Difference between revisions of "Stranggore"

From Andrew Gronosky's Ars Magica Site
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Condensed and re-organized, moving a lot of details onto sub-pages.)
 
(23 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
The official name of the covenant is  "the Wizards' Council of the Kingdom of Stranggore". It has a proud and regal heritage and was once one of the pre-eminent covenants of the [[Stonehenge Tribunal]], but has now fallen into the senility and decrepitude of Winter.  
+
[[Category:Stranggore]]
 +
Stranggore is a very old covenant that has sunk into stagnation and decay. It has a proud and regal heritage and was once one of the pre-eminent covenants of the [[Stonehenge Tribunal]], but has now fallen into the senility and decrepitude of Winter.
  
−
== Introduction ==
+
It has [[Stranggore History|roots]] that go back to ancient times, before the Order of Hermes arrived in the British Isles. In the early days it was sworn to the service of a royal court. The covenant still has symbols and customs that acknowledge that heritage. Some of these are subtle -- for example, the head wizard of the covenant is called the Chancellor -- and others are overt, like the grogs' green-on-gold livery or the carved wooden throne that stands empty in the council chamber, a reminder of its ancient (and, officially, forsaken) royal allegiance.
−
Stranggore is a very old covenant that has sunk into stagnation and decay. It was once very well-respected and is still admired for the many great historical British magi who once called it home. It has [[Stranggore History|roots]] that go back to ancient times, before the Order of Hermes arrived in the British Isles. In the early days it was sworn to the service of a royal court. The covenant still has symbols and customs that acknowledge that heritage. Some of these are subtle -- for example, the head wizard of the covenant is called the Chancellor -- and others are overt, like the grogs' green-on-gold livery or the carved wooden throne that stands empty in the council chamber, a reminder of its ancient (and, officially, forsaken) royal allegiance.
+
 
 +
The official name of the covenant is  "the Wizards' Council of Stranggore."
  
 
The covenant has a certain nostalgia for the ancient Britons, though by now the Britons in England are only a legend, even among wizards. (The remaining descendants of the ancient Britons in 1220 are the Welsh.) Certainly the covenant pays no homage to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Plantagenet#Rise_of_Henry_II_and_his_sons heirs] of that upstart Norman usurper [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_the_Conqueror William the Bastard].
 
The covenant has a certain nostalgia for the ancient Britons, though by now the Britons in England are only a legend, even among wizards. (The remaining descendants of the ancient Britons in 1220 are the Welsh.) Certainly the covenant pays no homage to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Plantagenet#Rise_of_Henry_II_and_his_sons heirs] of that upstart Norman usurper [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_the_Conqueror William the Bastard].
Line 9: Line 11:
 
Stranggore is located in Somerset, England on the historical site of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maesbury_Castle Maesbury Castle], along the ancient Roman road known as the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fosse_Way Fosse Way]. It is near several interesting magical sites, including [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glastonbury_tor Glastonbury Tor] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wookey_Hole_Caves Wookey Hole Caves].
 
Stranggore is located in Somerset, England on the historical site of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maesbury_Castle Maesbury Castle], along the ancient Roman road known as the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fosse_Way Fosse Way]. It is near several interesting magical sites, including [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glastonbury_tor Glastonbury Tor] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wookey_Hole_Caves Wookey Hole Caves].
  
−
Our [[http://goo.gl/maps/IXIz Google map] shows the location of the covenant, sites of mystical interest, and the other covenants of the [[Stonehenge Tribunal]].
+
Our [http://goo.gl/maps/IXIz Google map] shows the location of the covenant, sites of mystical interest, and the other covenants of the [[Stonehenge Tribunal]]. Andrew G also found a [http://alcuinofyork.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/medieval-england-map.jpg National Geographic map of Medieval England] online (almost certainly in violation of copyright laws) that shows towns and roads from a later period.
−
 
 
−
The nearest settlement is [[Barstow]], a hamlet whose residents are tenants of the covenant. The nearest village with a church is [[Shepton Mallet]].
 
  
 
As far as I can tell (from a cursory browsing of Wikipedia), Somerset is divided into about 700 fiefs, not under control of a single noble. Presumably they are a mix of royal fiefs, ecclesiastical fiefs (controlled by the [[Bishop of Salisbury]] and/or the [[Bishop of Wells]]), and local barons. Some of these fiefs no doubt are held by great nobles of the realm. The royal fiefs are each maintained by a constable; manors would be maintained by a bailiff.
 
