The Blackmoon Coven is a Free Company and RP group on Final Fantasy XIV's Mateus server with a thematic focus on magic and aetherical phenomena considered dangerous or unsavory by the wider Eorzean populace. Blood magics, manipulation of the soul, and other taboo topics are studied and practiced openly among its members, seeking to understand and master that which most fear.While we adhere with existing lore wherever possible, Blackmoon Coven also uses it to actively fill in blank areas with logical expansions to enhance and broaden the Free Company's themes.
The cost of delving into such esoteric and occult matters can be high, and many who set out on such a path falter along the way. And though the rewards may be tempting, one must always remember that to be among the Blackmoon Coven is to stand among those who are but a step away from the evils they fight against.

The quandary yet remains...

• ... wilt thou JOIN?

For sorceresses and witches who aspire to become covensisters.

• ... or wilt thou SERVE?

For guardians and attendants of the coven's witches.

The Blackmoon Coven

"Thy path to power is dark and treacherous, thy path to damnation but a single step astray."

To be a witch of the Blackmoon Coven is to walk a knife's edge of temptation. It is to be a paragon of power while constantly vigilant of her own desires. It is the capacity to hold the essence of a soul in her hands and mold it to her liking, all the while aware that her own soul is but a hair's breadth from being lost to darkness.

The skybound roots of the Blackmoon Coven can be found in the towering mountains beyond the peaks of Xelphatol, where the remote, cloud-wreathed heights conceal the Temple City of Shukeli. Founded at the end of the Fifth Umbral era by Miqo’te migrants traversing the frozen seas, Shukeli used its isolation to study and perfect the manipulation of aether. In many ways, Shukeli is not unlike the Sharlayan in its dedication to pursuing arcane knowledge, though whereas the Studium teaches magic as a precise science, the Blackmoon Coven believes it to be equal parts art and expression of will, requiring not just study but a connection to one’s own primality.Now in Eorzea, away from the star-strewn slopes of the mountain that gave it birth, the Blackmoon Coven seeks to renew itself. Whether the people of the lowlands have the fortitude and will to take up the mantle remains to be seen...

• Perhaps thou wishes to choose again?

Initiation

"Thy first step begins here. Learn well, for such shall determine if thou prosper or fall prey to thine own depredations".

1. Use only thy own blood, thy Witchguard's blood, or blood willingly offered for thy magicks.2. Secrets of the Coven art not to be shared with those who stand beyond the umbra of the Blackmoon.3. Thou art obliged to hunt down any sister who fails to uphold the Coven's wisdom and dictates.

Potential initiates are gauged in-character of their knowledge, understanding, and capacity of the core concepts of the coven’s practices: Blood, Body, and Being. Those that show the appropriate aptitude or willingness to learn must swear a blood oath on the coven's tenants before being inducted as a fledgling sister.While you are by no means required to memorize the following, we strongly recommend you take a look at the links below with regards to Blood, Body, and Being, as they form the foundation for much of the aetherically-based roleplay we engage in.

All covensisters, be it the newest initiate to the Tha’alanti herself, are recognized by the Zervha they carry; elegant black kris blades with which they enact their blood magics. Based on the hunting knives their ancestors brought into the mountains in another age, one can tell much about the rank and experience of a witch based on her Zervha, with senior members of the coven having greater adornment to the weapon. Blackmoon sorceresses place great value on their knives for their ability to leave no scar on the self-inflicted wounds they are most frequently used for, but also as a status symbol. They are also the instruments in which Scarseals are carved into Witchguards, further binding them to the Covens’ witches.

Once inducted as an Acolyte, a fledgling sister’s first act is to receive her Zervha. The process of creating these ebon blades is known only by a few sources, rumored to be molded from an alchemically-treated corpse, but always finishes with tasting the blood of the recipient during a bestowing ritual. Once bequeathed, a Blackmoon witch is expected to have her Zervha within easy reach at all times and, unless discretion is needed, it is considered uncouth and ill-mannered to appear in public or at coven gatherings without it.

