The Mages Guild
The Mages Guild is an ancient order of arcane magic practitioners whose primary goal is to maintain a kind of existential balance and order within the realm through the medium of the arcane. While this ideal, and the Guild itself, was later reiterated and reformed through various hands of administration, the core philosophy of scholarship and balance remain as a common affair within the Guild’s dealings. While it experienced its height of power during the continent Aegis, it has steadily waxed and waned over the centuries of its continued existence.
History
Origin
According to the writings of the Arcane Mage, the Mages Guild was originally established by a Mage Roland, or Ram’ir depending on the source, who brought together sects of powerful and wise magi during the age of the four brothers to keep a harmonious evenness between mortals, divine, and nixian. Some speculate that Mage Roland was nothing more than a pseudo name adopted by founders of the first Mages Guild to add romance and fable to the Guild’s origins.
The original structure of the Guild included three overseeing Archmagi who made up a High Council and acted as chief administrators of the Guild. Below the High Council was a larger sect of Guild Masters who occupied various Guild Halls throughout the realm of Aegis. These teachers and masters of the arcane apprenticed an array of adept magi and initiates who worked and lived within the Guild Halls.
During that time it is speculated that the Guild passed through several dignitaries before it came under the administration of the Arcane Mage who led the Guild through the war on the Undead.
Aegis
Ca. 1300 - 1349
During the Arcane Mage’s regime the Guild saw much prosperity. In its burgeoning years the Arcane Mage raised an ancient Mage Tower to the North of Winterfell which would serve as the center of the Guild’s power while in Aegis. The tower was rumored to contain copious amounts of secret avenues and ploys, some of which the very members of the Guild were not aware of. The Tower also contained an expansive archive, which the Arcane Mage took much pride in, as well as a room which allowed magi to transport themselves across the continent with merely a flick of the wrist.
Though having only a small pool of Magi within its ranks, the Guild managed to receive patronage from all four descendent races. Such Noteworthy Mages as Cataris, Bell, Ogland, Kilgrim, and Everard Hightower frequented the occult circles of the day. Archmage Bell and Guild Masters Ogland and Cataris played significant roles in the Undead wars of the North, even having a Guild Hall constructed in Snowy Fields as a sign of solidarity and for runic research.
The Hwalder Betrayal
Unfortunately, many of the old guild members did eventually succumb to the Undead through treachery or murder. Archmage Hwalder, the first betrayer and supposed stalwart associate of the Arcane Mage, was discovered to be an Undead spy and swiftly ejected by the High Council. Archmage Everard and Guild Master Cataris were absorbed by the Undead hierarchy post-mortem. Cataris, having been disbanded from the Guild during an unwarranted heist of an Undead Keep and the releasing of Guild secrets to the public, proceeded to commit suicide. Finally, Archmage Bell was murdered during a visitation with the Undead. According to Bell's Final Journal this was an attempt at relieving herself from the torturous hassling of the Undead.
The Ogland-Ambros Revival
After a brief period of stagnation the Guild eventually passed into the hands of Guild Master Ogland and his apprentice, Ambros, who were granted the title of Archmage by the Arcane Mage. Under their governance the Guild expanded considerably. Though losing patronage from the orcs, the two took on numerous apprentices and trained to become a second generation of magi that would soon lead the Guild.
While the Guild experienced various expansions, including new Guild Halls, most of the “new” Guild was centralized around the Laurelin Guild Hall. This new hall was a gift from the High Prince Native. Guild Master Rilath, a disturbed soul, would eventually lead to the foundation of Shade Magic as a result of Archmage Ambros trapping the dark magi’s faculties within a crystal, the first of the Shade Gems.
Prolonged afflictions from the, now lich, Cataris would result in numerous skirmishes into the continent of Asulon.
Asulon
1351 - 1424
Upon the Guild’s arrival to the new continent a tower was claimed for the Guild. Said tower was one noted by the Arcane Mage in his Arcane Journal recounting his preemptive journey to the new land. The tower became known as Bellus Turris, standing as a lone spire amidst a barren sea. While initially, the Guild received patronage from the fractured human kingdoms of Renatus and Salvus as well as the Mali’aheral, the High Council found that such divergence from a centralized site led to inactivity and a lack of intercommunication between members of the Guild.
