While our coven is a fellowship of like minded witches and zealots, there are different levels of knowledge and power. These degrees are based on merit and knowledge.
At the top of the levels of knowledge and power is the Kraujas Hestaeteyr, the Blood Matriarch. Since the founding of the Coven of the Purple Lotus, this position has been held by the Xonkia bloodline. Only one can hold this.
Below the Kraujas Hestaeteyr is the third degree. The primary people who fall into this degree are the Priestesses. They are the ones who are considered masters of the arts. On occasion, the Blood Matriarch may permit a Priestess to branch off as a High Priestess and train students within their own daughter-coven. These high priestesses still adhere to the Blood Matriarch.
Additionally, the coven, and daughter covens, maintain a title for the head of the coven warriors, known as zealots, which falls into the third degree. This title is Blademaster.
Below the third degree is the second degree. This degree contains the mentors, the ritualists and most zealots. The ritualists are the primary ones behind larger rituals, with a Priestess from the third degree leading a group of them. Mentors are simply those who are guiding a person of a lower degree, though those of higher degrees can also choose to mentor if they wish.
The starting degree is the first degree. It contains two stages, the initiates and the neophytes. The initiates are those who are not quite full members yet. They are those learning the very basics to prepare themselves for full membership. Once they learn enough, they then undergo the Ritual of Commitment. Neophytes are those who have undergone the Ritual and are full members of the coven, either as a Zealot or Witch.
