Covenstor

Humble Beginnings

The settlement that would become Covenstor began as a small village, established by imperial pioneers in the wake of Kestar Brightblade's westward expansion of the empire's borders. For a time, it remained an unremarkable outpost on the fringes of imperial territory.

The Covenoi Ascendancy

The village's fate changed dramatically when it caught the eye of the Covenoi, a powerful magical lineage seeking to establish their dominion far from the empire's heartland. The Covenoi envisioned Covenstor as a realm where they could rule without the constraints imposed by long-established families and power structures of the imperial core.

Growth and Transformation

The Covenoi's ambition proved attractive to other like-minded magical families, who soon followed suit and settled in the burgeoning town of Covenstor. Its strategic location fostered rapid growth in trade, bringing increased wealth and prominence to the settlement.

Political Evolution

As Covenstor flourished, the Covenoi family relinquished absolute power, establishing a ruling council. Within this new structure, they assumed the title of First Lord among the Lords of the other magical families. The council continued to expand over time, with the von Tarrai family of the Reclaimed Lands becoming the final addition following the events known as the Fall.

Contemporary Covenstor

Today, the ruling council comprises 24 families, divided in their magical affiliations:

• 11 families incline towards dark powers
• 13 families, including the Covenoi, favour the light powers

Despite their differences, these families collaborate to maintain their collective power and pursue mutual enrichment, both in terms of wealth and magical prowess. At their core, they remain human magical lineages of great potency, united in their aspiration to one day rival the legendary magical splendor of Maras-an-Eithil.

The Covenoi Magical Academy

Among the most prestigious institutions in Covenstor stands the Covenoi Magical Academy, widely regarded as the foremost magical school in all of Rivatal and perhaps the entire human Westlands. Founded in the city's early days by the Covenoi family, the Academy's initial purpose was twofold:

• To nurture the magical talents of Covenoi descendants
• To educate the children of lesser families who had settled in this western city of magic

As Covenstor grew and the other families that would form the ruling 24 arrived, they too embraced the Academy's tradition. Over time, the institution evolved to become as much a center for forging political alliances among the city's future leaders as it was a place of magical learning.

Structure and Hierarchy

The Academy's structure reflects Covenstor's rigid social hierarchy:

• At the top tier are the children of the 24 ruling families, enjoying unparalleled privileges and access to the most advanced magical instruction.
• Below them are the offspring of lesser nobility, who receive a high-quality magical education, albeit with fewer privileges than their higher-born peers.
• Commoners and those without noble blood are excluded from the Academy, forced to seek magical training elsewhere in Covenstor.

This stratification within the Academy mirrors the larger social and political dynamics of Covenstor, reinforcing the power structures that have defined the city since its founding.