunal, it was intended to serve as an alternative home to Harco for the revived Cult of Mercury. The main site commanded the descent from the Col de Montgenevre pass for travelers coming from the Piedmont in the east. Built in the Roman style of a Greater Alps covenant, it controlled the trade routes along the upper Durance valley. At its height it had established chapter houses maintained by officers known as a mansionarii at Gap, Chorges, Embrun, and a border-post at Oulx on the Redcap route following the old Via Domitia through the mountains down the valley of the Dora Riparia into the western Piedmont.

Portus Cottiae was one of the first of the former Lotharingian covenants to fall to the Saracen raiders in 906 when Berber mountaineers overran its divided turb and forced the geographically separated magi to flee south along the Durance. The surviving maga, Anaïs of Jerbiton, retreated to the relative safety of Avignon, becoming one of the most strident voices calling for the Hermetic hegemony that resulted in the Coenobium.

The main site of Portus Cottiae and the three chapter locations may be suitable covenant locations for young magi wishing to found a new covenant or chapter of the Coenobium (see later), but each has its own challenges. In addition, the heirs of Anaïs may oppose any interloping magi, either through legal means or by discreet attacks in an attempt to disrupt the resettlement.

Brigantium: The "motherhouse" of the covenant was near Briancon, built just above the town into the cliffs overlooking the Guisane River before it joins the Durance. The desperate magi there collapsed the mountainside above on the Saracen raiders but inadvertently entombed themselves within their own sancta. Accessing the laboratories and council chambers may require shifting large amounts of stone but will evoke the ire of both the ghosts of the former magi and the malevolent Infernal shades of their attackers, which may prove a much more serious obstacle. The Mercere Portal lies buried beneath the rocks and could be uncovered and reactivated.

Caturigomagus: An isolated sanctum lies beneath the ruined Roman mansio (way station), one day's travel beyond Chorges and their Roman ruins. Once belonging to a Merinita magus who fled at the raiders' approach only to be slain, the area has attracted three local faeries known as dememoilles, a Provençal variant of lesser White Ladies (see Realms of Power: Faerie, pages 82– 83). Any attempts to recover the magus's trove of books of Faerie magic will require dealing with this trio of seductive creatures.

Vapincum: The site at Gap was the rallying point for the few survivors of the Saracen attacks and escaped the attacks due to its concealed position. Built beneath the crypts under the cathedral within an old temple to Apollo, formerly maintained by the Cult of Mercury, this chapter's weak Magic aura is suppressed by the Divine aura of the Christian building. Reusing the abandoned site just beneath the gaze of the Dominion will limit magical development unless its aura can be strengthened without noticeably interfering with the bishop's church.

Ebrodunum: The Embrun chapter was nothing more than a stabling point for the covenfolk and traveling Redcaps. A former mansio in ancient times like the sanctum at Chorges, a hidden shrine to Mercury once lay beneath the cathedral. The stones have since been used in construction of the new church however and its Magic aura has long faded. Unlike the other sites, there are no magical resources to be harvested here. Several mundane descendents of the covenfolk may have inherited lost records or books from the covenant library, however, and may help magi seeking to refound the settlement. Known as a site of pilgrimage since the remains of St Nazarius were transferred here in the fifth century, the priests of the newly completed Romanesque cathedral are suspicious of the pagan scholars that used to dwell here. They may actively obstruct any attempts to enlist the townsfolk in what they see as an attempt at a pagan revival.

Ulcium: Founded within the precincts of a temple to Mars Ultor, this site at Oulx controlled the Col du Mont Cenis pass used by Hannibal and then Charlemagne to invade the area that is now Lombardy. The old Mercurian cult temple to Mars can be accessed through a regio in the ruins above the small village. Although the most physically isolated, it is perhaps the easiest to resettle. Its position on the border with the Roman Tribunal may have unwelcome political consequences as older neighboring covenants feel their local vis sources threatened.