As far as I can tell (from a cursory browsing of Wikipedia), Somerset is divided into about 700 fiefs, not under control of a single noble. Presumably they are a mix of royal fiefs, ecclesiastical fiefs (controlled by the [[Bishop of Salisbury]] and/or the [[Bishop of Wells]]), and local barons. Some of these fiefs no doubt are held by great nobles of the realm. The royal fiefs are each maintained by a constable; manors would be maintained by a bailiff.
  
 
=== Neighbors ===
 
=== Neighbors ===
 +
The [http://domesdaymap.co.uk/ Domesday Book online] maps the villages of medieval England. The nearest settlement to Stranggore is the fictional hamlet of [[Barstow]]. The nearest historical settlements are [[Shepton Mallet]], Charlton, and Doulting. The nearest city is Wells.
 +
 
* Village of [[Barstow]]
 
* Village of [[Barstow]]
 
* [[Mericas]] the hedge wizard
 
* [[Mericas]] the hedge wizard
Line 22: Line 24:
 
* [[Godwyn's Chase]]
 
* [[Godwyn's Chase]]
  
−
== Inhabitants ==
+
== Road ==
−
The living magi of Stranggore are:
+
Stranggore has is about a quarter mile northwest of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fosse_Way Fosse Way], so travelers occasionally mistake its towers for those of an abbey and stop by.
  
−
* [[Argus]]
+
== Residents ==
−
* [[Merewen]]
+
Several of the grogs live in the nearby village of [[Barstow]]. This section includes only characters who live at the covenant. See [[:Category:Stranggore Grogs]] and [[:Category:Stranggore Covenfolk]] for a full list of the guards and servants, respectively.
−
* [[James]]
 
−
* [[Sandre Paen]]
 
−
* [[Hywel Mawr]]
 
−
* [[Agnes]]
 
−
* [[Godwyn]]
 
  
−
See also the category pages for Stranggore's [[:Category:Stranggore Grogs|grogs]] and [[:Category:Stranggore Covenfolk|covenfolk]].
+
{|class="wikitable"
 +
!Magi!!Companions!!Grogs!!Covenfolk
 +
|-
 +
|[[Argus]]<br/>[[Caballus]]<br/>[[Godwyn]]<br/>[[Hywel Mawr]]<br/>[[Sandre Paen]]<br/>[[Merewen]]
 +
||[[Agnes]]<br/>[[Paul]]<br/>[[Randolph]]<br/>[[William Robert]]
 +
||[[Bloody Bill]]<br/>[[George the Bastard]]<br/>[[Joan of Barstow]]<br/>[[Joseph]]<br/>[[Junior]]<br/>[[Rhys]]
 +
||[[Bertha]] the cook<br/>[[Brian the Mad]]<br/>[[Catherine]] the chambermaid<br/>the [[Ghosts of Stranggore]]<br/>[[Marie LaMont]], Sandre's wife<br/>[[Valera]] the scholar
 +
|}
  
−
=== Ghosts ===
+
== Physical Structure ==
−
The ancient hall of Stranggore is haunted. The following are the known ghosts:
+
The covenant stands in the ruin of an ancient ring fort, of which only the ditch and rampart remain. The gateway into the ring fort has been improved with a wooden gate.
  
−
* [[Ghost of Charles]]
+
Within the rampart is a large, open yard. At one end stands a two-story stone manor house with four square, three-story towers. Although the covenant stands on a hilltop, the towers extend high enough above the rampart to be clearly visible. The upper tower windows have a grand view of the countryside.
−
* [[Ghost of Lady Elinore]]
 
−
* [[Ghost of Matthew]]
 
−
* [[Ghost of Wilfrid]]
 
  
−
== Maps and Floor Plans ==
+
[[File:Stranggore_Exterior.png|400px]]
−
{{Main
+
 
 +
Also inside the compound are a number of outbuildings:
 +
* A stable with attached kennel
 +
* [[Junior]]'s cottage
 +
* [[George the Bastard]]'s cottage
 +
* [[Bloody Bill]]'s cottage
 +
 
 +
See [[Stranggore manor]] for floorplans and details of the manor house.
  
 
== Covenant Resources ==
 
== Covenant Resources ==
 
The covenant is designed with 1250 points of resources, which puts it at the high end of the "medium" power scale. Our objective is to give the player magi enough resources that they can develop and pursue their own agendas, but not so many that they can get everything they need without leaving the covenant walls.
 
The covenant is designed with 1250 points of resources, which puts it at the high end of the "medium" power scale. Our objective is to give the player magi enough resources that they can develop and pursue their own agendas, but not so many that they can get everything they need without leaving the covenant walls.
  
