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The Second Charter of the Covenant of Severn Temple

As a magus I swear that...

From this day forth, upon the Ars Magica and upon my Oath, according to my ability and judgement, I will keep this Covenant and this stipulation - to reckon my sodales as dear to me as my own life, to share such goods with them as required by their need; to look upon my sodales as brothers and sisters, and to celebrate with them the gift of magic. I will follow that system of regimen which, according to my ability and judgement, I consider for the benefit of this Covenant and the Order of Hermes, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous. With purity and with wisdom I will pass my life and practice my Art. Into this Covenant I enter for the benefit of all, and will abstain from every voluntary act of maleficium and corruption. Whatever I see or hear in the life of my sodales that ought not to be spoken of abroad, I will not divulge, as reckoning that all such should be kept secret. While I continue to keep this Covenant unviolated, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and the practice of the Art, respected by my sodales, in all times. But should I trespass and violate this Covenant, may the reverse be my lot!

As the Pontifex I further swear that...

I shall faithfully govern this Covenant, and the magical and mundane dominions thereto belonging, according to the statutes within this charter. I will use such power lawfully and in all my judgements seek the greater good of this Covenant. I will, to the utmost of my power, maintain the charter of this Covenant, the true profession of the Ars Magica and the code of the Order of Hermes. I shall preserve unto the magi of this Covenant, and to their familiars and amici, all such rights and privileges as by the code do or shall appertain unto them.

The Charter of Seven Temple

This charter, ratified at the concilium quaesitori of the Stonehenge Tribunal in the year eleven hundred and fifty, three hundred and eighty three years after the foundation of the Order of Hermes, represents the laws and regulations of the Covenant of Severn Temple. Each magus sworn to the covenant shall sign their name upon the last page of this charter, signifying that they have read, understood and accept this charter and its application. No element of this charter may be changed, for a period of one hundred and one years after its ratification, without permission by the concilium quaesitori of Stonehenge Tribunal.

Membership of the Covenant

Joining the Covenant: Any magus of the Order, who is a member of a Hermetic House, may apply for membership in any lawful session of the Covenant's Council. The admission to the Covenant requires a full, unanimous vote at a meeting of a lawful Council. Gifts by the petitioning member are expected, but not required. Upon joining the magus shall immediately read and sign the charter and swear to the Covenant. The new member's laboratory and sanctum requirements shall be the first point of business when the council resumes. A new member shall also be required to carry out two Covenant services in their first full year of joining.

Loss of Membership: Any magus renounced by either their House or the Order will lose his or her membership in the Covenant. The Membership is also terminated by the penalty of 'exsilium' and 'ultionis'.

Leaving the Covenant: A magus who is not custodia libera may also leave the Covenant by his or her own will. In such a case he or she must notify the Covenant at the beginning of a lawful council and obtain a majority vote in favour of being allowed to leave immediately. If successful, that magus may depart at the end of that council meeting. If the vote does not pass, or is vetoed, then the magus must remain a member of the Covenant and abide by the stipulations of the charter for a season, until the next meeting of the lawful council. At that meeting they may affirm their intention to leave and part ways in good terms with the Covenant. In recognition of past service to the Covenant, a magus who leaves on good terms may be granted some share of Covenant resources by the Pontifex; however a magus who departs on bad terms may certainly expect no such boon!

The Council of Severn Temple

Lawful Council


The purpose of a lawful council is to make important decisions in the life of the Covenant, determine plans for the coming season, and to allow magi to petition the Pontifex for any resources they may need for their study; though any other topics may be discussed and voted upon as the Pontifex decides.

Matters requiring Lawful Council: Any change to the status of an official relationship with another Covenant (treaty, alliance or war), a change of Covenant membership for a magus (joining or leaving), a change in the designation of a vis site (contested or uncontested), any motion which would create a Covenant dedication, a petition to have Trepidus lifted before the duration specified, a petition to have a charge of 'excordis' or 'exlegis' lifted prior to the 7 years duration or penalties of 'exsilium' or 'custodia libera' to be pardoned , a petition to use books from the Covenant library, a petition to be granted or loaned Covenant vis, a petition to visit a contested site in personal time for the purposes of obtaining vis, a petition for leave to spend the seasons required to forge bonds with a familiar or create a talisman, a petition for leave from the Covenant for more than the remainder of a season (save when on service to the Tribunal or the Order), and the assignation of a formal role (except when Trepidus applies).

