Listeners: Silent Sentinels of the Aegis

Listeners form a vital part of The Aegis, a complex magical detection grid developed by the tripartite Council of Landezon. They serve as a discreet and wide-ranging early warning system against The Exiled Tradition and their radicalized faction, The Hex...though completely unaware of this fact.

Candidacy and Function

Listeners are individuals who demonstrate the Gift of magic, yet failed the rigorous admission protocols of the major magical Traditions: Berythian, Nurhetic, and Aurimbic. Upon such failure, a select few are offered the opportunity to contribute to a "special project." Those who accept are enrolled into the Listeners program, to become subconscious sensors within the Aegis.
Listeners live their lives unaware of their role, while their minds continuously scan their environment for the presence of magical energy. Upon detecting such energy, their subconscious minds automatically transmit this information to the Aegis. A candidate must agree to have any memories specific to the program erased, to avoid the risk of information leakage to the open enemies of the Council.
The decision to recruit a Listener falls to the Council of Landezon. They approach this responsibility with gravity, guided by a set of ethical guidelines that prioritize the individual's well-being. While the process is largely secretive, a separate oversight body conducts regular reviews to ensure adherence to these guidelines and address any arising ethical concerns.

Consequences of Participation

The roles Listeners play subtly affect their daily lives: Some report vivid, fantastical dreams filled with color, sound, and emotion - a subconscious reflection of the magical energies they're attuned to - while others find themselves inexplicably drawn to or repelled by certain individuals or locations, particularly if associated with strong magical energies. More sensitive Listeners sometimes develop affinities or aversions to certain natural elements, corresponding to the elemental energies manipulated by the Berythians in the Aegis.
The constant exposure to magical energies, even subconsciously, can impact Listeners' mental health. Some experience mood swings, heightened sensitivity to stimuli, or fluctuations in energy levels. The impact can be more severe when the Aegis encounters strong or malevolent magical forces, with some Listeners reporting episodes of anxiety or depressive symptoms. However, a built-in mechanism in the Aegis helps buffer and dampen these energies, mitigating the impact on Listeners.
To protect Listeners from being discovered or manipulated by the Council's adversaries, several security measures are integrated into the Aegis. A primary safeguard is the veiling enchantment, which cloaks Listeners' magical resonances and makes them appear as mundane individuals to external scrying. Additionally, a series of countermeasures are ready to activate in the event of an attempted intrusion, designed to disrupt and deflect any invasive magical energies.

Deactivation / Removal

A Listener can be removed from the Aegis through a complex, delicate process overseen by senior Berythian, Aurimbic, and Nurhetic mages, in which the individual's subconscious link to the Aegis is severed - a taxing ordeal. After removal, Listeners often report a sense of emptiness or loss, which can take time to recover from.
If, within the scope of their service, a Listener's Gift evolves to a point where they could qualify for admittance into a Tradition, they tend to be given the opportunity to do so. The process of removing them as a Listener then ensues, followed by their integration into their chosen Tradition. This is a rare occurrence but is celebrated as a testament to the potential inherent in every individual with the Gift.

Behind the Scenes

The Council's Strongholds, strategically positioned across their dominion, play a crucial role in the Aegis network. These fortresses are staffed by mages who have undergone rigorous training to master the highly specialized techniques required to maintain and operate the Aegis.
In regions where the Council's influence is strong, establishing these Strongholds is straightforward. However, in less friendly territories, the Council must negotiate with local liege lords to secure a foothold. These negotiations often involve complex diplomacy, leveraging the Council's magical prowess and promises of protection against external threats like the Exiled and Hex sorcerers.
Regular maintenance of the Aegis involves performing specific rituals to ensure its smooth operation, blending elemental balancing, time manipulation, and dream weaving. Mages selected to this secretive program learn to attune their own magical signatures to the Aegis' intricate weave, a process involving deep meditation, complex spellwork, and the study of magical ley lines. Training additionally includes advanced defensive and counter-intrusion measures to protect Listeners and the Aegis from threat, and how to monitor and interpret the data transmitted by the Listeners, to understand the subtle signs of magical disturbances and psychological well-being, though this concern is sometimes deprioritized in dire situations.