−
* [[Stranggore Mundane Resources]]
+
=== Magical Resources ===
−
* [[Stranggore Enchantments]]
+
The covenant owns a number of [[Stranggore Enchantments|enchanted items]] including some [[Armament of Stranggore|arms and armor]].
−
* [[Stranggore Grimoire]]
 
−
* [[Stranggore Library]]
 
−
* [[Stranggore Specialists]]
 
−
 
 
−
=== Vis Stocks ===
 
−
 
 
−
The vis stocks are available for use for covenant business. Members may take loans of up to 10 pawns of vis, to be repaid in kind within 2 years, at low interest (one pawn per year).
 
−
 
 
−
* 12 pawns Creo
 
−
* 14 pawns Vim
 
−
* 12 pawns Intellego
 
−
* 20 pawns of Muto
 
−
* 15 pawns of Corpus - Giant Bones
 
−
 
 
−
=== Vis Sources ===
 
−
The covenant's vis sources are worth 130 build points.
 
−
 
 
−
The covenant does not have a lot of reliable, perennial vis sources. The meta-game reason is that we want to encourage magi to go out and search for their own vis; the vis hunt will not often be a story in its own right, but it gets the magi out into the countryside where they can more easily discover story hooks. The in-game reason is that stable, renewable sources of vis are uncommon in our version of Mythic Europe. Most vis exists as one-off sources that magi harvest and deplete. This enables us to let magi find as much vis as they need, while still making perennial vis sources special and valuable.
 
−
 
 
−
See the [[Saga_of_Stranggore#Vis_Guidelines|Vis Guidelines]] for this Saga.
 
−
 
 
−
==== Spring Vis Sources ====
 
−
None.
 
−
 
 
−
Magi who vis to forage for vis may each collect one pawn. Player-magi may also gain another pawn as a reward for contributing to the Saga (by updating the wiki, running a story, etc.)
 
−
 
 
−
==== Summer Vis Sources ====
 
−
;Enchanted Pear Tree (2 Muto)
 
−
:[[Hywel Mawr]] moved the covenant's magical pear tree from the distance forest of The Weld onto the covenant grounds in 1197. Fruit from the tree ferments as soon as picked. Anyone who eats one of the pears will be drunk for Moon duration.
 
−
 
 
−
==== Autumn Vis Sources ====
 
−
;Moss from Milestones (6 Vim)
 
−
:The magi gather moss from the milestones along the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fosse_Way Fosse Way]. This provides 6 Vim / year (sufficient to sustain the ''Aegis of the Hearth''). It could be harvested for more but that could diminish or destroy the yield for future years.
 
−
;Enchanted Pear Tree (2 Muto)
 
−
:The enchanted pear tree also bears fruit in Autumn.
 
−
 
 
−
Magi who wish to forage for vis may each collect one pawn. Storyguides may award one additional pawn to magi whose players have earned a bonus for their contributions.
 
−
 
 
−
==== Winter Vis Sources ====
 
−
;Oath Blood (2 Rego per magus)
 
−
:Each year the magi renew the [[Oath of Stranggore]] and drip their blood onto the arms of the ancient royal throne, which stands empty in the great hall. Due to mystical forces beyond Hermetic theory, the mingled blood ceases to be an Arcane Connection to any of the magi and remains fresh and liquid for the whole year. This yields two pawns of Rego vis per magus per year.
 
−
 
 
  
−
= History =
+
The covenant's [[Stranggore Vis Sources|vis sources]] are but a remnant of what it once claimed.
  
−
''Main article:'' [[Stranggore History]]
+
The [[Stranggore Library|library]] and collection of [[Stranggore Grimoire|lab texts]] are pretty good, though quite a few valuable books and lab text were lost when the library was allowed to decay in the early twelfth century.
  
−
The covenant of Stranggore traces its existence back to the days shortly after King Arthur. When Camelot fell, the petty kings who had sworn allegiance to Arthur re-asserted their independence. Stranggore was one of those small, early British kingdoms. Perhaps following the example of Arthur seeking the aid and counsel of Merlin, one of the kings of Stranggore gathered to his court the three most powerful wizards in the land. Under his patronage this circle of court wizards throve and grew for generations.
+
=== Lands and Chattels ===
 +
{{Main|Stranggore Mundane Resources}}
 +
The covenant is the feudal lord of the village of [[Barstow]] and owns the serfs of that village. It owns some of the surrounding lands, including the stretch of forest now known as [[Godwyn's Chase]], but its mundane holdings have been greatly eroded by the covenant's decades of failure to resist encroachment by its mundane neighbors.
  
