History of Man -- Book 1: Westrun Part 15

Thelstan of Treft was sentenced to the High Throne in 5101. He was a good man and a strong leader by all accounts, but he was cursed to live in a tumultuous time that saw many changes. Heimar the Compromising was the High Priest of the Grand Temple at that time, and he vied with the Archmage Vecna for the ear of Thelstan, who seemed to prefer to keep his own counsel.

Heimar had been merciful to a young priest, writing him a pardon from the charge of heresy and permitting him to indulge in the worship of his so-called Forgotten God. In 5107 the priest, named Gamasiel, had gathered seven acolyte-pledges to his god and raised them to the priesthood. Then Gamasiel and the Seven ignited the War of the Gods against the other priests of the Grand Temple. The war took place in a series of ten battles of miracles, which were challenges to the power of the elder gods and ended with signs that showed the power of the Forgotten God. When the last of the battles was won, the priests either converted or deserted the Grand Temple and the monotheistic Church of Westrun was born. Gamasiel was then recognized as the Patriarch of that Church. 

In 5121 Edmun of Menea succeeded Thelstan to the Throne. During his reign, Planos became Patriach upon the death of Gamasiel.

In 5128 Edmun was followed by Eadred of Menea whose reign was only two years, but was best known for the Edict of Supremacy in Faith of 5129.

Eadred was followed by Aleranus the Pious in 5130. Halded the Militant was the Patriarch during Aleranus' reign. The High Throne and the Patriarchy saw to the creation of the Orders of Religious Knights, or Paladins, from the most devout and most charismatic from the sworn knighthood. 

In 5140 Serolgar of Rath followed Aleranus and during his reign Cronos the Blessed was Patriarch over the Church.

In 5150 Clanute of Treft was sentenced to the High Throne and he was followed by Hareld of Menea in 5159, During Hareld's reign, Planos II the Silent and Cronos II the Short served as Patriarchs and both are notable for being eclipsed by the influence of Jerebola the Compassionate -- a hermitess of Sakish royal blood who forsook her riches and lived in a mountain cave in the manner of some Hierophants. The faithful of the Church of Westrun journeyed from near and far to hear the words she spoke and encouragements she offered.

in 5187 Braolas of the Guilds became High King, following Clanute. He is known for having strengthened the guild system, securing the legacy and integrity of trades. He also reinforced the rule of law across the Eight Kingdoms, especially concerning commerce and labor. Because of his contributions, a new middle class rose from civic or mercantile leadership rather than from noble or religious backgrounds. Braolas helped to stabilize Westrun society after a century of religious upheaval and shifting loyalties by grounding authority in law and tradition. Patriarch Salan was head of the Church of Westrun at that time.

The Censure

THE CENSURE OF 5046

In the year 5046ey in solemn assembly before the Throne of the Eight Kingdoms and the Conclave of the Dweomersecte, let it be proclaimed and set forth, that order may be restored to the practice of magic within the realms of Westrun.

Article the First:

By right of sovereignty and ancient compact, let it be recognized that His Majesty Gregory of Rath, High King of Westrun, and his lawful heirs shall hold dominion over the Eight Kingdoms, and that the Archmage Balakarde, First Among the Dweomersecte, and his duly appointed successors shall preside over the governance of the Arcane Arts within these lands. Each shall have the undisputed right to name and ordain their successors according to the laws and customs of their respective offices, and no claim to either throne or title shall be made but through these lawful means.

Article the Second:

In the name of peace and the preservation of wisdom, let there be a binding and perpetual accord between the Crown and the Archmage, that neither shall take up arms against the other nor seek to diminish the station or authority of their counterpart. Furthermore, should any force, known or unknown, seek to unseat or imperil either institution, the other shall stand in defense, that harmony and stability may endure in Westrun.

Article the Third:

That the work of governance and order is never finished, let it be agreed that in due time and at proper intervals, the Crown and the Dweomersecte shall meet again in council, to deliberate upon matters of magic, governance, and the welfare of the Eight Kingdoms, so that this accord may be strengthened and adapted to the needs of the age.

Thus is the Censure ordained, in the sight of all Lords Temporal and Arcane, to be held inviolate from this day forward.

THE CENSURE OF 5048

In the year 5048ey, in the court of High King Alfrend of Saklan, before the assembled lords and masters of the Eight Kingdoms, let it be known and recorded that the previous agreement between the Crown and the Dweomersecte, to establish rightful order in the governance of magic, is held in force and hereby expanded.

Article the Fourth:

The Archmage of the Dweomersecte shall maintain a permanent representative in the court of the High King of Westrun, who shall speak with the voice of the Dweomersecte in matters concerning the practice and governance of magic throughout the Eight Kingdoms. This representative shall be accorded all due honors and protections as befits an emissary of so great an office. He shall be called the Chancellor Mage.

