Atrum
Overview
Atrum, the Bloodline of the Deeps, has been the unwavering shield of Cruxis since its founding. Seekers of lore and treasure in the most hidden reaches of Pauza, they learned to build their legacy in stone and steel. Atrum's members have developed robust martial aptitudes and a proficiency in dungeoneering and engineering, backed by formidable abjuration magic. Stepping up as Cruxis's caretakers and peacekeepers, valuing order and stability more than most other sorcerers, they tirelessly maintain and patrol the city and train its militia. They often accompany sorcerer expeditions in search of relics and lost knowledge, lending their martial expertise to other bloodlines as guides and bodyguards. Yet, their cultivation of defensive magic serves a dual purpose: they also need their abjurations to battle a dark heritage that constantly threatens to invade their minds and bodies.
SummaryDetails
Origins
Atrum, the most martial-minded sorcerer amidst the nine founders of House Magia, never wavered in his commitment to justice and protection, but bore a haunting secret. During the early stages of their settlement, his curiosity led him to unearth a chilling entity from the chthonic realms beneath Cruxis, a primeval creature called a Deep Dweller. A being of unfathomable power and alien goals, it infiltrated Atrum's spirit, forever tainting his earth-touched bloodline with a trace of aberrant depths. The potent abjuration Atrum subsequently mastered, initially intended as a safeguard against his companions' more volatile magic, now served to shield himself and his lineage from that abominable mind's dark whispers.
Motivations and Goals
Atrum's primary motivation is the unwavering commitment to the safety and stability of Cruxis, the heart of House Magia . Dedicated to preserving order, Atrum sorcerers use their abjuration magic to protect their city and its citizens. They seek to prevent conflicts and maintain peace – as much between the volatile bloodlines of House Magia as against outside threats. Their goals are rarely self-serving, focusing instead on the collective wellbeing of their city and the harmony of its often-feuding populace.
Beyond their protective duty, Atrum grapples with a personal mission – to constantly resist the insidious call of the aberrant power coursing in their blood. They struggle against the siren's song from the deep – promises of power and unsettling oracles – which would slowly drive them to paranoia or violence if given into. They persistently use their ancestral mastery over abjuration magic to encase their minds and bodies in protective barriers, repelling the corrupting whispers and safeguarding Cruxis and its inhabitants from their own potential descent into madness. Each Atrum sees in their blood both a divine curse and an empowering gift, eternally bound to the Deep Dweller, his ceaseless probing of their minds, and the protective magic that shields them from its corruption.
Role within Magia
Within House Magia, Atrum represents discipline, resilience, and steadfast dedication. They serve as the caretakers and enforcers of Cruxis, diligently maintaining its structural integrity, guarding its borders, and training its armed forces. They embody the city's heart, its stubborn survival instinct, their pragmatic understanding of magic and their martial aptitude allowing them to stand firm against threats, both from within and beyond the city's walls.
Beyond Cruxis, the Bloodline of the Deeps often embarks on ambitious expeditions throughout Pauza. They delve into long-forgotten ruins, unearthing ancient treasures and cryptic lore. They are relentless in their pursuit of such relics, driven by a desire to broaden their understanding of their eldritch patron and rid themselves of its darker influences. Their partnership with the necromancers of Thanat is particularly noteworthy. They see parallels between the madness that plagues their own bloodline and the irrepressible hunger suffered by the undead Graveborn. Atrum enforcers often escort scholars from the Bloodline of Death in common quests to extricate long lost wisdom and mystical artifacts from buried vaults.
Despite their stoic demeanor and unwavering duty-bound nature, Atrum sorcerers are not merely impassive soldiers. Their inherited exposure to the deep's enigmatic wonders imparts a hint of melancholy and existential wisdom to their personality. They serve as sage advisors to the other bloodlines, their counsel and caution often tempering the passionate and mercurial inclinations of their fellow sorcerers.
Values and Beliefs
In an effort to avert the darker impulses of their taint, following the example set by their forebear, the members of Atrum set themselves as defenders of law and order. They strongly uphold the values of duty, integrity, and protection. Every Atrum sorcerer takes a personal oath to defend Cruxis and its inhabitants, understanding that the survival of their city depends on the unity and harmony among its various bloodlines. This oath is more than mere words – it’s a binding commitment, and an Atrum would rather perish than break it.
Atrum's belief system is rooted in the premise of collective good and self-sacrifice. Individual desires and ambitions are secondary to the welfare of House Magia. Yet, they do not enforce these beliefs on others, respecting the autonomy and distinct philosophies of the other bloodlines. Their alignment manifests in their commitment to fairness, protection, and peace. Their dedication to the rule of law does not stem from a desire for control but from a deep-seated belief in its ability to create a safe and prosperous society. However, their lawful nature never prevents them from showing compassion, even when the rules dictate otherwise. To an Atrum, being good always trumps the letter of the law.
Leadership
Atrum's leadership, known as the Deep Warden, is chosen based on resilience, steadfast dedication, and mastery of Abjuration, because they often suffer the worst onslaught from the bloodline's curse. The current Deep Warden, Thalos Atrum, is a paragon of steadfast resolve and the personification of Atrum's strength and vigilance. He was chosen for his unyielding spirit, his proficiency in shielding magic, and his ability to resist the constant pull from the Deep Dweller. Thalos maintains a tense, watchful relationship with the entity, ever vigilant against its intrusive whispers, for now bargaining what powers and secrets he can while withholding active worship or servitude.
The Deep Warden serves as both a stalwart protector and sage advisor within House Magia's councils, his measured counsel often grounding the volatile and unpredictable currents of inter-bloodline politics. Despite the constant internal struggle Thalos faces, he has successfully maintained Atrum as a reliable ally within House Magia, even as he vigilantly guards his bloodline's unnerving secret.
True fortresses must be built from spirit and not stone.
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