Larael Shimmerweave

"Risen were made from Magick, but never meant to possess it. Arcane ability unravels the very nature of our world. It promises both untold ecstasies as well as unfathomable destruction. We must make sure we do not squander such a gift, yet make sure to use it in a way that does not disgrace Nora in the same gesture." - Larael Shimmerweave addressing the students and faculty of The Collective

Master of the Arcane

Larael Shimmerweave was born as just Larael, a first-generation Ehlen created from Elanaah's blood in the early ages of the world. He was born without any magickal affinity, like all others at the time, but had a deep desire to understand the nature of Risen and the world around them. It was the Ehlen's blessing of longevity that let him live into and through the Age of First Sin and bear witness to the decline in morals of both gods and Risen alike. He became an outspoken voice amongst Ehlen during this period in opposition to both Sturn's actions and the ensuing wars. It was because of this outcry against Magick being placed in the hands of Risen that Elanaah chose him to become her chosen Master of the Arcane. Elanaah left him with a simple message, "Seek peace -- for yourself and the future."
Larael was initially overcome with the weight of the powers that he was granted, at a loss of what he should do with such a great responsibility that he never wanted. The Ehlen spent more than a century traveling the world and observing other cultures and practitioners of the new godly gifts. It was during this time that he would work to aid settlements and cities in secret with his abilities, many offering praises to an unknown god for these mysterious blessings. His benevolence also found its way into Nioyaathep, where he disguised himself as a Dahlen to work on obtaining a better understanding of their people.
It was outside the city of Tooyeiepo where he discovered Zuberi Thokh, his arcane equivalent in the form of a first-generation Dahlen. Zuberi had founded a cult of followers and militarized their faith in him as an Arcane Master. Larael infiltrated the cult and discovered the leader's intentions of sacrificing the entire city in hopes of completing one of the Rites of Ascension and obtaining godhood. This information stirred Larael to reveal himself, accusing him of wicked heresy and challenging him to a duel between masters, which is all the invitation Zuberi needed.
Their conflict took them to the unpopulated northern coast of the desert where Larael hoped to avoid any unnecessary casualties. While no Risen could be present for their battle, the gods watched with great interest as to who would come out on top. For five days they clashed, shattering the landmass and creating The Northern Isles in the process. In the end, Larael sacrificed much of the right portion of his torso and jaw to strike the final blow on Zuberi, causing his foe to disintegrate into ash. His powers allowed him to stay alive, but not even his magick prowess could restore the loss on his body. It was there that he swore he could never allow the Arcane to be misused in such a fashion again.
In the year 20 AR Larael founded the Collective, an organization meant to bring together aspirants of Arcane Magicks and bring them together where they can learn in a controlled environment. It was his deepest hope that such an organization could instill the right values among its members and deal with any threats correctly and efficiently. He used every bit of his Arcane ability to craft the tower that would become the home base of the Collective. Even should he die and his Magick wane should the tower not fall for millennia. The island it was formed on is located in Jerun's Strait, just across the waters from Amaranthine so that he could always stay close to home. After that, he selected five gifted arcane practitioners he met throughout his travels to becoming the first Hand of the Collective, and took his position as the first Grand Archmagi.
Larael led the Collective as Grand Archmagi for another three hundred years, his already long life extended by the potent Magick inside him. The Collective flourished during this time, rising from its six founders to thousands of members in the few centuries in which he served. Later it would grow to tens of thousands of members in the tower and throughout the world as it grew to be the largest organization in Nora. He died naturally in the presence of his current Hand, to which he laid out his unfinished plans and hopes for the future of their organization. A grand ceremony was held for his death within the Collective Tower and his remains were said to be sent back to Amaranthine where he desired to be buried back at home.
When the Second Grand Archmagi died suddenly a little more than three centuries after Larael's passing, the Hand of the Collective was unable to make a unanimous decision as to who should succeed to the position of Grand Archmagi. The odd number of members was established to prevent tied votes and yet the fifth refused to cast his vote on one of the two chosen as he believed them both to be poor choices. Before tensions could rise to violence, the Hand decided to unearth Larael's body and revive him with necromancy to resolve the decision. Breaking into the gravesite in Amaranthine and returning to the tower with his remains was likely a task that only the Hand of the Collective could accomplish.
The First Grand Archmagi immediately berated the Hand of the Collective, grossly displeased with both their indecision and the gall to disrupt his soul from the Realm of the Dead. Throughout his reprimands, he made sure that the resurrection of deceased members, whether temporary or permanent, be outlawed in all future scenarios. The members of the Hand admitted their wrongdoing and codified the order into their Tenets. Larael eventually calmed himself before taking a reprieve from the Grand Tower to clear his head and pray to Elanaah for guidance.
In a private glade on the southern side of the island, Larael found his answer in a mythical conference with the goddess herself. As a beam of moonlight shone upon him as he began to hear Elanaah's voice calling out. The two of them conversed throughout the night about his experiences in the Realm of the Dead and the feeling of being alive once again. Ultimately, she offered to put him through the Rite of Ascension and become a god. Larael refused it initially, citing that it was not his desire to become a god. Hearing an order from his creator yet again, however, he could not refuse.