This large multi-site covenant strung out along the lower Rhone and eastwards along the coast of the County of Provence consists of the heirs of several former covenants of Provence and eremitic magi who banded together in the late tenth century for mutual protection in response to the depredations of Fraxinetum (see earlier).

Using their extensive mundane family

contacts and influence with the local nobility in defense of their own safety, the mainly Jerbiton magi were behind the marshaling of the army under William I of Provence that drove the Saracens from their strongholds in the Massif des Maures. Despite narrowly escaping the wrath of the Quaesitores for infringing the Code by destroying the rogue covenant of Fraxinetum, the many advantages of the league outweighed any benefits of disbanding.

The victorious magi continued a policy of mutual cooperation and nepotism to their advantage, gradually gaining control of or influence over the majority of magical and mundane resources within the County of Provence. They justify the use of this hegemony as a means of ensuring their own pursuits are not compromised by being caught unprepared by Hermetic aggression a second time. Although not a direct threat to any of the other covenants of Provençal,

Stat crux dum volvitur orbis ("The Cross is steady while the world is turning")

— motto of the Carthusian Order

Founded comparatively recently in 1084 by the hermit Saint Bruno of Cologne and adhering to its own set of statutes, the Carthusians dedicate their communal life to solitude and silence within the impregnable natural barrier of the Chartreuse Massif. Escaping the worldliness of the Benedictines and the Cistercians, the followers of Bruno have no active ministry and contribute only their prayers to the outer world. They rarely accept retreatants, unlike other monasteries.

Although not strictly bound to silence, Carthusian monks avoid unnecessary speech. They are allowed to converse during their weekly four-hour walk through the woods above the charterhouse, although they must change partners every half hour. Only the prior is permitted to speak to prospective retreatants or outsiders.

The monastery's lay brothers perform most of the manual labour and intercept any outside visitors, living in a dormitory at the foot of the valley. They are responsible for managing the settlement's supplies and prevent their coenobitic brethren from being disturbed.

The Magus of Chartreuse

The most recent retreatant to the Motherhouse is an unusual aspirant known as Romualdus, a former Jerbiton magus who has abandoned active Hermetic life for the contemplative life of the Carthusian community. He cites the remnant pagan practices and cultural decay of the wider Order as his reasons and as the new novice, Brother Thomas, now eschews all contact with his former Hermetic brethren. He no longer actively practices conventional Hermetic magic and seeks God through a more ascetic expression of his Gift. He hopes the development of a new prayer-based tradition of Holy Magic will be pleasing to the Lord.

The former Romualdus has discovered that an awkward and shy younger novice, Brother Jude, has both True Faith and The Gift, making him a potential apprentice for a holy magus. The ex-magus has only formed a friendship with the younger man at this stage but fears that the monk may be in danger of being claimed as a Hermetic apprentice if word gets out of his Gift. Perhaps the retired Jerbiton can persuade a Bonisagus magus to intervene on his behalf and then help train the young monk, or will his new principles forfeit his chances?

the considerable mundane resources and influence of the Coenobium makes it a potentially powerful enemy if it regards its collective interests as being threatened.

The heart of the urban covenant has been established at Avignon, although important holdings of the covenant are located in the city of Arles and at the entrance to the Camargue, throughout southern Provence and even as far north as Grenoble. In reality, the whole body of the Rhone supports the covenant magically and in a mercantile sense. Several Coenobium magi spend the majority of their time either on, alongside, or beneath the waters of the river at any time at least two magi are traveling up and down the river in large barges created by the resident boatwright. Smaller boats carry both visiting Redcaps from other Tribunals and the local unGifted Merceres on their errands. Many of the permanent enchantments available to the covenant's magi and Redcaps either target the whole river or remain effective as long as the individual is afloat on the Rhone or one of its major tributaries.