For more information on how to become a member of the Blackmoon Coven, please refer to our FAQ, or see more details about joining by clicking here.

Duties

Covensisters have a great deal of autonomy to pursue personal agendas and achieve their own aims. However, at times the Coven will take it upon itself to undertake collective objectives, and sisters are expected to contribute in significant fashion when called upon. While there is no official form of compensation for attending such endeavors, most consider it an unspoken opportunity for advancement within the Blackmoon hierarchy, as more active sorceresses rise higher and faster than their placid counterparts.Be it of their own accord or commissioned by a third party, one of the Coven’s more common pursuits is the hunting down of some dangerous beast, demon, or rogue warlock. Sometimes it is merely to eliminate a dangerous entity, other times to acquire for study. Another task frequently undertaken is the investigating unusual aetherical phenomena, with the resulting research made available to all other sisters.

Of more particular notice is the collection and safeguarding of magical artifacts. While sisters are permitted personal possessions, they are expected to present any object of interest or potency during their travels, be it on Blackmoon business or otherwise, to the Coven at large in order to determine what should be done with it. Concealing such discoveries is taken poorly at best, and even senior witches can find themselves in penance for failing to disclose a discovery.Finally, it is the collective responsibility of every sister to see to the wellbeing and maintenance of the Coven’s Witchguards, Nightshrouds, and other servants. While even a novice sorceress stands above Those Who Serve, many who perform duties for the Coven do so with the understanding that the arrangement is a mutually beneficial one. A witch is not the only one with personal ambitions, and on occasion must put her own wishes aside for those beneath her.

Hierarchy

"All art born small. Here, thou wilt die a colossus."

The following is a brief overview of the Blackmoon Coven’s hierarchical structure. Important to note is the absence of Those Who Serve, who possess their own manner of organization. Within the Coven, as their name suggests, all among Those Who Serve, even the most scarred Witchguard or venerable Nightshroud, rank beneath even the lowliest initiate. That said, it is an unwise sister who outright ignores the advice of such, even if their pride sometimes demands they publicly pretend to do so.Advancement follows no strict methodology; members are promoted when their superiors feel they are ready or have earned the right to do so, sometimes providing a test to confirm their decision. This can take many forms, such as displaying adequate knowledge of an esoteric topic to slaying a particularly nefarious enemy, or even challenging another sister in a duel of magical might.With regards to out-of-character matters and day to day functioning, FC officers may be of Those Who Serve ranks, in which case they supersede any in-character hierarchies.

A newly-inducted sorceress, untested and unproven save for the barest essentials, yet seen to have potential. Acolytes are expected to defer to their betters and assist them with rituals and other endeavors in lieu of their own ambitions. Despite the novice position, Acolytes are still considered sisters in their own right, and therefore afforded the right to a voice and opinion on matters concerning the coven as a whole. While they have access to some of the Manor’s amenities, higher ranking sisters take precedence in their use. The more dangerous and esoteric knowledge remains off limits, and while they may link with a Witchguard, they are forbidden from Bonding one. Acolytes who have yet to complete their Zervha are known as Che’eni, those that wield a black kris are Che’ena.

A proven witch, Sisters (or Covensisters) are fully-realized members and have access to all of the Manor’s knowledge and facilities. Sisters are expected to be the face of the Coven, and present themselves befitting a Blackmoon enchantress. Most Sisters will have experienced a link with a Witchguard, and may choose to Bond one, though many choose to refrain for some time from the commitment.Sisters encompass a wide variety of power and ability, and while no formal distinction exists between one Ses’stra and another, unspoken etiquette demands the junior defer to the senior when a decision must ultimately be made. Sisters may begin adorning their Zervha, decorating it with engravings or gemstones to mark the passage of time or noteworthy accomplishments. Such dressings are not to be taken lightly, as a kris with an overblown sense of adornment unbefitting the owner’s skill is considered gaudy and in ill-taste, even by the vain and extravagant standards of the Blackmoon.