At the beginning of each season, upon the first dawn, the Pontifex shall hold a lawful council. There are no rules of quoracy; if a magus chooses not to attend a lawful council, in person or by proxy, then their absence shall not prevent the council determining such matters as it requires. All magi sworn to the Covenant have the right to attend and to vote, though a magus may choose to vote by proxy loan of their sigil to another voting member of the council. Right of proxy through the attendance of a familiar or amicus may be granted by the Pontifex. Beyond the magi of the Covenant, the Pontifex may grant any individual the right to attend a meeting of the council, but such individuals do not hold the right to vote. The Pontifex may call any member of the council to silence and subsequently expel that member if they fail to address the council with respect and due courtesy.

The Pontifex shall guide the agenda of the lawful council and call upon individuals to address the council or raise a motion before it. When a motion is set before the council the Pontifex shall, after reasoned and sufficient debate, call for a vote. When a vote is called each voting member of the council shall cast one vote. A motion before council shall be said to have passed if a simple majority is achieved. If a majority vote against, or the vote is tied, then the motion has failed. When a motion is raised or a vote taken the Pontifex may, at any time during that session of lawful council, exercise right of veto. Once the veto has been declared the motion will have automatically failed.

Emergency Council.

At any time, the Pontifex or the Imperator, if one is designated, may call an emergency council, making all reasonable effort to contact magi sworn to the Covenant. The purpose of an emergency council is to allow the Pontifex to swiftly organise a plan and allocate items, vis or other resources needed to deal with any crisis facing the Covenant. The Imperator may also call an emergency council and raise motion to prevent a magus admitting an individual he believes may be a threat to the covenant, or prevent an individual he suspects of a crime from leaving the covenant. The Pontifex or the Imperator shall present a response to the threat before the council, which may be swiftly called to a vote. In an emergency council matters requiring a lawful council cannot be passed, otherwise all regulations of a lawful council are maintained.

The Declaration of Trepidus.

In times of significant crisis the Pontifex may declare a covenant trepidus [an emergency]. Upon such a declaration the Pontifex will immediately call an emergency council, making all reasonable effort to contact magi sworn to the Covenant. At the convening of the Emergency Council the necessity and duration of the state must be agreed by majority vote of council. If the vote is passed, the trepidus is in force for the duration specified.

During Trepidus.

During Trepidus the Pontifex is granted the powers of Dictator, which over-ride the regulations of lawful council and other aspects of this charter. The Pontifex may call or postpone sessions of the council as required, automatically pass or veto any motions raised during meetings of council, determine the activities of the magi for the duration of the emergency (save for the stipulation of one season for personal study each year), dispense such magical or mundane resources required to deal with the crisis, and replace, grant or remove formal roles to individuals at any time. During Trepidus the Pontifex and the Imperator may prevent any individual from entering or leaving the Covenant.

Sanctions available to the Council

The authority of council extends to the imposition of sanctions upon magi, should a motion to this punishment be passed. Any magus of the covenant may raise a motion to impose a sanction upon another, except against the Pontifex. Only the Ministrator may make such charge against the Pontifex, and the Pontifex retains the right to veto the motion. The motion of sanction should relate to one of the punishments listed here. If the majority vote for the imposition of a sanction, then that sanction is applied immediately. If the vote fails, then no sanction shall fall upon the accused for that case.

If a motion to impose a sanction involves a fine of vis, loss of personal goods, and/or additional services, then a just penalty shall be voted upon. To determine a just penalty, the accuser and the accused shall offer alternative amounts of vis, number of services, and/or items to be given over; which may be to the covenant or to individual magi. The concilium will then vote for either the accused or accuser's suggested punishment, and a majority vote passes that punishment. If the vote is tied, then certamen between the accuser and accused shall determine which punishment is chosen. Regardless of the outcome of any motion of sanction, the victim of any crime has the right, under Hermetic law, to take case to the quaesitori.

The following sanctions will be applied and, if necessary, enforced by a Quaesitorial ruling, Tribunal hearing and Wizard's War.

Vitium: For small crimes, such as a minor, but not malicious, mistruth told to council, then council may make a fine of personal vis. In any case the fine must be paid on one occasion and in full within 3 years.

Delictum: For dereliction of duty, such as the wilful failure to complete a Covenant service, then up to 3 additional seasons of Covenant service may be imposed. All service must be completed within 3 years of the sanction being passed. Such a punishment service will in addition to the one, two, or three seasons (during Trepidus), that would normally be expected in a given year and shall not count towards a share of vis at the beginning of the year.

