Solis Castle in 1080 AD

1080 AD

Urien -- Ex Miscellanea
Darius -- Tremere
Gruder -- Bjornaer
Yania -- Jerbiton

Grogs: 200
Castellan: Egbrigt [43]
Aura: 2
Season: Autumn
Reputation: Large Military Force

The stone castle at Solis Ridge has the strongest force of grogs in the Tribunal. Frequent attacks by both Danes and Vikings on their coast line position forced them to build new and better defences each year. By virtue of Yania's dealings with the local nobles the covenant is left alone by the mundanes. The Castellan, Egbrigt, is a Saxon noble by birth and the covenant's lands are owned by him. There have been a number of debates at Tribunal regarding their relationships to mundane lords, but clever politic by Darius has prevented any action being taken against them. The 200 strong grogs at Solis Castle are probably the best trained and equipped in the country. Morale is excellent and Egbrigt is considered a strong leader by his men.

The covenant is self-sufficient for magical resources, having a good library and a fair supply of vis. The visitors library is open to any who will provide a seasons service in return.

The preponderance of mundane activity has weakened the magical aura around Solis Castle over mant years. There is even a small chapel in one of the castle's wings where the dominion rises to 3rd magnitude at Christmas and Easter. In the nearby forest there is a magical regio. Gruder often visits to speak with the Centaur who resides there.

Politics is dominated by Darius, reknown as highly ambitious (even amongst the Tremere), who generally ignores the older Urien's presence at council. Gruder and Yania are often away, so most decisions are made by Darius and reported back to council at a later date. Urien, who specialises almost exclusively in water magics, is entirely at Darius's beck and call. It is rumoured that the Tremere are grooming Urien to take over from Lexor as Primus of House Ex-Miscellanea one day. The idea being to install a puppet Primus under the control of the head Tremere. It is also known that Darius desperately wants his sigil, and might even be prepared to challenge Nostrius before too long.

Egbrigt and Darius often talk well into the night about mundane political affairs. Egbrigt has a large network of spies and informants operating across the region, and Darius has been accused of sending spies into other covenants before now. Yania frequents the court at York, and is adept at dealing with nobles. She has a number of high ranking nobles who apparently court her. Ferramir, the Quaesitor at Borri-Tor covenant, has often been asked to investigate both Yania and Darius, but they maintain that their activities never breach the code. Gruder and Darius avoid each other by agreement, and the Bjornaer has little to do with the covenant.