A venerable Blackmoon sorceress, the rank of Crone is composed of the boldest and most experienced sisters. Crones have the honor of assisting the Tha’alanti in leading the Blackmoon Coven and guiding it in her absence. While every witch may have a voice in coven matters, it is left to the Crones to decide which matters are brought up to begin with. In all other regards Crones function similarly to Sisters, albeit with great prestige.

The singular leader of the Blackmoon Coven. Not much is known about the enigmatic witch who claims dominion over the coven, other than she is a spellcaster of great repute and hails from Shukeli itself. Recent events have seen her sequestered away from her covensisters, expressing her will through her Witchguard and leaving it to the Crones to see to the Blackmoon’s needs.

Honors

"Thy pride will always garb thee, even when thy flesh is bared."

Every covensister is expected to be magically potent and knowledgeable with a wide variety of aetherical arts, but inevitably one’s talents will narrow and focus on particulars. Those who excel in certain fields or are capable of unique gifts can, at the Tha’alanti or Crones’ discretion, be recognized in the form of an Honor.Honors come with a distinguishing title, which is amended to her ranking within the coven, and a specific gemstone ring, worn on the pointer finger of the hand with which a sister wields her Zervha. Multiple honors may be earned by a single sorceress, though the title used is based on the ring worn closest to the knuckle.The following are merely some of the Honors recognized by the Blackmoon Coven, with more being added as remarkable talents are uncovered.

Edgedancer (Taszora)

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A rarity among covensisters, Edgedancers are those witches who actively utilize their blood and aether to enhance their martial combat capabilities. Few bother honing such skills, leaving the mundane task of physical violence to the Witchguards, but those that do are fearsome combatants in their own right. Indeed, some of the oldest and most experienced Edgedancers have taught fledgling Witchguards, and many Shukeli fighting styles are named after the Edgedancers who innovated the blending of sword and spell.A Taszora displays her honor with obsidian, cut to sharp edges.

Sable Scourge (Nevira)

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There are sorceresses who can command the forces of destruction, and then there are those who revel in such power. The prospect of unleashing their arcane might boils their blood hot as fire, excites them with levin potency, and leaves them chilled as mountain snows with exhilaration. Dignity and poise are virtues every covensister strives to maintain, but the Nevira have no qualms in setting aside such niceties in the face of embracing what they love most: Bringing utter ruin to those who would stand before them.A Nevira displays her honor with a cabochon-cut garnet.

"Sanctuary is but a myth. Thy vigilance needs be eternal."

Along on the banks of the placid Mirror, in the shadowed depths of the Shroud, a traveler can sometimes spy an unobtrusive dwelling of lacquered wood and ivy-wreathed stone rising from a thicket of overgrown hedges and bent willows. This is Blackmoon Manor, whose halls of gold-veined black marble house the throne of the Tha’alanti and the gatherings of the Blackmoon Coven.

In many ways the lavish interior encapsulates what it means to be a covensister, possessing an unflinchingly exuberant yet cold beauty, brimming with powerful aetherical emanations, and holding within itself countless secrets. What relics remain locked away in ancient vaults sunk deep into the forest earth not even its owners are certain, a fact which may be for the best…

I. Blood

"Thou art born of blood, made by blood. Fear thy fate be not undone by blood."

Blood is the fundamental medium in which aether exists within living beings, veins the conduits in which it flows. Spilling one’s own vital essence awakens an instinctive aversion in all creatures, and every coven sorceress frequently practices bloodletting to make the process routine.Blood is the body’s most abundant, though not the most potent, aetherial conductor, a fact that was taken advantage of both ancient Amdapor and Mhach to fuel their respective magics of golem animation and voidsent summoning. Exposing one’s blood beyond the confines of the body allows a witch to take greater advantage both of the latent power of her own emotions and that of the land’s ambient aether, amplifying the intensity of their spellcraft.