Calamitas: For the loss or destruction of magical or otherwise worthy goods, including vis, the magus may be fined appropriate personal goods to replace them; to be paid immediately. If a magical item cannot be replaced then a fine of vis up to twice the amount invested into the original item may be fined; to be paid within 7 years. If the goods may not be replaced, or repayment in vis is either unacceptable or incalculable, then a considerable number of seasons additional Covenant services may be imposed as well.

Excordis: In cases where a magus has endangered the Covenant or another magus through foolish or reckless, but not malicious, action, a charge of 'excordis' may be passed by council against the individual. This charge stands for 7 years, during which time the magus must apply for permission to undertake any personal activities, including laboratory work, at the start of each season. If council vote denies permission then the magus must change their activities to something the council deems appropriate. In addition, for the duration of the charge the magus may not undertake any activities which may cause such danger to arise again; for example the council could forbid a magus from visiting a certain place or interacting with an individual or group. More serious, or malicious, cases should be referred to a quaesitor.

Exlegis: In cases where a magus has defied council, through the wilful failure to complete a prior sanction, committing a wilful and serious deception against council or ignoring the result of a certamen against them, then the charge of 'exlegis' may be passed by council. This charge stands for 7 years, the magus may not use any Covenant possessions, be they magical or mundane, for his studies. Any books or resources that belong to the Covenant, that the magus holds, must be immediately delivered to council. The council shall refuse any petition for Covenant resources, beyond the barest quantities of food and water, to be granted or loaned to the magus. No Covenant resource shall be spent to protect, heal or otherwise aid that magus. The other magi are under no obligation from this charter to protect, heal or otherwise aid that magus. In addition, his personal activities will be open to the same scrutiny as the charge of 'excordis' and he may be further fined vis, personal items or additional Covenant services as the council decides.

Custodia Libera: In cases where a magus is suspected of a serious crime, the penalty of 'custodia libera' [house arrest] may be applied. The magus is bound over to his sanctum for an indefinite period (usually until a quaesitor can attend). During this period the magus is also considered 'exlegis' and any further penalty from that charge may be applied. If necessary the Covenant will apply non-lethal magics and mundane methods to prevent a magus from leaving before a quaesitor can arrive. Failure to comply with this penalty should lead to the 'ultionis' sanction.

Exsilium: In cases where a magus further persists his defiance against the charter, when no prior penalty has moved a magus to mend his ways, the penalty of 'exsilium' may be invoked. The magus must leave the Covenant, taking only personal items. They are considered no longer a member of the Covenant, and will not be permitted entry or assistance. Any attempt to gain entry to the Covenant, or remove any of the Covenant's belongings, should lead to the 'ultionis' sanction.

Ultionis: In the most serious case, where exile, loss of good standing or incarceration have not worked, the Covenant reserves the right, under Hermetic code, to apply the sanction of 'ultionis'. The entire council will apply for wizard's war against the offending magus. The Pontifex will release all available resources to ensure the death of the offending magus. Even should the offender escape initial attempts, petition will be made to allies of the Covenant to take up the fight and full resources will be spared from the Covenant to encourage those who enjoy the challenge of combat and rich rewards to pursue the vendetta.

Prime Authority of the Pontifex

Leadership of the Council


As well as a vote at lawful and emergency councils, as all magi sworn to the Covenant enjoy, the Pontifex also leads such councils. The Pontifex guides the agenda of the council, may permit motions to be raised, determine a suitable length for debate and call for any vote. In addition, the Pontifex may veto any motion presented or vote passed during that session of council, call any member to silence if they speak out of turn, and expel any member from a session of council if they do not address the concilium with proper courtesy and respect. The Pontifex may call an emergency council meeting as required, so long as reasonable effort is made to contact magi of the Covenant. Under Trepidus the Pontifex's powers are extended to allow votes to be overruled in favour of a motion as well as holding a veto.

Covenant Service

Determination of Service: For the needs of the Covenant the magi shall serve, and the Pontifex shall act as final arbiter of such activities undertaken for its benefit. The Pontifex may call upon each magus for no more than two seasons in any given year to serve the Covenant; except during Trepidus when each magus may be called upon to serve as the Covenant requires. Though, even in such times the Pontifex shall spare each magus for at least one season in a given year.

Services to the Order: Service to the Order (including services to the Tribunal) shall count as a higher duty than that owed to the Covenant. A magus called away to serve the wider Order shall have this activity take the place of any Covenant service assigned for that season. Should such duties call a magus away for a season or more, then permission shall be automatically given for absence from the Covenant and council, and each season spent in such duty shall count as a season of service to the Covenant.

