The Old World Coven is the oldest coven of Vampires that is located in Europe. The Coven likely had a different title before 1873, when the cities of Buda, Pest and Óbuda were united to form the city of Budapest.
History[]
The Old World Coven was formed in the 6th century, as the Vampires began to take action against a powerful enemy, the bestial Werewolves who sought to destroy all in their path. When Hungarian warlord Viktor agreed to wage war on the Werewolves on behalf of Marcus Corvinus in return for immortality and turned his army into the first Death Dealers, the foundation for a society was laid. Under the leadership of the three Vampire Elders, this society grew and rules were established. Thus, the Covenant and the Coven with it were conceived.
Viktor and Amelia, two of the three Vampire Elders, sought to undermine Marcus's authority, which implies this may have been the primary reason a Vampire Council was formed and The Chain was conceived.
In the third film, taking place in medieval times, a large number of Coven members are seen in a secluded mountain fortress of Castle Corvinus, however, it is unlikely that that was the Vampires' only settlement at the time as Semira is known to have been Regent of the Budapest Coven for an unspecified period of time prior to being sent to the Nordic Coven in 1402 or 1403.
At some unknown point, the growing Vampire Coven would also spread out in branches over the continent, establishing powerbases and extending its reach to countries like the Paris Coven in France and the Nordic Coven in Scandinavia. Later, the Vampires colonized America and established the New World Coven most likely with a base in New York.
By the 21st Century, as seen in the first film, a number of members had gathered at a secluded mansion, but it remains unknown how large a part of the Coven's population they represented. The Vampires in the Coven owned Ziodex Industries and had begun manufacturing synthetic blood.
Hierarchy[]
Kraven, the acting regent of the Coven in the early 21st Century
The infrastructure of the Coven is largely unknown. There is the occasional mention of "houses" but it remains unclear if a house is synonymous with a Coven or if a Coven can consist of several houses, much like a royal court. What is clear is that the Elders sit at the heart of the Coven, their commands either enforced or tempered by the Council, while the Death Dealers stand guard and wait to do their bidding.
The Regent enjoys considerable status but the extent of his political power remains unclear. Since more than one Coven exists, it is possible that the position of Regents was conceived to rule the Covens while in turn being ruled by the Vampire Council. Also, at least by modern times, there are dignitaries that may act as envoys when diplomacy is called for. One such position seen, an envoy of the Elder Amelia, is most likely entrusted to a member of the elite. As the current regent, Kraven, keeps a large personal bodyguard consisting of Soren and his men in the form of an entourage of retainers, it is possible that the elite keep retainers for various purposes as a sign of status.
Likewise, as Kraven keeps several attendants it is not unlikely that these are on the lowest rung in the Coven, Vampires acting as personal attendants to the rest in order to make connections and improve their status.
There is implied to be an unseen group within the Coven, Vampires scientifically and medically adept enough to construct the more elaborate devices seen throughout the films and study the Lycans' biology, although it is possible these are either works of hired human laborers or Death Dealers interested in science.
Known Members[]
- Viktor (presiding Elder) †
- Sonja †
- Orsova †
- Coloman †
- Andreas Tanis (formerly) †
- Luka †
- Selene (before destruction)
- Kraven †
- Soren †
- Erika †
- Nathaniel †
- Rigel †
- Timea (Status unknown)
- Zsuzsa (Status unknown)
- Wolfgang (Status unknown)
- Dominique †
- Kahn †
- Mason (Status unknown)
- Duncan (Status unknown)
Trivia[]
- While the main branch of the Old World Coven was located at Ördögház, the Coven had smaller branches spread out across the continent, as brought up in Endless War, which features the Coven's Paris branch, led by Lord Clovis.
- It is unknown whether the Old World Coven is the same as the Budapest Coven.
| v · e |
|---|
| Characters |
| Major Characters |
| Lucian - Sonja - Viktor - Raze - Andreas Tanis |
| Other Characters |
| Soren - Sabas - Orsova - Coloman - Kosta - Luka - Xristo - Sandor - Ivan - Ilona - Casmir Janosh - Covasha family - Malvina - Ulrik - Lucian's Mother |
| Weapons |
| Weaponry of Underworld: Rise of the Lycans - Silver - Shurikens - Swords - Crossbow - Knives - Whips - Death Dealer Uniform |
| Species |
| Vampire - Lycan - Immortal - Human - Werewolf |
| Locations |
| Castle Corvinus - Elders' Ship |
| Terms |
| Corvinus Strain - Vampire Council - Death Dealer - Vampire Elder - The Chain - Blood Memories - Budapest Coven - Moon Collar - Vampire-Lycan War - Vampire-Werewolf War |
| Archives |
| Items - Soundtrack - Score - Novel - Comic - Quotes - Videos - Images |
| v · e |
|---|
| Characters |
| Selene - Lucian - Sonja - Viktor - Kraven - Nicolae - Soren - Leyba - Brother Ambrose - Grushenka - Ilona - Leonid Florescu - Marcus Corvinus - Yoshio - Diego |
| Species |
| Vampire - Lycan - Immortal - Human |
| Locations |
| Silver Mine - Castle Corvinus - Crypts - Strasba - Keep - Ördögház - Budapest |
| Weapons |
| Silver |
| Terms |
| Death Dealer - Vampire Elder - Budapest Coven - Blood Memories |