Part of the danger in practicing such sanguine sorceries is both its ease of access and the power it can grant, allowing even the most lackluster hedge mage to perform feats far beyond their capabilities using traditional methods. Such power is seductive in the extreme, its allure only growing with use, and one of the reasons why the coven forbids the unwilling use of another’s blood.More dire are the consequences that come with prolonged use of unwilling blood. Blood is more than a conduit of aether: It burns with the desires, festers with the hatreds, and chills with the fears of the one who bled it. Just as aether flows with blood, so does emotion, determination, and will - facets which mingle in every drop. One who makes liberal use of pilfered blood will in time take on the aspects of their prey, always to disastrous results.

II. Body

"Thy flesh is thy temple, and it shall be worthy of worship."

When tales are spoken by the few travelers that braved the perilous journey to the temple city of Shukeli and were permitted entry, they speak not of the elegant edifices erected in black marble nor the magical wonders that grace their interiors. Instead, they expound at length upon the austere beauty of its inhabitants, the otherworldly grace and allure possessed by the native enchantresses that seems to possess a magic all its own.

The reputation for lascivious vanity among Blackmoon witches is well-earned, though most mistake the apparent obsession for beauty merely as the narcissism that so often accompanies the powerful and entitled. While self-aggrandizement plays its part, there is a pragmatism to why covensisters strive not only to maintain and perfect such superficiality, but often take opportunity to flaunt their charms.

As was touched on in Blood and will be expanded on in Being, there is power in emotion. Emotion pushes limits and achieves what talent and knowledge alone cannot, be it emotion born of fear, hatred, or desire. It is that last which the Blackmoon sorceress have determined to be the most efficacious in amplifying magic, using their allure to invoke passion and yearning of underlings and enemies alike, all with the aim of further fueling their arcane arts.Beauty is only one facet to how a coven sister is expected to treat her body. Endurance and the capacity for pain is another. Using one’s own blood is not without its hardships, and even novices are expected to hold their serrated kris knives steady when carving runes into their own flesh. Mastering such agony takes time and practice, for no proper witch of the Blackmoon would be caught with so much as a grimace upon painted lips when performing her crimson magics.

• Return to Initiation

III. Being

"Always fear thy power, lest thou be devoured by it and lose thyself."

The nature of the composition of the soul remains to this day a topic of debate across the vast array of philosophical and aetherological circles, with as many theories as there are stars in the night sky. Even among the Blackmoon Coven, whose sisters take great pride in their expertise with manipulation of the soul, claim to only have a basic understanding of its full structure, and many mysteries yet remain to be unraveled.The coven’s understanding of the soul is known among its members as the Boundless Ewer, in which a soul is composed of two separate but integrally intertwined parts. The first portion is the Anima, which forms the ‘shape’ of the soul, and helps to determine a person’s personality and emotional capacity. The second portion is the Aether, which makes up the ‘substance’ of a person’s soul and determines their elemental nature as well as raw potential.

In a healthy soul, the Anima contains the Aether the same way a decanter holds wine. Both Anima and Aether have an effect on the other: Just as wine would conform to the shape of the vessel it’s held in, so too does the Aether conforms to the shape of the Anima. Likewise, a wine bottle is only called so because of the wine inside, and the same influence can be seen of a person’s manner and personality based on the Aether that comprises their soul. When a person dies, the Anima unravels, and the Aether returns to the Sea of Souls.Magic in its traditional forms as the Coven sees it, such as Conjury or Thaumaturgy, briefly shape the Anima in such a way so that the released Aether has the desired effect, be it creating a ball of flame or a gale of soothing winds. Through the practiced application of emotion, a coven sorceress can agitate and exaggerate the deformation of the Anima, thus leading to a greater potency in released Aether and empowering their spellcraft beyond traditional practices.It is important to note that while the Aether remains more or less consistent throughout a person’s lifespan, the Anima changes with growth and experience, for good and ill. Some believe every meeting, exchange, and encounter twists the soul to some small degree, and over the years, the ebb and flow of emotion wears upon it like ocean waves crashing on a stone.

