The Faith of the Arcane

Hydall’s faith is more akin to a philosophy or a network of practitioners than a formal religion. Followers are often solitary, following the calling of magic, study, or experimentation. Rather than a strict doctrine, this faith encourages a shared reverence for the mystery and potency of magic and the pursuit of deeper truths. Hydall’s followers are often wizards, sorcerers, scholars, and arcane craftsmen who find unity in a few overarching principles and shared practices, though strict hierarchy is nearly nonexistent.

“In the pursuit of knowledge, we transcend the mundane; through the arcane, we illuminate the shadows, forever seeking the mysteries that bind the fabric of existence.”

Structure

Central Ideals

• Curiosity and Discovery: The faith upholds an intrinsic, insatiable curiosity, seeing all knowledge—especially arcane—as a sacred pursuit.
• Preservation of Knowledge: Followers believe in documenting and preserving magical knowledge for future generations and see themselves as caretakers of arcane lore.
• Respect for the Weave: Followers of Hydall honor the intricate web of the magical weave, seeing it as both a gift and a responsibility to understand and wield respectfully.

Self-Guided Paths

• Rather than a central structure, the faith consists of loosely organized paths or “studies.” Some might dedicate themselves to the pure study of the weave, while others focus on applications, magical artifacts, or interplanar knowledge. These paths are highly personal, with followers creating their own codes of practice and sharing their findings with others—if they choose.

Gatherings and Guilds

• Followers of Hydall might occasionally gather in informal circles or guilds, where arcane knowledge is shared, and magical theories are debated. These groups often hold no long-term commitments, and members come and go as they please. The circles are also known to form spontaneously around certain events, such as rare celestial alignments, discoveries of ancient ruins, or times of magical disturbance

Culture

Core Values

• Individualism and Exploration: Followers value autonomy and personal journeys in magic, with an understanding that each person’s path toward understanding is unique. There is a respect for solitude and quiet study, where practitioners may disappear for days, months, or even years in pursuit of arcane knowledge. The culture places little importance on outward shows of faith. Instead, it celebrates the journey and personal growth that come from rigorous study, experimentation, and discovery.
• Sharing Knowledge with Purpose: Knowledge is regarded as sacred, and while some followers are fiercely protective of their findings, others are willing to share their insights—albeit selectively. Teaching and mentorship are seen as honors that should only be granted to those ready for them.
• Balance between Caution and Curiosity: While driven by an intense curiosity, followers of Hydall also understand the risks involved in magic. There is a cultural respect for caution, and many followers warn of the dangers of unchecked ambition, seeing caution as a sign of maturity. Experimentation is encouraged, but so is patience. This balance between daring and restraint is central to their culture, and a deep awareness of magic’s potential for harm tempers followers’ explorations.
• Respect for Legacy: Followers honor ancient spells, artifacts, and the knowledge of those who came before. While innovation is valued, the faith treats past discoveries with reverence, seeing them as stepping stones to further understanding.
• Tolerance for Diversity in Practice: Hydall’s followers accept that each individual may find their own “truth” in magic. There is no strict dogma, and so the culture of Hydall’s faith is welcoming of different approaches—be they through wizardry, sorcery, or unorthodox practices. This diversity also means that followers hold wide-ranging beliefs about the nature of magic itself, from viewing it as a force for universal harmony to seeing it as a tool for survival or advancement.

History

The earliest followers of Hydall were not worshippers but were drawn to the mysteries of the arcane—astrologers, alchemists, early wizards, and even shamans who sensed magic in the world around them. They began by observing natural phenomena, crafting rudimentary spells, and attempting to document their findings. Over time, those who shared this curiosity began to recognize each other as kindred seekers and gradually identified their shared pursuits as “following Hydall.” As societies developed, dedicated circles of Hydall’s followers started creating libraries and collections, some hidden in remote places or protected by powerful enchantments. These early repositories of arcane knowledge became gathering sites for those who sought Hydall’s wisdom. Over time, these places took on almost mythical significance—libraries, towers, and ruins that followers still seek out for study or pilgrimage.
With magic’s growing influence, various schools and academies arose that were rooted in Hydall’s pursuit of knowledge. However, not all survived, and tales of “lost academies” became part of Hydall’s lore. Wars, disasters, and magical mishaps claimed several of these places, and followers now regard them as almost hallowed ground, places where arcane energies are said to linger. As practitioners encountered new sources of magic and devised countless different techniques, the faith of Hydall became more accepting of varied practices and beliefs. This period, known to the followers as “The Cradle of Many Paths,” saw an unprecedented diversification in the ways followers pursued knowledge—schools of evocation, divination, abjuration, and more. This gave rise to the value of tolerance and open-mindedness that now defines Hydall’s culture.
At various points, followers of Hydall faced persecution for the potentially dangerous nature of their work, often from rulers or other religious groups who feared misuse of magic. These conflicts pushed Hydall’s followers further underground, leading to a legacy of secret practices and hidden gatherings. Some still hold to this cautious tradition, conducting their studies with a sense of secrecy or even suspicion toward outsiders. In recent eras, the followers of Hydall have re-emerged with organized guilds and independent circles. These serve as places where members can share findings, pass on discoveries, and ensure that the old teachings and new innovations alike are preserved. Many of these guilds and circles operate freely, though a few are selective, favoring only those who show deep promise or an advanced understanding of the arcane.