The Cataris Treachery
The late Guild Master Cataris continued his aggressions towards the Guild, having mounted a cult of followers to aid in his vengeance.
After schemes against Archmage Ambros’s regency following a so called “vision” in which Ambros foretold of a chosen one who would strike down the twice dead Cataris, the High Council decreed that all Guild Halls were to be disbanded on account of the recent lack of contact between Guild members. The aged archmage took on two young apprentices for this sole reason, convinced of their ability to defeat the outcast Guild Master and his own premonitions.
Soon after Archmage Ambros issued the Guild into an era of reform, a period in which many began to question the ancient Archmage's ability to lead, along with his sanity. Such beliefs were founded on his seemingly frivolous reconstructions of the Guild including proclaiming himself the sovereign and sole Archmage along with thirteen High Magi beneath him.
Ambros’s disconcerting reign came to an end when an unstable Node (perhaps the first discovered of its kind) erupted beneath Bellus Turris, destroying it, while Archmage Ambros, High Mage Salamandra, and an apprentice named Saeldur were quarrelling within. Salamandra and Saeldur, who escaped, presumed Ambros was dead following his insistence to name Saeldur the new Archmage of the Guild on the basis that Saeldur had in fact murdered him. For many, this verified the belief that Ambros had indeed gone mad.
Regardless of Ambros’s final wishes, the remaining members of the Guild constructed a new tower within the kingdom of Urguan and later on the island nation of Holm. By popular vote Dante, Salamandra, and Laurina were named the new Archmagi of the Guild, returning the Guild to its triumvirate style of leadership.
For a period of time the Guild saw prolonged stability until Ambros appeared, having survived the explosion, and was accordingly given power over the Guild once more. In a final reform Ambros established a new hierarchy consisting of one Archmage, a second in command known as Master Wizard, an archivists known as the Archanix, followed by masters and apprentices.
However, by some untold means the Guild began to lose influence over the distribution of magical knowledge within the realm. There were many “rogue mages” who began learning magic by their own hand, perhaps due to the various esoteric texts found throughout the ancient land of Asulon. Opposing sects of magi came to power such as the Arcane Delvers.
Anthos
1424 - 1455
The Mages Guild harkened in the continent of Anthos by establishing a college known as Wyverwyn Hold which sat precariously atop a mountain on the fringes of the kingdom of Urguan. No longer would the Guild serve as a preserver of equity, as it had in the past, but a bastion of learning and research. Wyverwyn Hold was praised for its beauty and mystery, which lay beneath.
While other arcane orders began liberal recruitment and teaching of magic, the ever conservative Guild kept a stringent recruitment process which led many to believe the Guild was becoming too elitist for such a magically progressive time.
Following near inactivity from the standing Mages Guild administration, the Guild was left inoperative for a period except for the distant overseeing of Blundermore in their absence. Ambros, however, abruptly returned to lead a small expedition of magi into the ruins beneath the Hold known as the Hollows, an eldritch and nixian plane in which the Void bled into the physical realm causing all manner of absurd chaos. Ambros, perhaps in his inert madness, had been studying the Hollows for some time prior to reappearing. By bringing the small expedition he had hoped the magi would have joined him to somehow gain inhumane powers at the expense of their sanity. Still possessing some clarity, Blundermore opposed such proposals leading to a duel between the two magi. The company of magi escaped the sinister Hollows while Ambros faded into obscurity.
The Crumena Revival
Crumena Ilwindior had studied the ways of the old Guild and heard many tales of its presence in Aegis from Elindor. With a vision to revitalize this memory he seized authority over the guild and thrust it once again into the public eye. Many previously uninitiated mages, teachers, and even administrative heads joined its ranks and membership grew faster than ever before. The Guild was reorganized to contain, once more, three Archmages which became known as the Triumvirate, followed by the Archanix, Guild Masters, Mages and Apprentices. Various embassies were established in major regions of the realm and novitiate scholars flocked to the Guild, including a large mass of necromancers, shades, and other unsavory sorts which the Guild soon became renowned for harboring.