• Return to Initiation

Frequently Asked Questions

"Ignorance is thy sin, curiosity thy redemption."

The Blackmoon Coven is not for everyone. It focuses on themes of occultism, eldritch arcana, and dark magics. It will test those who wish to join, push their morals, and force them to question what is right and what is wrong, as well as what they are willing to sacrifice in order to achieve understanding.For those with the fortitude to endure, the Blackmoon Coven offers knowledge and facilities, as well as refuge. The Manor houses a library of esoterica reaching as far back as the fall of Allagan, laboratories and aetherical instruments long thought lost, if they were known of at all, and luxurious, if austere, accommodations in chambers of gold-veined black marble. Yet its most valuable resource are likeminded sisters, sorceresses of wisdom and power who are not afraid to delve into the depths of what magic has to offer for those bold enough to grasp it.

Open recruitment is rare for the coven, but they always have an eye and ear out for those who might prove a worthy addition. Furthermore, particularly for those who frequent the Shroud, the Blackmoon Coven is an ill-kept secret among those who wield aether, as is the location of the Manor. While unannounced guests are viewed dubiously, it is rare for one to be turned away without first conversing.If you have interest in joining or questions you wish to ask, contact any member and they'll direct you to an officer to answer any questions and make arrangements. Aside from ensuring a certain degree of quality and appropriateness of character, there is no universal method in how recruitment is handled, with each induction taken on a case by case basis for the sake of narrative.Alternatively, you can reach out to Rindali on Discord at any time.

No, though you'd be forgiven for thinking so. Members of the Blackmoon Coven practice arts such as blood magic and even necromancy with the aims of controlling and better understanding them for a 'fight fire with fire' philosophy. That said, we strongly encourage character flaws and moral greyness/ambiguity in the actions they take.

You do not have to be a member of the Free Company to partake in Blackmoon Coven events and roleplay, or even an in-character member of the coven itself. However, particularly while the Free Company is in its infancy, we do encourage joining.Furthermore, members who are not a part of the Free Company cannot advance beyond the rank of Sister, and those playing Witchguards are limited to Linkings (rather than Bondings) with coven witches.

Join

"Thy destiny is shaped in blood."

Becoming a witch of the Blackmoon Coven comes with several stipulations. These restrictions only apply to those looking to become a Covensister. Any character endeavoring to become a member of the Free Company/Linkshell as Witchguards, Nightshrouds, or others among Those Who Serve may ignore these stipulations.

Do's & Dont's

If you have any questions or would like to arrange an in-character meeting, please contact Rindali over Discord at any time.

About the Authors

"Something-something profound fancytalk."

Hi there, thanks for taking the time to look through the carrd and consider us for your roleplay needs! I play Rinda’li Shalo and am one of the creators behind the story of the Blackmoon Coven. You’ve probably gotten the idea by now what sort of thematic flavor we’re all about here unless this was the first header link you clicked (and even then, there’s a chance you might have caught on anyways), and my character, an unapologetic emo edgelord who dabbles in dark magics to supplement his martial prowess, is something of a quintessential figure for the BMC.

That said, I think it’s important you know one of my most favorite things about playing such a character is taking the piss out of him. Yes, I enjoy my high-stakes fantasy and dour philosophical outlook I use him for, I wouldn’t have been part of a project like this if I didn’t, but I also like putting him in situations where he doesn’t belong and making an unmitigated mess of things. That is to say, my character is a straight-played archetypal figure that wouldn’t be amiss lurking in an abandoned Hot Topic adjacent to a cemetery.On the other hand, I’m in my mid 30s and still enjoy watching Ed Edd n’ Eddy, Chowder, and the first three seasons of Spongebob Squarepants. I’d say this mentality is true behind all of us who had a hand in creating the coven: We have a very specific flavor in what we like about our characters, but out of character, we’re very different people, often quite opposite to what the BMC would want of a member (though I am very pretty IRL :3).

