Green Coven

Highly surreptitious, most people are unaware of the Coven’s existence or, to a lesser degree, its offshoots. As its founding ground, the Evergreen State College serves as one of the primary recruitment sites, with the coven having a strong hold over the school thanks to many members finding employment on campus. Though the Coven’s roots have come to spread throughout the globe in some respect, its greatest density remains in the Pacific Northwest. 

An offshoot of Wiccan movements, the Green Coven and its saplings share many commonalities with their belief system. They are set apart by an altered pantheon, worshiping things beyond the natural realm, and nuanced beliefs on the nature of reality, life, and people. As a conservative coven, the exact details on specific practices and beliefs are hearsay at best. Membership is obtained only by invitation from scouts recruiting promising individuals, or through small, naturally budding covens that are believed to be a good fit. 

While ultimately not malicious in nature, the Green Coven is not exempt from having its fair share of bad seeds and is no stranger to controversy, as was the case with the very recent “experimental breadstick” incident. Of course, due to its relative anonymity, the few scandals that leak out of its thick oaken walls are seldom met with any backlash, as the few fortunate enough to learn of them are in no position to do anything about it. For all its influence, the Green Coven has a persistent issue keeping house with bad seeds going unchecked and the few times they put members in line their remedies are very lenient. The Green Coven is very careful to expulse its members, especially senior members who hold knowledge on the Coven’s inner workings as doing so in the past has only generated problems such as the incidental founding of the Festering Coven, who is quick to snatch up members that fall through the Green Coven’s cracks. The most likely to be expulsed are recent recruits whose potential retaliation is seen as a non-threat. Because of this, groups inducted in as part of a preexisting coven are less likely to be expulsed. 

I shall be transparent, in part my reason for covering the Green Coven on this issue is to apply pressure for change. Some of its members’ actions have become increasingly reckless and gone unchecked. Not to mention many members that sided with the King of Corners during the 2nd and 3rd conflict respectively in 1986 (the event that “erased” the maps of Olympia corresponding with that year) and 2000 have not only retained membership, but some have even ascended to higher positions in the organization. This following account serves as a good example of how they have come to enable their worst. 

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06/11/2023 

Hello. I feel kind of silly contacting you, but I figure you guys might have some kind of insight. I have been having recurring nightmares for a few weeks now and it's gotten to the point where I’m afraid to go to sleep. They aren’t regular nightmares. You know how when you wake up you look back on your dream and realize none of it makes sense? Well, the nightmares I have been having have been just the opposite, they seem methodical and thought out. A horrible story written out just for me with fleshed out characters and a world that abides by natural laws. I can feel myself breathe, I can feel my weight as I lift my foot to take a step, I feel real. It's all so real it's easy to get wrapped up in the dream and lose myself, rarely do I realize when I am dreaming, and when I do, the more I try to gain control the more vile the dream gets.  

My dream always starts with me waking up in my dorm as if it were the next day, but gradually takes a turn. Bad things start to happen eventually escalating to my death. Then I wake up. There seems to be no pattern other than the apparition of a black horse. It’s  never in plain sight, always in the corner of my eye or in the distance where I can’t quite make it out. It took me a while to decide the shape I had been seeing was a horse, but once I thought of it, it became obvious. It wasn’t like the terrors my dreams would conjure, it was always hiding but when I focused I could feel its eyes on me… watching. I have never even seen a horse in person. I don't really think about them, So why is it one of the few consistent elements? What do horses mean?  Google says they symbolize “perseverance, courage, strength, good health, and wealth” but that doesn’t seem right. I would have kept this madness to myself had my latest nightmare not induced a heart attack. I don’t have any heart conditions and I'm in relatively good health, but that night my dream had become so violent that I ascended to a new state of fear. Clearly these nightmares are not just affecting my well being but endangering my very life. I fear, should they continue, one day I will die screaming in a dream, a peaceful shell whose contents are pure agony.  

If you can offer me even the vaguest hypothesis I would be eternally grateful. I am at my wits end and devoid of comfort.

