Stonehenge Tribunal

Ars Magica: Nova Semitae Saga
GM
Mark
Game Start
Anno Domini MCCXX, hiems A.D. 1220, winter 5 Neanne 1, Hiems
Game Year
Anno Domini MCCXXXV, aestas A.D. 1236, summer 7 Aulus 2, Aestas
Magi of Nova Semitae
Geoffroy de Dreux of Jerbiton Joshua Levi of Verditius Magni of Flambeau Obscurus Ignis of Flambeau NPC Magi Aulus · Neanne · Fr. Thomas · Vitria Apprentices Ysabelo discipulus Aulus Esyllt discipula Geoffrey Sigrun discipula Magni Hermetic Status
Companions
Lady Angharad ferch Madog, Princess of Powys Fadog Ritter Sigmund, German ex-Crusader Sir Daniele d'Audrieu, Norman merchant Sir William Cornwell, English ex-Crusader
Other Characters
Covenfolk · Agents The Redcaps · Notable NPCs Chart of Languages Spoken Notable Animals
Guests
Hortense of House Bonisagus
The Covenant
Hermetic Covenant Charter · Membership Record Record of Offices · Covenant Service Council Voting Records · Hermetic Politics Stonehenge Tribunal Mundane Mundane Geography · Mundane Politics Village of Melverley · Melverley Castle Village Laws · Village Rumors Medieval Farming
Covenant Resources
Covenant Library · Varana's Tomb Hospital · Hospital Library Vis Sources and Stores Covenant Magical Items · Mundane Wealth Classes and Training · Covenant Experts Covenant Mechanics
Other
Ars Magica House Rules Ars Magica Expanded Notes Campaign Log · Loose Ends Ars Magica PC Reference
Player Resources (PDFs)
Experience Point Worksheet Character Sheet (Variant 1) Character Sheet (Variant 2) Experience Point Chart

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Until relatively recently, the Tribunal had problems with quorate Tribunals due to severe political in-fighting. Blackthorn held an overwhelming dominance in Tribunal politics, so other Tribunals stopped showing up whenever they called Tribunals. This had the effect of the Stonehenge Tribunal not being represented at the Grand Tribunal, and becoming the laughingstock of the Order.

However, several new covenants were founded in the last two decades which forced the Tribunal to become quorate. Politics have heated up and Blackthorn, while still powerful, is no longer the overwhelming force it once was. They are opposed by more progressive magi who wish to see Stonehenge take its proper place amoung the Tribunals of the Order. However, with both the Praeco of the Tribunal and its Presiding Quaesitor as members of Blackthorn, this is easier said than done.

The Tribunals are currently held at Blackthorn covenant, in southern Wales. As magi rarely come together in large numbers, a number of social events take place in the week leading up to the official Tribunal:

• Draag of Blackthorn organises the Bjornaer gathering which resembles a pagan midsummer festival. Very secretive.
• Edward of Milton, of Schola Pythagoranis, organises a Jerbiton gathering, which is a large formal dinner party, followed by a masquerade ball. Largely attended by Jerbiton, with the occasional 'civilized' guest invited to attend. Nearly every attendee has the Gentle Gift and impeccable manners.
• Scintilla of Burnham formerly organised the Flambeau Melee, however, since disaster struck the Flambeaux of Stonehenge, the Melee had been cancelled indefinitely. Rumours abound that she is looking to re-establish the custom at the Tribunal of 1222.
• Aurelia of Nigrasaxa organises the Verditius Regional Contest, a smaller version of The Contest which takes place at Verdi every twenty-two years.
• Aulus of Bonisagus and Neanne of Verditius, both from Nova Semitae, organize a small colloquium for the scholastically-minded members to give lectures, share knowledge, and otherwise discuss magical theory and methods with other members. Due to a historical debacle in the Tribunal, the number of Bonisagus magi in the Tribunal is very low, so this event is not very well attended.
• A general seller's market for enchantments, potions, books, longevity rituals, vis, and anything else magi will trade pops up. Very informal.

