Borri-Tor in 1080 AD

1080 AD

Corlear -- Verditious
Feramir -- Quaesitor (Jerbiton)
Du Clerc -- Jerbiton
Pontus -- Tremere
Veneia -- Mercere

Grogs: 75
Castellan: Wihtred [33]
Aura: 4
Season: Summer
Reputation: Politically Strong

A strong covenant with a great many contacts within the mundane world. Well defended, with a young and efficient Castellan, Borri-Tor serves the Order as a stronghold in the north west of England. Twenty years ago there were a number of problems regarding the covenants dealings with the mundanes, with Du Clerc accused of supporting Williams claim to the English throne, and Corlear accused of selling magical items to gain favour with William. Feramir was instructed to investigate and found no evidence of the magi having breached the code. The Quaesitor, himself originally trained under the House of Jerbiton, remains there to oversee the covenants mundane dealings.

The covenant is wealthy in mundane terms and has adequate magical resources. Most of the vis is brought in by Corlear who sells items across the tribunal and abroad. They have a small visitors library for which they usually make a small charge.

The Tor upon which the covenant is built once had a number of standing stones on its peak, but they were removed in roman times. There is still a reasonably strong magical aura in the area and ghosts are said to frequent the nearby barrow mounds. There was a brief problem with an infernal spirit that attempted to raise trouble among the covenants grogs, but the spirit was destroyed with the help of Lazerus (A Tytalus mage from Morstow Covenant and a Mentem master). A number of celtic and early saxon relics have been removed from the surrounding barrows, and continue to provide an additional source of vis.

Politics is a fairly sedate affair within the covenant. Corlear makes an effort to give each magus an opportunity to state their views before calling for a vote. Feramir seldom intervenes in covenant affairs, except to advise on legal matters. It is known that he and Du Clerc see eye-to-eye on most matters and the Jerbiton always follows Feramirs instructions when it comes to his local dealings. The addition of the Mercere, Veneia, has allowed the covenant to occupy a central role in communication bewteen covenants in this area of the Tribunal. Pontus is regarded as a relatively independant Tremere, as he holds his own sigil (and at only 82 he is one of the youngest to do so). He is said to dislike many of his fellow Tremere within England, particularly Darius whom he suspects has plans for personal power that will destabilise the Tribunal. Corlear is always in demand for the production of magical items, but recently gave a seasons service to House Mercere for no charge (producing an item for Veneia). As the only Verditious currently in Britain his prices are often high, but it is said that the quality of his items rival many of the great works of his house.

Borri-Tor is highly regarded within the Tribunal and many other covenants petition them for support. With such a well balanced combination of Magi, covering law, items and communication, and expert politicians within the Order and among the mundanes, their political weight must be respected. The covenant is independant of the three big covenants (Blackthorn, Cad gadu and Solis Castle), and its role as kingmaker, come the selection of a new Praeco, is not to be underestimated.