The Circle of Tyril

The Circle of Tyril, originating in the eponymous continent, is a historic and infamous order of mages known for its pivotal role in The Southern Crusades (1685-1500) and the devastating Plague Years (1212-1112).
Initially driven by the desire to gain freedom from mundane oppressors, the Circle forged a strategic alliance with The Council of Landezon, promising knowledge of healing magic in exchange for military support. This cooperation catalyzed the Southern Crusades, a brutal two-century conflict where the Council’s forces fought alongside the Circle’s mages to establish the Circle’s dominance over the south.
However, as the Crusades advanced, the true nature of the Circle of Tyril began to emerge. Far from the ideals of liberation, the Circle consolidated power by creating the so-called Empire of Death, a dark domain built on fear and secrecy. Healing magic, the gift once used to secure the Council's alliance, was put to malignant use based on the deeply problematic issue that surrounded it. The Circle's corruption of this magic unleashed a generational plague across Rela, leading to mass death and deformities, marking the Plague Years (1212-1112 UT). This plague struck relentlessly, killing millions and driving a wedge between the mage Traditions, as northern mages were blamed for spreading the curse and struggled to contain the fallout.
The Circle’s eventual downfall came as northern warlords and local Tyrilan leaders retaliated against the Circle’s expanding influence. In the ensuing chaos, the remnants of the Circle scattered, creating a century of instability and a legacy of mistrust toward mages across the south. This downfall also paved the way for the rise of the Majohalt Dynasty, which sought to rid Tyril of sorcerous influence entirely, leveraging mage-detecting protocols acquired from the Council.
Out of the ashes of the Circle's dominance, the radical faction known as The Hex emerged. Devoted to Khajuro's necromantic teachings, The Hex expanded the dark legacy of Tyrilan magic, continuing to evoke fear and secrecy well into the next era, haunting the lands that once fell under the shadow of the Circle.