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Olympia CovenantBackgroundLocationOlympia Covenant is located high in the mountainous part of Greece, under the shadow of Mount Olympus.It is a lightly fortified keep, built on a crag amidst the mountains, both aloof and lonely. It is easily visible to those venturing into the mountains here, but difficult to access. The sole trail winds up the slope of a steep mountain, in several places narrow enough for only one horse, and a nimble-footed one at that. Near the top, a short wall with a gate in it controlls access, anchored by the rocks of the crag themselves. Once past this gate, a traveller passes a series of other crumbling fortifications, none manned any longer. The crag above is windswept and desolate. Three towers and several low buildings connecting them make up most of the visible covenant. At least one of the towers is visibly uninhabited, and several of the lower buildings are in a serious state of disrepair. Few living things show themselves to the casual observer -- a few spindly grasses and mosses clutch to the stones, and an occasional hurrying servant passes outside, but the rest is wind. Numerous rain barrels are located over much of the terrain, apparently supplying the covenant's drinking water. Over the centuries that this site has been occupied, the crag on which it rests has been gradually excavated, and now there is a honeycomb of caverns, chambers, and passages, as large as the aboveground parts, underneath. Such fields as the covenant has are tended in a sheltered valley down the slope from the covenant proper. Most of the mundanes working these fields live here, only occasionally journeying up to the crag with their burdens of foodstuffs for the magi and grogs living on the heights. The Aura atop the Crag is +5.
InhabitantsOlympia was established centuries ago. It was the first site of the Order of Hermes in the Tribunal of Thebes, and had been inhabited before, by independent wizards of all sorts who came to the place for the strength of its aura and it's isolation from prying mundanes. In the middle 9th century, the Order expanded from it's beginnings in more Western Europe to the lands of Ancient Greece, and came first to this place near the powers of legend.Since then, Olympia has risen through a long and fruitful Summer and Autumn, and only now fallen into the depths of Winter, with the aging and Twilight of several of its magi, and finally, some 40 years ago, with the passing of the Praecoship to Denevier of Grey Winds. The then-young Elmo of Bonisagus has tried to bring in fresh blood, with some limited success.
Other AttributesThe areas around Olympia are wild and for the most part uninhabited. Several regions are of the fae, and provide large amounts of Olympia's vis; there is some debate in the Tribunal about the relation of these fae to the pagan gods -- some think they sleep atop Mount Olympus, others that they are dead now and long passed away.Olympia's library is old and varied, but uncared for, as might be expected of a Winter library. The central collection is locked away, but most of the most valuable texts will be found in the sancta of the magi themselves. However, there is a storehouse of mundane lore, dating back centuries, if one were to attempt to plunder it. What enchantments and great magics were worked by the founders are now but whispers in the order, memories of Twilight-ridden elders. Tresure-troves there may be, hidden in the caverns -- none know for sure.
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