The Twelve

An arcane institution funded by the dragonmarked houses, the Twelve operates out of a thirteen-tiered keep that floats above the city of Korth in Karrnath. As part of the agreements that ended the War of the Mark, Hadran d'Cannith suggested that the houses work together to create an institute for the application of magic - a foundation that would study dragonmarks and the more traditional forms of arcane magic. The keep was built by Alder d'Cannith, a visionary wizard and master fabricator who used his studies of the sky to determine that the keep should possess thirteen towers. "The moons suggest that the perfect number of dragonmarks is thirteen." Alder cryptically explained, "but we shall call the institution the Twelve, for the thirteenth mark was cast off long ago." No one argued with him. (While the elves remembered the Mark of Death, it is a topic they wish to forget. Aside from the elf leaders, few know the truth behind the lost dragonmark.)
Over the centuries, the institute has been responsible for many arcane advances. The artificers of the Twelve helped develop the airships operated by House Lyrandar, for example, as well as the message stations of House Sivis.
As an arm of the dragonmarked houses, the Twelve attempted to remain neutral during the Last War. However, many of the wizards and artificers of the Twelve had national loyalties that were stronger than their ties to the institute, and they chose to leave to fight in the war. Quite a few fell in battle. Now that the Twelve has resumed normal operations, it seeks to replace its fallen members and make sure each house is represented.
The Committee of Twelve oversees the institute. The committee actually has more than twelve members: there are twelve dragonmarks, but the split of House Phiarlan and House Thuranni and the current troubles within House Cannith has caused the membership to fluctuate.
The Twelve has access to a tremendous array of mystical supplies and funding, and the great wizards and magewrights of the land fight for workshop privileges at the institute. Advances made at the institute are shared equally among the houses, although there are always rumors of one more of the houses diverting funds for secret projects or attempting to conceal valuable discoveries.
As an institution, the Twelve seeks to advance the mystical arts. In particular, the Committee of Twelve looks for magical developments that have practical value to society and a potential for profit. The Twelve has a great deal to offer arcane adventurers. It has access to considerable stores of rare mystical components and a vast library of spells. Even the mundane can find the Twelve to be an invaluable asset, because the sages at the institute can quickly identify unusual magic items or artifacts. However, being a prestigious organization, the Twelve will not deal with adventurers until they have developed a positive reputation.
King Galifar I, not completely convinced of the dragonmarked houses; neutrality and altruistic outlook, established the Arcane Congress as direct competition for the Twelve. Today, the two institutes of magical studies engage in a more or less friendly rivalry for resources, students, and arcane discoveries.

Type

Guild, Mages