The Blackmoon Coven has in some shape or form been part of my character’s personal story for over half a decade now, inspired thematically by IPs like Robert Howard’s Conan the Barbarian and FromSoft’s Bloodborne and Dark Souls trilogy, among others, made to fit into the world of FFXIV. I’ve also been a longtime DM of tabletop games for almost 25 years now (I’d like to use the excuse that I started young, which I did, but I’m still terribly old), and I intend to translate that love of telling, guiding, and weaving stories here.

Those Who Serve

"Thou art desireth to be but a shadow?"

To be a sister among the Blackmoon Coven is to court power and unravel mysteries beyond the imagination of ordinary spellcasters. To wield a Zervha is to wield the essence of life and death itself, to take hold of the very fabric of existence and shape it to her liking. It is to know prestige, to be held in awe, to be envied and feared for obtaining that which is thought impossible.But you will know none of that. You will know no glory. You will place the needs of the coven before your own. You will serve when called upon, and you will obey any command no matter how demeaning or menial. And when your usefulness has come to an end, you will be replaced. Your fate is to be cast forever in the umbra of sorceresses, to lurk in the shadow of their presence. Perhaps, in that darkness, you will find what it is you seek.

Those Who Serve, or the Raz’lazhi, belong to the Blackmoon Coven much in the same way it might own a book or a staff or a broom. They are a part of the coven, to be used as a tool best befitting their capabilities. They may stand in attendance when the witches convene for meetings, bring matters of importance to their attention, and even educate them on matters of esoterica, but they will never fashion a Black Kris, earn an honor to wear upon their finger, or be permitted to sit when in council. Those Who Serve shall do as their title implies, knowing full well they will never become more in the eyes of the sorceresses who rule them.Servitude for the Raz’lazhi is not for the faint of heart; while the witches might take it upon themselves to hunt down great terrors and evils, they at least have the choice to confront such. Not so Those Who Serve which accompany them. But for those incurably curious but incapable of equaling the covensisters in magic, for those desperate enough in need of their vast talents and knowledge, or for those with nothing to lose, the exchange might be worth the price. It is the duty of the Blackmoon Coven to tend to their possessions, and should such a servant prove worthwhile and trustworthy, they will discover just how bountiful the sisters' gifts can be.

• Perhaps thou wishes to choose again?

Witchguards

"A Witchguard shall protect thee from thy enemies. A good Witchguard shall protect thee from thyself."

No position within the Blackmoon Coven encapsulates Those Who Serve as thoroughly as the Witchguards. They are charged with the protection and wellbeing of the coven at the cost of their own lives, the sisters first and foremost, be it intervening an active threat or venturing out to eliminate a perceived one.It is said that an accomplished covensister wields two blades: Her Zervha in one hand, and her Witchguard in the other. Through bloody rite and harrowing initiation, a Witchguard mutilates their own soul to more readily permit the flow of aether from them to their sorcerous mistresses, each spiritual wound deepening the connection at the cost of their their individuality. In this way, the leash tightens the stronger and more accomplished the Witchguard becomes.The path to becoming a Witchguard is not to be taken lightly, in some ways even more dire than that of a covensister. Sisters may come and go, but the path of a Witchguard has no turning back once begun. Aspects such as awareness, bravery, resilience, and sometimes at the behest of a particularly lascivious sister, attractiveness, are all taken into consideration when gauging prospective candidates, but they are principally judged on their martial prowess. Those found lacking by the coven are offered guidance and training before being permitted into the deeper mysteries of a Witchguards, as those willing to accept the mantle are too valuable to turn away for an initial deficiency of aptitude. Though not required, many accumulate a working knowledge of magic to some degree during the course of their duties, often from the very sisters they protect. Candidates initially see to their duties as simple men-at-arms and servants, often under the watchful eye of a more senior guardian, until deemed ready to take the first true step in becoming a Witchguard.

