Guild of Esoteric Law

The Esoteric Arts were introduced into the Dragon Isle by the Tylwyth Hen, the forefathers of the current Elven races, whilst they were teaching the Humans who lived on the Dragon Isle. During the following centuries many of these mages sought solitude away from the prying eyes of their Emperor in order to be able to extend their knowledge. Some mages journeyed onto the mainland of Marakush, where some travelled south west whilst others went to the south east. Of those that travelled south eastwards there were a number of Necromancers who practised the dark arts and eventually they came upon the Serpent's Isle. Here they remained, and founded many hidden places to extend their knowledge of the “left-handed path”.

The others, who were far greater in number, journeyed far to the south and made their home on what is now the Wizards Isle. Many centuries passed and the great wizards fell into decline in the Dragon Reaches since there were few young people willing to train as apprentices in the arts. Then from the south came a wandering mage, keen to learn how the remaining brethren had fared in the north.

All that he found were a handful of ancient mages, with much of their knowledge now forgotten or lost. The only mages in any number were the wise-women of the rural villages and the rune casters that could be found in the barbarian wildlands. The mage, whose name was Lambelas, decided to set up a college to save the arts. After travelling around the Dragon Reaches he focused on opening his college at Daranmax, the capital of what was then the Great Urtish Empire. Soon the college was awash with would-be wizards and Lambelas sent the call to the Wizards Isle for more help. Four mages answered his call, and so Lambelas established the Guild of Esoteric Law with the aim of creating colleges of magic in every major city and so preventing the ancient arts from disappearing into obscurity.

Guild of Esoteric Law

The Guild of Esoteric Law is the only recognised formal body of practitioners of the Esoteric Arts within the majority of the Dragon Reaches. It has managed to achieve a reasonable status quo with most of the major religions, but especially the Church of Urto. However, to achieve this, they have had to establish a number of rules that limit their teachings.

1. The first rule is that the art of Necromancy will not be taught to any student, and this is without exception.
2. The second rule is that any student or member who is deemed to bring the Guild into disrepute shall be barred from the Guild.

The Church, in turn, has responded by stating that anyone found practicing magic that is not a member of the Guild shall be deemed an heretic. The Guild and Church regard any non-humans to be outside these restrictions since they believe them to be magical beings. As such any Elf or Dwarf who has knowledge of magic can automatically become members of the Guild by simply paying their guild dues.

College of Light

Colleges are for Master-level members only, those who are apprentices and journeymen, have to wait before they can make a choice to join a college. Journeymen, often look to join the same college as their master, others would join any other college except their master's college. Some journeymen are courted by the colleges, those who have made an impact within the guild, or the world at large by doing things that a specific guild would appreciate. Journeymen travel the country, hence the name, and stay at different guild houses, experiencing the teaching of the various masters of the colleges. When they are good enough and have been proposed for advancement to master, they choose a college to study as a master. (see College of Light )
Libraries within these colleges are very limited with most having 100’s of books and rarely having more than 600 books. The subjects of these books will be divided between mundane subjects and the esoteric arts. These are usually copies of books that are in the Universities libraries. Some exceptional single copy books are in the personal libraries of the College Principals and possibly the teachers at the college. (see Books and Scrolls of Marakush )

University of Light

There is a single University of Light within the kyngdom of Urtind and that resides in Darranmax. The University has an extensive library with over 2,000 books with more than 900 being focused on the esoteric arts.

Guild of Esoteric Lore

Guild of Artificers, armourers, and weaponsmiths based in Urtind and originally spanned all of the original Urtind Empire. So in Baronies and kingdoms who did not create their own guilds they still retain allegiances and ties with the Urtind based Guild.

Societies Outside of Urtind

Some of these groups will from time to time have presence in Urtind either by invitation or by trying to influence the politics etc of Urtind.

Guild of Arcane Lore

Founded in the Kingdom of Anderia with close connections and collaborations with the Guild of Esoteric Law as well as throughout the Dragon Reaches of Marakush.

Magical Order of the Golden Pelican

Founded in the Kingdom of Maks and has a team that travels throughout the Dragon Reaches of Marakush. Very secretive and most members are also members of other orders or societies/guilds.

Hermetic Society of the Althanor

Is the Alchemists guild within the Kingdom of Maks and closely monitored by the aristocracy of he Kingdom. Many guild members have patrons that are Lords of the Realm with the most accomplished members being having patrons within the Royal Family.

Most Wise Order of the Sun and Stars

Are the Astrologers and Diviners within the Kingdom of Maks. Again largely funded by the aristoricy of the kingdom. The ability to understand future events or to scrye what an enemy is doing is very important to the leadership of a realm. Of equal importance is the ability to prevent the same happening to you and yours.

Masters of Steel

Is the guild of armourers and weapon-smiths within both the Kingdom of Maks and the Khazdhun (Dwarven) enclaves. There is a tentative linkage between these two groups, possibly related to some very interesting ore deposits within the Kingdom.

The Ancient Order of Elemental Magic

This is a secret order of wizards who have chosen to specialise in the elemental powers. Their numbers are made up mainly from wizards who have been refused membership of the Guild of Esoteric Lore or are wizards who have chosen not to join. A small minority of the Order’s members will also be members of the Guild of Esoteric Lore and their function is to keep the Order informed of Guild actions. All members of the Order have some mundane vocation that they use to shield their covert magical

Type

Guild, Mages