Mythology & Lore

According to this tale, Hydall’s followers believe that their god resides at the top of a vast, invisible staircase that spirals endlessly through an ancient, hidden dimension. The staircase is said to symbolize knowledge itself—ascending it means gaining new understanding, but each step reveals how much further there is to go. In the myth, those who climb too quickly find themselves lost in its endless turns and passages, while those who proceed slowly and with purpose are rewarded with moments of enlightenment. Some followers even claim that in dreams or meditative trances, they’ve glimpsed this staircase. Legend holds that the rare few who reach the top are granted a fleeting audience with Hydall, a god described as a figure cloaked in starlight, who whispers truths beyond comprehension. However, returning from such an encounter is believed to leave a mortal forever changed—brilliant but haunted, able to see through reality’s illusions yet forever disconnected from it.
Another myth claims that Hydall did not create magic but instead discovered it while wandering the void between realms. In the story, Hydall found a fire burning in the heart of darkness—a flame that pulsed with every color and hue imaginable. Fascinated, Hydall took a shard of this “arcane fire” and shaped it into a crystal, binding it to the very fabric of existence. This crystal, known as the “Heart of Hydall” among his followers, is thought to pulse with the potential of all magical energy in the world. According to the myth, Hydall entrusted pieces of this original flame to the cosmos, seeding magic into every living thing. Every spell cast is said to be a fragment of this primordial fire, and every seeker of magic is thought to carry a spark of it within them. Many followers believe that the purest form of magic remains hidden in this ancient crystal, waiting to be discovered and channeled by those who understand Hydall’s teachings.

Divine Origins

Long before Hydall was named, early arcane practitioners—sorcerers, wizards, and alchemists—sought understanding of the powers that lay hidden in the world. These individuals pursued knowledge in solitude, often operating outside societal norms or conventional religions that feared or distrusted magic. Over centuries, this scattered group of seekers began to establish informal communities, passing down knowledge, spells, and theories on the nature of arcane energies. These groups marked the earliest foundations of what would become Hydall’s faith.
The name Hydall began as a term to describe an unseen, guiding force in magic. Ancient spellcasters, often confronted by mysterious revelations or experiencing moments of enlightenment they couldn’t explain, believed they had encountered a hidden presence. Over time, practitioners started referring to this presence as Hydall, a god or entity they sensed in the mysteries they uncovered. This gradual, collective acknowledgment of Hydall as a deity wasn’t deliberate; it was a natural outgrowth of the feeling that magic itself had a will or wisdom that led its seekers onward. Through shared tales of visions and inexplicable discoveries, the name Hydall spread, creating a loosely connected faith that alluded to this enigmatic figure behind magical knowledge. His followers saw him as an entity who neither revealed nor obscured but instead guided those worthy of understanding.
In later centuries, guilds, schools, and arcane circles formed, acting as the primary centers for those following Hydall’s teachings. These institutions weren’t always officially dedicated to Hydall, but they served as communal spaces where members shared arcane knowledge, archived spells, and crafted enchanted items. With a heavy focus on study and experimentation, these groups gradually infused Hydall’s teachings with greater structure, though they never imposed rigid doctrines. Each of these circles developed its own interpretation of Hydall’s teachings, leading to a rich diversity within the faith. Some favored rigorous experimentation, while others focused on meditation and self-reflection. Many still exist today as guilds or independent societies, each with a unique take on how best to honor Hydall and uncover the depths of magic.
In more recent times, Hydall’s faith has found a place in society as the official patron of many arcane institutions, with wizards, clerics, and scholars alike paying homage to him. Despite Hydall’s recognition in some circles, the faith remains largely unstructured, maintaining a strong emphasis on individual study and self-guided discovery.

