The Astral Hand Mages Guild
The Astral Hand is a group set on the safe control of magic. They don't necessarily seek to learn more about the cosmos, increase their magical power, or find lost knowledge - they are more interested in making sure magic doesn't tear the world apart. Magic has always played a role in conflicts all the way to times before the Empire. And during the war with the Empire there was a chance of cataclysm thanks to the intervention of Iatus and the burgeoning power of magic.
The Astral Hand was formed to keep magical artefacts and powerful secrets safe. To keep it out of the hands of those who could do harm or the ignorant who may unleash powers beyond themselves. The Hand were instrumental in Requiems laws against unregistered casting of powerful spells, and have helped solidify themselves as an equally powerful force in politics as they are in the arcane.
The Hand are almost entirely composed of mages, recruiting members either right out of magical schools or from adventuring parties. They seek those with extreme talents and the ability to cast high level spells. Every member of the Astral Hand after a year or so of on boarding and learning has a voice in the decisions of the hand, able to vote on important choices the Hand makes. In recent years this has pushed the Hand towards funding trusted adventuring parties to go out and recover artefacts of value for them.
The Hand sends teams out on missions into Aesteria and sometimes the planes beyond in hopes of recovering powerful tomes and magical artefacts that could cause destruction. This has gained the Hand a reputation as hoarders. Their teams are often instructed to bring back any magical item, with the Hand then inspecting them and selling those they don't think are too dangerous out to magic item shops or to adventurers whole sale.
The Hand also has offices in most large cities in Requiem, as well as a few agents within Vanreth and the Hastlands. This is to keep magical abuse down, and in Requiems case work as a registration for those seeking to cast higher level magic. The Hand have made many deals to get into this position, pushing them into a place of political power.
Each major office for the Hand contains a planar gate leading to a demi plane they control.
The logo of the Astral Hand is an outstretched hand reaching for a sun.
Control Weapons Unseen
Type
Guild, Mages
Leader
Leader Title
Location
Controlled Territories
