Crimson Covenant

The Crimson Covenant is a coalition of warriors, mages, and freedom fighters united by a single goal: to thwart the Black Sage and his malevolent designs. With roots deeply entwined in the mystical lands of Oz, Sithean, and Narnia, the Covenant serves as a bastion of hope and resistance against the encroaching darkness of the Black Sage's influence. Though their methods and origins are varied, they are bound by a shared belief in protecting the world from corruption and ensuring the survival of the oppressed.  

Origins and Formation

The Crimson Covenant was founded in the aftermath of The Ozian Conflict, a time of turmoil and instability in Oz. Nessarose, the Witch of the East, played a pivotal role in establishing the group before her untimely death. Although she was vilified in her later years, Nessarose's compassion for the marginalized—particularly the Munchkins and the Animals—left a lasting legacy. After her death, her loyal followers sought refuge in the nearby realms of Sithean and Narnia, where they established alliances with other disenfranchised groups. These alliances laid the foundation for what would eventually become the Crimson Covenant.   The rise of the Black Sage catalyzed the formal unification of these disparate factions. His experiments and the growing influence of the Grimoire of Umbrelis posed a threat that transcended borders. Warriors from Oz, mages from Sithean, and mystics from Narnia banded together under the banner of the Crimson Covenant, vowing to stand against the Sage's dark magic.  

Doctrine and Beliefs

The Crimson Covenant's philosophy is shaped by a blend of Ozian pragmatism, Sithean reverence for nature, and Narnian devotion to justice. They believe in protecting the balance of magic and resisting those who would abuse it for personal gain. The Covenant sees the Black Sage and his Grimoire as an existential threat, not only to the physical world but to the very essence of magic itself.   Central to their beliefs is the Codex of Red Ash, a sacred text that compiles the teachings of Nessarose, prophecies from Narnian seers, and battle strategies from Sithean warlords. The Codex serves as both a moral compass and a tactical guide for the Covenant’s actions.  

Structure and Ranks

The Crimson Covenant is divided into three primary orders, each reflecting the expertise and culture of its founding members:  

The Order of the Rose (Oz):

Composed of warriors and tacticians, this order is responsible for leading the Covenant’s military campaigns. Their symbol is a crimson rose, representing both beauty and bloodshed. Members of this order are highly disciplined and often trained in the art of magical combat.  

The Circle of Verdant Flame (Sithean):

This order focuses on healing, enchantments, and maintaining the balance of nature. They have strong ties to the Animals of Sithean and use their knowledge of the natural world to combat the Black Sage’s necromancy and corruption.  

The Shadowlight Conclave (Narnia):

Specializing in espionage and arcane knowledge, this order gathers intelligence and deciphers the mysteries of the Grimoire of Umbrelis. They also protect the Covenant from infiltration by the Sage’s agents.   At the head of the Covenant is the Crimson Vanguard, a council of leaders representing each order. Decisions are made collectively, though the Vanguard often defers to field commanders in urgent situations.  

Key Figures

  Seren Althar: A battle-mage of Ozian descent, Seren is one of the Covenant’s most prominent figures. Her family fell victim to one of the Black Sage’s cruel experiments, leaving her as the sole survivor. She wields the Shard of Solara, an ancient weapon forged in the fires of Sithean and imbued with Narnian magic. The Shard is said to be one of the few artifacts capable of countering the Grimoire’s dark power. Seren’s fiery determination and unparalleled skill in battle have made her a symbol of hope for the Covenant.

Kaelron of Sithean: A druidic warrior who commands the Circle of Verdant Flame, Kaelron is deeply connected to the Animals and their plight. He serves as a bridge between the Covenant and the Animals, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs met. Kaelron wields the Staff of Elderwood, a relic of immense healing power.

Lady Sylvena of Narnia: A seer and master of the Shadowlight Conclave, Sylvena is renowned for her ability to pierce through illusions and uncover the truth. Her visions have guided the Covenant on numerous occasions, often warning of the Sage’s next moves.  

The Covenant's Mission Against the Black Sage

The Crimson Covenant’s primary goal is to prevent the Black Sage from performing the Eclipse Convergence, a ritual that would merge the mortal realm with the Netherveil. They believe the Sage’s success would obliterate the natural balance and plunge all realms into eternal darkness.   Their strategies include:   Artifact Recovery: The Covenant scours the realms for powerful relics that could counter the Grimoire’s influence. The Shard of Solara and Staff of Elderwood are among the most prominent, but rumors persist of a hidden Mirror of Aegis, capable of reflecting and neutralizing the Sage’s most potent spells.

Alliances: The Covenant actively seeks allies, particularly among disenfranchised groups and magical creatures. They have strong ties to the Animals of Sithean and the rebel forces of Narnia.

Direct Confrontation: While they avoid unnecessary bloodshed, the Covenant does not shy away from direct battles against the Black Sage’s forces. Their warriors are trained to counter necromancy and entropy magic, making them formidable foes.  

Challenges and Internal Struggles

The Crimson Covenant faces numerous challenges, both external and internal. Externally, they contend with the Black Sage’s growing power and his network of spies and minions. Internally, the differing philosophies of the three orders sometimes lead to friction. The warriors of the Order of the Rose often clash with the druids of the Circle of Verdant Flame over the use of aggressive tactics, while the Shadowlight Conclave’s secretive nature occasionally breeds mistrust.   Despite these challenges, the Crimson Covenant remains steadfast in their mission. They believe that only by standing united can they hope to defeat the Black Sage and protect the realms from his apocalyptic vision.