Covenant Property

General Principle: Into the stewardship of the Pontifex shall pass all sites and property (be they magical or otherwise worthy) which rightfully belong to the Covenant of Severn Temple. All vis extracted, from aura or hunting, or otherwise obtained during a Covenant service shall belong to the Covenant. Any item, magical or otherwise of worth, made or commissioned for the Covenant, and paid for using Covenant vis or monies, shall be the property of the Covenant; as shall any laboratory equipment or specialist mundane equipment (such as is used for the manufacture of selling goods). Any book of Art, spell, or mundane lore that is traded or commissioned for the Covenant, and paid for by the Covenant, shall belong to the Covenant. Inhabitants of the Covenant who are not specifically declared in service to a magus (such as a personal servant or bodyguard) are considered the property of the Covenant.

The Pontifex shall, in accordance with this charter, dispense these resources in the interests of this Covenant. Beyond this; the Pontifex shall dispense what resources are required for the security of the Covenant, and have consideration for the safety of magi when they are abroad. At council the Pontifex shall consider all requests for loan of book, equipment or vis, so that magi may grow in their understanding of the Ars Magica. Also, the Pontifex shall act as the ultimate authority to all grogs, covenfolk and other persons under the dominion of this Covenant; their lives shall be spent, as the will of the Pontifex dictates, to serve the interests of the Covenant.

Library: Access to the library of the Covenant shall be regulated by the Pontifex, the library includes all books of Art, spell or mundane lore that belong to the Covenant. Magi may petition the Pontifex for use of the library for the purposes of study or copying for personal use; and this intention should be stated. If two or more magi require the same tome in the same period, certamen will be considered the acceptable way to determine priority. Access may be granted in two ways; a formal loan where a book or set of tomes (typically of Art or spell grimoire) is taken from the library into a magus's sanctum, and informal access where a book or set of tomes (usually mundane texts being studied in spare time) remains in the library and is reserved for a magus's occasional use. In the case of a formal loan the book must be returned before the end of the season. In the case of informal access, the book is reserved for the duration of a year, access ending at the end of Winter. Loss or damage occurring to an item of the library shall incur sanction.

Magical Items: At any council a magus may petition for the use of a Covenant item; to assist them in their personal activities or Covenant service; and the intended use should be stated. If two or more magi require the same item in the same period, certamen will be considered the acceptable way to determine priority. Access to an item will be granted in one of two ways; an indefinite loan where a magus will keep possession of an item until it is recalled by the Pontifex, and a short loan where the magus must return the item by the end of the season. Loss of or damage to an item shall incur sanction.

Vis: At the first lawful council of each year, the Pontifex may review the stores of vis available to the Covenant and, if deemed sufficient to spare, make grant of some proportion of that vis to the magi of the Covenant. The share that each magus shall receive in such instances shall be formulated upon the number of services that magus performed the previous year.

Loans of Vis: The Pontifex may grant, trade or loan vis to members of the Covenant for the purposes of their study and other magical activities. Magi may petition for supply of vis at a meeting of lawful council, though they will be generally expected to meet such needs through their own resources. If two or more magi require the same vis in the same period, and both needs cannot be met, certamen will be considered the acceptable way to determine priority. In all cases any loan must be repaid within 7 years, or the magus shall be declared 'exlegis'. Loans must be repaid on a single occasion and in full, and with the techniques and forms in which it was bestowed; though the Pontifex may accept alternatives forms of vis if such is deemed appropriate to the needs of the Covenant.

Healing: The Pontifex will make grant of vis for the purposes of necessary healing. Necessary healing is defined as healing which is required in order to save life, prevent permanent disability, and to relieve incapacitation. Minor ailments or superficial injuries do not count as necessary cases, and mundane resources should be applied. In necessary cases, where the supply of vis does not meet all needs, the order of priority shall be; Pontifex, Ministrator, Imperator, any magus of the Covenant, any magus of the Order, any familiar to a magus of the Covenant, any familiar to a magus of the Order, any amicus to a magus of the Covenant, any amicus to the magus of the Order, any apprentice to a magus of the Covenant, any apprentice to a magus of the Order, and finally specialist mundanes of the Covenant who might be difficult to replace.

Vital Activities: The Pontifex is expected to release vis and arrange for laboratory equipment to be available for a magus to undertake the production of a longevity potion, the binding of a familiar, and the construction of a talisman. If the Covenant stores are incapable of granting the necessary vis, or making such loan, then the Pontifex shall organise services and trades to ensure that within one year the Covenant has sufficient vis.

