The Cowled Wizards are a secretive cabal of wizards in Amn formed in the 13th century DR. While they were originally guardians of arcane knowledge and lore, their years of obsessively monitoring foreign mages who traveled to the Merchant's Domain, caused them to gradually transform into a autocratic authority over magic in the nation. Overall, the Cowled Wizards detested unsanctioned uses of magic in Amn and either censured or otherwise eliminated the offenders to protect the practice of the Art. Some Cowled Wizards wielded their power for their own gain, eliminating their political and financial rivals and securing agreements that were not sanctioned by the organization as a whole.
Eventually the Cowled Wizards were hired as a mercenary force in
Ioma to protect their interests from Skaug. Led by the charismatic
Strakron Eldistforn they witnessed the power of the Iomic Crystals and saw the potential for more. The Cowled Wizards usurped the government, taking over rulership of the isle. Breaking ranks with their brethren on the main continent, the Cowled Wizards of Ioma became their own entity. With full power of the the mining of Iomic Crystal, control over the mysteries of the House of Enlightenment, and almost unlimited resources, the Cowled Wizards began to develop their Orb of Antimagic, with the intent to gain control of all of the Nelanther Isles. However, this orb grew too unstable and powerful. Threatening to envelope all of Faerun now, the Cowled Wizards spend most of their days controlling the Orb, holding it in stasis through sheer numbers and will.
The Orb of Antimagic
After discovering the natural antimagic properties of the Iomic Crystal, the Cowled Wizards developed plans to increase the spread of the antimagic properties to all of the Nelanther Isles and thus increase the power of the Cowled Wizards of Ioma. After discovering the magic pool in the middle of the Iomic Caves, the Wizards sacrificed one of their own, Strakron Eldistforn, imprisoning his spirit inside the cavern and making him a conduit of power that channeled the combine magicks of Strakron and the pool into an glowing, antimagic orb housed in the House of Enlightenment. This caused Strakron to form into an Elder Flameskull.
Soon after however, Strakron began to buck against the control of the Cowled Wizards, increasing the power of the orb. The wizards began to lose control as the power began to increase. Now, the orb threatens to grow beyond all control and envelope all of Faerun. Only by utilizing the continued powers of the Cowled Wizards to keep it in check is the Orb being maintained. However, as more and more wizards are dying from sheer exhaustian, the orb again begins to threaten all of the Nelanther Isles.
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