Coven of the Black Rose

Overview

"Witches, man, I tell ya..."

— An exhausted adventurer to a cleric friend

When one is refering to Witches, they think of the dark, corrupted ones who wear skin-tight clothes, show a lot of skin (or no skin at all), have sometimes pointy hats and glowing/otherworldly eyes, using crooked staffs and other things to wield magic.

The Coven of the Black Rose is that. Unlike other covens of corrupted witches it isn't just a collection of females from around the continent, it is a coven centered around the Black Rose, a corrupted Druid which was... you know, we are getting ahead of ourselves, we talk about it once we are there.

Structure

The Coven of the Black Rose has a really simple structure. At the top is the dreaming Black Rose, which communicates with their master and gives orders to the Black Stem. The Black Petals are more of a council or Inner Circle. The rest of the Witches are the Black Thorns.

• Black Rose
• Black Stem
• Black Petals (Inner Circle/Council type)
• Black Thorns

Black Rose

The Black Rose is always on top. There were attempts of Witches trying to replace the corrupted Druid and be the Black Rose instead. It didn't went really well. For once Druids don't like to be tempered with and the omnious master doesn't like it either. So one can still see the witches, somehow alive, in the branches and thorns of the Black Rose. They moan because of the subtle pain, but nobody knows if they are kept alive or digested really, really slow.

Black Rose, sometimes refered to as "Mother" presents itself as a female, pronouns are she/they. She is a few metres tall, has digged her roots deep into the earth and is covered in thick rose petals. She is not moving a lot, just breathing with her "eyes" half-closed. Nobody knows if she was a Druid from the start (some of them are called "Archdruids", but this is just a term to describe their age) or if she was a Witch who got assimilated and made a deal with a demon. Her female figure still shows, but beneath the petal "skin" are just roots, thorns, branches and a few vines. A few witches discovered that on their own.

Black Rose does not move outside of the earth-filled basin and "sits" on a huge chair or throne to support her massive structure. Not that she can't do it by herself, but in the beginning the Black Stem thought it supported her entire divinity.

The Black Rose is the transmitter between her master - or masters? - and the entire Coven, lead by a Witch fulfilling the position of the Black Stem.

Black Rose Druid by CrazyEddie via Midjourney

I think she lost herself in time, between the ages, the answers of their superiors and their voices. She only calls me "My child" or "beloved", but never by my name. Yes, I do long for her touch, her gaze and her approving, but at the same time I fear what would happen if she sets her entire focus, her mind, only on me and stops listening to the void, if only for a second?

— Elderly Black Stem Witch

Black Stem

The Black Stem is the "Head Witch" of the entire Coven. She is the connection between the Coven and the Black Rose because only she can hear and translate the thoughts of the Druid; can withstand their gruesome and incomprehensible nature. The Black Stem is a lonely position, only accompanied by an apprentice, maybe an additional advisor or trusted witch. It is not unheard of that the Black Stem and her advisor or the apprentice herself have a more intimate relationship with each other. The apprentice is a Black Thorn herself and of a certain age at this point. We are discussing Black Stem and the apprenticeship later on.

The position of the Black Stem can't be filled with Witches from the Black Petals. Why? Because it is assumed that the Petals have an interest in gaining more power and the Black Thorns not so much. But Black Thorns who throw in their voices for the Black Petals are also closed out from the election to the Black Stem for the same reason.

The Stem decides with whom the Coven speaks, if they attend the Nox Vael if they are invited - this does happen from time to time -, how many new Witches they need and how many they can supply or who is trying to infiltrate certain organisations.

On top of that she has to convey the thoughts and orders from the Black Rose to the Black Petals and, in some cases, to the Black Thorns as well.

As sign of the position of the Black Stem the Witch wears an amulet which resembles a thorny vine.

"I want to be Black Stem instead of the Black Stem. And I also want her boobs, but more I want to be the Black Stem instead of the Black Stem!"

— Powerhungry Black Thorn Witch

Black Petals

The Black Petals are a gang of nine. They are appointed by the Black Stem according to their qualifications. It is a very traditional number and an uneven one, so during votes there won't be a stalemate. The positions of the Black Petals are fixed and not changing. They range from the Head Librarian to the Head Financial Advisor and everything in between from architecture to the training of new Witches (born or recruted).

