The Twelve

The Twelve is an alliance of powerful wizards sponsored by the dragonmarked houses. They are the organization that accomplishes things beyond the capabilities of the houses, and where disputes between the houses are settled.

Members of the Twelve belong to the dragonmarked houses of Khorvaire. The Twelve serves as an institute to train members in arcane magic, and as a think tank for discoveries beyond the capabilities of individual houses. Those who are not members of the Twelve are not allowed past the foyer of the Twelve's citadels. The Committee of Twelve oversees the organization, although the exact number of members varies. The council is concerned with research and developing new spells or devices. The Twelve does not rule the dragonmarked houses, and interhouse rivalries are not unknown.

The organization was formed after the War of the Mark around 1,500 years ago in an alliance proposed by Lord Hadran d'Cannith to unify the dragonmarked houses in pursuing magical research and profit. King Galifar ir'Wynarn I started the rival Arcane Congress of Aundair many years later out of fear for the growing power of the dragonmarked houses. As the power of both individual dragonmarked houses and the Arcane Congress has grown since the Last War, the Twelve has fractured and diminished.