Circles of Magi (Circles of May-jeye)
A small and old sect originally created the Circles of Magi within The Church of The Sol, a splintered church group that believed that magic, while dangerous, could be maintained and guided under the watch of the church and Templars. While this sect is long gone, their early attempts at fostering a home under the eyes of Templars have not gone undone.
The only Circle left that still operates in this way is the one located in Perentha, with most others becoming more independent and in The Sunderfels are entirely governed by the mages themselves, with the templars only being there in the name - many acting more like personal guard. Unlike the Perenthan Circle, which is run more like a prison than a place of teaching and is much more what all Circles were like when first founded.
Being deemed a civilized way to deal with the magically inclined. Many children who show signs of being magically gifted are sent to the Circle, where they are trained to hone their skills through discipline and long studious sessions, being taught the dangers of magic and not to be tempted by other planar beings that offer power. These lessons are taught from the day they arrive until their 18th birthday. They must undergo a trial to continue practising magic.
The trial is called the Harrowing and involves the initiate drinking a potion that enhances their powers, making them more suitable to the magic within the world - Mages that have navigated the trail describe it as being taken to a place of dreams - somewhere in between the real world, the magic planes, with various beings trying to tempt them into deals - demons and spirits with false-promises only seeking for a host to take to explore the mortal plane. Regardless of the Circle, this process is conducted under the watcher gaze of specially trained Templars, tasked with cutting down the initiate if something else takes their place during the trial.
Those who pass can continue their studies, unable to leave the Circle Towers. They often live out the rest of their days in the pursuit of researching Circle-approved fields. However, how strictly this is followed depends on where the Circle is in the world.
However, those who either refuse to take the trail or fail to pass are made "tranquil" through a process that servers their connection to magic and leaves them a hollow shell of their former selves. This practice is deemed inhumane by many but is practised in all Circles and is even forced on magic users not in the Circles by those who believe it is a way of purifying those tainted by magic. Large sects within the Church of the Sol believe this is the only way for those without magic to be safe.
Structure
Ranks within the Circles -
- Grand Enchanter – First Enchanters that have made a name for themselves through great deeds or achievements.
- First Enchanter – The leader of a given Circle.
- Senior Enchanter – The most experienced mages present in each circle who serve as advisors to the first enchanter.
- Enchanter – Mages who mentor apprentices; they can specialize in a particular field of study.
- Mage – All residents who have passed their Harrowing
- Apprentice – Students that are training for their Harrowing.
Assets
Towers of Magi -
In the realm of Vilra-Shal, the towering structures known as the Tower of Magi serve as a bastion of magical knowledge and discipline. Their architecture is a blend of grandeur and functionality, crafted from sturdy materials that reflect the ancient artistry of the arcane. The exterior of the building is adorned with intricate patterns of runes and symbols, hinting at the mystical teachings held within its walls. Once inside a tower, one will find a complex network of corridors and chambers that wind their way upward. Each tower level is dedicated to different aspects of magical study and practice. In the classrooms, mages-in-training can be heard chanting incantations and scratching quills on parchment as they immerse themselves in their rigorous education. Though each tower has different arrangements, they are not too dissimilar. The laboratories within are stocked with rare ingredients, magical reagents, and ancient tomes, providing a space for mages to experiment and develop their spells. The air is often filled with the scents of herbs and alchemical substances as arcane concoctions take form under careful supervision. A great library, a repository of wisdom and arcane lore, often lies at the heart of a tower. Countless dusty scrolls and leather-bound volumes line the shelves, containing the accumulated knowledge of generations of mages. Scholars can pour over ancient texts, seeking hidden insights and forgotten truths that might aid them in their magical pursuits. A tower's pinnacle is home to a grand observatory where mages can study celestial phenomena and the movements of magical energies across the realm. This space serves as a quiet retreat for contemplation and meditation as mages seek to attune themselves to the currents of magic that flow through the world. The vigilant Templars guard the tower, serving as a symbol of authority and control. Clad in their distinctive armour, they keep watchful eyes on the activities within the tower, ready to intervene if the boundaries of safe magical practice are breached. The Tower of Magi are a place of awe and mystery, where the pursuit of knowledge and the mastery of magic intertwine. It stands as a testament to the intricate relationship between the arcane arts and the disciplined study required to harness their potent energies.
First Enchanter Ronan Trelvon
by Mid Journey
Freed Circles -
Circles that are not under the direct control of Templars. While they don't answer directly to any Templars, that doesn't mean none are present - they still serve as guards and watchers as they are an integral part of the harrowing. Other than that, these Circles are left to their own devices - they still operate more or less like any other Circles, just without most of the restrictions that govern other Circles.
Type
Education, Magic
Alternative Names
Circles, The Circles