If they are not working inside their appointed positions, the Black Petals are normal Witches and treated like one. They speak as their position when they wear their amulet, which is a rose petal made out of Onyx or Obsidian, depending on the liking of the Witch.

"There is nothing quite so endearing than being the Black Petal of the Library. You can read all those books, you can learn, you can yearn, you can read in silence and you can get your hands on all of these sweet scriptures first. And the best thing? I know what my sisters like to read, even the smut."

— A grinning Black Petal Library Witch

Black Thorns

A Black Thorn is the rank of a normal Witch of the Coven. It doesn't matter if she is a baby just born or an elderly witch, they are a Black Thorn. They teach, they tidy up, they keep the building clean, they speak with demons, try to infiltrate other organisations, and gather knowledge.

Their amulet can be of any material, but it shows a rose with thorns at the stem. They tried to use just the thorn, but it was really easy to duplicate for other people, so they use the rose with the thorny stem instead.

"I like being a Thorn. It is easy. Not as powerful as the Black Stem maybe, but I like going on missions or cleaning the building. It gives me purpose and I can extend my reach day by day. And what I do on missions is entirely up to me."

— Black Thorn Witch

Amulets

The amulets in question are those from the Black Stem, the Black Petals and the Black Thorns as described in the provided sections.

Black Stem Amulet by CrazyEddie via Midjourney

Black Petal Amulet by CrazyEddie via Midjourney

Black Thorns Amulet by CrazyEddie via Midjourney

History

At first there was a Druid. She - we use that pronoun for now, even when they have she/them - was old, but no Witch knows if she is one of the original Druids or just a very old one. Normally Druids dwell in the Emerald Planes and protect them and so was the Black Rose. It is not documented what lead to the decision that she wanted more power and turned to the otherworldly beings the people of Koria call "demons".

The result of the contact and the contract was... interesting. Apparently she was a rose bush back then and got demonic power. She changed to the female presenting form with the height, the eyes, the roses, the colour and the thorns. Maybe it was the contact and the incomprehensible thoughts from her master(s) that she wandered off into the distance and searched for a place where she could grow.

So she did and found a place in the proximity of the western coast, north of Hulwar and south of the Northern Realms.

There she grew, ate earth, drank water, and sent out her silent call, drew the first Witches to her. They started with a clearing in the woods, build huts and halls and recruited other Corrupted Witches, talking about the Black Rose and how she gives power, protection and guidance. A thing every witch in a coven wants: protection and guidance.

They started to build the coven at the surface and a bit underground, with the Black Rose at the very center of the building, outlined with glass and stone, so she can grow and thrive.

At this point the Witches grew relatively large and are the most powerful of the corrupted covens in Koria, reaching fifty Witches in total right now at the point in time during the Spiral incident.

Workings

The Black Rose Witches tend to keep to themselves if they are not on a mission. Those missions are normally very time-consuming and take a long time to finish. Those can be the infiltration of governments, merchant guilds, wealthy nobility or training of new Witches or learning certain spells/teachings.

Since the Witches have their very unique scent and, when they have used enough magic, their unique splintered look, they tend to dress in either revealing clothes - to impress and intimidate - or they cover their entire body and face so they aren't identified as corrupted. Since normal Witches tend to stay in their villages and forests, the people only know the corrupted ones.

An enhanced Black Rose Witch without glowing eyes by CrazyEddie via Midjourney

Enhanced Black Rose Witch with glowing eyes by CrazyEddie via Midjourney

Goals

That one is easy: power. They want to corrupt or eliminate their non-corrupt sisters, a lot of other magic users and infiltrate the powerful countries, so that the Black Rose - the former Druid - and her masters can control life on the continent.

To achieve this they use the knowledge they get from tomes and scrolls, but also the guidance of the Black Rose and her masters. Some even think that the Longardir bloodmages could have knowledge that the Witches can use, but they don't dare to go into the dead city of Oldrir.

Why? Well, the Longardir kept secrets there and the city is still as tidy as ever. There is magic in place not even the Corrupted Witches try to meddle with.

"Not going in there, forget it. I don't want to be the toy of some tentacle monster!"

"Not?"

"Well, that is not the point. I can't control it in this damn city."

"Ja, fair point." giggled the other Witch.