In the case of longevity potions the basic amount of vis, required as a function of the age of the magus concerned, shall be granted from Covenant stores. In addition, at the discretion of the Pontifex, further vis to extend the effect of the potion may be loaned by the Covenant. This shall be granted for the first potion created and then again where a potion breaks or is deemed certain to break.

In the case of a familiar, the Covenant will loan such vis as is required for the full ritual of binding.

In the case of a talisman, the Covenant will loan such vis as is required to fully invest the item with vim vis; such that it may be attuned as a talisman. Any further loan of vis, such as to invest the talisman with magical powers, shall be at the discretion of the Pontifex.

Vis Sites: All past and newly discovered vis sites shall be registered to the Covenant. A vis site is that location or entity which may provide a regular source of vis, as defined in Hermetic Law. The definition of a vis site shall not include that vis which arises naturally from the body of a magus. This vis will be considered the personal resource of that magus, and the Covenant waives any claim to it as a vis site. Any vis site that is discovered by a magus shall be declared to council and will become the property of the Covenant. It is unlawful to claim ownership to a vis site, beyond the authority of council, and it is unlawful to fail to declare a vis site to council. Once a vis site is declared, all vis from that site is the property of the Covenant. The magus who discovers a new vis site may keep all vis, save a single pawn to be kept for purposes of registration, gained from their first visit to that site. Thereafter the site must be determined to be either contested or uncontested and registered with the Tribunal as soon as practically possible. Vis sites belonging to the Covenant must be treated by all magi with sufficient care and caution that they may continue to produce vis in the future. A magus who by misfortune or design causes a vis site to fail will answer to a severe penalty.

An uncontested source is a site that could be harvested by a magus with a minimal degree of risk or expended time, though perhaps assisted by the use of an item or a few grogs in the collection. The Pontifex will arrange that sources of vis, determined to be uncontested, be collected each year and placed in Covenant stores.

A contested source is a site that requires a significant portion of a season, or considerable risk to collect vis. For those sites determined to be contested, the Pontifex may arrange the collection of such vis as part of a service to the Covenant. At a lawful council a magus may petition the Pontifex for permission to attempt collection from a contested site during a season of his own time. If granted, that magus may keep whatever vis is collected from the site.

Assignation of Formal Roles

At a lawful council, or any time during Trepidus, the Pontifex may appoint a magus to one or a number of formal roles. The Pontifex must appoint a Ministrator, to serve as deputy, but the other titles and roles are at the Pontifex's discretion. The actions of a magus bestowed with such a role shall be reported to the next council and, so long as the actions fall within his remit, shall naturally stand as the order of the Pontifex. However, in cases of dereliction of duty or questionable judgement a motion may be raised to reverse such decisions at a council. The Pontifex may remove or replace the magus serving in any role at any future lawful council, or any time during Trepidus, and is not obliged to give reason for such replacement.

Ministrator: Under ordinary conditions, the Pontifex may delegate certain organisational tasks to the Ministrator (such as loans from the library, or organising what vis sites shall be harvested in a given season). The prime duty, however, is that the Ministrator shall act in the stead of the Pontifex in any circumstance where the Pontifex is unable to act himself. This shall include periods when the Pontifex is away from the Covenant or incapacitated to a degree whereby he may not carry out the duties of Pontifex. In such cases the Ministrator shall wield the rights and responsibilities of the Pontifex until his return.

In the event that the Pontifex dies, passes into twilight, or is otherwise confirmed lost to the Covenant, the Ministrator shall automatically assume the permanent title of Pontifex.

Imperator: The Imperator is given responsibility for the mundane and magical defence and security of the Covenant. The Imperator may take and utilise any resources from the Covenant which are required in this role, including the command of the grogs and covenfolk. Under normal circumstances the Imperator may question anyone seeking entry to the covenant, and call an emergency council if he believes an individual should not be allowed to enter or leave. Under Trepidus the Imperator may automatically refuse, in the name of the Pontifex, any individual the right to enter or leave the covenant. The Imperator is also responsible for the Covenant policy for discipline and training for the grogs and other covenfolk. In addition, the Imperator shall act in the stead of the Pontifex in any circumstance where the Pontifex and the Ministrator are unable to act themselves. Because of this precaution, the Imperator is duty-bound to remain in the Covenant during any season when the Pontifex and the Ministrator are away, or likely to be called away. In addition, the titles of Imperator and the Ministrator may not lie with the same magus.

In the event that the Pontifex and the Ministrator die, pass into twilight, or are otherwise confirmed lost to the Covenant, the Imperator shall automatically assume the permanent title of Pontifex.