Within the halls of Wyvern Hold were collected magical artifacts that, though often useless, carried great significance. Security became a major issue as many invaders came to steal away these rarities. Most notable was the reclaiming of the Kel'Varrak by Dwarven nobles who wished to possess the stone that traps minds as a signet of their power, though they had no use for it.
Athera
1468 - 1513
Rather fittingly the new home for The Mages Guild was within a remarkable underground structure beneath Rasmot's Pooper. Members of the guild flushed themselves down the floating porter potty to gain access to the classrooms, lecture halls, offices, and expansive library in the refurbished previous dwelling of Rasmot. Crumena continued to lead in one of the positions of Arch Mage, and as the other two positions were having difficulty remaining filled without an untimely disappearance or death, Elindor oversaw that the members of the Triumvirate practice and uphold the traditions of the Guild.
The return of the Undead created many uncertainties for the Mages Guild as it found itself once more at the forefront of a War with Iblees. Archmage Bell returned and was swiftly granted her previous title, and Ogland likewise returned to take up residence within Rasmot's halls.
Though still battling with the complexities of harboring dark mages and their occasional rogue outbursts, the Mages Guild was once again in a position of influence and the premium educator of arcane magic. Until the Undead receded back and the implications of the war lost severity, resulting in the Mages Guild to once again slip back into some obscurity as just another magic college.
Atlas
1656–1705
The Third Revival
In the year 1656, 16th of the First Seed, the Archmage Haadi Mubdee reformed the Mages Guild with the help of Archmage Dovicilus, constructing a guild hall upon an island in great seclusion. Not long after numbers had begun rising within the guild, the third seat to complete the Triumvirate was decided, none other than a dwarf was deemed worthy, Archmage Kalviin, better known as The Golden Dwarf. Soon convincing Archmage Haadi and Dovicilus to move the guild's main hall to within The Dominion's Upper District to better help with its activity, the dwarf constructed what came to be known as The Grand Spire, a terribly dull building. He did what he could under tight building laws, constructing a tower mimicking that of others within the dull High Elven district. It was within this time of construction that both Archmage Haadi and Archmage Dovicilus were lost to the realm, a harsh blow towards the guild’s stability, connections and power at that time, leaving them vulnerable. The Golden Dwarf carried on nonetheless, in time coming to refill the seats with Archmage Crumena, and Archmage Eliza, wasting no further time as together they began spearheading the guild once more into the largest state it had ever seen. Running through multiple district senators the Mages Guild endured through multiple attempts to cripple the guild under the lead of Archmage Kalviin. After a long service Archmage Crumena was relieved from his guild duties as other work took his priority. The third seat was quickly filled by the ever spontaneous Archmage Avalos. Numbers continued to rise well into the sixties as did the library begin to overflow with knowledge, a remarkably bountiful period for the Guild despite the great forces that attempted to dampen their abilities. As always the watchful eyes of the druidic movement within the dominion continued to breath down the neck of the guild, standing strong there was little movement from either party as the peace was kept for as long as could be expected.
Arcas
1720 - 1786
The guild started off quickly within Arcas, via invitation from Ithrendas Regis to home the guild within the new founded city of Llyria by none other than himself. This was however short lived as the city having boasted of it’s magical prowess had become inundated by the wrong crowds, dark mages openly walking the streets that had infiltrated the guard force, giving Llyria quite the bad look which prompted the other many nations of the realm to rally against Llyria, crushing it’s forces and decimating the city not longer after it’s creation. There was little time for much of anything to be done within its time in Llyria, though it continued to be run as best it could be by Archmage Kalgrimmor (Previously Archmage Kalviin). The guild was unfortunately forced to disband upon the desolation of Llyria as there had been no prior plans of leaving, therefore there had been nowhere to retreat to.
