The Espial Arcanum

The Mages' Guild

The Espial Arcanum, colloquially referred to as the Mages' Guild, is a global faction on the planet Cynos. Its purpose is to provide wizards and scholars convenient access to information and resources that will further their research so that their collective understanding of Cynos, Magic, and the Universe beyond can continue to evolve.

Structure

The guild is overseen at its highest level by eight arch-mages who together make up the Council of Eight. The Council elects its own members, and each of its seats is reserved for a practitioner of one of the eight Schools of Magic, so that every school is equally represented at all times. Only masters to the highest degree in their chosen field would ever be considered for a vacant seat on the Council. Though the Espial Arcanum has participating members spread out all over Cynos, the Council does not need to meet together often, typically only doing so under extreme circumstances. When they do, they gather on a temporary demi-plane that dissolves once its purpose is fulfilled. Otherwise, the Councillors and their subordinates can use any number of magical means of communication to reach one another.

Public Agenda

The purpose of the Espial Arcanum is to give mages and researchers across the globe a means of networking with one another, effectively combining their resources and dramatically bolstering their collective ability to learn. The guild was formed on the principle that knowledge and understanding should be pursued above all else; a sentiment that comes naturally to most wizards. After the Revision in 4900 BDB, the Espial Arcanum declared that it would neither hold nor officially support any one political stance over another, instead affirming that the pursuit and subsequent sharing of knowledge is its one and only goal. Guild mages were allowed to counsel monarchs and other rulers about magic and science, but they were forbidden from aiding them in matters of conquest or political gain. To do so would result in expulsion from the guild.

Assets

The Espial Arcanum offers its mages an abundance of resources to aid in their research, connect them with other scholars and benefit them in countless other ways. Firstly, any institution of study or education that was accepted into the guild would be linked by teleportation circle to every other major guild establishment around the globe, offering its members an unparalleled method of intercontinental travel. As well, a guild institutions are expected to share their libraries and resources with any guild mage, no matter where they come from. These two factors alone are life-changing for an aspiring wizard. It is generally accepted that it is in every mage's best interest to enrol in the Espial Arcanum, though it should be noted that membership is not mandated by law in most countries.

How to Join

Joining the Espial Arcanum is as simple as approaching a subsidiary outlet and taking the 1st Level Certification Exam; most outlets will certify applicants on the spot. There are nine certification exams in total, each more difficult and more expensive than the last. Each new rank comes with new privileges, as detailed below:

History

The first iteration of the Espial Arcanum came to be around the year 6550 BDB, when five notable mages decided they would accomplish more by joining their resources for the sake of scientific progress. The five founders were Avezahl the Astrologist, Ozorin the Alchemist, Archmage Awyn of the High Forest, Tyymara the Enchanter, and Ondedus the Necromancer, who would later go on to achieve lichdom and rule the In'toc Empire. Each was a reputable mage with numerous apprentices and subordinates; before long, their influence had spread far, and within years the Espial had become established as the leading organization of wizards on the planet. For generations the Espial carried on in this way, regulated loosely by the five arch-mages, until the year 4900 BDB. At this time, a conflict between to rival nations had escalated beyond mundane warfare, instead using their mages to wreak havoc on the battlefield. The effect on the region was devastating, resulting in the deaths of thousands of innocents. This spurred the Espial into action, prompting a reform of their regulations and leadership structure that they called the Revision. The most prominent wizards in the guild presented their new model to Ondedus, who by this time was the only surviving founder of the original five. Swayed by their logic, Ondedus stepped down and passed leadership to the new Council of Eight, on the condition that one of his In'toc apprentices be allowed to sit on the Council as Master of Necromancy. From then on, the Espial Arcanum operated without political affiliation, and its leaders would always equal eight.

Scienta Prosequa
(Pursue Knowledge)