The Morvathian Coven

A Look into the Witchrealm's Central Organization

"Ah, the Morvathian Coven, the backbone of our great society. Without their guidance and oversight, we would have chaos and disarray in our realm. Who knows what demons a third-grade witch would summon from the deepest corner of the Netherhells, if the Coven wasn't there to hold their hand? Of course, I personally prefer to operate outside of their jurisdiction. Their rules and regulations are far too limiting for a witch of my caliber. Which is one of the many reasons I and the High Witch don't get along well... but even I must acknowledge their importance in maintaining order and tradition within Morvathia."

— From: "A Comprehensive Guide to Morvathia's Mysteries" by Salama the Dragonwitch

The Morvathian Coven serves as a crucial pillar in the governance and cultural identity of Morvathia, especially in the context of its rich tradition of witchcraft. As an essential organization, it plays a dual role: it is both a protector and a regulator of the magical arts within the realm. This makes the Coven an indispensable counterbalance to the political might of the thirteen ruling houses, ensuring that the practice of witchcraft remains a central, unobstructed element of Morvathian life.
The Coven oversees the various disciplines of magic—alchemy, demonology, herbalism, necromancy, and more. Its mandate is to maintain the integrity and the continuity of these practices, fostering an environment where magical arts can not only survive but thrive. The Coven actively works to ensure that witchcraft remains accessible to all segments of Morvathian society, democratizing the power that comes from magical knowledge and ensuring that it does not become the sole purview of the elite or those born into the ruling houses. In this way, the Coven upholds the queen’s laws and the decrees of the realm while providing a necessary check to ensure that these laws do not stifle the cultural practices that define Morvathia.
Regulation of magic, particularly practices like necromancy and demonology, is also critical. The Coven implements guidelines to ensure that such powerful and potentially dangerous forms of magic are used responsibly and ethically.

The Backbone of Morvathia's Way of Life

At the core of the Coven's structure is the High Witch, a pivotal figure appointed by the ruling Witchqueen or Witchking, tasked with overseeing the realm's magical education and the broad spectrum of research activities. The High Witch's leadership is critical in steering the strategic direction of the Coven, coordinating the various activities across all branches of magical arts, and ensuring that the coven’s operations align with the royal decrees and the cultural objectives of Morvathia.
Beneath the High Witch, the coven is divided into numerous smaller covens, each dedicated to a specific magical discipline. Within each coven, there is a clearly defined hierarchy that is determined by seniority, expertise, and the mentorship roles that experienced witches assume. These experienced witches lead major research initiatives and are responsible for nurturing the talents of apprentices, guiding them through rigorous educational programs and practical applications of their burgeoning skills. This structured mentorship ensures that knowledge is passed down and that the apprentices are well-prepared to contribute to the coven's goals.
The different covens are led by Grand Masters or Grand Mistresses, seasoned practitioners who have risen to prominence through a combination of skill, knowledge, and often, familial ties to the ruling houses. These leaders carry titles that reflect their areas of expertise—such as "Grand Alchemist" or "Grand Riteshaper"—signifying their authority and specialization. Their roles involve directing advanced research, curating and expanding upon the magical knowledge within their field, and mentoring the next generation of witches. The process of selecting these high-ranking officials is influenced by various factors, including expertise, loyalty, and political considerations. The High Witch plays a crucial role in these appointments, often with direct input from the Thirteen, who may offer advice or endorse candidates.
This layered organizational structure enables the Morvathian Coven to function as a well-oiled machine, advancing magical research and education while ensuring that the deep-rooted traditions of witchcraft continue to flourish under the careful guidance of its most accomplished practitioners.