Civilitor: The Civilitor shall be licensed to act on behalf of the Pontifex and the Covenant in dealings with magi beyond Severn Temple, other Covenants, the Tribunal and wider Order. They may organise the exchange and purchase of vis, books, magical items, and items of worth, including specialist mundane persons (such as artisans). They may also undertake political negotiations on behalf of the Covenant at Tribunals and determine the fine detail of any trade agreement or political alliance (noting that the latter must receive subsequent support at a formal council before it could come into effect).

Legationis: A magus appointed as a Legationis will also be designated to an area or realm (such as neighbouring mundane lords, or the local fae) to which they shall act as ambassador. Typically, a Legationis will act as the prime magus of contact between the Covenant and their realm of influence, though they may simply advise and co-ordinate the actions of magi from the Covenant in their interactions with that realm. The Legationis is licensed to undertake action and negotiation on behalf of the Covenant to ensure the peace and prosperity of the Covenant.

Magna ex parte: A magus may be declared to be undertaking a duty, task or quest 'magna ex parte' [to a great extent] for the Covenant. As an extended service to the Covenant the duration of this role and duty it implies depend very much upon the circumstances. Examples might include, the destruction of an enemy of the Covenant, co-ordination of spies, building trade links, dealing with Tribunal politics, searching for new vis sites, and so forth. A magus devoted to a task 'magna ex parte' will be spared time in service to devote to this task, and may claim any additional seasons spent on such tasks as Covenant service. In addition they may be released additional resources to aid them in such task. Though licensed to take routine actions, with regard to their task, on behalf of the Covenant, the magus is required to clear significant actions with the council in advance wherever possible.

Personal Freedoms

The Ars Magica


Each magus has the personal freedom of their studies, so long as they are not charged 'excordis' or 'exlegis'. They shall be afforded space for a laboratory, and given at least one season in any year for their personal activities. They shall be granted a portion of vis, when supplies allow, once each year in accordance to their service to the Covenant. They may be awarded access to the library in their study of art and may make petition for grant or loan of vis from the Pontifex to further their arts and practice of magic. A grant and/or loan of vis and access to a laboratory shall be made for the vital activities of the creation of longevity potions for themselves, binding a familiar and investing a talisman. Furthermore, so long as it does not breach the code, interfere maliciously with another magus, or significantly disrupt the smooth running of the Covenant, each magus may freely use their magic and craft within the Covenant.

Property

Of the goods, magical or mundane, which personally belong to a magus, the Covenant shall make no claim; other than through sanction or upon death should no legal will be made.

Vis: Vis extracted during personal time shall remain the property of that magus, though permission must be obtained to extract vis from the aura, so that no risk of permanent harm to the aura may occur and to ensure vis may be collected for the Covenant as priority. Any vis, beyond the first pawn, collected from a newly discovered vis site shall become the property of the magus or magi who made such discovery. Vis collected from a contested source during personal time shall remain the possession of the magus, so long as successful petition was made to lawful council.

Trade: Books, vis, laboratory equipment, magical items or any other worthy goods, transacted by a magus using personal resources, shall not be tithed. A magus of the Covenant may make and sell copies of books contained in the library, so long as they declare their intention to do so and are successful in petitioning the release of the book. Items manufactured using vis loaned from the Covenant are fully the property of that magus, and no tithe shall fall upon them should they wish to sell such item; though the original loan should be paid within 7 years.

Persons: An apprentice discovered by the magus shall be considered his property, save if request is made by a member of House Bonisagus or the magus is lax in his duties and the apprentice requests another master. A specific servant or bodyguard, who has access to a magus's sanctum, is considered property of that magus. A specific animal, bought by or discovered by a magus, will be the property of that magus; so long as Covenant resources were not spent on its purchase.

Admission

So long as they are not bound by a sanction which prevents it, a magus may choose to come and go as they please about and beyond the Covenant; so long as they return for the next lawful council (or have succeeded in a petition for absence) and do not attempt to gain entry to the sancti of other magi.

They may also permit entry to the Covenant to any individual they are prepared to accept responsibility for, though this may be challenged by the Pontifex or Imperator at a council. This right extends to permission to allow supernatural beings, such as fae, magical creatures or ghosts (but never any entity known or suspected to be infernal), within the aegis of the hearth. The magus admitting an individual or entity shall carry full responsibility for that individual's actions whilst within the Covenant and any direct consequences following their visit. If doubt exists in the mind of a magus as to whether they wish to admit an individual or entity, they should bring such before the Pontifex or Imperator who may call a council to discuss the matter. Where the council grants right of entry to an individual or entity, that permission shall stand until such time as a further council denies such entry; and vice versa.