— Black Thorn scouts regarding Oldrir

Becoming a Black Rose

Everyone presenting female can become a Witch and so everyone can be a Witch of the Black Rose Coven. This includes Elves, Garladans (since they are technically more female than male) and Underlings. If the Elves have the need to be on their male side for a while, they can take their leave and come back again. Procreation is allowed, but only with consent. They are corrupt, not livestock. Yes, that also means the Garladans (there are only two in the coven right now).

If a Witch is already corrupted and wants to be part of the Coven, they have to swear allegiance to the Black Rose and switch their master(s). That can go very well, that can hurt very bad or you can be very dead (because your master kills you or your body does not like the change). Normal, not corrupted Witches normally don't come to their corrupted sisters, maybe out of necessity or misery. Then they can switch their source of magic. They even can switch back from demonic to the druidic magic, but depending on your magic consumption one won't survive this. Demonic magic is like a drug to the body.

The initiation is relatively simple. You swear your allegiance in front of the Black Rose. Either she embraces the new witch with her vines or just looks at the new witch. Both ways connect the Witch to the Black Rose and the master(s) and give her access to the demonic power.

"Argh, that hurt... how long was I out?"

"Three days."

"WHAT?!"

— The new Witch after the initiation

Here you can see the continuation of the Corruption taking hold. The young one (first image) is an initiate for the Coven, maybe born in the Coven itself or just made a deal, so the Corruption isn't showing as much, but she probably had to use one or more healing spells.

The second image shows a Black Rose Witch where the Corruption took hold and she has used her first dozen spells without the need of a stronger healing spell. One can clearly see the changes, including the starting shimmer/glow in her eyes.

The third image shows a Black Rose Witch where her eyes glow radiant, the veins are going black under her skin, her skin cracks and the roots of the Black Rose are forming.

Young Black Rose Initiate by CrazyEddie via Midjourney

Black Rose Witch by CrazyEddie via

Black Rose Witch with Corruption by CrazyEddie via Midjourney

Black Stem Apprentice

As said above, the Black Stem always needs a predecessor and so she needs an apprentice, chosen from the ranks of the normal Witches, the Black Thorns. It is not forbidden or uncommon, that the Black Stem chooses a Witch who has not only the qualifications, but also some kind of relationship with the Black Stem (friendship is sufficient).

So, regardless of any situationship they might have - or not have - the Black Stem chooses their apprentice out of the Black Thorns. The Black Petals are excluded because of their position. You can't apply for the position of the apprentice, the Stem chooses you.

What does that mean for the chosen Witch? For one you are attending a lot of rituals, of dialogues with the Black Rose and you go on more shorter missions, which have a high probability of failure and are somewhat more dangerous. You learn how to speak with the Black Rose, how to understand her words and thoughts and how to withstand the pull of the void.

In some cases the Stem also has an advisor to keep her sane enough for the daily business, but also to teach the apprentice enough outside the Black Rose business like finance, math, everything needed.

The Black Stem Witch decides when her apprentice is ready to a) speak with the Black Rose alone under supervision and b) when she is ready to take the position completely. And yes, there are apprentices who died a horrible, painful, eldritch death.

"What happens now to my teacher?" asked the new Black Stem, still steaming from the power transfer.

The Advisor shrugged. "Who knows? She left as she saw you breathing. Some die in their chambers out of exhaustion, others leave never to return."

— New Black Stem with the former Advisor

The first image shows the Black Stem (on the left) with her apprentice. It is clear that the position of the Black Stem and the communications with the Black Rose herself took a serious toll. The age gap between the two counts around ten to twenty years. With illusions and healing spells they can hide their glowing eyes and a huge amount of Corruption, but it still shows.

The second image shows the Black Stem (on the right) with her apprentice as well. Here they don't hide the Corruption and the Black Stem isn't as damaged as one would expect. The Black Stem is a lot older than the apprentice, they have a gap of around thirty to fourty years.

Adult Black Stem with Apprentice by CrazyEddie via Midjourney

Elderly Black Stem with Apprentice by CrazyEddie via Midjourney

Relationship(s)

Outside/political

Outside of the coven most witches don't have any personal relationships. Some are craving for them, but those are fleeting, short-lived and only out of necessity.

In the more political landscape they do everything in their power to secure relationships which benefits them in the long(er) run. The method is up to them. Some prefer non-personal approaches like mind altering tonics & concoctions, others mighty spells and some use their body and mind to get what they want.