Currently Aegis of the Hearth rituals protect only the northern Avignon site — the Factory building requires a separate ritual to the main complex beneath the Isle de Barthelasse and the Pont St Benezet. The town houses of the magi in and around Avignon, the Mercer House in Arles and the other sites controlled by the Coenobium rely variously on less effective Hermetic wards, non-Hermetic protective charms, or their urban location. Those magi acting as patrons are granted transportation magic linked by Arcane Connection to the main council chamber, and can thus travel to a meeting quickly even if given little notice.

Avignon: The Sub Pontem Chambers

The first arch of the Pont St Benezet, the only one to rest on the low lying land of the eastern shore, contains the fragment of the Roman temple allegedly placed there by St Benezet. During the day, the Divine aura of the nearby chapel suppresses the small Magic lacuna (see Houses of Hermes: Societates, pages 57–58) with a strength of 4, but the Magic aura is able to manifest at night. Many of the areas designated as visiting magi's laboratories are located underground beneath the nearby Isle of Barthelasse to take advantage of the weak Magic aura of 3 that covers the extensive northern reaches of the island. The occasional flooding of the Rhone makes this a difficult prospect at times.

The entrance to the subterranean laboratory of Nicodemus lies beneath the second pier. The remainder of the bridge beyond the chapel of St Nicholas is sometimes used by the members of the former covenant of Sub Pontem for their urban magical activities as it lies just beyond the edge of the strength 3 Divine aura generated by the city and the abbey across the stream. It has a weak Magic aura of 2 generated by the flowing of the captive Rhone spirits beneath its arches. One of the laboratory barges of the covenant is usually moored on the downstream side of one of the western piers.

Arles: the Mercer House at St Cyprian's

A whore-house built within an old pilgrim's auberge dedicated to St Cyprian just

within the city walls, Alazais's headquarters acts as the meeting place of the covenant's Redcaps and Jerbiton magi, who often enjoy the earthy diversions on offer once their official business has been concluded. Beneath the old auberge and client rooms are a series of chambers where the covenfolk can conduct more discreet business, although the city's Divine aura prevents the development of a Magic aura and the site therefore lacks an Aegis, instead relying on the prevailing Divine aura. An archway etched with magical inscriptions links one of the chambers with the complex beneath the Isle de Barthelasse outside of Avignon.

THE CAMARGUE: THE FACTORY AT TRINQUETAILLE

The large warehouse that stores the Coenobium's mundane wealth is likewise often referred to as the Factory, although similar smaller complexes are maintained by other merchant groups. Extending several levels below ground, the structure provides a maximum of storage without provoking mundane suspicion. The complex includes a heavily warded area within the established secondary Aegis to contain the more dangerous and exotic items and captive creatures that pass through the covenant's hands. Only patrons are allowed to participate in the Aegis ritual for the Factory. The handful of tokens produced each year are closely controlled by the First Consul. Several of the more intensive industrial processes involved in maintaining the covenant's mundane wealth are discreetly located here, their magical augmentation or replacement of traditional methods being kept from prying mundane eyes by subtle wards or traps that trigger memory erasing spells.

Although dominated by Houses Jerbiton and Mercere, some of the associated magi belong to other Hermetic Houses such as Bonisagus (especially the politically minded Trianomae branch), Ex Miscellanea, Verditius, and even Flambeau. As most of the non-Mercere magi belong to Societates

The Jerbiton and affiliated magi of the Coenobium consider that they strive to live tastefully, according to the philosophy of their House (see Houses of Hermes: Societates, pages 44-51), but to other Jerbiton their pragmatic approach of magically dominating the nobility, mundane resources, and hedge wizards of their hinterland may seem ugly. The Coenobium consuls counter that their highly organized management of their magical and mundane resources allows them the opportunity to live more tastefully by freeing up their time to engage in leisure, intrigue, travel, and the practice of good etiquette. By generously offering hospitality to specialist magi who perform the less tasteful tasks of running a covenant such as defense, magical research, and the maintenance of their mundane resources, they hope to encourage their sodales to learn from their example and move away from the traditions of the more unpleasant Founders that dominate much of the Order's contemporary culture.