Much appreciated, Caleb ██████

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Caleb's experience was a clear sign he was being visited by a Night Mare. A thing more tool than living, that takes on the visage of a horse. Very few people are in possession of a Night Mare, and as far as I know there is only one in Olympia which fell under the possession of the Green Coven after they seized it from the House of Mirrors. They grant access to their artifacts to privileged members for study and sanctioned activity but using Coven assets, for this kind of personal attack is strictly against their bylaws. Under even minimal supervision this kind of action would not be possible, but as is made evident by this and other documented and undocumented occurrences, the Green Coven has little to no control of its members. They hold incredibly dangerous knowledge and artifacts; should they go unchecked I have no doubt something unspeakable would happen, it would take no stretch of the imagination to see them accidentally unleash the King of Corners again and end reality as we know it.

To those of you who might think that last incident a fluke, the next and very recent account should clarify just how much the Green Coven’s negligence endangers all parties. A slip up so big, its impact leaked through Nevermore and into a similar yet alien land.  

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12/09/2023

Hey there, I got involved in something very strange and can’t help but make connections with what I read in your October issue. I overheard details about a party in the Evergreen woods. I’d heard of parties in the woods but never been invited or heard of them in time, so I figured I’d take the opportunity and attend uninvited as, from what I understood, the wood parties were an informal affair. I wanted to get some acquaintances to tag along, but with the party taking place at midnight I couldn’t find anyone who was willing to stay up that late, much less with me as company. I wasn’t deterred, just slightly unenthused at the prospect of not having anyone to talk to. I have never been afraid of the dark or strange noises, after all the worlds #1 predator is humans and the odds of an unprompted animal attack in this area are slim. I was more afraid of sticking out in some way, that I'd be shamed for trying to join in the festivities. I only know a handful of people and hesitate to call any of them real “friends”. They are more like people whose responsibilities force them into my vicinity. I’d probably leave just as soon as I arrived and found I had no place there, but I wouldn’t know if I didn’t try. Sorry for unloading, but I want you to understand what was going on in my head and why I didn’t leave the moment things got weird.

The party was being held pretty deep in the woods, and in the darkness I got really turned around so I got there pretty late. I remember being relieved at the sight of flickering flames behind the trees as my phone no longer had enough charge to run its flashlight. By the time I reached them they seemed to be wrapping up some synchronized dance. The steps were so simple anyone could join; they were basically just walking in a circle but their synchronicity caused my adrenaline to pump as I feared I would be outed as an intruder the moment the fires light touched my skin. I hesitated in the shadows, envy bubbling up from their harmony and driving my foot to step forward, desperate to join, to be a part of something. My fear proved to be unnecessary as, bathed in the fire’s light, nobody looked at me twice. I was able to see better at that point and got a good look at my surroundings. It was odd they had fully furnished the space with carpets, mirrors, couches and coffee tables. Oddest of all, they had a long red carpet leading from the edge of the fire pit to deep in the dark woods where it faded into brush and shadow. I chalked it up to being an Evergreen thing and left it there.   

I kept my ears open waiting for a topic to be brought up that I’d feel confident joining in. They discussed many things but none made any sense to me. There was talk of a special guest and how angry “they” would be if they found out he had been called. Some were talking of propositions and pitches, I presume for the guest, but it was not clear. Others shared weird recipes that didn’t sound like they were food . Aside from all the folk chatting, a great many stood along the sides of the red carpet as they stared into its black reaches, faces full of anticipation, excitement… and dread? I was starting to think at that point that maybe this wasn’t a standard kooky Evergreen woods party. 

In a swift moment all sound died, except for a quick, heavy sound I failed to recognize as steps. Everyone turned to the red carpet now, lowering their heads as they lifted their arms, holding different items. I did not have too much time to take it all in, but some items that stuck out were raggedy stuffed animals, jewelry, and what I’m almost certain was a zip lock bag full of small teeth. I turned to look down the carpet and saw a tall man dressed all in formal white. I recall thinking “wow, Greeners be crazy” as I stared at him moving at a running pace yet with the composure and grace of someone on a leisurely stroll.