Tenets of Faith

Seek Truth Relentlessly

• Followers are encouraged to pursue knowledge in all its forms, believing that each discovery, no matter how small, brings them closer to Hydall’s essence. To follow Hydall is to dedicate oneself to uncovering the unknown with curiosity, persistence, and humility. This pursuit is considered an act of devotion.

Respect the Balance of the Arcane

• Magic is neither inherently good nor evil, but its use has consequences. Followers are taught to understand and respect the balance of arcane forces, recognizing that their actions ripple beyond themselves. Followers are encouraged to avoid spells and actions that may disrupt the natural or arcane balance without a worthy purpose.

Share Knowledge, Guard Wisdom

• Knowledge is a gift meant to be shared, and followers are encouraged to contribute to libraries, guilds, and circles. However, wisdom is considered different—certain arcane insights are not for all. Followers are guided to judge what knowledge can be shared openly and what should be reserved for those prepared to wield it responsibly.

Honor Those Who Came Before

• Hydall’s followers hold a deep respect for the arcane practitioners of the past who contributed to the legacy of magic and its understanding. Honoring mentors, ancestors, and arcane scholars, followers recognize themselves as part of an unbroken lineage of seekers.

Balance Inquiry with Restraint

• Curiosity must be balanced with caution. While followers of Hydall seek to uncover arcane mysteries, they are encouraged to weigh the risks of their pursuits. Opening portals to the unknown, summoning powerful entities, or experimenting with forbidden magic is permissible only with due consideration of potential consequences.

Accept Responsibility for Magic’s Use

• Followers must accept the outcomes of their actions, whether beneficial or harmful. Those who harm others through careless or reckless use of magic are seen as falling short of Hydall’s example.

Never Close the Door on Knowledge

• The final tenet emphasizes the value of an open mind. Followers are encouraged to engage with ideas, practices, and traditions beyond their own, viewing each as a potential key to new insights. While caution is advised, no avenue of knowledge is seen as wholly forbidden.

Priesthood

Since Hydall’s faith is focused on personal pursuit and intellectual freedom, it doesn’t have priests in the traditional sense. Instead, guidance is provided by Arcane Guides and Lorekeepers, knowledgeable practitioners who help other followers deepen their understanding of magic, without exerting strict authority. These Guides serve more as mentors and counselors than as rigid religious leaders, and their roles come with both respect and responsibility.
Arcane Guides

• Arcane Guides are seasoned practitioners, typically wizards, sages, or scholars, who possess extensive knowledge and experience. They are not appointed by any formal structure but are instead chosen by their peers or followers who recognize their expertise. They are approached voluntarily by other followers for wisdom, interpretation, and mentorship. Guides are known for their personal dedication to Hydall’s tenets and their ability to balance rigorous study with ethical integrity.

Lorekeepers

• Lorekeepers are custodians of magical knowledge, often found working in arcane libraries, universities, or within secret archives. Lorekeepers are informally chosen based on their commitment to preserving ancient teachings, rare spells, and magical artifacts. They are responsible for curating and safeguarding repositories of arcane wisdom. A Lorekeeper may also choose apprentices who are charged with continuing their work. They act as archivists, protectors, and guides to arcane history. They might also compile spells or stories, ensuring that knowledge from previous generations remains available to new ones.

Sects

The Silent Cipher is an elitist sect that hoards magical secrets, believing that only a select few can truly comprehend the deeper truths of arcane power. They view knowledge as a privilege that should only belong to those worthy of it, creating secret codes and barriers to keep their wisdom hidden from all but their inner circle.
The Veiled Oracle is a sect that believes Hydall’s pursuit of knowledge goes beyond mere study, claiming that true wisdom can only be found in communion with beings from other realms. Members believe that communicating with eldritch entities, extraplanar beings, and even ancient demonic or celestial spirits is essential to unlock higher truths.
The Embers of Eternity are a group of zealots obsessed with achieving personal immortality and mastery over life and death. They believe that Hydall’s true purpose is for each practitioner to transcend mortality through magical means, using forbidden or experimental magic to alter their lifespans and physical forms.

“To walk the path of Hydall is to be ever a student of the unknown, to seek the fire in the dark, and to unravel truths hidden in shadow. Knowledge is not given; it is earned by those unafraid to question, learn, and wield the mysteries before them.”

Deities

• Hydall God of the Arcane