As the majority of the Coenobium's holdings lie within the urban communes of the Rhone valley, overt magic use is more limited than at most covenants. The townhouses and business fronts of the covenant are strategically located in or near the various small lacunae or areas of non-Divine auras within the towns.

An exception is the ever-shifting midstream island of Barthelasse, extending upstream from the arches of the Pont St Benezet. It is effectively a large lacuna with a Magic aura of 2, rising to 3 at its northern tip. Beneath the lightly wooded island lies the council rooms and guest quarters of the covenant, covered by the main Aegis of the Hearth that is renewed at the summer instead of winter solstice, unlike most other covenants. Further details of lacunae and using magic in urban settings within the Dominion are found in Houses of Hermes: Societates, pages 57-60.

that have loose membership requirements, the actual House of a magus matters less to Alazais than his having an agreeable personality and demonstrating a commitment to the covenant's goals as a whole. Each magus has his own agenda and interests but there is a surprising degree of cooperation and tolerance despite the rampant nepotism perhaps aided by the fact that only a few of the magi are ever gathered in the same place at one time.

Currently there are over two dozen predominantly Jerbiton magi registered as consuls, or voting members of the covenant. Nearly a dozen other magi are considered permanent guests and up to half a dozen Redcaps may be staying at any one time. Very few of these magi live in the city permanently, and most of the non-Jerbiton or non-Mercere magi have their own sancta or places of residence outside of Avignon and Arles, using the shared covenant chambers reached from beneath the Pont St Benezet when staying in Avignon or the chambers beneath Alazais's auberge when visiting Arles.

While not an official member, Beatrice of Guernicus, the Chief Quaesitor elect of Provençal dwells within the nearby ruins of Glanum. She has shown no intent of leaving the Coenobium's hinterland, at least not until the next Tribunal meeting is confirmed. Beatrice is detailed further in Chapter 5: Gascony.

ALAZAIS OF MERCERE, CHIEF REDCAP AND FIRST CONSUL OF THE COENOBIUM

Age: 59 (Apparent Age: 27) Personality Traits: Ambitious +6, Wily +3, Patient +2

Claiming descent from Helen of Troy, the First Consul and Chief Redcap wears a tragic mask once favored by classical actors. She never removes her mask except in the presence of magi or her lover, an unGifted folk witch ally of the Coenobium for whom

Although Hermetic magi have long dominated the southern Rhone valley and the coast of Provence, they have chosen not to supplant the local hedge wizards or masques but instead foster the lesser witches and magicians of the area. This arrangement has proved beneficial to both groups over the last two centuries, although the Hermetic magi remain the dominant partners in the alliance.

The network of folk-witches, cunning folk, faerie doctors, and herbalists relies on the wider covenant for protection from the mundane authorities and Hermetic aggression. In return they provide a network of unGifted informants and agents throughout the southern coast and Alpine foothills that helps protect the covenant's extensive mundane interests while allowing the magi to remain within the letter of the Code. The allied masques also harvest and protect vis sources in the area, provide minor protective amulets and charms to the covenfolk and other agents of the covenant, and increase the magi's influence over the mundane folk of the local area.

The Coenobium may be an appropriate base for troupes wishing to try their hand at a non-Hermetic saga.

she has obtained a long-lasting Longevity Ritual at great cost with help from the Praeco, Dama. Rumor has it that she was once attacked with alchemical acid by a former suitor, leaving her face hideously scarred but none of the other magi will either confirm or deny this.

UnGifted, she nevertheless makes much of a claim to be directly descended from the Founder Mercere though his grandaughter, using it to engender respect amongst Redcaps and the Jerbiton magi alike. Alazais's leadership has seen an increasing number of non-Jerbiton magi being accepted as semipermanent or permanent guests and the adoption of a number of lesser hedge wizards as nominal Redcaps.

