Mage Guard of Tinel
The mage guard serves two purposes: to protect and recover knowledge, and to oppose anyone who seeks out forbidden knowledge, particularly malicious mages. The mage guard are experts at fighting arcane spell users.
While friendly with, and fond of, good-aligned spell casters, their order was founded after a dread cult sought to use magic to reassemble the name of The Nameless One, and destroy all of creation. The elders of what would become the order determined that the world required a force that respected magic, but also knew how to oppose it. Too often, those who knew how to fight evil magic-users were superstitious and smallminded tyrants, who didn’t know the difference between a wizard and a warlock in the thrall of dark powers. If another evil body of wizards arose and threatened the world, no one of the Tinelite faith wanted to have to count on fools to stop them.
Since the world does not always need a force to oppose reckless magic use, the mage guard also protects knowledge, the knowledgeable, and important secrets. The great libraries of the world attract mage guard members, and anyone with a vital secret in need of protection can plead with them to keep it safe. The mage guard protects the works of the past, and thus there are two edicts all the mage guard must follow.
Never allow the wicked to seize control of learning or secrets if by risking your life, you might prevent it.
Hold all secrets bestowed to you in sacred trust. Do not reveal them to any but those with whom you have been directed to share.
In addition, the world has lost a great deal of knowledge over the years. Thus, the mage guard seeks out lost lore and secrets. This takes up most of its time, since members of the order rarely find themselves ordered to seek out and eliminate users of arcane magic. Many in the mage guard go their entire careers without a mission related to the purpose for which the order was founded, but some happen to find themselves fighting evil wizards while questing for lost knowledge. When the faith discovers it’s possible to recover ancient or lost knowledge, it charges the mage guard with the task. Their mission is embodied in the following precept:
If by the toil of your brow or the blood of your body, you find knowledge which is lost to the wise of the world, it is your sacred duty to recover it. You shall not sacrifice your life for it, if others might recover the knowledge on a separate quest. Rather, you are bound by oath to inform your brethren in Tinel of the lost learning at once, so they can recover it. If you are assigned this mission, you will pursue it using all your strength and skill.The mage guard takes orders directly from the armarius, or a council of armarii at their home scriptorium. Only armarii can command the mage guard, for only one who has unlocked his vision bears the insight to direct this deeply holy order. In the field, when several of the mage guard work together, they obey the most experienced member of their own order. The mage guard travels with any who value knowledge and individual purpose. They’re irked by anyone whose outlook runs counter to the general Tinelite views, such as most Teraketh, but in general, anyone who is good, or even neutral, can make excellent companions for one of the mage guard. They never travel with evil magic-users, and actively work against them.
Defenders of the Word
All new members of the mage guard are addressed as “defender,” but in introductions this is extended to the full title, such as: “Defender of the Word Morik, a Mage Guard of the scriptoriums of Tinel.” They go to scriptoriums, where they serve an armarius. There, they might receive orders to go forth and find lost knowledge, or stay at the scriptorium to protect its archives. Some mage guards work with others of their order, forming a “cadre,” and work together on whatever mission their armarius gives them.Keeper of Secrets
The most experienced defenders of the word become keepers of secrets. To become a keeper, defenders must unravel their visions. Unlike inceptors, defenders tell none but their commanding armarius about the vision and its meaning, though they do take on new surnames. They keep their vision’s meaning secret from all but one person, and it is in the imparting of her most personal and carefully kept secret to another that she becomes a keeper of secrets. Keepers of Secrets are addressed as “Keeper” and introduced in the same fashion as defenders. The mage guard keeps many secrets: tales about the name of the Nameless One only they know, for instance. They hold them closely. Not even the armarii know these tales. Upon being inducted into the order, each keeper is given a book of secrets. This must be kept on their person, as a private chronicle, for the rest of their lives. These books pass down from keeper to keeper. When one dies, the book is kept in trust by an armarius, until another keeper is elevated and the book can be passed on. Only one living keeper may know the contents of the book at a time. As they travel, keepers add new secrets to the book. When the last page is reached, they hide it away, in a secret place. Many would love to find one of these hiding places. Keepers of secrets do not share what they learn in confidence. Some political leaders, even those as important as queens and emperors, ask for their aid, knowing they can be trusted to pass on messages and lore they will never share with anyone who is not authorized to know them. Keepers never violate the oath of secrecy, on pain of expulsion, and perhaps punishments from Tinel or his servants.
Joining the Mage Guard
There is no explanation for why people are called to join the mage guard—they simply feel a pull, a need to take up the sword and fight for Tinel. Most initiates spend at least six years learning all the skills necessary to be a mage guard, though fewer are required for trained fighters. Candidates must also have had the Vision of the Opening Eye, and must not share it with anyone. Upon completing their training, they become defenders of the word. All the mage guard are fighters (eldritch knights) and most are chaotic good. If you’re using feats, mage guards always take the Mage Slayer feat.
Type
Religious, Holy Order
Parent Organization