Scarseals

In order for a Witchguard to form the links and bonds that are so integral to their station their anima must be permanently torn to facilitate the free flowing of aether. These wounds upon the soul are known as Scarseals, carved in runic fashion by Blackmoon Coven witches in an excruciating ritual. Damaging a soul in a controlled fashion is not an easy task, and requires the captured essence of a specific type of creature of sufficient power, dependent on the Scarseal in question, to help mitigate the trauma. The seal is then carefully carved into the Witchguard with a Zervha, the hunted essence consumed in the process. Even with the precaution the recipient of the Scarseal must be restrained, and the trauma often leaves them insensate for several days.

Defacing a soul has its consequences, intended or otherwise. Every Scarseal subtly influences the bestowed, granting them willpower, tenacity, fortitude, and courage. As more and more holes are carved into the anima, the amount of aether a sorceress can draw from a Witchguard increases, as does her ability to exert her will upon them. Such extensive distortion to the soul is not without cost, however, and the more Scarseals one obtains, the more faded their individuality grows to be.

Sah'vyr and Sah'ash

The overarching purpose behind undergoing so violating a procedure is to enable the Sah’vyr and the Sah’ash, the Link and the Bond, the joining of two souls. The union enables a covensister to draw upon her Witchguard’s stores of aether directly to enhance her own capabilities. Yet the connection is not one-way: A Witchguard’s senses and reflexes are heightened in the presence of a witch they are linked with, can take her pain as their own, and even communicate through thought alone. Linked together, a sister and a Witchguard are greater than the sum of their parts.All Witchguards begin with the Sah’vyr, the Link. These unions are temporary and must be actively maintained by the witch who formed it. Joining Sah’vyr is not, strictly speaking, compulsory, but it is a foolish Witchguard who denies the command and attempting to resist the union grows ever more difficult the more Scarseals they've accrued. Of interest, many Witchguards manifest personality traits of the first sorceress they join in Sah’vyr, sometimes even garnering memories of their past.

A Witchguard will undergo many Sah’vyr with numerous covensisters before havinga chance at joining in the Sah’ash, the Bond, the blending of two souls, if they undergo it all. Unlike the Sah’vyr, the Sah’ash is a permanent union and mutually consensual, the forging of which requires a strong sense of determination, loyalty, or love between witch and Witchguard. The benefits of Sah’ash vastly outstrip those of Sah’vyr, and having a bonded Witchguard is seen as the mark of a truly accomplished covensister. Even so, many refrain from the commitment as it is not without its risks and detriments on both sides. A Witchguard can still perform Sah’vyr with another sorceress while bonded, but the link is brittle and difficult to maintain in comparison. Emotions run strong between those joined under Sah’ash, making it difficult for both parties to conceal things from one another, should they wish it.What gives the most pause in forming the Bond is the toll that comes with the death of a partner: Witches who have lost their guardians have been known to rage violently for days in their grief, calling down storms of fire and blindly annihilating all around them from the shock before lapsing into a nightmare-riddled malaise for months, or even years. Likewise, a Witchguard who has failed in their duty to protect the life of their sorceress falls into a severe lethargic depression, many taking their own lives within weeks, if not days or hours. For the proud, independent Blackmoon sisters, vulnerability that accompanies such reliance in another, particularly one with notoriously deadly duties, Sah'ash is not worth the risk.

Nightshrouds

"Seek strength. The rest shall follow."