The following are the covenants of the Stonehenge Tribunal

Blackthorn

Main Article: Blackthorn

A powerful Autumn covenant located in the southern hills of Wales. Home of the Praeco and Presiding Quaesitor. Former Tribunal power that caused other Covenants to stop coming to Tribunal meetings after repeated abuses. Strongly opposed by Voluntas. Still politically powerful, but no longer overwhelming. 7 members.

Burnham

Main Article: Burnham

Located in the northernmost section of the Tribunal, in the north of Northumberland. Very secretive, not much is known about them, other than that they managed to negotiate a Town Charter from King John though nobody knows how. Believed to be a Summer covenant. 6 members.

Cad Gadu

Main Article: Cad Gadu

This Winter covenant is the Domus Magna of House Ex Miscellanea, located in northwest Wales on an island in the mountains of Snowdownia. Not very politically powerful, or active due to the odd collection of magi, many of whom are aging and slipping into Final Twilight. Covenant houses the Prima of House Ex Miscellanea, but is not the Praeco due to Blackthorn machinations in the past. 7 members.

Conventus Muri

Main Article: Conventus Muri

Located along Hadrian's wall in Northumberland. Often allied with Voluntas against attacks by Saxon-descended Scottish lowland covenants who hate Normans. Houses numerous Hoplites and Quaesitores, making it martially oriented. Has historically not participated in Tribunal politics until the revival of Tribunal meetings. A strong Summer covenant. 8 members. This was the covenant where Magni was trained as a Magus.

Libellus

Main Article: Libellus

One of the newest covenants with relatively young magi. One of two covenant in Norfolk. An unknown quality in Tribunal politics, as they have no been very active nor done anything of note. 7 members.

Nigrasaxa

Main Article: Nigrasaxa

A Spring covenant that was responsible for reviving Tribunal politics when Maximianus of Bonisagus founded the covenant and called for a new Tribunal in 1201. One of two counties in Norfolk. Housed by largely young magi except for Maximianus. 8 members.

Nova Semitae

A Summer covenant in the Welsh Marches near Shrewsbury and Poole. Home of the PC magi. Closely allied with the Mercer House, which is housed on covenant grounds. It is recently the home of numerous newly Gauntleted magi after losing all its Founders due to mysterious circumstances. 9 members.

Peregrinatores Glandis

Main Article: Peregrinatores Glandis

The wandering covenant, led by a Criamon whose travels take him up and down the Tribunal with no apparent meaning. Difficult to find, rarely shows up at Tribunal meetings. Translates to 'Travelers of the Acorn'. Most think it's a Criamon riddle of some kind. 3 members.

Redcap/Mercer House

Main Article: Mercer House

Home of the Redcaps of Stonehenge, located at Nova Semitae, though politically independent. 10 members.

Schola Pythagoranis

Main Article: Schola Pythagoranis

A Jerbiton-dominated Summer covenant in Cambridge and is encouraging the growth of the university there. Most of its aims seem to be directed at the increase of mundane scholarship, rather than towards Hermetic goals. Tends to stay apolitical. 6 members.

Unaffiliated

Main Article: Unaffiliated Magi

Many magi are without covenant, as it is not a requirement in Stonehenge. They live singularly, or in informal groups that have not sought out official covenant status. Solitary magi are known as eremite magi. Wandering magi who take up temporary residence at a covenant for a year or two are known are peregrinator magi. Approximately 12 members.

Ungulus

Main Article: Ungulus

A Winter covenant located in the Lakes Region of Lancashire. Founded by House Flambeau 200 years ago, also home of productive Verditius magi. Most of the magi are old and expected to die out in the coming decades. 5 members.

Voluntas

Main Article: Voluntas

Located in the northwest, near Ungulus, in Cumberland. Politically active, largely due to Julia of Jerbiton. Active against Blackthorn. Known to have one of the better libraries in the Tribunal and is relatively open to having magi use it — unless they're from Blackthorn. A Summer covenant slipping into Autumn. 5 members.