Brotherhoods of Magic
History
Few classes evoke emotional debates and reaction in northern (specifically) Tor Lindon like the arcane. Persecuted ruthlessly following Hammerfall as the architects of the world's ending, the arcane classes were brought to near extinction. The cries of 'demon-blooded' and 'witch' were heard from one end of Tor Lindon to the other, as casters - and those percieved to be casters - were captured, tortured and executed in the most savage and brutal ways.
But arcanists were not without their means of protection in a world gone mad, and despite the onslaught managed to survive long enough for the world to change yet again.
It is said that time heals all wounds. And if that holds true in this case, it is not because the simmering anger and mistrust ever went away but rather because the usefulness of arcane powers could not be denied. One the only pre-Alza'Alshazok documents known to have survived theAlth'Tahara of the Al'mustrah (god King/Pharaoh) of Qu'astan, stretches back to the near nascent period of Qu'astan during the first High Ara’aque Dynasty, a time when Qu'astan was viewed as a civilizing and enlightened source to the peoples surrounding it. Viewing the persecution of arcanists as barbarity and unbecoming a civilized people, Pharaoh Ra’Tan-te’Ara’aque perceived and enacted a plan that would see the ceaseless witch-hunts and the suffering of the arcane classes ended.
The Ma'atna Heka - the Order of Magic - was formed, and so long as those who professed to be users of the rites registered and subject themselves to the order for the purpose of monitoring their activities, they would be protected and allowed to practice their skills in peace.
The Ma'atna Heka was well intentioned and long overdue for it provided a much needed respite to fearful casters - especially those whose spontaneous skills and bloodlines they could not control. And while they may still have suffered some persecution or bigotry on a local level, they were now protected by state sanctioned violence.
Thanks again in large part to the Alth'Tahara (Qu'astan purging of records), the exact record of what transpired from the date of the founding of Ma'atna Heka to the Treaty of Ord Mondu is not fully understood but at least some things are known. Understanding a great power to have guaranteed them their safety, arcanists from all over Tor Lindon - spontaneous casters especially - sought the refuge of the Ma'atna Heka. That in some cases led to lands north of the Birthing Sea to adopt chapters of the order, but more often than not it led to casters simply migrating to Qu'astan.
As it seems is the case with all good things, the intention began to corrupt. Qu'astan once a civilizing influence and cultural becon, began to war and conquer their neighbors. Requirements of the state changed and the arcanists of the Ma'atna Heka began to be pressed into service. The arcane was a powerful weapon. A very powerful weapon. And the rulers of Qu'astan knew it. The Ma'atna Heka changed its name to the Ma'atna Ra'inti - the Order of the Burning Sun - for now people were right to fear arcanists, and a great number of arcanists revelled in the newfound authority that brought.
Those chapters of the Ma'atna Heka on the northern shores of the Birthing Sea did not follow their southern breathren. They had no interest in conflict and an open schizm resulted that had the effect of paralyzing recruitment, item development and the 'progress' of greater Qu'astan. The Pharaoh commanded the Order to reach a compromise and the result was the Treatise (Treaty) of Ord Mondu, a treaty that essentially split the Ma'atna Ra'inti into two parts: one would focus on aiding Qu'astan with its efforts to expand - Ma'atna Ra'inti - and bring order to the hinterlands while the other would focus purely on reseach and acquisition of knowledge - Ma'atna Wedjess (Order of the Eye).
As the Order of the Burning Sun rained destruction on the enemies of the Pharaoh with increasing power and fervour, a small faction from within the Order of the Eye began to openly protest and break away from both the Burning Sun - with whom they were at ideological odds - and with the Eye - whom they felt were standing idly by and watching the Burning Sun not only scorch the earth they lived in, but lending heavy truth to the fearful stereotypes held by the vast majority of the populations. This small group becamae known as ed'abyad - the White - and as the voices grew so too did support.
Between conflicts and in a momentary lapse of peace, the Pharoah asceded to an ammendment to the Treaty of Ord Mondu that allowed for the creation of the Ma'atna Abyad - the Order of the White - who held as one of their directives, to act as a watch and possibly check on the activities of the Burning Sun.
The time of Tumult and the Great Purge by the Al'mustrah would sever relations between the three Orders. The Burning Sun - which had grown in power considerably - seized the opportunity to eradicate the other two Orders, who foresaw the action and quickly removed themselves from Qu'astan and across the Birthing Sea.
This event is often refered to as the sahk'fasil, or the Breaking.
------
Type
Guild, Mages
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Comments