−
== The Mythical Land of Stranngore ==
+
Stranggore now does own some livestock: several horses fit for riding in battle, some hunting dogs, and a flock of sheep.
  
−
Stranggore is an early British kingdom mentioned briefly in the legend of King Arthur; in ''Le Morte D'Arthur'', [[http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/mart/mart011.htm Book I, Chapter XII]], King Brandegoris of Stranggore is one of eleven kings who joined forces against King Arthur. In our history of Mythic Europe, the kingdom of Stranggore was defeated by Arthur and assimilated into his realm. After Camelot fell, several of Arthur's vassal kings reclaimed their independence, and Stranggore was one of these. It was in this post-Arthurian period of independence when the Wizards' Council of Stranggore was established.
+
== Traditions ==
 +
Unlike most covenants, Stranggore has no formal charter. All members swear the [[Oath of Stranggore]] and renew that oath each Winter.  
  
−
No one really knows where Stranggore was in Mythic Europe; it's not a real place. It was probably in the northwest of England. The kingdom of Stranggore was eventually conquered by the invading Angles and Saxons. The Wizards' Council went into exile but survived, clinging to the hope of one day restoring the rightful British ruler.
+
== Laws ==
 +
As the lords of Stranggore manor, the magi have the right to make laws. They cannot mete out penalties of life and limb: that is reserved for royal justice.
  
−
== The Wizards' Council and the Order of Hermes ==
+
;Protection of Ravens
 +
:No man may kill a raven. This is one of Stranggore's most ancient laws. Wizards of Stranggore could shapechange into ravens or kept them as familiars, so they barred the peasants from hunting such birds. The penalty for killing a raven is to be cursed by the wizards.
  
−
When the wizards of the British Isles joined the Order of Hermes, the Wizards' Council of Stranggore was forced to relinquish its ties to the broken royal line of Stranggore. It renounced its royal ties and re-dedicated itself to the service and protection of Britain as a whole. The Grand Tribunal stipulated that the Wizards' Council of Stranggore must relocate away from its ancestral lands. So it came to settle in Somerset.
+
== Festivals ==
 +
The grogs have long celebrated St. George's Day (April 23) with a feast and entertainments.
  
−
For two centuries Stranggore prospered. It was among the mightiest and most prestigious covenants of the Stonehenge Tribunal, attaining a size of twelve members. The events of the eleventh century -- the Schism War, followed by the Norman conquest -- sent the covenant into a slow but irreversible decline.
+
Since 1194, [[Hywel]] of Stranggore has hosted an annual [[Imbolc Feast]] each Winter.
  
−
== The Oath of Stranggore ==
+
== Boons and Hooks ==
  
−
The Wizards' Council's Oath of Stranggore has been unchanged for many years, last one being when they joined the Order, and has always been a blood oath. Every year on the Winter Solstice every member of the covenant cuts thier hand and swears the Oath of Stranggore before the Council: 
+
=== Hooks ===
 +
Hooks are more interesting than Boons, so we list them first.
  
−
''By this blood, I swear to serve the kings of Stranggore so that through my wizard's council fulfill their noble charge to protect this land from man and beast both magical and mundane, and through this service form a brotherhood of wizards whom together strive to keep this land fruitful magical and safe, and as this is the will of the Wizard's Council of Stranggore so it is my will to serve within the boundaries of my Hermetic Oath and conscious to God. This I do swear.''
+
; Flickering Aura
 +
: The magi of Stranggore must perform occasional mystical ceremonies in order to maintain the Magical aura. Sometimes these ceremonies require odd ingredients, involve obscure prophecies, or are otherwise interesting.
 +
; Protector
 +
: The covenant is the mundane landlord of the village of [[Barstow]] and some surrounding hamlets. This provides income in the form of rent but also creates an obligation to protect the village.
 +
; Rights and Customs
 +
: The grogs and covenfolk have traditional rights and customs that go back to ancient days. They expect lots of holidays and two annual feasts. From time to time, this means the grogs may be unavailable for service or the magi may need to perform errands on their servants' behalf!
 +
; Rival (x2)
 +
: Stranggore's [[Blackthorn Arc|rivalry with Blackthorn]] is a major theme of the Saga, but Blackthorn does not seem committed to Stranggore's destruction, so the Hook counts as Minor. (Blackthorn was formerly an Unknown Hook that has now been revealed) The [[Crimson Brotherhood]] is also a rival of Stranggore, but weak enough that it also counts as Minor.
 +
; Road (minor)
 +
: The covenant is located along the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fosse_Way Fosse Way], one of the mystical ancient roads of Britain. We chose this as a Minor Hook because we don't want it to dominate the Saga. It will definitely create some stories, though.
 +
; Superiors (minor)
 +
: The elder magi of the covenant feel entitled to send the junior magi on missions. Technically, the junior magi have the right to decline these requests.
  
