Coven By Laws
Article 1- Statement Of Purpose
This organization shall be known as The Coven. The Al'Noth gives us all power, even the mages of other orders. It is our mastery of hatred, fear, anger and our embracing of death and the Dark Lord that gives us the strength and clarity that they lack. It gives us direction and focus... The Coven's purpose and mission is to undermine the Religious Orders of the Gods of Good, to cause them to expend valuable resources, to counteract the efforts of the practitioners of the Al'Noth that belong to those orders, and to support the furtherance of the missions and acts of other followers of the Mad God.
To this end, we will use arcane power, espionage, funding of entities and causes in direct opposition to the god's of good, assassination, and any other means that we find at our disposal. We will work towards spreading our philosophies, recruiting new members, and aiding the membership of the church when in need.
Article 2- Membership
The Coven is an organization of mages faithful to the Dark Lord. Formal initiation into the Church of Corath is not a requirement. Devout belief and worship is a requirement.
Qualifications: Membership shall be offered to individuals following the path of a Mage or Wizard, upon recommendation from a member holding Third Degree Rank, and consensus by a majority vote of the Third Circle held at Sabbat.
Membership: Shall be limited to: Mages and Wizards. Innate spellcasters are barred from membership. All races will be considered, with the exception of celestials.
First Degree Duties & Requirements
Demonstrate the ability to cast first level arcane spells, submit to examination by the Third Circle while being tested, and present oneself to a tribunal to test ones worthiness.
Submit to the Initiation for membership, which will include allowing your "measure" to be taken and retained by the Third Circle, and submitting the "name" that you will be known by in all coven business and meetings.
Attend Sabbats. (This can be done via Forum RP when in-game meetings do not allow.)
Carry out tasks as assigned by the Second and Third Circle Members.
Set up and clean up for rituals, and act in support roles when required for major arcane undertakings.
Membership to the First Circle shall be given to individuals meeting the requirements set herein, and a majority vote of the Third Circle held at Sabbat or Esbat.
Second Degree Duties & Requirements
Demonstrate the ability to cast third level arcane spells and submit to examination by the Third Circle while being tested.
Demonstrate proficiency in scribing arcane scrolls. (3rd Level Crafting Skill)
Demonstrate proficiency in enchanting. (3rd Level Crafting Skill)
Demonstrate proficiency in the infusing arts. (3rd Level Crafting Skill)
Demonstrate proficiency in alchemy. (3rd Level Crafting Skill)
Attend Sabbats. (This can be done via Forum RP when in-game meetings do not allow.)
Responsible for setting and maintaining the magical wards at Sabbats, and overseeing other mundane security matters.
Promotion to the Second circle shall be given to individuals meeting the requirements set herein, and consensus that all objectives have been met by a majority vote of the Third Circle held at Sabbat or Esbat.
Third Degree Duties & Requirements
Demonstrate the ability to cast sixth level arcane spells and submit to examination by the Third Circle while being tested.
The Rank of Third Circle is granted by application of a Second Circle Member for an open Third Circle seat, and a majority vote for accepting the application by the current Third Circle. Usually some great deed for the benefit of The Coven and Corath must be the basis for an application.
As a Third Circle Member, vote on matters brought forth for consideration. The number of Third Circle Members shall never exceed thirteen. Members can be mortal or undead.
Any Third Circle Member can order the convening of an Esbat. (These can be in game or Forum based when in-game meetings do not allow.) There will not be more than four Sabbats a RL year, and an Esbat only when called for by a member of the Third Circle.)
Attend Sabbats and Esbats. (This can be done via Forum RP when in-game meetings do not allow.)
An assigned Third Circle Member is responsible for maintaining the Coven's Book of Shadows. The Book of Shadows contains the "coven name" of members, a record of coven assets, and the minutes of the Sabbats and Esbats. The Book of Shadows shall be kept and warded in the Guild Hall, which shall hereafter be referred to as the Covenstead.
Promotion to the Third Circle shall be given to individuals meeting the requirements set herein, and consensus that all objectives have been met by a majority vote of the Third Circle held at Sabbat or Esbat.
Article III-Administration and Operation
Membership Status: After initiation is complete the individual is a member of the coven, and naught but death can relieve them of their duties and responsibilities. If a member endangers the coven through intentional act or negligent omission, betrays the coven, or does not fulfill the duties of their rank, a majority vote of the Third Circle will determine their fate.
Facilitation: All Third Circle Members are of equal rank and standing.
Method of Operation: The Coven shall make decisions by majority vote. When a majority vote cannot be reached, the issue at hand must be tabled until another vote is called and the stalemate can be overcome.
Meetings: The coven shall meet when a Sabbat is requested by any Member of the Third Circle. Religious observances will be held prior to any council work or arcane rituals. Unless prudent to be held elsewhere, or decided upon by the Third Circle membership, all Sabbats and Esbats shall be held at the Covenstead. (These can be in game or Forum based when in-game meetings do not allow.)
Offices and Duties: The Coven will not have officers or other rank structures unless set herein. The duties of the membership will be dictated by a majority vote of the Third Circle.
Article IV- Meetings and Attendance
Sabbats are the quarterly meetings of all membership ranks, one of which always falls on the High Holiday of Sublimis. The dates for the upcoming year are set at Sublimis. (These can be in game or Forum based when in-game meetings do not allow.)
Esbats are special meetings of the Third Circle Membership. Any Third Circle Member can initiate an Esbat. (These can be in game or Forum based when in-game meetings do not allow.)
Article V- Finances
Coven income shall include donations by the Membership, profits from Coven projects and activities, and interest from banking accounts, if any.
The budget shall be established and disbursements approved by majority vote of the Third Circle membership.
At every Esbat, a designated Third Circle member will offer an accounting of all Coven funds and assets, which will be audited and open to scrutiny to all Third Circle Members present.
Article VI- Revising the Bylaws
Any part of these Bylaws may be amended by a unanimous vote of the Third Circle Membership. All Third Circle Members must agree to a change in any provision.
