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On December 22nd, the arcane cabal, the Eyes of Osiris, was officially disbanded, much of the Council left to fend for themselves, while ambitious Black Circle arcanist Ewan Hollow reportedly consolidated all the artifacts and archives they collected, the Labyrinthine Covenant founded only days after.
The Covenant doesn't believe power always corrupts, instead regarding the lack of humanity that comes with it a form of enlightenment. They believe that the world is on the precipice of change, that sooner than later it will become similar to worlds like the Other and the Godrealm, and the Covenant seeks to lubricate this change, as well as seducing the less-enlightened to their path and helping humans realize their place in the new world.
The Covenant of course wishes to have more power than the rest of the world, after-all, this 'new world' they prophesize will need rulers. In this regard they do whatever it takes for more power and knowledge then anyone else, up to and including making deals with superpowers that get them relics, creating and stealing artifacts for themselves, gaining the names and favors of true demons often through ritual torture or sacrifice, and horrible experiments with fleshforming. The Covenant already has several old books and artifacts once held by the Osiri and still wish to grow their collection. They are willing to share their knowledge, in form of rare goods, spells or supernatural muscle, but there's always a price that leaves the client in debt with them.
The Covenant also serves as a school, with the 'masters' of their respective fields taking on students who are willing to be part of the Covenant at the cost of obedience and loyalty to those ready to teach them.
Abuse of slaves, Squires, and Apprentices is very common in the Labyrinthine Covenant, so those who wish to join must keep in mind that bad things will probably happen to them.
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Overview
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⨒ Indebted
Indebted are clients of the Covenant. No rules bind them, per se. More trusted clients are given access to the library, and perhaps even to the shrines of worship, but this is rare. They have no official duties beyond what they owe to the Labyrinthines.
⨒ Slaves
Those who serve the Covenant. Often clients unable to pay their dues, they typically bear a brand from one of the higher ranking members, but this doesn't always happen. Those who are not combat inclined wear a rather skimpy robe within the halls of the enclave, those who are are given a menacing uniform to patrol the halls with. Their duties include cleaning after the Covenant, cooking for them, and submitting themselves for psychic feeding or ritual torture. Those combat inclined must also protect the Covenant or fight for their entertainment.
⨒ Initiate
Members of the Covenant who are free in the barest sense. They haven't been given a rank yet, often because they lack focus, and while they aren't the personal slave to anyone, they are subject to the abuses of the Knights or Lords alike, and those above them. Initiates are simply those who have no rank yet.
⨒ Squire
A member of the Labyrinthine Knights, usually without any sort of focus, who's aim is to either serve a Knight in any capacity or become a Knight themselves. It isn't uncommon for Squires to be abused by the Knights and treated as slaves, but if the Squire wishes to learn how to fight, it is expected of the Knight to serve them. Squires have no real titles and are expected to treat everyone with respect, as well as follow reasonable orders from the Labyrinthine Lords. Only their Knight, the Commander, his Apprentice or the Minister may actually abuse them, however.
⨒ Gentry
A member of the Labyrinthine Lords who owns a home away from the enclave. Gentry can be anyone who doesn't have any martial skill, or who's martial skill depends on their powers, rather than talent with weapons. Gentry are allowed a single slave and are often regarded as your basic citizen with the Covenant. Gentry are called Mister and Miss, and answer to the Nobles, the Steward, his Apprentice and the Minister.
⨒ Knight
A member of the Labyrinthine Knights, one who typically is of Tier 2 or above and isn't a Master. The Knights are allowed one slave and are also assigned a Squire, who is expected to act in whatever capacity the Knight desires them to, even if that includes doing things often reserved for slaves. Knights aren't always equal, if one Knight is able to beat you in a fight reliably, he is often regarded as your superior. The Knights are expected to act as bodyguards to the Nobles or higher by request, but are only obligated to follow the orders of the Commander, his apprentice, and the Minister.Knights are called Sir and Dame respectively.
⨒ Noble
A member of the Labyrinthine Lords, one who owns a house, a shop, or more. Nobles can be anyone who doesn't have any martial skill, or who's martial skill depends on their powers, rather than talent with weapons. Nobles are allowed two slaves and are able to request a Knight or two to act as personal bodyguards during outings or meetings. Nobles are called Lord or Lady, respectively, and answer to the Steward, the Steward's Apprentice, and the Minister only.
⨒ Apprentice
Apprentices have been selected by a Master to be their primary pupil. They are often trained in arcane ways, but it could be whatever area the Master excels in. While Apprentices answer only to their Masters and may command Knights or Lords beneath them, they are expected to still be completely polite to the free and are only allowed one slave. They are also completely subjugated to their Master, treated like a slave by them, usually.
⨒ Master
There are only two Masters in the Covenant, and they answer only to the Minister. One heads up the knights as their Commander, the other administrates the nobles as the Steward. The Masters are allowed three slaves, and can strip those beneath them of title or slaves themselves. Each Master may also select an apprentice, who is afforded greater power than the rest. Masters are called Master, Mistress, or referred to by title.
⨒ Minister
The Minister is the leader of the Covenant, the highest authority. The Minister can strip titles and slaves at a whim and typically expects complete obedience and loyalty. They are allowed to have as many slaves as they want, and can take multiple apprentices, though it's tradition to have just the one, like Ewan Hollow himself. The Minister is often called their rank.
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