The twilight allure of the Blackmoon Coven may only appeal to a select few, and of those few, not all are fit to be Covensisters. Be it their sex, their aptitude, or their manner, some who seek to wield the Zervha are incapable of earning the right. Such does not exclude them from a place beneath the coven’s umbra: As the Witchguards serve the needs and wellbeing of the bodies of the sisters, so do the Nightshrouds tend to their minds, assisting them with their rituals, advising them on lore, and enabling the success of their magics.Unlike Witchguards, there is no one particular set of magical skills or aetherical knowledge that qualifies a Nightshroud other than a capacity for manipulating aether. A covensister who finds something useful or sees potential in an individual is all that is required to induct them into the ranks. It goes without saying that those of greater power and ability are more likely to be singled out, though sometimes an untrained caster will be taken in to be brought up akin to an apprentice. Likewise, nor is there a singular purpose in which a Nightshroud is utilized. One adept at combat magics would accompany sisters in battle, while another with skill in scrying or similar vision spells would be put to work searching out relics and other objects of interest for the coven to investigate.

Those who join the coven as Nightshrouds often do so for the same reasons as one would join to become a sister; to study and refine their abilities untethered by the superstitions and reservations of their peers. Nightshrouds have access to many of the same facilities and archives that the covensisters do, though as always the latter takes precedence. When not otherwise engaged, they are free to pursue their own objectives with the use of coven assets, so long as those objectives do not prevent them from heeding the call to service. Though barred from some of the Blackmoon’s deeper secrets, Nightshrouds nonetheless can grow to become figures of immense influence and power, rivaling that of the witches themselves.This is not lost upon the covensisters, who struggle to balance the fine line of having servants who are both useful and do not threaten the established order. Certain customs have evolved over time between witches and Nightshades to distinguish one another and emphasize obedience, such as in dress: Covensisters often garb disarmingly, frequently no more than strips of cloth connected by strings of jewels, Nightshrouds, on the other hand, are expected to wear modest, plain attire at meetings and formal occasions, the black robes and coats which gives them their namesake being the standard. It is also considered extremely rude for a Nightshroud to cast spells or channel aether in the presence of a sister without first asking permission outside of life-or-death situations.Covensisters keep keen eyes on the obeisance of the Nightshrouds, quick to remind them of their place if so much as a toe goes out of line. Despite these measures (or perhaps because of it) many senior Nightshrouds develop a sense of rivalry with their sorceress masters, and though only a fool would outright disobey a Blackmoon witch, they still find ways to exert their influence and play at coven politicking.

Keepers

"Step with dignity, for the world shall watch thy every stride."

The Blackmoon Coven is not a place for ordinary people. Those who would not simply flee in fear from their practices would find little common ground to stand on with a covensister, let alone look one in the eye. Death, danger, and dark magics abound in and around the marble halls of the manor they call home, as perilous a domain for the average person as the void beyond the stars.And yet against the odds some with no extraordinary talent, no gifts of magic or ability with the blade, find place with the sisters. A rare few are sought out for their talents, goldsmiths and jewelers capable of precise work kept on retainer, weavers willing to fashion their craft exclusively for the sorceresses’ lascivious tastes, alchemists, historians, and scholars with unique knowledge known nowhere else.

Most find their way there through circumstance and misfortune, however, victims and orphans of the evils hunted down by the coven. Piteous and aimless as these souls are, there is always work to be found the sisters themselves would not deign to do, the day to day managing of the manor they call home. While the Witchguards and sometimes even the Nightshrouds often attend to those chores, more hands to help the cooking, cleaning, laundry, gardening, organizing the archives, tending to the coven mounts and animals, and the all-important task of seeing to the sisters’ clothes, cosmetics, and hair are never unwelcome.Fortunately, simple servitude is not the ultimate fate for a Keeper. Aside from the rare few kept on as potential Witchguards, Nightshrouds, or Acolytes, they have no chains binding them to the coven, holding total autonomy of their lives. Keepers are permitted to come and go as they please, to be paid in gil or kind for their services, and offered opportunities to learn crafts useful both to the coven and forging a new life for themselves. More than one commoner who’d been born eking out a living in the scrubs of Thanalan or grubbing in the mud of the Rootslake has claimed life as a Keeeper among the coven as exotic, exciting, and even pleasant in comparison. That is, if you do not mind the occasional catastrophe or inexplicable abomination manifesting within the halls...