Circle of Rowan

Founded alongside the new nation of Estrella, the Circle of Rowan is one of the oldest institutions in fledgling country. The Circle of Rowan is tasked with the research, containment, and if necessary, destruction of anything significantly magical. Their agents are expected to be equal parts scholars, archaeologists, and bounty hunters. Taking their name from a small grove of rowan trees where the first agents met in secret during the last days of the War of Liberation. The Circle was comprised of a coalition of warriors, scholars, and former servants of the Court. This organization was created partially out of a worry that the victors of the war would be tempted to utilize the magics of their enemies to bolster their power.
The Circle of Rowan came to prominence by being first tasked with the capture of any remaining members of the Court of Miracles. This allowed them access to much of the Court of Miracles research and materials. They saw the containment, and possible destruction of those magical items their priority. While they began their exhaustive research into the proper destruction of such elements, those agents tasked with hunting down courtiers were dying the field in increasing number. Thoroughly outmatched by even the weakest among escaped courtiers, the Circle of Rowan had to reckon with the reality of the situation.
With an eye to both containment, as well as understanding, the Circle began to turn the magic and weapons used by the Court against them. Slowly but surely, they developed techniques and counter measures that proved effective against the magic of the Court. It is presumed by most historians, and claimed by some members of the Circle, that the Warden style of Freeblades was first developed during thise time. While they made use of some on of the power of the Court, they mostly suppressed the most dangerous of the research in secret vaults.
Over a century of hunting down powerful magic users forged the Circle of Rowan is a well organized and well funded worldwide institution. Staunchly dedicated to the curbing of excessive magical power. Raised on tales of the atrocities committed by the Court of Miracles, members of the Circle approach all magic with a healthy skepticism. While their strict and uncompromising nature can rub people the wrong way, when magical trouble arises they are always the first in and last out.
This is not to say, that they absolutely reject magic in all its forms. In point of fact, The Circle of Rowan is dedicated to understanding magic as best as they can. They learned the hard way, that they couldn't protect the world from something they don't understand. Though their headquarters is situated on border of the Mystic Frontier, their agents can be found throughout the world now.

Type

Military, Other