Welcome to Cove

"Summer had failed to come to Cove; the sky was dark and the rain was relentless. However, as Lord Jasper basked in the glow of his hearty fire, he cared little for these facts. Williams, his loyal servant buzzed around the manor, setting the Lord's vast collection of curios and oddities in order. At this late hour it seemed obvious to Jasper that nothing of importance would occur, and thus a good book was in order. He pawed through the extensive collection of books on his reading table, picking up a dusty article relating to the arcane arts. He smiled at the old favourite, a smile which probably would not have been present if he had heard the fast approaching hooves over the sound of the deluge.

A shadowy figure drew his steed to a halt before the doors of the manor. He was encased from head to toe in black, blending in with the night, not unlike a mere assassin. But this was no assassin. The witch hunter leapt from his mount, gracefully meeting with the soaked earth. He paused for a moment to realign his composure, pulling himself up to his full height and adjusting the signature wide brimmed hat. A small smirk spread across his weathered face as he pulled a one handed crossbow from his brimming belt. He kept all of his 'tools' there, half concealed by his cloak.

Jasper frowned as he heard the knock on the door but steadfastly refused to look away from the book.

"Williams!" He bellowed. "Answer the damned door, yes!?"

There was no response from the servant, only the obedient scrabbling towards the heavy oak door. The whole building seemed to recoil in a shuddering horror as the door was opened. Jasper paid little heed however, even when the muffled screams erupted. It was probably the usual beggar or ne'er-do-well. Williams would dispatch them, he thought. However, his reading was once again disrupted by a shriek, a dull thud, and sudden almost unbroken silence. Only the sound of boots advancing broke the peace. It was only then that Jasper looked up.

The first thing he noticed was Williams. His faithful companion had now finally become at one with the house as he stood to attention, nailed to the wall via the crossbow bolt placed squarely into his forehead. His Lord barely had time to mourn the loss before catching sight of the fast advancing darkness. The hat fully disguised the witch hunter's eyes, but a full blown grin was present.

"Not interrupting anything, am I?" inquired the hunter cheerfully. "It was quite the frightfully miserable night; I thought it would be most courteous of me to cheer it up."

"You.. you.." Jasper's jaw seemed to freeze up. He felt an odd sense of detachment. His legs locked up completely as he rose from the chair, sending him tumbling backwards over the nearby footstool.

"No need to stand up" said the figure casually as he wandered over to the book pile, examining them one by one, tutting loudly as he did so. "Quite the collection.." he declared ominously.

"I'm just a.." Jasper tried to protest, but he was cut sharply short.

"You are a heretic" the voice of the hunter had changed then, the grin had faded. A small piece of parchment was unfolded. "It is here in script. Unregistered use or research of the arcane arts is an act of heresy."

"But I.." Once again the eccentric noble was beaten down before he could finish his sentence.

"I will be confiscating your assets" declared the deviant finder as he snatched the bountiful coin purse from Jasper's table. As the witch hunter opened the purse, a smile spread across his face which was given an odd yellow hue by the glitter of gold. Jasper just nodded defeatedly.

"Yes, yes, take it!" cried Jasper hysterically. It seemed unlikely that resisting would have made much of a difference to the man of Avatar.

"Oh, but I do have something for you.." Jasper looked on curiously. The church were not in the habit of giving away free presents. He decided that nothing good would come of this 'gift'. He observed the man as he reached into his laden belt, taking out a large vial filled with strange liquid. Jasper had seen the like of this vial before, but his memory came back to him too late for him to react.

"Catch!" was the solitary word spoken as the vial was launched towards the prone noble. As the glass shattered, the room became awash with brilliant light. Flames flicked from furniture and flesh alike as the entire room was abruptly engulfed in fire. The illuminated witch hunter chuckled as the wailing began, juggling the coin purse in his gloved hand as he strolled over to the door. He retrieved the bolt from the servant's head, letting the lifeless body crumple to the floor. He let the door swing shut behind him as he climbed back atop his patiently waiting mount, smiling to himself.

That was the fate of all who did not comply with the minister's decree.."



Greetings faithful Covians. It has come to my attention that many within our fair town have been harbouring heresy within their souls. The act known as 'magery' shall henceforth be illegal unless all persons practicing it doth register themselves as magelings below. Any found to be violating this accord will be dealt with swiftly. In addition, the mages of the army shall now be organized into a new unit which shall specialise in the research of arcane matters. Know thy enemy.

Signed neatly:

Ingram Bloodrock,

Minister of magic.

*Ileana passes the decree and gives it a cursory glance. Register?, she snorted. I'm supposed to be dead already. After returning home and packing up her belongings, a notice is pinned to the door of Ileana's Cottage.*

Gone to Britain on business. Be back in a few days.

- Miss Leontine

[OOC: This coincides with me going off to uni open days so I will not be back until sunday. Cya then!]

Jack cursed, which he rarely does. His existence and work on this earth was threatened, but he might as well play along he thought, for now..

I, Regular Guardsman Jack Sinist, responsible over the Academy and the Army Administration hereby declare myself holding the curse of magery. I henceforth give myself up for registration and accept whatever destiny put forth.

Signed with an obvious swiftly written handwriting:

Jack Sinist, Regular Guardsman

Mercy read the decree and tears fell from her eyes.  First her family and now the place she had grown to love and call home.  Maybe she was cursed, or her mother had been right all this time.

*Written in very shakey handwritting*
I, Watchman Mercy,  student of Kas Valentine, state that I am an Arcanist as required to do so by the church.

I, Amon Jarl, Burgher do hereby declare that I know a little of the arcane.

Merely parlour tricks to entertain foreign merchants and to speed me on my travels, but nevertheless I put forward my registration and place myself at the mercy of the Church.

*signed flamboyantly*

Amon Jarl, Burgher.
A J TRADING

---

I am... Ermm... Sallust. alchemist, scholar, scribe and arcanist.

Sallust, Covian Citizen.

I, Kas Valentine, declare that I possess vibrant knowledge of the arcane as well as being a frequent practioner of inscription and the delicate study of alchemy. I do not want to receive any wrongful destruction of my person and sign here to display my wish to comply with both the church and the new unit.

Signed in elaborately decorative handwriting,
Regular Guardsman Kas Valentine.

I am a mage.