−
When the oath is complete one places their hand on the Throne of Stranggore; this is the source of the Oath Blood Vis.
+
=== Boons ===
 +
; Autocephalous (Major)
 +
: The magi's predecessors negotiated the independence of Stranggore with William the Conqueror himself. The royal charter was found in 1200 in the middle of a pile of old receipts for salted herring.
 +
;Aura
 +
: The Magical aura for the covenant and its living area used to be +4, but it flickers.
 +
; Informants
 +
: The villagers of [[Barstow]] report interesting happenings to the covenant. [[Merewen]] also has other descendants scattered about the shire who can occasionally feed information, and of course [[Argus]] (or more accurately, his familiar, [[Cedric]]) is a significant source of information in his own right.
 +
; Loyal Covenfolk
 +
: Largely because of their rights and customs, the covenfolk and grogs are especially loyal.
 +
; Hidden Resources
 +
: There is probably all kinds of useful stuff in the hoard of [[Brian the Mad]], the disused laboratories, and the sancta of the senior magi. We've uncovered about half of them so far.

Latest revision as of 12:15, 12 August 2013

Stranggore is a very old covenant that has sunk into stagnation and decay. It has a proud and regal heritage and was once one of the pre-eminent covenants of the Stonehenge Tribunal, but has now fallen into the senility and decrepitude of Winter.

It has roots that go back to ancient times, before the Order of Hermes arrived in the British Isles. In the early days it was sworn to the service of a royal court. The covenant still has symbols and customs that acknowledge that heritage. Some of these are subtle -- for example, the head wizard of the covenant is called the Chancellor -- and others are overt, like the grogs' green-on-gold livery or the carved wooden throne that stands empty in the council chamber, a reminder of its ancient (and, officially, forsaken) royal allegiance.

The official name of the covenant is "the Wizards' Council of Stranggore."

The covenant has a certain nostalgia for the ancient Britons, though by now the Britons in England are only a legend, even among wizards. (The remaining descendants of the ancient Britons in 1220 are the Welsh.) Certainly the covenant pays no homage to the heirs of that upstart Norman usurper William the Bastard.

Location and Surroundings

Stranggore is located in Somerset, England on the historical site of Maesbury Castle, along the ancient Roman road known as the Fosse Way. It is near several interesting magical sites, including Glastonbury Tor and Wookey Hole Caves.

Our Google map shows the location of the covenant, sites of mystical interest, and the other covenants of the Stonehenge Tribunal. Andrew G also found a National Geographic map of Medieval England online (almost certainly in violation of copyright laws) that shows towns and roads from a later period.

As far as I can tell (from a cursory browsing of Wikipedia), Somerset is divided into about 700 fiefs, not under control of a single noble. Presumably they are a mix of royal fiefs, ecclesiastical fiefs (controlled by the Bishop of Salisbury and/or the Bishop of Wells), and local barons. Some of these fiefs no doubt are held by great nobles of the realm. The royal fiefs are each maintained by a constable; manors would be maintained by a bailiff.

Neighbors

The Domesday Book online maps the villages of medieval England. The nearest settlement to Stranggore is the fictional hamlet of Barstow. The nearest historical settlements are Shepton Mallet, Charlton, and Doulting. The nearest city is Wells.

Road

Stranggore has is about a quarter mile northwest of the Fosse Way, so travelers occasionally mistake its towers for those of an abbey and stop by.

Residents

Several of the grogs live in the nearby village of Barstow. This section includes only characters who live at the covenant. See Category:Stranggore Grogs and Category:Stranggore Covenfolk for a full list of the guards and servants, respectively.

Magi Companions Grogs Covenfolk
Argus
Caballus
Godwyn
Hywel Mawr
Sandre Paen
Merewen 		Agnes
Paul
Randolph
William Robert 		Bloody Bill
George the Bastard
Joan of Barstow
Joseph
Junior
Rhys 		Bertha the cook
Brian the Mad
Catherine the chambermaid
the Ghosts of Stranggore
Marie LaMont, Sandre's wife
Valera the scholar

Physical Structure

The covenant stands in the ruin of an ancient ring fort, of which only the ditch and rampart remain. The gateway into the ring fort has been improved with a wooden gate.