During Trepidus the Imperator and the Pontifex may over-ride this freedom; preventing any individual from entry or exit from the covenant.

Certamen

As stipulated in the Code, the ritual of certamen shall be recognised as the legal and proper way to resolve disputes between magi. Any magus of the Covenant may alter a decision, vote, or other intended action of another magus, including the Pontifex, through the use of formal certamen. The certamen should ideally be witnessed by at least one other magus, and the consequence of victory or defeat should be clearly agreed before certamen commences. It is expected that every magus will answer a call to certamen and abide by its outcome. This Covenant will enforce the right of certamen, through use of sanctions, referral to the quaesitori or Tribunal, or wizard's war as necessary.


The First Charter of Severn Temple


From this day forth I agree to honour and obey the following contract. I swear by my art, and by my Oath to uphold the tenets of this agreement. I ask that I be accepted as a magus of good standing while I keep faith to this charter.

Of The Covenant


I swear that I shall protect the covenant of Severn Temple and recognise the rightful authority of lawful council. I will work for my covenants advancement and its good name. I shall never aid my covenants enemies or those who seek harm against my covenant. I will defend my covenant to the best of my ability, I shall never neglect a member of my covenant who requires my aid if I can freely give it. I will not unnecessarily harm or torment the grogs or covenfolk who work within my covenant.

I will abide by the lawful decrees of council to the best of my ability, and never shirk the responsibilities that arise from such decrees. I shall honour and respect each magus who has sworn to this covenant, I shall accept them as my equals while they remain in good standing. I shall never raise my hand or art against my sodalis, as I have sworn, except in just and lawful wizard’s war. I shall not seek to spy or scry upon my sodalis, as I have sworn. I shall perform one season of service to the covenant each year, this service shall be decided by lawful council, and I shall carry out this service to the best of my abilities.

Of Property


I swear that any precious goods, be they monies, treasure, books, art or worth, that I purchase through covenant resources shall belong to the covenant. I swear that any precious goods, be they monies, treasure, books, art or worth, that I obtain as part of my seasons service shall belong to the covenant. I swear that half of any precious goods, be they monies, treasure, books, art or worth, that I obtain in a season when a covenant service is not upon me shall belong to the covenant. If such goods gained under such circumstance cannot be divided equally in half then the balance shall belong to the covenant.

I swear that any magical goods, be they vis, books, potions, artifacts or enchantments that I purchase through covenant resources shall belong to the covenant. I swear that any magical goods, be they vis, books, potions, artifacts or enchantments that I obtain as part of my seasons service shall belong to the covenant. I swear that one third of any magical goods, be they vis, books, potions, artifacts or enchantments that I obtain when a seasons service is not upon me shall belong to the covenant. If such magical goods gained under such circumstance cannot be divided equally into thirds then the balance shall belong to the covenant.

I understand that personal resources, be they magical or mundane, that are lawfully owned by a magus in good standing of this covenant, belong only to that magus. Any goods, be they magical or mundane, that are purchased through personal resources shall entirely remain the lawful property of that magus. Such lawful possessions are not a covenant resource, but council may decree that a magus of good standing give them up if a motion to that punishment is passed. Any personal possessions, be they magical or mundane, that are not lawfully held, belong to the covenant. I shall not infringe the right of any magus to the lawful possession of property.

Of Covenant Property


It is unlawful to take or borrow from the covenant its property without the consent of a motion at lawful council. Lawful council may make grant or loan of precious goods and magical resources, owned by the covenant, to a magus. If the council makes loan of covenant property, council shall also declare when that property shall be returned. If the property loaned to a magus is damaged or lost, or otherwise fails to be returned, then council may decide whether the circumstances of that damage or loss require penalty. If the circumstances are considered poor, then council may require of that magus the replacement of loaned goods within a specified time. If replacement is not possible then council may motion any reasonable alternative penalty. If the council make a grant of covenant property, then that property becomes the lawfully held possession of that magus and may be disposed of as that magus wishes. Council may require that a grant be used for a specific purpose, however, if no specific purpose is explicitly stated at the time the grant is made, council has no power to dictate the disposal of the grant. A magus may petition council for the grant or loan of covenant property by raising an appropriate motion at any session of lawful council.