The Fourth Revival
For many long years would the guilds activity stagnate as Kalgrimmor sought to arrange land within Urguan, using his many connections to secure a place within the mountains after some time. So it was that Domus Somnum was created, the magnificent work of the combined efforts of both Kalgrimmor and the newly returning Ambros, one of the prior leaders of the guild in ancient times. The guild would go on to thrive within the Dwarven Mountains of Urguan within the realm of Arcas, not taking to the numbers it once held within Atlas, but rather focusing more on the quality of it’s time spent, ensuring what few were taken, flourished into bright young magi. Along with many great young wizards nourished and nurtured within this time, there also came an abundance of magical literature and magical creation that the guild would go on to cherish and utilize for many centuries to come. This era brought on a series of major reforms to the Guild's structure including the foundation of the Ordo Arcana and the Collegium Magistrati. Furthermore, the establishment of codified Guild dictates, philosophies, and literature were drawn together to form the Arcanicum.
Almaris
1796-Present
Yet to be Written. . .
Legacy
The Mages Guild is the first recorded organization pertaining to the arcane arts, however, many more have since risen and fallen since its own creation and debacle. Nearly all of these organizations have taken the Guild’s design and altered it to their own liking, always offering some form of education in the magical arts and more or less serving as academic or research institutions. Other magical orders attempted to recreate the Guild's prestige and influence, such as the Conclave of Magi and the Order of Magi, though were inconsequential in their brief existences.
Most “modern” forms of arcane teachings have their origins in the Mages Guild including some of the more shadowy arts (ie. Shade Magic).
Purpose
Originally the bold intention was to oversee the use of Magic throughout the realm, and to wield this power to ensure that its existence continues forever onwards by maintaining what their doctrine called "The Balance". To facilitate this goal a mastery of magic was required from its members and so the detailed tuition of arcane became a second prerogative.
As membership within the Guild was an extraordinary honor in recognition of not only proficiency with magic but in demonstrating upright character, the expectations upon its members were high. Though throughout its history these expectations did slump as consequences for breaking the code became rare.
- A mage shall not use their magic to serve purposes that contradict that of the institution and it’s leaders. Magic is your gift, maintaining balance is your duty. Selfish pursuits will be punished.
- A mage shall not assault another member of the institution, unless agreed upon beforehand between the two, or if the victim is conducting actions that would cause damage to the Institution and it’s purposes.
- A mage of the institution must follow the orders set before them by their respective authority, unless they consider such actions to be harmful of the institution, or disrupting the balance.
- A graduated mage must carry their responsibilities with gravity, knowing that they represent not only themselves, but the Guild as a whole, and all practitioners of magic.
- Any mage identified as operating as a rogue will be disbanded from the guild, banished from its facilities and from communication with its members, and most likely killed for good measure.
- All Mages Are Expected To:
- + Observe and take action where necessary to occurrences that are threatening the balance.
- + Guard the use of magic from fools who wield it with dangerous intent, and act upon any whose repeated folly can be tolerated no longer.
- + Teach the proper use of magic to trusted individuals who will also carry this responsibility.
In its final iteration, the Guild's predominate purpose was to act as an institution for the education of mages in the arcane arts as well as research into the more esoteric of magical phenomena.
Command & Politics
The Collegium Magistrati
The Collegium Magistrati is the governing body of the Guild. In its entirety it serves as a parliamentary council, voting upon important decisions and elections. Members of the Collegium include all Archmagi as well as Adepti Veneratus, though they have considerably less voting power. Any member of the Collegium Magistrati may call for the indictment and removal of another member by majority vote.
The Ordo Arcana
The Ordo Arcana is the name of the generally given hierarchical structure of the Guild. All members of the Guild, regardless of affiliation or duty, are given a ranking within the Ordo Arcana as a representation of relative skill or knowledge in their respective discipline.
| Rank | Description |
|---|---|
| Archmage | The highest rank one can achieve within the ordo, the archmagi of the Guild are considered masters of their discipline and, thus, leaders. Each Archmagi leads a has specific duty pertaining to administration. All Archmagi have a seat on the Collegium Magistrati. While the Guild briefly saw a single Archmage on the continent of Anthos, the Guild was predominantly overseen by a council of three Archmagi later known as the Triumvirate. To this day, the title of Archmage remains a sign of prestige and venerability in the magical community. The Archmagi may also select Locums to serve as their personal assistant and surrogate in times of their absence.
