The Topaz Order
We are the magick of earth, of stone and metal, the natural elements of Domhan. We are the bulwark of magisters, a sort of opposite to our brethren of the Ruby Order. In many ways, we are unique, not the least of which just how comfortable the lot of you will soon be in heavy armors and with heavy weapons and shields. Domhan respects tough, hardy and well armed and armored individuals. We must be as the mountains, an immoveable object, as stone and metal. We are unique amongst our brethren for this, among many other reasons. Our magick is also unique, the way we weave our spell-forms more comparable to the meticulous process of crafting a suit of armor than any other process or any of the techniques or approaches of the other seven disciplines within the Magisterium.
Duri Odhelm, Master Magister of the Topaz Order, explaining to a new batch of apprentices to be assigned what it means to be a Geomancer, what to expect as they seek to become fully licensced and recognized magisters of the Topaz Order
Structure
The Topaz Order is without question the most rigidly structured of all the eight orders, with a very inflexible and notable hierarchy, at least notable and well known and understood internally, beyond the mere recognition of the basics, such as Grand Magister, Arch-Magisters, Magisters and Apprentices. They have a complex and unique structure that is well marked to their members and is a deep part of the education new apprentices will recieve. This structure may seem quite formal, and indeed from the outside looking in, even to other magisters of other orders, it seems formal and excessive. However it is by no means excessive, for this is a key facet of the connection to Domhan, the Topaz manna of Earth. Structure, solid and mighty, strong and sturdy, is very important for insuring strong ties with the Geomantic Bond for all magisters of the Topaz Order. They are far and away the most rigidly and centralized structure of all eight of the Orders of the Magisterium, with the next closest like being Diamond or Ruby.
Culture
The Topaz Order values well...Order. Structure, discipline, studious devotion to a craft. Mastery, well studied, practiced and with strong commitment. This is because weaving spells with Domhan is often best described as a mix of a blacksmith's craft, and that of an act of grand construction, having to be done in a procedural and step by step manner. To this end an indirect educational tool is learning of architecture and engineering, and one will never meet a Topaz Magister whom does not have at least a passable level of knowledge and understanding in these fields, even if not a true master's intimate understanding and level of study. They are also a very militant order, much like those of the Ruby, though much more focused on a defensive approach, many choosing to study the arts of Siegecraft, and being trained with heavy armors, shields, or large weapons like polearms and great two-handed weapons. These sorts of cultural norms and studies are a great indicator to any apprentice of the Topaz Order as to what to expect their education in the magicks of Topaz shall teach them. A focus on defense, on positional control, and on crafting and construction. A very robust and hearty magick, a 'working man's' magick as it is sometimes referred to by the magisters of the Topaz Order themselves.
Like all magisters of any order, magisters of the Topaz are affected by their direct and long term intimate connection with Domhan, the manna of Earth. It can cause physical changes, often seeing a magister gain weight, not as a man or woman hugely concerned with the attractiveness of it, not a sculpted body of perfect muscle, but a more even balance, still muscular, but with fat as well. They become as the mountain, big, tough, imposing, despite the layer of softer snow like substance some may carry. They are strong, very strong indeed, and tough as stone. They are also stubborn as the mountains, very rigid and structured, oft having their own quirks or rituals, certain activities in the morning or night they need to do or their day/sleep will be poor and they will be gruff and ornery all day. Very structured, very organized, almost compulsively so. This even may manifest in their dietary choices, as they fall into a habit and schedule of sorts, which they do not deviate from if avoidable. Though those whom choose the campaigning life or adventuring life will generally have managed to control this more thoroughly and at least be capable of dietary flexibility without throwing their whole day off, simply out of necessity.
Tough as Stone, Immoveable as the Mountains
Like all magisters of any order, magisters of the Topaz are affected by their direct and long term intimate connection with Domhan, the manna of Earth. It can cause physical changes, often seeing a magister gain weight, not as a man or woman hugely concerned with the attractiveness of it, not a sculpted body of perfect muscle, but a more even balance, still muscular, but with fat as well. They become as the mountain, big, tough, imposing, despite the layer of softer snow like substance some may carry. They are strong, very strong indeed, and tough as stone. They are also stubborn as the mountains, very rigid and structured, oft having their own quirks or rituals, certain activities in the morning or night they need to do or their day/sleep will be poor and they will be gruff and ornery all day. Very structured, very organized, almost compulsively so. This even may manifest in their dietary choices, as they fall into a habit and schedule of sorts, which they do not deviate from if avoidable. Though those whom choose the campaigning life or adventuring life will generally have managed to control this more thoroughly and at least be capable of dietary flexibility without throwing their whole day off, simply out of necessity.
