The Profane Rebellion

Since the beginning of the empire, when wizards hired by princes and warlords had tried in vain to stem the expansionist dreams of King Coring, the emeperors of Coringia had outlawed the use of any magic not derived from the power of the gods. Arcane magic became a thing unknown in most of the empire, save for magical trinkets sold in back alleys by shady dealers. Traders would tell stories of strange magic cast by elves and the pagans to the south, and the armies prepared for the war mages of the Hellenes and the League. But within the Empire itself, all otherworldly power came directly from the benificence of the Aesir. In 888 CE the Odineye, Hemgut the Old, High Priest of the Gods and adviser to the line of Coringian Emperors foretold of an undoing of the line of Coring, by magic not of the gods. In 890 CE, a cabal of mages, calling themselves the Ancient and Secret Rite of Inherent Forces, but known to most as simply "the Rite", attempted to overthrow the sitting Emperor, Edric Balorson, who was referred to in hushed whispers as Edric the Resurrected. He had been killed as boy after being thrown from a horse, but was brought back to life by the Odineye, and ever after sought only his counsel. In the winter of 890 CE, mages of the Rite made their way into the hall of the emperor by way of illusion spells and caused a great deal of destruction before they were driven out by Knights of Coring and a number of priests. Edric was only saved by the divine magic of the Odineye, even though most of the members of the court we either killed outright or died fighting to defend the emperor. This event gave birth to the Emperial Inquisitors and began their hunt for the remnants of the Rite. It also saw an increased amount of power and responsibility bestowed upon the Odineye and his inquisitors. Those who practice arcane magic in secret are labeled as "profane" and are executed by Imperial decree. Throughout the Empire, the Godsworn continue their hunt for the profaners. Rune Wardens are at every port of entry seeking out profane magic, and set wards against its use as a security measure in important areas, protecting key areas of cities, prisons, armories, vaults, important persons, and the like.