Although careful to maintain the appearance of never voting openly in council meetings, she quietly pulls the strings behind the scenes, maneuvering the might of the Coenobium to further her own goals. She is careful to maintain the guise of encouraging the Jerbiton magi to seek beauty and leave the mundane tasks of running the covenant to their supposed inferiors.

Nicodemus Ex Miscellanea

Age: 102 (Apparent Age: 63) Personality Traits: Absent-Minded +6, Reclusive +3

Although Nicodemus was originally a member of House Jerbiton fascinated by the beauty of Roman hydraulic engineering, the multiple Twilight Scars suffered in his youth have resulted in a Blatant Gift. Obsessed with his experiments in Aquam magic, this senior magus has become estranged from his Gently Gifted colleagues. Unable to blend into mundane society easily and live the usual tasteful lifestyle of his housemates, he has reluctantly transferred his allegiance to House Ex Miscellanea.

He is warily respected by the river-folk and Redcaps that ply the Rhone and known by most boatmen to live as a hermit along the river shore beneath the Pont St Benezet. He is still considered a nominal consul of the Coenobium, although most think his behavior is unbecoming for a former Jerbiton magus.

Alazais has noted that he is becoming less and less interested in behaving according to the expectations of his Housemates. She suspects that Warping from his experiments is slowly taking its toll on his sanity. Nicodemus is increasingly devoting his energies in attempting to integrate the Atlantean magics of his lineage into standard Hermetic theory.

Age: 42 (Apparent Age: 35) Personality Traits: Loyal +3, Sly +2

An aggressive young scion of the Seigneurs of Les Baux, Marcus has been cautioned by the previous Chief Quaesitor about openly meddling too much in mundane affairs on behalf of his family or his

Pola the Sophist of Jerbiton

Age: 81 (Apparent Age: 51) Personality Traits: Precise +3, Haughty +1, Impatient +2

Pola is a descendent of a Jerbiton magus who was a noted Gorgiastic — a member of House Criamon who left the House and rejected its teachings about the Enigma. Over time the lineage has developed into a peripatetic tradition of rhetoricians and skillful advocates by focusing on the teachings of Gorgias and the other Sophists. Some of its younger scions have more recently been adopted into House Tytalus on merit. An excellent speaker, Pola considers the art of debate an expression of beauty and strives to further its popularity as an alternative means of resolving disputes to more distasteful practices such as certamen or Wizard's War.

Out of all the consuls, she is the one most likely to act as a patron to visiting magi. As the maga nominally in charge of the Avignon holdings of the covenant, she is responsible for supervising Jerbiton apprentices passing through the Coenobium's sphere of influence while journeying on their Itinerarium to or from the covenant of Eboris in Paris.

Xiphos filia Damocles of Jerbiton

Age: 73 (Apparent Age: 54) Personality Traits: Ill-tempered +3, Intolerant +2, Cruel +2

This disgraced Terram master hoplite, hailing from beyond the Provençal Tribunal, was expelled from House Guernicus for repeated behavior unbecoming for a hoplite.

At the unexpected insistence of Primus

There are no official restrictions preventing new Hermetic settlements in eastern Provençal, particularly when compared to the tradition-bound Rhine Tribunal or the feudal arrangements of the Normandy Tribunal. Establishing a new Spring covenant in Provence beneath the shadow of the Coenobium may be difficult, but not impossible. Although not adopting an overtly threatening stance, the combined Jerbiton and Mercere grip on the surrounding mundane lands is very strong. The majority of vis sources and supernatural resources are already claimed directly or controlled by the Coenobium's hedge wizard allies. The competitive advantage of such an Autumn covenant of two dozen magi that can act in a coordinated manner is significant. There have notably been no independent attempts to establish a new covenant in southern Provence since the Coenobium's founding over a century ago. It is unclear whether this is due to indirect or subtle interference by the established covenant, or just due to the clear advantages of joining the existing covenant structure, albeit under considerable conditions compared to elsewhere in the region.

