Fourbless
1. Flame of The Sage
2. Flame of The Dreamer
3. Flame of The Madman
4. The Unlit Flame
5. Flame of The Fifth Master
6. Column of Daovbehna
7. Column of Eadthuum
8. Column of Taharjin
9. Column of Haldorm
10. The Fascination
2. Flame of The Dreamer
3. Flame of The Madman
4. The Unlit Flame
5. Flame of The Fifth Master
6. Column of Daovbehna
7. Column of Eadthuum
8. Column of Taharjin
9. Column of Haldorm
10. The Fascination
Fourbless is named straightforwardly for the elements studied by The Berythian Tradition: Fire, Earth, Water, and Air. The district houses The Loraeus, the Tradition’s central academy for arcane study and therefore the gravitational hub for Berythians everywhere. Many flock from Rela and beyond in hopes of having their Gifts recognized here, though regional laws determine both who and how many are permitted passage from native territories to the capital zone. Once the nuts and bolts of mundane screening are sorted, potential students are ready to meet with Masters, and, if lucky, be chosen to embark upon one of the discrete paths of Berythian apprenticeship. Each elemental area of focus – called a Column – has its own building within the complex. The Column of Taharjin represents the element of Fire; Eadthuum, that of Earth; Haldorm, Water; and Daovbehna, Air. Once a student is assigned to a Column, it is hers for life. Practically speaking, this means living and working within that element’s communal spaces, but external commitments are also entailed as each Column is associated with some segment of the population. Fire mages tend to matters of arcane rule within the Order, Earth mages to the peasantry. Water mages deal with artists and craftsmen, and Air, considered the lowest in the hierarchy, ironically holds truck with nobles. This strange articulation of rank as it pertains to diplomatic duties is detailed in the Carabod Sadhes, or Procession of the Elements. Fourbless’s pièce de résistance is a structure in the middle of the four Columnar residences sculpted entirely by magic, called a Fascination. As the concrete expression of student learning, it is thesis-like, but its enchantment transcends the contributions of individual students to represent the yearning underlying the Tradition itself, to harmonize the physical forces and realize perfection – a goal referred to as The Fount of All. Though the citizenry of Sabellis typically stays well outside the school walls, they are at times invited to witness a re-sculpting of the Fascination, an awe-inspiring sight. On the residents themselves: Berythians are well-loved by the city's inhabitants, referred to in the streets as Reshai - the Favoured Ones of the gods - and venerated as protectors of society. (See Song of the Dark for this idea's history.) Then there are the champions of the Proving Grounds, who are more like celebrities than religious icons. Just northwards of the city, specially trained warrior-mages fight epic battles, either mock combat or formal duels, as a form of public spectacle. Vendors in Bent Coin even sell toy figures of the most popular ones. So, while Fourbless may remain formally off limits to most, there is no doubt the place looms large in societal imagining.
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