Magic Circle

The Magic Circle is an invitation only organization whose public mission is to research the old tales and myths in order to gain a better grasp on the return of magic and what it might mean to humanity in the years to come.
They have been responsible for finding old tomes of magic, researching them to see if the spells are repeatable, refining the spell casting, and making those spells available for study and research by schools and other similar institutions.
To the general public the Magic Circle is a non-profit run to research and disseminate information on the variety of repeatable magic and information gathered on magical beings. They have some great books on magical flora and fauna, as well as some books on the anatomy of magical, and near-magical human hybrids. It is largely due to the efforcts of the Magic Cirlce that there are Universities for education on spellcraft as well as medicine and health treatments, magical and mundane, for the variety of magically crossed humans.
Their findings have indicated that if magic continues to return at its current rate, we may see the return of greater magics such as those purported to be held by gods.

Inner Circle

The not so public mission of the Magic Circle is to see to the return of the magic that could create gods and to channel that for themselves.

Locations

@burning Stories The Burning Tower Burns Kee Goes Searching

Structure

The organization is organized into circles. The highest circle contains seven key members. Each of those members have seven members under them. After the second circles, we find circles of seven in a variety of research areas. It is not commonly understood that the entire organization is made up of seven sevens because the work is done by small isolated groups.

Culture

Like revolutionary cells, the Magic Circle (MC) is broken into small secretive groups each with their own area of research. The cells only know one contact up the the reporting ladder. That is the person who guides the research and arranges for funding, etc. While some groups research openly and share their findings, others are far more secretive.

Public Agenda

The mission of the Magic Circle is to research the old tales and myths in order to gain a better grasp on the return of magic and what it might mean to humanity in the years to come.

Assets

Secretly the Magic Circle owns The Burning Tower and several other research facilities as well as buildings and programs within the well known magical research universities. Most of the assets do not appear to be connected via a financial trail and few are aware of either the wealth or reach of this organization.

History

Magic began to return to the world in 2012. At first it was little things but there were those who even at the time saw the shift of power it would bring. Franklin Zephyrus was just such a man. He started to collect those who seemed to have an innate talent with the newly returning magic, as he did. He carefully weeded those who wished to control more, and those who did not, and created the inner circle. 
For those with a more altruistic bent, he showed only the philantropic side of the organizaiton, the study, the research, the free sharing of knowledge. He founded charities to help those newly endowed with magical abilities, and those who had been enchanted and were in need of assistance. Eventually he allowed the charities to splinter off, but he kept the core of research under the Magic Circle. 
When, in 2025 Atlantis arose from the ocean, Fraklin knew he was right. Magic was returning, and not just in small amounts. He focused the organization on learning how to store and channel magic. Under his leadership the inner circle became wealthy and quite powerful.
Today, the Magic Circle is still open by invitation only. That is how they maintain the power of the seven. This does not apply to the normal employees of its many organizations but only to the MC itself. Only the most powereful and/or talented are invited to join at even the lowest levels.

Divine Origins

Franklin Zephyrus founded this organization and religion, though most don't realize that it is such a thing. Over time he has been developing the basic tenants and structures for his followers.

Worship

The faithful [inner and second circle] are called upon to sacrifice magic to Franklin Zephyrus once a week. This sacrifice can take the form of a ritual to wish him well and the sacrific of some magic, and for the second circle that suffices. 

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One group from the inner circle has been experimenting with other forms of sacrifice. They began by making animal sacrifices, but soon began to find humans to offer up as well. Rather than protesting this turn of events, Franklin relished it. He told them that the strength he received from those sacrifices was restoring his vitality, and indeed that appeared to be true as he visually appears to be a strong, healthy male in his 60s. 

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Other parts of the inner circle experiement with other forms of magic such as though created through sexual release, or the offering of foods, and libations. One other branch was storing magic in large amounts for the time when they could perform the spell of deification.

Granted Divine Powers

While Franklin Zephyrus has not yet achieved godhood, his powers have grown with each passing year.

Political Influence & Intrigue

The religion behind the Magic Circle is only followed by the inner and second circles. These individuals have tremendous financial and political power. While it does not have membership in every government, it has respresentation in them. The Magic Circle is well represented by the group and can exert a great deal of influence.

Sects

Each second level sect of the inner circle is pursing the best route to true deification for Franklin with the understanding that with him as the primary deity, he would then lift others up as in the pantheons of the past.

The Magic Circle, here to guide in a time of magic.

Founding Date

03/15/2020

Alternative Names

The Circle, MC

Demonym

Circlites

Leader

Franklin Zephyrus

Leader Title

Chief Magic Caster (CMC)

Deities

• Franklin Zephyrus

Location

Burning Tower

Related Ranks & Titles

• Chief Magic Caster (CMC)

Controlled Territories

• The Mountain aka Magic Circle Headquarters

Notable Members

• Franklin Zephyrus