Authority of Magic, Education, and Politics

As the overseer of all magical education within Morvathia, the Coven ensures that every institution—from the Auricent Academy to the Arcanum Dona Viperia—adheres to stringent educational standards. This rigorous oversight guarantees that the curricula offered by these institutions not only foster high-caliber magical abilities but also instill a sense of ethical responsibility and adherence to Morvathian traditions.
Beyond regulatory functions, the Coven's influence permeates the educational system through direct involvement. Many Grandmasters and distinguished apprentices serve as faculty in various magical schools, embedding Coven-approved methodologies and philosophies within the learning process. This integration helps maintain a consistent standard of magical training across the realm and ensures that educators within these institutions align with the Coven's values and expertise. Recommendations from Coven members are crucial in appointing non-coven witches as educators, thus shaping the next generation of magical practitioners with a direct line to the Coven's legacy.
The Coven's regulatory reach also extends to professional practice within the realm. Specific covens, such as the Coven of Alchemagestry, issue licenses to practitioners like alchemists, wandcrafters, and enchanters, regulating who may legally sell magical goods and services. While joining a guild is optional, these organizations often collaborate with the Coven to uphold standards and protect their members' interests, ensuring that their crafts adhere to the legal and ethical standards set forth.
Politically, the Morvathian Coven wields considerable influence, with the High Witch possessing the authority to override decisions made by the rulers of the seven counties if deemed necessary for the protection of Morvathian culture. This power can affect educational content, economic practices, and even the legal rights of artisans and craftsmen within the realm. Such interventions occasionally spark controversy among the Thirteen Houses, with some perceiving them as infringements on their political autonomy. Despite such debates, the High Witch's role as a safeguard against threats to the realm's cultural and magical integrity remains a cornerstone of her authority.
Through its comprehensive involvement in education, regulation, and governance, the Morvathian Coven not only upholds the standards of magical practice but also shapes the broader socio-political landscape of Morvathia, ensuring that the realm's magical heritage continues to thrive under vigilant and capable stewardship. This blend of educational oversight, regulatory authority, and political influence establishes the Coven as a formidable and essential institution within Morvathian society.

The Covens

The Morvathian Coven is organized in different branches based on the various areas of witch culture. Those include:

Coven of Alchemagestry

This coven focuses on alchemy and transmutation, which includes creation of potions and transmutation of matter, and elixiers for various magical purposes.

Base of operation: The Alchemical Academy in Vilandsburg
Associated house: House Florindale
Current head: Grand Alchemist Finley Dantéil

Coven of Astroarcanism

This department is dedicated to the study and practice of divination, including the reading of stars, scrying, and prophecy, as well as the influences of celestial rotations and arcane manifestation.

Base of operation: The Celestial Observatory in Vilandsburg
Associated house: House Eridani
Current head: Lord Eirik Eridani

Coven of Artificery

This department researches and develops magical technology and its practical applications, such as enchanted devices and machinery powered by magical energy.

Base of operation: The Enchanted Workshop in Sieghaven
Associated house: House Siegmund, House Florindale
Current head: Lord Gideon Siegmund

Coven of Demonology & Sanguimancy

This department handles the research on the different circles of the Netherhells, as well as the magical properties of demon and witch blood. It is the driving force in understanding the otherworld and its influence on Netherdyn.

Base of operation: The Arcanum Dona Viperia in Serpenthall
Associated house: House Nagastra, House Caladrius, House Florindale, House Valtessa
Current head: Ser Viggor Devaraux

Coven of Wand- & Toolcrafting

This department creates and designs the tools of the trade for witches, including wands, talismans, athames, and other implements used in spells and rituals.

Base of operation: The Witches' Forge in Hallow's Garden
Associated house: House Siegmund, House Nagastra, House Florindale, House Brindlebrook
Current head: Grand Mistress Evangeline Thistledown

Coven of Ceremonial Sorcery

This department specializes in the practice of complex and powerful rituals, including invocation, evocation, and sacrifice. They study the intricacies of magical circles and sigils to call forth otherworldly beings and influence the forces of nature.

