The Ascension Spires
The Elven High courts are headquartered within the Capital city of Vaultimore , strewn across the tall spires of the Ascension district, The Grand Arcanum; as it’s also known as by every race not of native elven tongue, is the highest authority in the kingdom when it comes to matters of a magical nature. Considered by many to be the 'official' magical organization of Vaultimore, although despite close ties to the government, the Grand Arcanum (High courts to elves) remains an independent entity.
Day to day, the Arcanum has two main focuses - Firstly, the safe and supervised education of the magical arts to those willing and wishing to learn; and secondly, the investigation, handling and safekeeping of abnormal, powerful and/or potentially dangerous magical activities and artifacts throughout the land.
For many, the Arcanum's education program is the major thing that they are known for. The first thought of a citizen of Vaultimore who has an interest in magic would typically be to seek out the Arcanum. That isn't to say that all magic users are associated with the Arcanum, and membership certainly is not forced upon anyone. However, the concentration of magical knowledge found within the walls of the Arcanum's premises, and among it's members, makes it a popular choice for those seeking the path of the arcane.
Early years spent at the Arcanum are in group settings, learning basic magical practices, and honing their skills and control. More experienced students eventually falling under the care of individual tutors, acting as their apprentices for as long as the tutor deems necessary. Upon completion of this apprenticeship, the students are made full members of the Arcanum. Many will remain at the Arcanum, continuing their studies. Others venture out into the world, to practice their arts wherever the wind takes them.
The second part of the Arcanum's operation involves the policing of dangerous magical practices and the prevention of magical disasters. This is mostly a self-imposed duty, as the ordinary folk, by and large, are mostly ignorant of magical matters, and could not comprehend the danger posed by unchecked magical activity. As part of this duty, the Arcanum operates a series of secret, high-security vaults, which house any dangerous magical artifacts that come into their possession; along with a prison, of sorts, for any magic-user who has committed crimes and would be too dangerous to be left in a regular prison.
Structure
The Arcaneum is led by a Grand Master, who oversees the entire running of the organisation, and is often a trusted advisor to the monarchs of the time.
Below the Grand Master, sits the High Court; a council of eight of the most powerful and wise members of the Arcanum. It is from this Court that the Grand Master is elected. Each of the eight members of the High Court is responsible for different aspects of the running of the organisation. Most no longer take on apprentices, having been with the Arcanum for many years, but the occasional promising student will catch the eye of a High Court master, and they may pass their knowledge along.
Full members of the Arcanum are split loosely into several groups; defined by what they choose to do following the completion of their apprenticeship. Some may choose to remain within the Arcanum's center of magical learning, continuing their studies. Those who have mastered certain aspects of magic may go on to teach what they have learned to the next generation of magical students. Some will be employed by the Arcanum for their second purpose, spending their time travelling the land in search of dangerous magical artifacts and rogue magic-users and working to protect the people of Vaultimore from their influence and deeds. Some will leave and not return, pursuing their own path, confident in the magical knowledge that they gained during their time at the Arcanum.
Titles
Grand Master of the Arcanum - Held by the leader of the High Court (sometimes called the High circle). Head of the Arcanum.
Current Grand Master - Kilyn Ceinlys (pronounced Kane-liss)
Master of the High Courts - Held by members of the High Courts.
The Eight Members of the high courts represent absolute mastery in their respective schools of magic.
- Iliric Dreadalus (M) Master of whispers (School of Illusion)
- Vanelis Autumnguard (M) Master of wards. (School of Abjuration)
- Enrie Medri (F) Master of summons (School of Conjuration)
- Ulara Yathri (F) Master of elements (School of Evocation)
- Shoki Philleon (Non binary) Master of allsight (School of Divination)
- Zacarius Tehm (M) Master of words (School of Enchantment)
- Rissa Dellebach (F) Master of Fragments (School of Transmutation)
- Kyla Revinold (F) Master of Fates (School of Necromancy)
Master of the Arcanum - Held by experienced and notable members of the Arcanum.
Arcanist - Held by all graduated members of the Arcanum.
Ascendant-Level Apprentice - Held by apprentices during the final stages of their apprenticeship under an Arcanist or a Master.
Attendant-Level Apprentice - Held by apprentices during the first stages of their apprenticeship under an Arcanist or a Master.
Arcanum Novice - Held by those in the first years of their studies at the Arcanum, before being apprenticed under an Arcanist or a Master.
History
The Arcanum was created following the events of the disastrous Age of Convergence; a nearly 500 year period of history in which warring factions bitterly fought to save the lands from a world ending threat; truly frightening uses of magical power and magical artifacts threatened the very existential survival of life in these lands.
At the close of this terrible time, the kingdom of Vaultimore , mostly as it is known today, was built from the ground up, the Arcanum along with it, in the explicit purpose of preventing catastrophes such as the Convergence from happening ever again.
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