Alexo of Astoria

The Inner House of Astoria is unique in that it values the preservation and analysis of artifacts from the Lower Realms. There are several roles within this house dedicated to varying aspects of the study: Archaeologists who seek the artifacts, Curators who preserve and study the artifacts, Anthropologists who study the traditions passed down from before the Realms were sealed, and the Teachers who retell the history that they have uncovered.
Alexo of Astoria is the most prominent and prestigious Teacher of Astoria. Like most Teachers, he has several people working under him in the pursuit of his specific interests. He is most interested in the birth of the Upper Realm. While there are oral traditions speaking of a great immortal (often the mythic Regna of Fey, but sometimes attributed to Kamora) who gave birth to the realm at the center of the Orole Wilds in Arionas. While myth has value in understanding history, Astoria is more interested in the mysterious events that actually led to the existence of the realm.
In the search for artifacts, stories, and historical fact, Astoria has scoured most of the realm. He disguises himself as a traveling merchant, moving from town to town and keeping his ears open about local legend and relics. But unlike many other Magicians or even Teachers, he does not keep his knowledge confined to his House. He has gained some notoriety among the magical market for his recounts of the first days of the Upper Realm. He by no means has a clear sequence of events, but he does pull interest from many who don’t entirely agree with the belief that magic is the carrier of evil.
His story is this: Magic did not poison the realm, but merely opened the door between the realms, allowing for the fabled immortals to enter. The mortals came with them and staked their own claim on realm, fighting off the immortals. Magic is not poisoning the realm so much as a holdover from the world we used to live in.