Revision bfcf94e56db65b4b621a864588ae30fd57efc7fd (click the page title to view the current version)

Schism/Overview

Changes from bfcf94e56db65b4b621a864588ae30fd57efc7fd to current

---
title: Stonehenge in the Wake of the Schism
---

This is an idea for a slightly non-standard setting for Ars Magica.
What if we play magi when the Order was at its weakest, destroyed
by the Schism War?

In Stonehenge, the Schism War coincides with the invasion of Knut
in 1016, surely adding to the devastation.
It is suggested to start the saga at some point between 1012-16,
that is after the last major battle in 1012 
and before the execution of Eadric of Mercia in 1017.

+ [Character Generation]()
+ [Redcaps]() after the Schism
+ [Stonehenge]() at the time of the Schism
+ [Covenants]() during the Schism
+ [Diedne Magic]() 

# Hermetic Situation 

+ Almost no Mercere Portals.  The links between Durenmar and the Domus Magna
  are probably intact, but otherwise there might be none.
+ Little trust and little trade among the magi
+ Many secrets which are well-known in 1220, are now known
  only in cults
+ PC magi have grown up under the war
    + focus on survival
    + no expectation to be able to settle as lab rats

# Timeline

+ 1003- official start of the Schism War [HoH:TL:144]
+ 1010: House Guernicus performs the Curse of Thoth ritual [HoH:TL:144]
+ 1011: Fall of the Nameless Covenant [Stonehenge]
+ 1012: Fall of ???
+ 1003: Fall of Lumen in Mercia.
+ In the first years, there were many battles, mainly on individual
  covenants.
    + Diedne seemed to have the upper hand.
+ 1008: Fall of Roma Nova in Kent.
+ 1010: House Tremere declares Wizard's War on House Diedne
    + House Guernicus performs the Curse of Thoth ritual [HoH:TL:144]
    + After the Curse of Thoth, Diedne is start loosing major battles. 
+ 1011: Emergency Grand Tribunal - House Diedne is renounced
    + Winter 1011: Fall of the Nameless Covenant [Stonehenge]
+ 1011: Tribunal, but it was not quorate
+ 1012: Fall of Branugurix in Britanny
    + This marks the beginning of the end
+ After 1012, Diedne's only strong position is in Loch Leglean.
    + The War is still raging in Scotland and in Northumbria.
+ 1015: Knut lands in Wessex
  [[wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cnut#Landing_in_Wessex)]
+ 1016: Knut conquers England
  [[wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cnut#Landing_in_Wessex)]
+ -1017: official end of the Schism War [HoH:TL:144]

# The Earldoms

England consists of four old kingdoms, which Knut established as
earldoms in his rule.

+ Mercia
+ Wessex
+ East Anglia
+ Northumbria

## Mercia

Eadric Streona became Ealdorman of Mercia in 1007
[[wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eadric_Streona)].
He was the first earl under Knut, but was killed by Knut in 
December 1017.

Eadric rose to the post of ealdorman following a number of
devastating battles of the Schism War.
He immediately started outlawed magic, in all its forms,
and both Hermetic and hedge wizards were hunted down. 

## Wessex

Knut took Wessex under his direct rule at first.
    + The last major battle  of the Schism takes place in Northumbria
      [non-canon]
+ 1017: The last individual Diedne magi are hunted down.
    + -1017: official end of the Schism War [HoH:TL:144]
    + Eadric is killed in December 1217 by king Knut.
+ 1018: Tribunal
    + The War is declared over.
+ 1030: The Grand Tribunal