Within the rampart is a large, open yard. At one end stands a two-story stone manor house with four square, three-story towers. Although the covenant stands on a hilltop, the towers extend high enough above the rampart to be clearly visible. The upper tower windows have a grand view of the countryside.

Stranggore Exterior.png

Also inside the compound are a number of outbuildings:

See Stranggore manor for floorplans and details of the manor house.

Covenant Resources

The covenant is designed with 1250 points of resources, which puts it at the high end of the "medium" power scale. Our objective is to give the player magi enough resources that they can develop and pursue their own agendas, but not so many that they can get everything they need without leaving the covenant walls.

Magical Resources

The covenant owns a number of enchanted items including some arms and armor.

The covenant's vis sources are but a remnant of what it once claimed.

The library and collection of lab texts are pretty good, though quite a few valuable books and lab text were lost when the library was allowed to decay in the early twelfth century.

Lands and Chattels

Main article: Stranggore Mundane Resources

The covenant is the feudal lord of the village of Barstow and owns the serfs of that village. It owns some of the surrounding lands, including the stretch of forest now known as Godwyn's Chase, but its mundane holdings have been greatly eroded by the covenant's decades of failure to resist encroachment by its mundane neighbors.

Stranggore now does own some livestock: several horses fit for riding in battle, some hunting dogs, and a flock of sheep.

Traditions

Unlike most covenants, Stranggore has no formal charter. All members swear the Oath of Stranggore and renew that oath each Winter.

Laws

As the lords of Stranggore manor, the magi have the right to make laws. They cannot mete out penalties of life and limb: that is reserved for royal justice.

Protection of Ravens
No man may kill a raven. This is one of Stranggore's most ancient laws. Wizards of Stranggore could shapechange into ravens or kept them as familiars, so they barred the peasants from hunting such birds. The penalty for killing a raven is to be cursed by the wizards.

Festivals

The grogs have long celebrated St. George's Day (April 23) with a feast and entertainments.

Since 1194, Hywel of Stranggore has hosted an annual Imbolc Feast each Winter.

Boons and Hooks

Hooks

Hooks are more interesting than Boons, so we list them first.

Flickering Aura
The magi of Stranggore must perform occasional mystical ceremonies in order to maintain the Magical aura. Sometimes these ceremonies require odd ingredients, involve obscure prophecies, or are otherwise interesting.
Protector
The covenant is the mundane landlord of the village of Barstow and some surrounding hamlets. This provides income in the form of rent but also creates an obligation to protect the village.
Rights and Customs
The grogs and covenfolk have traditional rights and customs that go back to ancient days. They expect lots of holidays and two annual feasts. From time to time, this means the grogs may be unavailable for service or the magi may need to perform errands on their servants' behalf!
Rival (x2)
Stranggore's rivalry with Blackthorn is a major theme of the Saga, but Blackthorn does not seem committed to Stranggore's destruction, so the Hook counts as Minor. (Blackthorn was formerly an Unknown Hook that has now been revealed) The Crimson Brotherhood is also a rival of Stranggore, but weak enough that it also counts as Minor.
Road (minor)
The covenant is located along the Fosse Way, one of the mystical ancient roads of Britain. We chose this as a Minor Hook because we don't want it to dominate the Saga. It will definitely create some stories, though.
Superiors (minor)
The elder magi of the covenant feel entitled to send the junior magi on missions. Technically, the junior magi have the right to decline these requests.

Boons

Autocephalous (Major)
The magi's predecessors negotiated the independence of Stranggore with William the Conqueror himself. The royal charter was found in 1200 in the middle of a pile of old receipts for salted herring.
Aura
The Magical aura for the covenant and its living area used to be +4, but it flickers.
Informants
The villagers of Barstow report interesting happenings to the covenant. Merewen also has other descendants scattered about the shire who can occasionally feed information, and of course Argus (or more accurately, his familiar, Cedric) is a significant source of information in his own right.
Loyal Covenfolk
Largely because of their rights and customs, the covenfolk and grogs are especially loyal.
Hidden Resources
There is probably all kinds of useful stuff in the hoard of Brian the Mad, the disused laboratories, and the sancta of the senior magi. We've uncovered about half of them so far.
Retrieved from "https://arsmagica.andrewgronosky.us/index.php?title=Stranggore&oldid=2509"