The Arcane Brotherhood
The Arcane Brotherhood is a mercantile company and wizards' guild that operates out of the Host Tower of the Arcane in Luskan. The organization is shrouded in mystery, as even its most high-ranking members are unknown. It is known however that their primary goal is the political and economic control of the North.
The Arcane Brotherhood was absent from Luskan for over a century, and the Host Tower sat as a haunted ruin. However, in 1486 DR the Host Tower was magically rebuilt and the Arcane Brotherhood returned to the city. The wizards quickly gained the trust of the people by clearing undead from the ruins of Illusk, protecting the city from a dragon, and promising to stay out of politics. This new incarnation of the Brotherhood quickly established itself as a prestigious organization known for its vast accumulation of arcane lore. Dozens of wizards flock to Luskan every year to petition to join them, but almost all are rejected immediately.
Structure
As of 1489 DR, the Archmage Arcane was Cashaan, beneath whom were Zelenn the White (Overwizard of the West), Jendrick the Blue (Overwizard of the South), Teyva the Gray (Overwizard of the East), and Druette the Raven (Overwizard of the North). All five were famous and accomplished mages who were responsible for hand-picking new members.
History
Arklem Greeth, the original Archmage Arcane of the Brotherhood, first appeared in Luskan around 1311 DR. Meticulously building a group of powerful and evil mages, Greeth sought to acquire control of the North by first dominating trade using the far reaching arm of Luskan. Greeth and the Brotherhood first gained full control of Luskan (through the High Captains) sometime around 1357 DR. After conquering the island of Ruathym (on the second attempt) in 1361 DR, Luskan was forced to return it by the Lords' Alliance.
Greeth then had Luskan embark on a number of disastrous military and naval ventures. After a botched war against Lantan, Greeth was forced to flee to Mirabar when two of his high-ranking subordinates sought to overthrow him and proceeded to assassinate his assistant. While in exile, Greeth successfully gained his long-sought immortality by becoming an undead lich. Returning to the city sometime in late 1371 DR or early 1372 DR, he used his new-found powers to reclaim the Brotherhood.
After setting the High Captains of Luskan under his heel yet again, Greeth and his erinyes ally Nyphithys turned their attention to recruiting new mages for their guild and plotting means to conquer the newly created country of the Silver Marches. It was during this time that Arabeth Raurym of Mirabar became an Overwizard of the Brotherhood.
Around the end of 1376 DR, Luskan was invaded by a group of Waterdhavian lords led by Captain Deudermont and Lord Brambleberry. The Brotherhood's presence in Luskan was essentially nullified and a number of wizards killed. Greeth himself fled the city after causing tremendous damage to invading forces.
The Arcane Brotherhood was then absent from Luskan for over a century, and the Host Tower sat as a haunted ruin. However, in 1486 DR the Host Tower was magically rebuilt and the Arcane Brotherhood returned to the city. The wizards quickly gained the trust of the people by clearing undead from the ruins of Illusk, protecting the city from a dragon, and promising to stay out of politics.This new incarnation of the Brotherhood quickly established itself as a prestigious organization known for its vast accumulation of arcane lore. Dozens of wizards flocked to Luskan every year to petition to join them, but almost all were rejected immediately. Instead, the Brotherhood grew by recruiting like-minded wizards who would otherwise be rivals or threats to their efforts to continue seeking knowledge and power.
Founding Date
1311 DR
Type
Guild, Mages
Leader Title
Founders
Notable Members
Related Plots