• The Archmage Rector oversees the primary administrative duties of the Guild. This includes upkeep of Guild property, political relations, membership records, and presiding over the Collegium Magistrati. • The Archmage Scholarch oversees the organization of tutelage amongst members of the Guild. They are charged with approving and keeping documents of those being trained in the arcane, those teaching them, and upholding the dictums and pedagogical philosophies of the School of Names. It is also they who approve of the advancing of a Practicus to an Adeptus Minor upon the request of their respective teacher. • The Archmage Ipsissimus is ritualized title given to the upholder of the philosophical and ideological sanctity of the Guild, namely through the Arcanicum as a whole. In this way, they are charged with disciplining within the Guild for those acting against Arcanicum. |
| Adeptus | Adeptus are proficient in their respective disciplines and belong to a particular order within the Guild. Thus, they have a breadth of duties they must carry out. Within the rank of Adeptus there exists several other divisions of relative skill.
• The Adeptus Veneratus, esteemed and senior members of the Guild, are granted the title of Veneratus for their loyalty and contributions to the Guild as a whole. • The Adeptus Majoris are accomplished members of the Guild who are capable of passing their knowledge on to other members. The chief duty of the Adepti Majoris is to serve as Court Magi, advisors, tutors, and researchers. • The Adeptus Minor are members of the Guild who are expected to have become proficient in at least one arcane discipline. |
| Practicus | The lowest rank of Practicus is for students and apprentices of the Guild who are being trained by an Adeptus Majoris or some other senior member. While not obligated to a particular task within the Guild yet, they often times carry out duties alongside their masters. |
Outdated Positions
While the Guild went through several reforms during its existence, the oldest and seemingly most common hierarchy the Guild ran under was a council of three Archmagi who shared equal power within the ancient order. Below is the various ranks and titles that were created and forgotten throughout the Guild's extended history.
| Rank | Description |
|---|---|
| Guild Master | An older rank, traditionally the Guild Masters controlled a single Guild Hall which were located within influential cities across the realm of Aegis. The Guild Masters served as both teachers and leaders for their small chapter of magi. However, the rank was disbanded after the High Council decided Guild Halls spread the members of the Guild too thin in the realm of Asulon. The rank was reestablished when Crumena took control of the Guild in Anthos. |
| Master Wizard | On the continent of Anthos, within Wyverwyn Hold, the rank of Master Wizard was established to serve as a vice-Archmage as only one Archmage existed in the earlier years of Anthos. The rank was later put into dissuse under Archmage Crumena. |
| Archanix | The Archanix's main function was to serve as a secretary and librarian to whoever led the Guild. The rank was first established by Archmage Ambros in the early years of Anthos when only one existed at a time. However, under Archmage Crumena there were numerous appointed Archanixs. |
| High Mage | A rank that only existed briefly in the later years of Asulon. Thirteen High Mages formed the High Council in Bellus Turris. |
- Known Past Archmages
| Hwalder | Everard Hightower | Lady Bell | Lothiriel |
| Ogland | Ambros | Kilgrim | Dante Flormai |
| Laurina | Salamandra | Crumena Ilwindor | Brevias'Lur |
| Kalameet Izalith | Resia | Ceruberr Asul’Ailer | Dasyra |
| Iatrilemar | Lorien | Absulon | Arhadir |
| Haadi Mubdee | Dovicilus | Kalviin Ireheart | Eliza |
| Evo'lur Tartarus |
Headquarters
Traditionally, the Mages Guild's headquarters were always housed in large towers with a myriad of secrets and, of course, an expansive library. Generally, these towers were constructed in isolated locations as to show mystery and neutrality.
Previous
- "The Mage Tower"
- Bellus Turris
- The Holm Tower
- Wyverwyn Hold
- Rasmot's Pooper
- The Grand Spire
- Domus Somnum
Literature
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