Fortunately, the multiple sites, inherent hospitality, ongoing need for both mundane and magical specialists, and a recent change in overall philosophy toward accepting members of other Houses make the Coenobium an excellent base for beginning characters and traveling magi. Player magi should be able to negotiate support for their own goals if they can demonstrate that their activities are in the interests of the local Hermetic community, albeit at the price of independence.

Just Visit, Act Tastefully, and Don't Leave...

In addition to the consuls, up to a dozen visiting or independent magi are associated with the covenant on a regular basis, including up to half a dozen newly Gauntleted Jerbiton magi resting between stages of their Itinerarium. Although not entitled to vote, visitors who behave according to the covenant's philosophy are accorded considerable hospitality and can petition for use of the covenant's resources, requiring the approval of their patron and two other consuls. While not officially members, this arrangement is so similar to the structure of many Autumn covenants throughout the Order that the distinction matters little in practice.

Dominated by the less magically adept and more peaceful Houses of Jerbiton and Mercere, the Coenobium increasingly needs magi with particular magical skills it lacks to sustain its wider activities, protect it from magical threats, and support its large population. Many of the Jerbiton magi are generalists or have sacrificed their magical development to concentrate on developing the covenant's political power and temporal influence. Hermetic specialists such as Calais or Xiphos capable of high-magnitude magic or rituals within a narrow field of expertise are invited to join or granted access to the covenant's resources as an incentive to support the Coenobium's goals. More recently, magi from Ex Miscellanea are particularly sought, as the consuls find that their needs are often better met by more unusual magics and are distrustful of the uglier traditional philosophies of Flambeau, Tremere, and Tytalus magi.

Characters with skill at wards, transportation magic or weather magic are particularly desired, although a non-Tremere certamen champion would be considered a valuable asset to help further Alazais' goals. Magi with aptitude in Teaching are also highly sought to help train the Jerbiton apprentices, as their masters may not have developed their Arts scores sufficiently due to their preferred pursuit of non-magical fields of study.

Reclaim a Lost Site or Resource of Value

In the aftermath of the Wizard's War against the magi of Fraxinetum and the rise of the Coenobium, many of the former covenant sites of the founding magi were abandoned as the community closed ranks and established itself. Some locations have been restored or converted into chapters occupied by a single magus but there are still many eligible resources that need attention.

Reclaiming the Alpine sites or the nearby Barbegal mill-complex are both projects that would readily attract a sponsor. Either would be a great boon to the Coenobium, which has some difficulty accessing sites with high Magic auras. Magi who establish a chapter house under the patronage of one of the existing consuls and demonstrate their worth, will be in a good position to petition for official membership or even declare themselves independent of the Coenobium.

Andru of Jerbiton, she has been grudgingly accepted into House Jerbiton and given a chance to reform. The exact details of her pardon are uncertain, but she appears bound to the provision that she use her talents to support the stability of the Coenobium. Her less martial Housemates may pursue their concepts of Beauty and Taste, but they do so with minimal disruption from magical threats due to her efforts.

Xiphos claims descent from a legendary

Guernicus Terrae-magus known as Adamantius, and has almost complete mastery over metal and blades.

Age: 67 (Apparent Age: 38) Personality Traits: Cautious +3, Diplomatic +2, Charming +2

This wizard is the current liaison between the Coenobium and their hedge wizard allies. A Gifted student of one of the local herbalist traditions, he was adopted by his Pralician parens as her second Hermetic apprentice. Lavandarius's lineage has been responsible for the extensive integration of hedge wizards from the local area into the covenant's roster. This policy is supported by Alazais but is considered wildly unorthodox by more conservative magi of

the northern Tribunals of Normandy and the Rhine in particular.

Although officially one of the few non-Jerbiton consuls, he is not assigned to visiting magi as a patron, but has been given extended responsibility over the more powerful hedge magicians that visit the towns controlled by the Coenobium. He is continuing his mater's work toward integrating the herbalist's folk practices into standard Hermetic Theory. Progress has been slow. His familiar is a common asp he discovered amidst the lavender fields of the Hyeres.

