The Covenant

"'Open your eyes, see the truth. Protection and a chance at true power come only at the price of loyalty. Let us guide you into the fold, unmarred by the squabbles of those so far, far below.'" "The Covenant" Loyalty and order, ritual and absolute devotion, The Covenant seeks those who would serve it -- offering immense strength and the backing of all within it.

This strength is wrapped in requirements and ritual — difficult to gain without near adherence to the doctrine put forth by the Kith, accepting the will of those above without question. Goals and intentions, whatever they may be for The Covenant, aren't always shared freely and may appear questionable to those expected to carry them out.

It is considered the greatest honour to be allowed to Join with Quell and become part of the collective, yet to do so is always a choice. Many members of The Covenant simply aim to serve and to aid, with no desire to personally join with the Flesh. While the rank which they can achieve may then be limited, they are freely accepted among the  fold. None who do not explicitly strive to become part of the Flesh would be pressed to do so.

Joining The Covenant The Covenant freely, and openly, accepts anyone. Those of little Presence, or skill are as welcome as any into the fold -- so long as the right Tithe is given.

Because only Outsiders are able to directly create a Pact with the Archaeon, others seeking to join The Covenant must use these Outsiders as an intermediary. Any who join — either in need of this intermediate or not — are granted the long-term aid of the Outsider who helped form the Pact (or, if chosen, another Eparch).

There are no restrictions on Mundane or Cambions other than a willingness to give reverence to those higher than them and devotion to the Archaeon. Any may join in freely, but upon entering it is hardly an extravagant life — and working up in rank through fidelity beneficial of the whole will gain an individual access to the deep well of power the Archaeon gifts. Still, even those barely entered into a Pact have access to a strength which few other Kiths boast.

Leaving The Covenant
Of The Four, The Covenant is the most difficult Kith to find your way out of. Within The Covenant it is considered a grave transgression for a Keeper to intentionally sever a Pact. If a Keeper feels they are no longer suited (or willing) to hold onto their Bound, they are expected to pass the individual to another, higher ranking, member of The Kith. To do otherwise is punishable.

As is the case with leaving any Kith, no matter the manner in which it is left the Tithe is always gone. Once given it cannot be regained no matter  what is attempted. Similarly, after leaving a Kith if an individual attempts to join another Kith they must give a new TIthe. If they attempt to re-join the previous Kith, they must once more be expected to give another Tithe up. There is no way around this for any characters.

Pact Trading can be considered a way to exchange Pacts without request of additional Tithe, but keep in mind that this practice is all but unheard of with The Covenant.

To leave The Covenant, a Pact must be broken with intention by the Bound. When Pacted directly to the Archaeon, this can become nearly impossible. While easy to enter into The Covenant, it can become incredibly difficult to find your way out of it.

Pacts & Tribute See Kith Pacts

Within The Covenant, rank is acquired only through personal deeds and reverence to The Kith. This system allows for any to move upwards — regardless of Type, Tier or Presence; Loyalty holds a greater importance than strength. Primary Ranks Convert Anyone who pledges themselves to The Covenant, regardless of Type, Tier or strength of Presence is considered a Convert; All new members begin at the same rank.

As Converts, those of the Kith are expected to both seek the help, and seek to help, those of higher status. Converts are often given mundane, even menial tasks when not being guided directly by another, and are expected to put forth the effort to do what they can to learn.

Converts do not fall into a Specialty Sect; Converts are expected to aid wherever is needed under the direct guidance of others. A Convert may show interest in a Sect, and is expected to seek those of higher status within a role they hold interest in gaining, though they can only take part in it upon raising to a higher rank.

Converts are housed together within the Barracks deep within Sanctuary and are expected to stay within Thrones most of the time.

Acolyte Those who have pressed past simply entering into the fold, those of this role work to oversee new converts. While less often required to perform harsh labors, they watch over and supervise these lower tasks.

An Acolyte is expected to choose at least one Sect they will serve in. There are no requirements for any Sect, other than approval from at least one existing member of the Sect, and entering into Apprenticeship. Once a member has entered into a Sect, they will be moved to their shared living quarters of their chosen Sect.

Ordained A role of reverence and importance within The Covenant. Having demonstrated great shows of loyalty in some form, those of this role are afforded great respect.

Eparchic Priest The guiding hands of Quell, affording great respect as they speak the will of the Archaeon. Within The Covenant, they are considered caretakes and peacekeepers who aid in correcting any disputes. Eparchic Priests take many of the long halls that can be found in the underbelly of Thrones to hold lectures. Most ‘Versing’ is done with the aid of (or at the very least approval) of a Priest.

Emissary of The Vessel ''A Storyweaver role for those helping to lead The Covenant, IC and OOC. Storyweavers may also use this rank for NPC characters.''

The direct voice of Quell who speaks their will and guides all beneath. Only those who have shown the utmost loyalty are granted such a title. Specialty Sects Sects are the specialty roles which a member of The Covenant might have, dictating what tasks they must do. Sects are not required, though a member who never shows any interest in aiding in a Sect is unlikely to raise higher than Acolyte. To join a Sect, upon reaching Acolyte status, an individual must seek out Apprenticeship. Curator Aiding in the research and knowledge gleaned and put to use by The Covenant. Toiling in the Libraries, those of this sect seek to gain a greater understanding of Unreality and the countless realities spilling into it.

Curators are frequently sent outside of Thrones with the intention to seek and gather new information -- written texts, technology, organic specimens which might be made useful, or simply studied and added to the collections.

Grafter Aiding in the creation and upkeep of Thrones and Sanctuary through the sculpting flesh and bone. Grafters practice the art of molding living tissue through the creation of objects, and structures the Covenant resides within -- as well as the control of anything which has grown out of control.

Apothecary Aiding in the care and healing of those within the Kith, through everything from medical help, spiritual aid, and physical needs.

While the most important task those of the Apothecary hold is through their medical aid of those within The Covenant, they are also expected to aid in the upkeep of living quarters, and other needs such as the preparation of food.

Vanguard Aiding in the protection and punishment of those of The Covenant, Vanguards are trained in more martial skills. Sent out with Curators, as well as expected to keep guard over Sanctuary.

Punishment through Versing is a task given to Vanguards of higher Rank. Other Titles Structure for The Covenant is very important, and those who move up are considered worthy of respect. Those of lower role — while expected to be devout — are to be taken care of and aided. Sometimes aid means doing what a member does not know they need — though it is always with good intention and consideration for welfare of the whole. Unversed Versing is a type of disciplinary re-education done to those who have been shown to need it -- usually because of an act of apostasy or outright sedition. Versing may be ordered upon any member of any rank or role, though only by an Eparchic Priest.

Versing is often painful and physically harrowing — more akin to torture than any classroom lecture. While in the process of being Versed, a member is considered to have no Rank other than that of Unversed and will remain this way until the Versing is complete as decided by the Priest who originally ordered it. Main Article: Archaeon: Quell The Vessel

Quell is many within one -- an entity slipped between the fabric of reality from a world barren by their own hand. Molding themselves back together — patching up a ruined self with parts and pieces and other souls, Quell seeks the lonely and forgotten. Coming from a land of desolation, Quell reaches a hand out to touch the ‘many’  and join with those willing.

Thrones

Sanctuary

Sermons and Lectures

Collection Undertakings

Apprenticeship

The Covenant is insular and reclusive towards others — close relationships with those of other Kiths, regardless of which, is discouraged. Unity is to be found together and tight bonds should remain among those within the Kith. Those outside the Kith are frequently wary, oftentimes disturbed by how fervent many of The Covenant press others to join them