The Covenant

{{Organization

|Image =

|Type = Humanitarian

|Founded = Shieldmeet, 1336 DR, the Year of the Highmantle

|Disbanded = 23 Nightal 1358 DR, the Year of Shadows

|Purpose = Opposing magical oppression

|Headquarters = The Covenant Guild Hall, Eltabbar, Thay

|Sphere of Influence = Thay, Rashemen, Aglarond

|Members = 12 signatories, many others

|Hierarchy = Hub-and-Spoke

|Leader = Vaclav Radduk

|Key Individuals = Vaclav Radduk and Vladimira Yhelbruna (founders of preceding organization), Vasilisa Radov (key organizer), Uksar Valik (directly responsible for destruction of organization)

|Religion = The Triune Goddess (or: Mystra, Shar, Selune, Mielikii, Chauntea)

|Alignment = Chaotic Good

|Secrecy = High

|Symbol = A spiral triskelion, encircled by the arcane marks of the 12 signatories

|Motto = "Life, liberty, and justice for all: so we swear by the Art."

}}

The Covenant was an organization dedicated to the opposition and eventual overthrow of the oppressive magocracies of Thay and Rashemen, and, to a lesser extent, Aglarond.

History

In 1322 DR, founders Vaclav Radduk and Vladimira Yhelbruna crossed paths in Eltabbar. Yhelbruna had been using the sub-basement of Twelve Talons Guild Hall, a building owned by a local mercenary company, as a staging area for an unnamed underground organization dedicated to freeing the slaves of the Red Wizards. Radduk had been tasked with her elimination, but instead helped her and those she had saved to reach freedom.

Their paths crossed again in 1327, when, against his advice, she returned to Thay, on a similar humanitarian mission. They became lovers, and from their union was born Vasilisa Radov. Yhelbruna's mission was too sensitive, and she soon came under great scrutiny from the Red Wizards and was forced to flee Thay, leaving her newborn daughter in Radduk's care. For years, they coordinated from afar, trying to continue their work.

In 1336, mostly at the urging of the young Vasilisa, the two convened with other allies they had made in their mission. Using the old Twelve Talons Guild Hall as a base of operations, they founded a formal, if secret organization, swearing their loyalty to its founding principles, and sharing with one another their arcane marks, a sign of ultimate trust. And so the Covenant was born.

From 1336 to 1358, they operated in Thay, Rashemen, and other locations in the Unapproachable East. At first, their activities were simple and relatively minor: freeing slaves, stealing evil artifacts from Red Wizards, etc. Later, their mission became more grand in scope, and several of their members rose to powerful positions, including Aznar Thrul, Yaphyll, and of course founder Yhelbruna. Over time, six more signatories joined, and many others affiliated with the Covenant through its core members became part of their mission.

At the peak of their influence, the organization took it upon themselves to intervene in the Time of Troubles, having gleaned from ancient prophecies that Mystra would seed a new generation of Chosen. However, crucially, one of the bearers of the new chosen was the guild's own Vasilisa Radov, daughter of founders Radduk and Yhelbruna, the father being fellow guild member and exiled Vremyonni Uksar Valik, whom Radduk never trusted. The tension this caused would ultimately contribute to the death of the organization.

In 1358 DR, Yhelbruna took Vasilisa to the sacred groves of the Urlingwood, where she could bear her child in peace and safety, protected by the Wychlaran. However, Valik, having been influenced by the Durthan, intercepted his wife en route, attacking the witches who were protecting her. Ultimately, he was betrayed by the Durthan, who tried (and failed) to eliminate him once his usefulness had worn out. With his help, they slaughtered the witches guarding Vasilisa, and killed Vasilisa herself. However, by some miracle, Vasilisa managed to route them before they could claim her daughter Anastasia, who was later rescued by Wilhelmina Petrovna, a triple agent within the Durthan and a fellow Covenant member, who took the child into seclusion at Shadow's Rest in Aglarond.

When Radduk heard the news, he henceforth disbanded the organization, declaring the Covenant shattered, and its values null and void. Despite this formal end, many signatories continued their mission and correspondence; Radduk himself shut out all contact until after the formation of the Empire of Thay, almost 20 years after disbanding the Covenant.

As of Ches, 1381 DR, the Covenant's membership stands at only 2: Yaphyll and Radduk, the latter being in a possibly permanent coma.

Headquarters

Members & Organization

Signatories

Those who have signed the Pledge of Loyalty, sworn the Oath of the Covenant, and inscribed their arcane mark upon the Round Table.

Members listed in chronological order, by date of induction:

As of 1381 DR, the roster of active, living signatories is as such:

Scions

Descendants of the signatories:

Sealed records indicate the existence of one more scion.

Beliefs & Practices