The Twelve Magical Colleges of Therrezia
Magic is seen as a dangerous and mistrusted force across Therrezia, and it is policed fiercely across the realm. When one of the residents of the nation is found to possess even a fraction of magical potential, they are seized and taken away. Tests will then be performed to judge the individuals potential, and if passed, they will be offered the chance to study at one of the Twelve Magical Colleges.
The Twelve Colleges themselves are both a beacon of knowledge and a feared force that has influence that reaches beyond simple academia. Politics, warfare and the industrialisation of the country all have ties to one of more of the Colleges.
Each of the Colleges focuses on a distinct discipline of magic, and has their own campus or estate spread across Therrezia. Most are found deep within the larger towns and cities; their influence being right on the doorstep of those with power. A few have isolated strongholds sequestered away from the world; better to hide the dark practices within the mages' domains.
History and Formation
The Twelve Colleges of Magic formed during the latter days of the period known as “The Migration”; when the Kalashtar had come to Therrezia and united with the Tiefling rulers. It is in this age that the Eternal Wall of Therrezia was bought into being, and the Colleges established to both aid in its creation and to oversee its maintenance. There are rumours that any magic-users that do not join a College are secretly taken to the wall, but for what purpose, none can say. The centuries that followed saw the Colleges slowly grow in power, developing their own unique cultures and hierarchies. Used as a way to regulate and harness the mighty forces provided by The Weave, they became powerful centres of knowledge and authority.The Twelve Colleges
Each of the Twelve Colleges has its own unique domain, and its members will devote their teachings solely to one form of magic. How it is decided as to which College an individual will join is a closely guarded secret, but it is said many tests and trials are used to decide this. With unique doctrine and culture, the Colleges are divided as follows:- College of Fire: One of the more well-known and feared institutions, the College of Fire practices pyromancy in all its forms. Their belief in the cleansing power of flame breeds an almost fanaticism in its members. It is often the mages of the College of Fire that are called upon on matters of war, and their devastating magic is an asset that has been used many times on the battlefield.
- College of Water: With a focus on alchemical processes, the College of Water may at first be mistaken for its healing magic. Where healing is a part of the learnings of the College, it is with advanced alchemy the institution thrives. These have led to many of Therrezia's technological advancements, but the College also guards many other secret concoctions unknown to outsiders.
- College of Ice: Often mistaken as having close ties with the College of Water, the College of Ice is focused more on the preservation of things. Emotions are stifled in favour of a frozen stillness of the mind. A central theme that runs through the College is preserving the past, and many relics and ancient artifacts are stored in its vast halls; an isolated fortress hidden away in the snowy mountain peaks of Therrezia.
- College of Energy: The mighty power of lightning and electricity is focused on within the College of Energy. A feared and unstable force, the members of the College mimic the wild nature of the powers they harness. A large proportion of the research done by members of this order is in developing a form of arcane batteries. Mixed success has led to these being implemented in several Therrezian factories, to mixed results.
- College of Air: Little is known about those that join the College of air, and their presence is as aloof as the element they specialise in. It is thought that the College does not have a central campus, and that the College of Air has several small, secretive establishments spread throughout Therrezia. The members of the order will move between these periodically, guided by whatever winds call to them.
- College of Earth: Mages of the College of Earth focus on fortification and protection, and play a key role in the maintenance of the Eternal Wall. Infrastructure projects often employ the master Earth-melders for assistance, their powers utilised to shape the land to their will.
- College of Nature: With a focus on growth and life, the College of Nature sticks to the wilderness of Therrezia. Much of their research is directed at the strange beasts and monsters that appear across the land, and in ensuring that any Eldritch energies that could damage the natural world are cleansed.
- College of Decay: Feared and abhorred by most of the population, the College of Decay embraces rot and disease and uses it for their own ends. Alchemy is highly valued in this College, with research into plagues both aiding Therrezia and promising doom to those that oppose the Mages.
- College of Light: Intertwined with the Church of the Septennial Gods, the College of Light wields magic that heals, cleanses and purifies. Many beseech the magisters of this College for healing for various ailments, but it is used sparingly; only the most devoted followers of the Seven Celestials will have the blessings of the Gods.
- College of Shadow: Masters of illusion and stealth, followers of the College of Shadow stay in the darkness and are seldom seen. It is said the wealthy families of Therrezia employ the Shadow Mages as spies, assassins and all manner of political intrigue.
- College of the Mind: Mind magic focuses on the power and control of thought, both of the uses and of their victims. Feared for their ability to rewrite memories and uncover secrets, they work closely with the College of Shadow in political intrigue. Many Kalashtar can be found within the College; the species own unique traits matching perfectly with the institutions teachings.
- College of Death: Despite the fall of Elystrium and the creation of Necromancy, the dark art of raising the dead is not outlawed in Therrezia. The College of Death specialises in manipulating the energies of the deceased. Used as labour, warfare and various experimentations, these undead minions often escort the mages of the organisation as bodyguards. The College of Death is feared above all others, and it is a sign of dread when the blackened masks of the magisters are seen in town.
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