Of Vis Sites


A vis site is that location or entity which may provide a regular source of vis, as defined in Hermetic Law. Any vis site that is discovered by a magus shall be declared to council and will become the property of the covenant. It is unlawful to claim ownership to a vis site, beyond the authority of council, and it is unlawful to fail to declare a vis site to council. Once a vis site is declared all vis from that site is the property of the covenant. The magus who discovers a new vis site may keep two parts in three of the vis gained from their first visit to that site, providing the site was discovered whilst the magus was not performing a service to the covenant. If the vis gained under such circumstance cannot be divided equally into thirds, the balance shall belong to the covenant.

Of Lawful Council

I shall recognise the authority of lawful council. To be lawful a council shall be quorate; in that more than half the magi who are full and permanent members of this covenant are in attendance, and that, except when a magus cannot be contacted by mundane or magical means, good notice of council session has been given to each magus. Good notice shall be considered a full day or night before the council is to begin session. If a magus does not wish to attend council and has been informed of its time of session, that magus may waive the right to attend council. In this circumstance his absence shall not count against quorate, and he shall waive his right to obstruct or support any motion raised in that session.

A motion raised before council will be considered a lawful decree if a simple majority of the magi present cast their vote in its favour. If a vote requires the unanimous consent of council then all magi of that covenant must be in attendance. In this circumstance any absence shall count against quorate, and if a magus declines to attend their vote will count against unanimity. If a magus cannot be given good notice of a council session, or cannot attend by physical or magical means, then any motion requiring unanimity cannot be passed. Those motions that require unanimous support of council are as follows: Any motion to accept a magus as a full and permanent member of the covenant; any motion that would result in a alteration of this constitution; any motion that would create a treaty, alliance, or state of war between this covenant and another; and any motion that would obligate this covenant to a dedication.

I recognise the right of every magus, who is a full and permanent member of this covenant, to hold and cast one vote at council. Council shall formally meet a minimum of once each season. These sessions shall be at dawn of the first day of each season. No additional notice is required for a magus to attend this meeting. I shall not seek or endeavour to infringe the right of another magus to vote at lawful council, and I shall recognise as equal the vote of each magus.

Of Punishment

I recognise the authority of council to impose the following penalties upon me if a motion to this punishment is passed by lawful council: An additional season or additional seasons of covenant service; a fine of personal vis or appropriate personal goods; or a loss of good standing. It is understood that any punishment decided upon by council shall be appropriate to the misdemeanour of which I am accused. If I am dissatisfied with the decree of council I reserve the right, under Hermetic Law, to bring my case before the Quaesitor.

Of Good standing

Loss of good standing is the maximum penalty that a motion of lawful council can enforce. It is a most serious penalty that may only be delivered by council under the following conditions: The magus has taken an action that has impeached his Oath and broken Hermetic Law; the magus has taken an action that has directly and seriously endangered the covenant or his Sodalis; the magus has flagrantly broken faith with this charter; or the magus has consistently refused to comply with just punishments delivered upon him by lawful council. If a magus has lost his good standing he may not use any covenant possessions, be they magical or mundane, for his studies. Any books or resources that belong to the covenant, that the magus holds, must be immediately delivered to council. The council shall refuse any petition for covenant resources, beyond the barest quantities of food and water, to be granted or loaned to the magus. No covenant resource shall be spent to protect, heal or otherwise aid that magus. The other magi are under no obligation from this charter to protect, heal or otherwise aid that magus.

Any attempt by the magus who has lost good standing, to enter the sanctum of another magus, may freely be interpreted as an act of aggression within Hermetic Law. The covenant shall not seek to protect or lend sanctuary to the magus from his enemies. The magus will be restricted to the confines of the covenant for the duration of his loss of good standing, unless a motion passed by lawful council requests that he do otherwise. The magus shall have no honour or respect paid to him, as he has dishonoured and disrespected the covenant and its council. However, the magus shall still be given good notice of council sessions and may still cast one vote at motions. At the first meeting of each season the council shall review the position of any magus who has lost his good standing. At any of these reviews his good standing may be reinstated by the majority vote of lawful council. If the magus is dissatisfied with the ruling of council in this matter, he has the right, under Hermetic Law, to make appeal to the Quaesitor.

Oath

I recognise that this charter has no authority above the rightful tenets of Hermetic Law. No part of this charter can be used as legal basis for failure to comply with the Quaesitori or the decrees of the Tribunal. This charter has no jurisdiction above Hermetic Justice, and this oath is entirely superceded by my Oath to serve the interests of Order of Hermes.

To this contract I do solemnly swear. I shall honour and respect this charter, this covenant, and my Sodalis in good standing. May my arts fail me if I do otherwise.
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