Age: 49 (Apparent Age: 41) Personality Traits: Wrathful +3, Gloomy +2, Pious +2

This former weapon-master of Valnastium is living a second life. Once known as Auriel Blake, he is now known as the Redcap Argentius. Auriel was seemingly slain by the disgraced magus Damocles in a mundane duel, but then restored to life by a miracle produced by the greater relic of St Michael he carries within his sword pommel. Since recovering from his fatal injury, he has been accepted as a Redcap of the Coenobium as part of Alazais' plans. Still coping with his return from death, he remains distanced from the other covenfolk, who regard him with a mixture of reverence and fear.

His resurrection appears to have awakened the latent magical powers of his Heroes' Birthright Major Virtue, and many magi are uncertain whether to treat him as a hedge magician or respect his unorthodox Redcap status. Argentius has developed a remarkable control over swords and other bladed weapons, and has formed an unlikely friendship with his murderer's former apprentice, Xiphos.

He now believes, perhaps correctly, that the sword he carries is the mythical Sword of Ares — the weapon reputedly carried by Attila on his rampage into western Europe as "Scourge of God." To date he has not allowed investigation of his weapon to verify this claim.

The Coenobium has no official roster of covenfolk — each consul maintains his or her own staff or agency of minions, grogs and allies depending on how best this allows them to pursue their interests (see Houses of Hermes: Societates, page 140–144 for more details on Agents). For many of the Jerbiton magi, their staff consists of their servants and unGifted family members, as well as any specialist companions they may support through mundane patronage including academics, artists, artisans, and more recently accomplished troubadours. Although not afforded the same level of respect as Hermetic magi, many of the local Provençal hedge wizards are considered allies of the Coenobium, providing a wider base of albeit lesser magical resources than would otherwise be expected from a covenant of non-magically inclined Jerbiton magi. This is mainly thanks to the political efforts of a dedicated lineage of Pralician magi, such as Lavandarius.

The First Consul has the established right to ask another maga, consul or visitor*,* to make use of their mundane and magical resources on behalf of the covenant, but the maga is under no obligation to agree. Most Coenobium magi appreciate the advantages of cooperating, citing the precedent of the covenant's founding in response to the common threat of Fraxinetum. The current First Consul, as Chief Redcap, can draw on an extensive network of Redcaps, retired Redcaps, and their families to pursue her agenda and policies, as well as trading on the goodwill she has garnered by promoting the Coenobium's interests and growth.

"Together we rule, divided we fall."

– motto of the Coenobium

Somewhat unusually, the Coenobium is currently led by the UnGifted Chief Redcap of Provençal, Alazais of Mercere. As First Consul, she acts on their behalf as both auto-

Hospitality and Courtesy

The Jerbiton magi of the Coenobium take their duties as hosts to magi visiting one of their towns on the Rhone very seriously, priding themselves on their covenant's welcoming reputation. All guests are offered food, lodgings and laboratory space if requested. The consuls select one of their number to act as patron for the guest for the duration of their stay, an honor usually reserved for Jerbiton magi.

In return for their goodwill and support, the Coenobium expects visiting magi to:

• introduce themselves properly, preferably announcing their intention to visit beforehand by Redcap
• bring a small gift, traditionally a silver florin containing one pawn of vis
• state the purpose of their visit and its likely duration, informing their patron when they are leaving
• conduct themselves with decorum and restraint at all times, aiding their patron if asked
• leave immediately if requested.

The chosen patron is expected to familiarize the visitor with these expectations of courtesy and is responsible for the actions of the visitor during their stay. In addition, the patron is required to protect the guest from harm or inconvenience and present them with a symbolic gift on their departure. Although it carries more responsibility than tangible benefit, patrons are highly regarded by the other members of the Coenobium for their sacrifice. They may call upon other members of the covenant to support them in their duties or otherwise ask for a season of service to be waived in return for their time and effort.