"Magick was never meant for our kind. Godhood should be a level beyond any Risen aspiration." Larael said.
"Does that mean you disagree with our decisions? It was we who decided to grant Ascension and Magick alike. I granted you mastery of the Arcane myself. Was I wrong for doing so?" Elanaah inquired, though she knew the answer.
"No, goddess, I am not foolish enough to reject your decision. I have lived my life and endured the trials you set upon me. I am satisfied with death and wish to remain as I am; I have no desire for godhood. Why then would you ask me to become one?"
"It is the very fact that you do not desire such power that I believe you are the one best suited for it. Come, my dear child, and Ascend to the same throne as your creators." - Larael and Elanaah, discussions prior to Ascension.

God of the Arcane

After Elanaah's encouragement, they proceeded with the Rite of Ascension, and Larael joined the pantheon of gods as a god over all Arcane Magick. He vowed to remain impartial to Arcane practitioners, regardless of whether they be part of the Collective or not. His name was spread throughout the world once again, and his image was added to the Church of Combined Faiths. Ignosi now adopted a dual-worship of both Hector and Larael to cover the pursuit of knowledge in all its forms, both mundane and arcane.
The most well-known act of creation in his godhood was the creation of the Circatrix Arcanum, which was his effort to pass on the mantle of Master of the Arcane to a deserving individual. Choosing a successor involved a rigorous process of multiple individuals competing in games of logic and strength to prove their ability and their competence. Each individual is typically in charge of a faction to also show their aptitude for leadership throughout the trials. Larael believed that these trials would result in someone who was both powerful enough to be recognized as a Master, and also a commendable enough individual to bring honor to the gods, himself now included.
His praise is commonly found throughout areas with a high volume of Arcane practitioners, most notably the cities of Amaranthine, Ignosi, and Sicerrone, as well as throughout the Collective. Despite his godhood, however, there are no individual churches dedicated to his worship. Worship of Larael is typically done through Arcane study and quiet prayer while searching for answers or breakthroughs. Many libraries, specifically those with arcane texts or scrolls, are treated as places of worship for him instead of traditional altars.
Larael has since remained a fairly distant god like the rest and keeps his sightings in the world few and far between. He is known to make a presence every time he bestows the Circatrix Arcanum to a new user. It is also said that he will make himself known in times of great peril or strife amongst the Collective, though he himself cannot play a direct hand in its resolution.

Alternative Titles: Master of the Arcane, First Grand Archmagi, Sunderer of the Northern Isles
Born in -247 AFS, Death in 361 AR at 608 Years of Age
Resurrected in 682 AR before Ascending to godhood in the same year

Appearance: Like most of the first-generation Ehlen, Larael posessed a tall, lithe figure adorned with long blonde hair and pale yellow eyes. His face was well pronounced with thick cheekbones and a long nose, yet he was otherwise plain compared to the others of his generation. After his fight with Zuberi, he lost both his right arm and portion of his jaw alongside much of the right portion of his torso. In their place were shimmering images of the lost portions of his body that functioned just as well if not better than their original counterparts.
Notable Armaments:
Orb of the All-Knowing - A divining orb imbued with the eyes of a Fairy crafted by the god himself, said to be able to reveal details of locations throughout the whold of Nora.

Arcane Ruler's Staff - A staff passed down between each of the Grand Archmagi of the Collective which greatly increases the user's intelligence and Arcane ability.
Symbol: Iconography depicting Larael consists of a blue skeletal hand supporting a pink orb, representing his phantom limb and his prized orb.