Public Agenda
The Topaz Order are also well known craftsmen and women, and indeed, are unique in their tie to Dwarven Runecrafting. This is because of the nature of Domhan to be the manna that dwarves, by a large percentage, most commonly are connected with even in the rare event of a dwarven magister. Because of this connection, over the many centuries since the Magisterium has come to exist, the secretive rune-crafter's guild and its artisans, even as they've spread and opened chapters in many nations across Valerick, have connected and gone into business with the Topaz Order. As such, enchantment is a key business that the Topaz Order can accomplish, and unique in this, they act as the enchanters for the entire Magisterium. They are the business arm of the Magisterium, for though they cannot wield and weave enchantments directly into materials of the other seven schools, through exceedingly well guarded secrets traded between them and the rune-crafters guilds, they can still accomplish the task indirectly, without the aid of magisters of other orders. As such, they are competitors with Rune-smiths, and yet, because of this known trade agreement, in truth they are not competitors at all, as the Rune-Crafters Guilds recieve a small royalty off every enchanting job a Topaz Magister does if the enchantment is one that would be imbued by any of the other mannas besides their own.
The Topaz Order is also heavily tied up in the defense industry in many lands they have a presence in, and many large organizations, nations and armies pay handsomely to equip elite troops with armor crafted by the Topaz Order, or to have defensive wards and magickal enchantments woven into static defensive structures. They also make fine coin selling their smaller simpler magickal talents to aid prospecting and mining operations. However all this is merely business. The Topaz Order sees itself as the bulwark of the Magisterium, and therefore, one of the most important lines of defense against the Void and its taint. The dwarven influence is quite clear her, as they see themselves as directly responsible to aid against any greenskin hordes that come to be known of and begin raiding and raising havoc, as they see themselves as a direct counter to the foul orcs and goblins undisciplined and savage approach to warfare. Besides this they are also the bulwark against the Void, the line of defense. They see themselves as the protectors of their brethren of all orders. So much so that it is unheard of for a Diamond Magister whom is being sent out to respond to reports of a tear in reality, a Void Rift, to travel without at least two Topaz Magisters or Stone-Knights as a personal escort if at all possible at the time. They take this duty very seriously indeed, and as such are also some of the lead representatives of the Magisterium in dealings and negotiations in any given circumstance with governments or the various religious groups or other large organizations that may have reason to persecute or otherwise regulate or authorize legislation in regards to their fellow mages.
The Topaz Order is also heavily tied up in the defense industry in many lands they have a presence in, and many large organizations, nations and armies pay handsomely to equip elite troops with armor crafted by the Topaz Order, or to have defensive wards and magickal enchantments woven into static defensive structures. They also make fine coin selling their smaller simpler magickal talents to aid prospecting and mining operations. However all this is merely business. The Topaz Order sees itself as the bulwark of the Magisterium, and therefore, one of the most important lines of defense against the Void and its taint. The dwarven influence is quite clear her, as they see themselves as directly responsible to aid against any greenskin hordes that come to be known of and begin raiding and raising havoc, as they see themselves as a direct counter to the foul orcs and goblins undisciplined and savage approach to warfare. Besides this they are also the bulwark against the Void, the line of defense. They see themselves as the protectors of their brethren of all orders. So much so that it is unheard of for a Diamond Magister whom is being sent out to respond to reports of a tear in reality, a Void Rift, to travel without at least two Topaz Magisters or Stone-Knights as a personal escort if at all possible at the time. They take this duty very seriously indeed, and as such are also some of the lead representatives of the Magisterium in dealings and negotiations in any given circumstance with governments or the various religious groups or other large organizations that may have reason to persecute or otherwise regulate or authorize legislation in regards to their fellow mages.
Assets
The Topaz Order is very likely the most independantly wealth of all the Orders of the Magisterium, likely accounting for 1/4th of the organizations assets and revenues, even if only making up about 1/6th to 1/7th of its numbers, as a rough estimate, world wide. This should not be surprising, given their more centralized structure, along with the many industries, the many high profit industries, they have tapped into. The Topaz Order also maintains the most facilities, basically anywhere one can find dry land, stone, mineable minerals, one will likely find a Topaz Collegiate operating in major cities in the area.
History
The Topaz Order has a long and well respected history of business, bravery, and duty. Their professional skills and military acumen are well storied and well respected all across Valerick. They are known as stoic, respectable, tough folk, and in general are treated well enough. Though as with all arcane magick, a level persecution or mistrust can be found almost anywhere in the right people. With those fo the Topaz Order, however, it is less common than most. They are not viewed with the friendly or kind light that those of the Sapphire or Diamond Order are, but they are very well respected, which most of the Topaz Order would argue is far more valuable a commodity.
Structure, Order, and Discipline
Artistic Depiction of Torin Hilvaar, a well known Topaz Magister, whom is the spitting and shining example of how those of the Topaz Order differ from their brethren of other orders. With heavy armor, heavy two handed weapons, or shields and hand weapons. They utilize their magicks to defend those around them, and to make themselves even more formidable to stand against, as well as to control the ground around them. The name Geomancer is well earned
This image depicts well the visual differenced between those of the Topaz Order compared to their brethren of any other order. No other Order comes close in regards to the sheer weight and heft of the arms and armor that any magister of the Topaz Order oft wield. They alone are trained in handling the arcane whilst wearing the heaviest and sturdiest of armors, their magicks specifically designed to work within the limitations of motion that such armors and weapons may naturally place upon an individual.
Founding Date
3-7-397 SuD
Alternative Names
Geomancer's School
Demonym
Geomancers
Ruling Organization
Parent Organization
Character flag image:
by
Keon Croucher (discord name, drizzt103) was the input operator, Midjourney AI took those inputs and put the image together.
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