Stonehenge Tribunal
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
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. Still politically powerful, but no longer overwhelming. 7 members.
Burnham
Main Article: Burnham
Located in the northernmost section of the Tribunal. Very secretive, not much is known about them. 6 members.
Cad Gadu
Main Article: Cad Gadu
Domus Magnum of House Ex Miscellanea, located in northwest Wales. Not very politically powerful, or active. 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. 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. 8 members.
Libellus
Main Article: Libellus
One of the newest covenants with relatively young magi. An unknown quality in Tribunal politics, as they have no been very active nor done anything of note. 7 members.
Nigrasaxa
Main Article: Nigrasaxa
Another relatively new covenant. It was responsible for reviving Tribunal politics when Maximianus of Bonisagus founded the covenant and called for a new Tribunal in 1201. Housed by largely young magi except for Maximianus. 8 members.
Nova Semitae
PC covenant. Border of England and Wales near Poole and Shrewsbury. 3 members.
Redcap/Mercer House
Located at Nova Semitae, though politically independent. 10 members.
Schola Pythagoranis
Main Article: Schola Pythagoranis
Decentralized covenant located at Cambridge. Jerbiton-dominated, well-integrated into the university community. 6 members.
Semitae
Main Article: Semitae
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. 3 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. 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. Politically active, largely due to Julia of Jerbiton. Allied with Conventus Muri. 5 members.