Valnastium
Introduction
As well as this extensive introduction there are other pages covering the Magical Attributes of the Covenant, a list of the Magi of Valnastium and a page on the structure of the turb, with particular reference to the Black Guard.
Valnastium is a powerful and stable Autumn Covenant situated around modern Badgastien in Austria. It is the Domus Magnus of House Jerbiton, although fewer than a third of the 18 resident magi are from that house. It is also the home of the Praeco, Hascale Ex Miscellenea and of the active Quesitores of the Tribunal. [The senior Quesitor, Jonah, is at the Matterhorn, but is old and no longer investigates.] Valnastium welcomes visits from writers, musicians and artists, as well as magi from the entire Order. This means that the Covenant is a hive of mundane creativity, and a locus for information, both mundane and mystic, from across Europe. Originally founded by Jerbiton as a safe house for knowledge and a haven for the creative, during the troubled 8th and 9th centuries. It now holds the biggest mundane library in the Order, possibly larger than those in Rome or, post 1204 in Constantinople.
Physically the Covenant is divided into three distinct parts: the town, the Galleries and the Valley of the Magi. The town is situated at the head of the narrow alpine valley, atop a rocky scarp which stretches between the Graukogel and the Stubnerkogel. A large wall has been set atop this scarp with a ramp leading up to the gates. This is the only mundane entrance to the Covenant unless you are an expert mountaineer. Behind the wall is a town holding quarters and workshops for many craftsmen and the 100 men of the turb. There are also spare quarters for the grogs of visiting magi, although these are packed during Tribunal meetings. The valley in front of the wall is incredibly fertile, and is full of very healthy animals. The farmers of the valley all feel a strong sense of loyalty to the Covenant, and most of the grogs in the town have family in the valley.
From the town a ramp of black rock leads to an ornate gateway in the side of the Graukogel. This leads to the Galleries, a set of underground chambers and corridors that house the soul of the Covenant. Here you can find the mundane libraries, chambers full of artwork and a huge amphitheatre open to the south (and thus hidden from view). There are also quarters for visiting artists, musicians and scholars and for the servitors (the servants for the magi and respected guests). A large steam bath and spring complex completes this section. This makes use of the natural mineral waters and steam rather than requiring magical aid. During Tribunal meetings, the baths are a hotbed of intrigue. This area is also home to the Grey Brothers, who are the personal servants of the magi. They all dress in Grey and tend to look very similar to one another. They are also very unobtrusive - grey men indeed. These tendencies are thought by some magi to be a product of the aura.
Passing through the Galleries, eventually you reach the Valley of the Magi. This is a small, (approximately) circular grassy sward, about 400 yards in diameter, hemmed all about by the mountains. Despite this the valley manages to receive a lot of sunlight during every season except Winter, when the whole area is arrayed with lights. The entrances to the sancta of the magi are set around the edge of the Valley. Several of these are large sets of chambers, including atrium for entertaining guests. Most have large windows facing out onto the valley. An impressive marble façade covers the entrance to the magical libraries, although access is restricted, and the librarian very scrupulous. On the floor of the valley are quarters for visiting magi. Six buildings, one for each Covenant in the tribunal are available. The allocation of these buildings to Covenants is a matter of perceived prestige and power, the best always being reserved for the Cave of Twisting Shadows. Visiting magi from other Tribunals are usually quartered in the Galleries.
Four other structures also occupy the Valley. The first is a podium, which can be used to elevate a magus when demonstrating to a crowd, or similar activities. The second is a covered circular structure, which has a field around its diameter that protects those outside from the magic of those inside. Generally this is used for Certamen. The third is a slender tower, clad in marble. The key is kept in the sanctum of the Primus of House Jerbiton and few outside that office know what the tower contains. Rumour suggests that it is used for contacting past scholars, including both Plato and Jerbiton himself. The fourth structure is the Tribunal meeting house and attached Temple of Hermes. This entirely of white marble (magi must bring their own cushions for the seating is just stepped marble). The Temple of Hermes at the rear of the Hall also contains Hermes Portals to Durenmar, Magvillius and Harco. A fourth Portal to Coeris is also apparent but this was in the process of being built when the Sundering occurred, and was never completed.
Where internal politics are concerned, there are too many magi at the Covenant for them all to agree on policy. Thus there is only usually one full Council meeting per year. All other business is done by the "Council of Four". Traditionally this includes the Primus of Jerbiton, his second and two the Covenant members decided by vote. Usually these two are the senior Quesitor and the representative of House Tremere. As of 1200 this is still the case, the members being Andru, Finissille, Protanus and Adolphus. If the Council of Four is split on any matter then it is taken to full Council, but this is rare.
There is always a member of House Tremere resident at the Covenant, to act as a "bridge" between Coeris and Valnastium. This magus is appointed by the Primus of the house and is often one of his fili (although this is not the case at present).
Turb Structure and the Black Guard.
Back to the Hermetic Landscape
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