He stopped moving a few feet from the fire and looked around at everyone. As his gaze swept the crowd, everyone but me dropped their knees to the ground while keeping their arms in the air. Seeing me stand alone his eyes locked with mine and he gave me a wide smile, maybe too wide. He quickly made his way to me as he weaved around the crowd, their gaze following him with a burning intensity. He held his hand to my face and for a moment I stood there perplexed before realizing he was offering to shake my hand. Before I could think to lift my hand to meet his, he lowered his own and with an unnerving smile said, “Smart kid”.

(From this point on a lot of words were exchanged, my memory is not perfect so a lot of it is the best estimate I could recollect.)

“Let’s take a seat kid, I know an asset when I see one.” 

Without hesitation he made his way to the nearest empty couch. I could now feel the people’s stares lingering not just on him but me. A certain contempt was visible from all I could see and even those out of sight radiated a silent rage. My heart skipped a beat, being the target of such envy made me feel like a celebrity, a star risen.

“What do you desire?” He said, still grinning 

All hesitation had left my bones and to my surprise I spoke quite plainly “I guess I'd like to have friends.”

“No, no, no, do not disguise your desires. Give me your ugly truth, the core you hide beneath pretty wrappings”

My mouth moved without my command “My desire is to be desired above all others, to be the light to which all flies are drawn, and burned by my brilliant glow.” 

The crowd's rage came to a bubble, and I could hear them murmuring, “what a waste,” “who is this person,” “idiot.” All were quickly hushed by the turning of the man in white’s head.

He looked back into my eyes “Easy! It will be arranged, but we must go now before the corvids get all uppity.”

“…What?” I said, confused to my depths.

He did not give me much time to digest the situation as he effortlessly lifted me like a small animal and with a quick grace strutted down the red carpet and into the darkness. Behind us I could hear the mass wail and yell, all lifted to a foul frenzy.

“Pay them no mind kid, they are all cheapskates anyway. Unlike you, they have no sense of value, heck had you not been there I might have lost my temper on them for wasting my time.”

Gripped by his palm I swung quietly, my mind racing to try to understand my situation. The forest seemed to shift and warp, the trees audibly churning, but with only a sliver of moonlight I was blind to the nuances of the clear pallet change. Before I knew it , we reached the edge of the forest where he gently dropped me to the ground. 

Lowering himself to meet my eyes he said, “Your trust and gamble will not be in vain, I will give you until graduation to enjoy your desire before I come to collect your payment.” Turning to leave, he left me with the strangest words. “Oh, and piece of advice, I’d avoid the woods here once the heat comes back, these guys have a bigger slug problem.” And with that he was gone.

Next few days I was lost in my thoughts, trying to make the chain events make sense. I thought I’d reach out to you, to get some perspective. Ultimately, I think I’ll come out of this just fine, I have become quite popular as of late, and I hope I’m not just being naïve, but I think whatever price I am going to pay won’t be too steep.   

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This account was shared to me via raven, and using its information I was able to find its author's counterpart. Luckily, both our home and theirs are similar enough that they have been able to assimilate without realizing they have been abducted. As for the author, I can only hope the EH counterpart was able to explain their situation and the grim nature of their payment. Turning back to the Green Coven, knowing its members are willing to, and know how, to beacon the night herald, with little regard for the danger or consequence, demonstrates how lax their policies are. Casually calling forth Moon Eyes the Unbound is akin to ringing a known serial killer’s door bell. There is no respect for the gravity of the forces they deal with, and the management's negligence puts us all in danger.  

While I know most of these articles as a fictional fancy, my hope is this negative exposure puts enough pressure on the Green Coven to get them to pull their act together. That said, I’d like to deviate for a moment and thank everyone who has taken the time to read my articles and have submitted accounts, tips, and stories. This is the 10th article of Evergreen Horrors and it's been a great experience working with the community to bring Evergreen’s horrors to public light.