Coven: Rising from the Ashes discussion
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A coven is a community or gathering of witches, a group of believers who gather together for ceremonies of worship, such as celebrating the Sabbaths and honoring the gods. It is unclear how many covens are distributed around the world, however there are at least two recognized covens: the notorious coven of the Salem descendants and the vaguely mentioned coven of Northhampton, England.
The New Orleans coven is dominant worldwide. After the Salem Witch Trials, their descendants established a haven in New Orleans, where they were involved in frequent territorial skirmishes against the resident Voodoo sect. The stronghold of Miss Robichaux's Academy was founded in 1868 in the Garden District by Supreme Marion Warton, both to protect the coven and to nurture the gifts of blossoming witches and warlocks. A family of non-magical stewards has served the school for generations, and a mysterious group of albino guards protects and enforces the will of the Witches Council (itself a judicial body against witch crimes).
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The origin of witchcraft remains a mystery; however, it is known that witches have existed for many centuries, passing down their knowledge and skills through generations in family lines, possibly even before Salem. Marie Laveau declared that the basis of witches was originally from Africa, just like Voodoo, and that witches are mere pretenders with gifts stolen long ago. Queenie's ancestor, Tituba, is a slave known for being the first woman accused of witchcraft and is possibly who introduced Salem women to magic.
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The Supreme Witch, known more colloquially as The Supreme, is a worldwide recognized status among the witches descending from the Salem witch trials. While most witches possess only a handful of gifts, the Supreme is said to embody multiple, if not all, gifts. Historically, there is said to be only one Supreme per generation (approximately 30-50 years). Part of being a Supreme meant no ailments or diseases would harm the Supreme.
The Supreme role comes with the responsibility of the entire Coven as a leader of the new generation. "Guided by ancient tradition, witches survived only if united under a strong, singular authority".
One of the most important task of the Supreme is to identify her successor, a task that wasn't accomplished by former Supreme Fiona Goode, as a consequence multiple girls were tested and one of them died performing them.
As a new Supreme flowers, the life force of the current regnant gradually fades, which manifests as multiple organ failures, disease, and cancer due to the crippled immune system. In the cases where a new Supreme must rise before the natural death of the incumbent, a ritual known as "The Sacred Taking" (view spoiler) is employed; it is a stylized suicide blessed by the coven members. It was developed when the ailing Prudence Mather was not able to make the journey to relocate the coven home to New Orleans during the Salem Witch Trials and allow a potential to ascend to Supremacy. Fiona inherited her powers earlier than most Supremes (her being around late teens to twenties at the time) because she killed her generation's Supreme and self-ascended. Fiona lived for a while after Cordelia became the Supreme but had already become very weak and sickly.
The reigning supreme is Cordelia Foxx who takes over from the previous supreme, Fiona Goode, who was also her mother. Fiona's immediate predecessor was a woman named Anna Leigh Leighton, who ran the school when Fiona was a younger woman in her late teen's. One evening, Fiona questioned her about becoming the next Supreme and how she knew. Anna Leigh informed her of the official test conducted by the council and that, while a witch may possess multiple powers, only a mastery of the Seven Wonders allows for true demonstration of entitlement to the Supremacy. When Fiona demands to be put to the test, Anna Leigh refuses, stating she was still far too young. The two engage in a heated debate of how Anna Leigh was weakening, both in power and in physical health. After Anna Leigh asserts that she would never allow Fiona to take her place, for the good of the coven, Fiona surprises her by transmutating in front of her when she turns and slashing her throat with a letter-opener and thus becoming the Supreme.
To be identified as the Supreme, the witch in question must have the mastery of 7 distinct abilities, known as 'The Seven Wonders' and include the following: Telekinesis, Divination, Transmutation, Pyrokinesis, Concilium, Descensum and Vitalum Vitalis. Fiona is the only known Supreme to be related to the next Supreme, Cordelia, putting into question if being born to the Supreme means the child is meant to be the Supreme or a mere contributing factor. Being a Supreme to a blind Cordelia fully restored the eyes and to Fiona, made the air around her vibrate with sheer power.
Voodoo Queens are shown to be the equivalent to Supremes.
List of Supreme's:
Prudence Mather
Marion Warton
Mimi DeLongpre
Anna Leigh Leighton
Fiona Goode
Current Supreme:Cordelia Foxx (Goode)
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The governing body of the witches and warlocks, depicted as elders and very old fashioned as they still use typewriters in the modern times. They are responsible for policing witch crimes, the concealment of witchcraft to the uninitiated, and for the welcoming of potential students to Miss Robichaux's Academy. The council only visits covens on very important cases, such as the death of another witch.
Despite the dwindling number of Salem descendants, the council will punish a witch, if she is found guilty of murdering another witch. Prior to her apparent death at the stake, the head of the witches' council was Myrtle Snow.
Old Council Members:
◘Elsa
◘Lanchaster
◘Bartholomew
Previous Council Members
◘Quentin Fleming
Quentin Fleming is a warlock, or a male witch, as well as a member of the witches' council. He is a famous author, whose books are on the best-selling list. It was mentioned that it was Fiona's magic that made his books successful. Myrtle gets revenge against him for being responsible for ordering her burning at the stake by paralyzing and dismembering him, giving one of his eyes to Cordelia. According to Myrtle, Cecily Pembroke and Quentin wanted for years to dominate the Council, therefore agreed to burn her.
◘Cecily Pembroke
Cecily Pembroke is a member of the witches' council that visited the academy. She serves as the stenographer and keeps an official record of the meeting. She is a Salem witch. She seems to be stern and conservative in nature. Quentin notes her lack of charisma. Myrtle gets revenge against Cecily for being responsible for ordering her burning at the stake by paralyzing and dismembering Cecily, giving one of her eyes to Cordelia. According to Myrtle, Cecily Pembroke and Quentin wanted to years dominate the Council, therefore agreed to burn her.
New Council Members:
◘Zoe Benson (Given she is older those who take on this character will get to choose the appearance)
◘Queenie (Given she is older those who take on this character will get to choose the appearance)
◘Matthew Goode
Witches are humans (generally female) with magical talent, and generally with the power to affect change by magical means ("Witchcraft"). Many escaped the Salem witch trials and sought refuge in New Orleans. Among the population of witches, there is always, but one, Supreme Witch per generation. As the witches settled in their new territory, a rivalry between them and the native Voodoo practitioners arose. The feud is still on going in present day New Orleans. A group of witches are the focus of the Coven, in which magic is a genetic heredity that connects a person to the elements and forces of nature in order to practice witchcraft.