The Congregation and The Covenant: A Legacy of Order

In the shadowy corners of medieval Europe, where the veil between the human and supernatural worlds was thinnest, the need for unity among supernatural races became undeniable. The year was 1347, a time of plague, war, and upheaval. Humans were in upheaval, and the world brimmed with fear of the unknown, superstition, and naivete.

It was Etienne Laurent, a centuries-old vampire hailing from France, who took the first step toward forging unity. A master of diplomacy and foresight, Étienne was driven not by altruism but by a deep understanding of survival. Alongside his life partner, Isolde Delacroix, Étienne invited the most influential representatives of the supernatural world to a secret gathering in London.

​

The Congregation was born of this meeting—a council comprising three vampires, three witches, and three daemons, collectively holding ultimate authority over their species. Each brought a key artifact, forming a collective set of nine keys, which were the only means to access The Vault, an ancient chamber beneath London where critical matters of supernatural governance were addressed.

​

The Congregation’s first act was to draft The Covenant, a set of laws governing all supernatural beings. These core tenets ensured balance and secrecy:

​

• Non-Interference in Human Affairs: Supernatural beings are strictly prohibited from influencing human politics, religion, or societal development. 

• The Veil of Secrecy: The supernatural world must remain hidden to protect against human discovery, ensuring safety from persecution, exploitation, or experimentation. 

• Ban on Interspecies Unions: Romantic or bloodline mixing between species is forbidden, considered a threat to stability and the balance of the natural order.

 

Governance Structure

The governance of supernatural society relies on a network of roles to ensure compliance and balance across regions:

​

• Council Representatives: Nine members (three vampires, three witches, three daemons) who oversee supernatural governance and enforce The Covenant.

• Elders: Ancient supernaturals offering guidance but rarely intervening directly.

• Regional Governors: Knowing human leaders who oversee territories. Their title, passed down through families, carries prestige and ensures human-supernatural cooperation.

• Enforcers: Agents who act against Covenant violators, using force when necessary to maintain balance.

• Advisors and Liaisons: Diplomats bridging the Congregation with local communities, fostering communication and managing conflicts.

• Observers: Operatives discreetly monitoring supernatural activity and reporting potential breaches of The Covenant.

• Administrative Staff: Knowing humans tasked with record-keeping, safeguarding artifacts and precious works at Solomon House and The Vault.

 

Expansion to the Americas

As Europe expanded westward and supernatural populations grew in the Americas, the need for a second council became evident. Shapeshifters, with their deep connection to nature and preference for freedom, steered clear of structured governance, viewing politics as a distraction from their nomadic lifestyles. Werewolves, however, were deliberately excluded due to their volatile nature, affinity for conflict, and deeply ingrained territorial instincts. Their propensity for violence and insular living often kept them beneath the Congregation’s notice. Wary of provoking them, the council occasionally turned a blind eye to their activities—a leniency they would vehemently deny if ever questioned.

​

By the late 17th century, the Congregation established Solomon House as a second seat of power in Louisiana. Independent of its European counterpart, the American Congregation mirrored its structure but adapted to the unique challenges of the New World.

 

The American Congregation : Louisiana

The American Congregation comprises nine influential figures, selected for their ability to navigate the challenges of the New World:

​

1. Germaine Rousseau (Vampire): Chairing the council with refined diplomacy and an iron resolve.

2. Jonathan Phelps (Vampire): An ambitious industrialist focused on frontier expansion.

3. Katarina Moreau (Vampire): A power broker controlling supernatural trade routes.

4. Abigail Hawthorne (Witch): A traditionalist maintaining ancient practices and protocol.

5. Ezekiel Kane (Witch): A progressive scholar of urban mysticism and experimental spellwork.

6. Sister Magdalene Cross (Witch): Mediating tensions through a blend of witchcraft and Christian mysticism.

7. Walter "Buck" Hargrove (Daemon): A practical advocate from the Western frontier.

8. Esme Delacroix (Daemon): An artist whose power draws from beauty and discord.

9. Cyrus Haddonfield (Daemon): An inventor blending supernatural power with industrial innovation.

 

Local Governance in the Appalachian Highlands

The Appalachian Highlands—a rugged region spanning Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky—required specific oversight due to its terrain and supernatural ties. In 1874 The Congregation appointed Cornelius Abner, a knowing human, as Governor to manage the area. Operating out of Charleston, West Virginia, Cornelius is trusted for his discretion and resourcefulness. Balancing human and supernatural interests, he enforces The Covenant while protecting the veil. 

 

Enforcement and Legacy

The Congregation’s power is upheld by Enforcers like Silas Vance, a werewolf charged with maintaining order. Despite werewolves' exclusion from council seats, Silas’s role has proven critical.

 

Through the centuries, The Congregation and The Covenant have stood as cornerstones of supernatural order, preserving balance amid constant change. Yet, whispers of dissent stir in the shadows, challenging their authority. In the rugged expanse of America, The Congregation is more than a council—it is a battleground where ideals clash and the destiny of all supernatural beings is being forged.