"Blergh, I want to cut him open and eat his heart before I sleep with this pig again!" water splashes "But alas, there is still much to do. At least he can't make me a child." disgusted noises

— A disgusted Black Rose Witch

Inside

Inside of the Coven males are not allowed unless for sacrifices (or they are merchants). Even the Elven Witches need to leave the premises until they are again presenting as females. Which means that any kind of romantic relationship a Witch wants to have - or just a night or more full of ugly, rough, animalistic, screeching, screaming, moaning, hot nasty sex - they either have to get in a village/city of their choice or they try to get a fellow Witch into their bed.

This is the preferred option for most women in the Coven. Women know what women wants and, to be fair, they look and feel way better than men. Right?

If the relationship can stay inside the Coven, it is not forbidden.

A supply of Witches

There are Witches who are born into the Coven. For various reasons. The most common ways are only two: the Witch is already pregnant during their initiation (which leads to interesting newborns) or leave the safety of the Coven for a while to procreate. How they do it is up to them, the only requirement is that they can't be followed.

"What did you do to him?"

"The right thing." Melissa shrugged, her pregnant belly sweaty due to the hot steam bath.

"That doesn't answer anything."

"I know. You alter the brains of your men. I find it easier to bewitch them to follow me into the woods where I sacrifice them."

"Well, thats one way to do it."

— Two Witches in a hot steam bath

Then there are Witches who are already corrupted and maybe are alone or in a coven where they are shunned or not happy. Well, happy in their way. They have to be checked and to be initiated, which means they need to switch master(s) and swear their loyality to the Black Rose. If they survive, they are a member of the Coven and so a Black Thorn.

A corrupted path

Those images show the continuation of the Corruption once a Corrupted Witch has entirely accepted her fate and the decision to go the corrupted way she chose. At all costs, only guided by her own desires and the will of the Black Rose herself.

Deep Corrupted Black Rose Witch by CrazyEddie via Midjourney

This image shows a Witch who used her demonic magic quite often. One can see that the shadows under the eyes are starting to form, the glow of the eyes relatively presents, not to mention the cracks and veins in and under the skin. At this stage the Witch still can reverse and can go back to druidic magic, but it will hurt.

Deeper Corrupted Black Witch by CrazyEddie via Midjourney

Here one can see how the Corruption grew deeper, either due to duration or due to a large amount of used magic. A return to her druidic magic is doable under circumstances, but very painful and probably deadly. It is really noticable and her skin can look smudged as she had worked in the garden and hadn't cleaned herself. In addition to the black shadows beneath her eyes and the cracks and veins.

Fully Corrupted Black Witch by CrazyEddie via Midjourney

And last, but not least, we have a fully Corrupted Black Witch. The corruption is now at a point where the witch can't go back to her old life, a change would literally kill her. Nothing more to say about this state. At this point she probably has fully embraced her new nature and enjoys it, be it the power or the knowledge or both.

Locations & Headquarter

The Headquarter is located north of Hulwar and south of the Northern Realms as stated above. It is in a huge clearing right inside a forest and protected by wards.

The Coven has three seeds outside of the forest. One is near Vraitha, one placed inside Mearis (the Witch hates it there, waaaay too hot) and one near the Silver Elven nation. The blood rituals of the Elves makes it easier to whisper sweet words into their ears.

Twisted Tales

"So, you came back?"

"Yes."

"You are bearing his child?"

"Childs. Twins."

"You already know that?"

"Yes."

"And why do you bring him here?"

"At first for fun and then as a sacrifice."

"How very noble of you."

"He, don't I get a saying in this?", screamed the panicing man in the cart with the iron bars.

"NO!" shouted both Witches at the same time.

It was during the Spiral Incident that some of the noble houses went silent for a while. Not unheard of, but it was the timing which was unusual. So Councellors and other noble families sent out parties to investigate. They've found nothing out of the ordinary, except for the part that every family had either adopted a beautiful young lady or got a new member as advisor or consultant in various matters. It should be enough to state that every noble family died a horrible, long, suffering death, one by one.

The Coven of the Black Rose is basically a huge commune, only consists of females or female presenting beings. It is not all laughter or pillow parties, but aside from their monthly sacrifice to their huge Black Rose druid they live like every other shared community. Their rituals are small and totally optional, but their sacrifice is a huge feast. It also includes a lot of blood, screaming, munching, but it is a feast nonetheless.

— Female scholar after their visit of the Coven

No gods, no deities, only the Black Rose. Only hers and hers alone.