Base of operation: The Riteshapers' Tower in Guldingen
Associated house: House Nagastra, House Caladrius
Current head: Lady Eirlys Caladrius

Coven of Enchantmentweaving

This department focuses on imbuing objects with magical power, such as creating enchanted armor or imbuing a weapon with the power to slay supernatural creatures.

Base of operation: The Atelier of Enchantment in Guland's Crown
Associated house: House Argentier, House Florindale, House Siegmund, House Kelpearl
Current head: Grand Enchantress Orintha Velvatar

Coven of Mystic Research

This department delves into the theoretical and philosophical aspects of magic, seeking to understand its underlying principles and the nature of magical energy.

Base of operation: The Ethereal Society in Serpenthall
Associated house: House Nagastra
Current head: Grand Master Belaric Kainsworth

Coven of Necrospiritism

This department studies the use of magic, such as necromancy & ancestral magic, to communicate with the dead and tap into the power of one's ancestors, including the creation of undead creatures and the summoning of ghostly entities.

Base of operation: The Ancestral Sanctum in Talonia Haven
Associated house: House Caladrius
Current head: Grand Mistress Aoife Audoxia

Coven of Healing & Herbology

This department focuses on the use of magic to heal physical and mental ailments, as well as the study of herbs and their magical properties.

Base of operation: The Herbalist's Apothecary in Ilfburg
Associated house: House Caladrius, House Girasola, House Florindale
Current head: Lord Cygnus Girasola

Coven of Zoomancy

This department explores the magical properties and powers of various animals, including shape-shifting, familiars, and the creation of hybrid creatures. They study the magical nature of creatures and their relation to the natural world.

Base of operation: The Menagerie in Albheim
Associated house: House Carathorn
Current head: Grand Master Briar Fallowfield

From the Oak to the Coven's Foundation

The "Gathering under the Oak" in 1472 A.S. represents a foundational chapter in the history of the Witchrealm of Morvathia, a symbol of unity and determination among the witches who sought to define their newly liberated society. During this clandestine meeting, convened beneath the sprawling branches of the Great Oak of Enshara in the Piercing Woods, the witches outside the ruling houses deliberated on the future of their land, weaving together a vision of governance and magical practice that would resonate through the ages.
The atmosphere of these gatherings was one of intense collaboration and mutual respect. The witches, diverse in their backgrounds and magical disciplines, brought together a wealth of knowledge and experience. Their discussions, though fraught with challenges and the weight of great responsibility, were imbued with a spirit of collective purpose. It was here, under the Great Oak, that the foundational principles of the Morvathian Coven were conceived—principles that would guide the realm into a new era of witchcraft and wisdom.
However, the formation of the Coven was not without its strife. The initial secrecy of the gathering sparked feelings of betrayal among the ruling families of Morvathia, who saw their exclusion as a direct challenge to their authority. This discord culminated in public unrest, with the streets of Vilandsburg becoming stages for demonstrations led by those who supported the witches' cause.
The crisis reached a climax when the Witchqueen, facing both internal dissent and the impassioned plea of her people, entered into crucial negotiations with the witches at Guland’s Crown. These talks, lasting an arduous seven days and nights, were tense and pivotal. The outcome was a historic accord that not only recognized the Coven's authority but also ensured that it had the power to counteract any decisions by the ruling houses that could potentially harm the witches' sacred mission.
The appointment of the first High Witch as the leader of the Morvathian Coven cemented this new structure of power. Her leadership was crucial in navigating the early challenges faced by the realm, promoting unity among its magical practitioners, and ensuring that the voice of the Coven was respected and heeded.
Today, the legacy of that seminal event is still deeply ingrained in Morvathian culture. "Speaking under the Oak" has become a metaphor for honest, significant dialogue—a reminder of the power of unity and the importance of forthright communication in shaping the destiny of a community. The Great Oak of Enshara, and the historical events it witnessed, continue to symbolize the enduring spirit and collective resolve of Morvathia’s witches.