Article the Fifth:

The vassal kings of the Eight Kingdoms shall henceforth admit only those Masters of the Arcane Arts into their courts who are sworn members of the Dweomersecte, and whose appointment has been given with the advice and consent of the Archmage. No other shall bear the title or dignity of Magister or Court Wizard, nor shall any outside the Dweomersecte wield arcane authority within the councils of the Eight Kingdoms.

Article the Sixth:

The protections and privileges afforded to the Archmage and his order by the Crown shall extend only to those who are licensed to practice magic by the Archmage or his duly appointed lieutenants. Those who wield the Art without such sanction shall find neither refuge nor amnesty in the lands of the Eight Kingdoms, nor shall they claim the rights and dignities of the Dweomersecte.

Thus is the Censure established, in the name of order and wisdom, that the practice of magic may be safeguarded and that the realm may know peace.

THE CENSURE OF 5050

In the Year 5050ey, before the High Throne of Westrun and the Conclave of the Dweomersecte, and in the presence of Saric, Grand Hierophant of the Continuum, let it be proclaimed that a solemn and binding agreement has been set forth, strengthening the compact between Crown, Mage, and Priesthood, that order may be preserved and the distinctions of divine and arcane authority be made clear to all.

Article the Seventh:

Let it be known that Saric, Grand Hierophant of the Continuum, does now stand as signatory to the Censure, and that from this day forward, the sacred authority of the Ancient Priesthood shall be recognized alongside the Crown of Westrun and the Dweomersecte in matters of governance, ensuring harmony between the divine and the arcane within the Eight Kingdoms.

Article the Eighth:

To prevent confusion between those who wield the Arcane Arts and those who bear the mantle of the Priesthood, all licensed wizards shall don vestments of distinction as decreed by the Magisters of the Great Schools of the Dweomersecte. No practitioner of the Art shall go unmarked, and their garb shall stand as testament to their station and sanction, setting them apart from the servants of the Continuum and from those who would wield magic without rightful authority.

Article the Ninth:

As the Great Schools are the wellspring of learning and order among those who practice the Art, so too shall their Magisters bear responsibility for those who wear their robes. Should any wizard, clad in the garments of a Great School, transgress the bounds of law and propriety, the Magister of his house shall answer for the deeds of his wayward charge. Thus, shall discipline and accountability be upheld among the learned, and thus shall the schools guard against folly within their ranks.

By this accord, let the peace endure between the Crown, the Dweomersecte, and the Continuum, that the realms of men may know wisdom, and that the practice of magic may remain bound by order and tradition.

THE CENSURE OF 5058

In the Year 5058ey, in the court of High King Alfrend of Saklan, on the occasion of the election of Vecna, Archmage of the Dweomersecte, before the assembled lords and masters of the Eight Kingdoms, let it be known and recorded that the previous agreement between the Crown, the Dweomersecte, and the Continuum; to establish rightful order in the governance of magic, is held in force both now and forever more.

THE CENSURE OF 5068

In the Year 5068ey, in the court of High King Edwar of Menea, before the assembled lords and masters of the Eight Kingdoms, let it be known and recorded that the previous agreement between the Crown, the Dweomersecte, and the Continuum; to establish rightful order in the governance of magic, is held in force both now and forever more.

THE CENSURE OF 5088

In the Year 5088ey, in the court of High King Leltward of Talir, before the assembled lords and masters of the Eight Kingdoms, let it be known and recorded that the previous agreement between the Crown, the Dweomersecte, and the Continuum; to establish rightful order in the governance of magic, is held in force both now and forever more.

THE CENSURE OF 5101

In the Year 5101ey, in the court of High King Thelstan of Treft, before the assembled lords and masters of the Eight Kingdoms, let it be known and recorded that the previous agreement between the Crown, the Dweomersecte, and the Continuum; to establish rightful order in the governance of magic, is held in force both now and forever more.

THE CENSURE OF 5108

In the Year 5108ey, in the court of High King Thelstan of Treft, on the occasion of the victory of Grand Heirophant Pernar over Saric the Continuous, and in the presence of Gamasiel, Patriarch of the Church of Westrun, before the assembled lords and masters of the Eight Kingdoms, let it be known and recorded that the previous agreement between the Crown, the Dweomersecte, and the Continuum; to establish rightful order in the governance of magic, is held in force and expanded as follows.

Article the Tenth:

The Church of Westrun, through the person of the Patriarch, does affirm the sacred compact between Crown, Mage, and Priesthood, and pledges its unwavering support in the enforcement of the Censure. No wizard shall practice the Arcane Arts within the Eight Kingdoms save by lawful sanction, and none shall defy the ordinance without incurring the full measure of divine and temporal justice.

Thus is the mandate established -- that the Faith, the Throne, and the Arcane shall stand as one in the governance of magic, and that none shall defy them without consequence and that the Censure shall stand in perpetuity in all ten articles.

Histories of the Kings of All Westrun: VI - The Years of Light

The Years of Light

5101 Thelstan of Treft

5121 Edmun of Collonia

5128 Eadred the Negotiator of Collonia

5130 Aleranus I the Pious (Bolden)

5140 Serolgar of Rath

5150 Clanute of Treft

5159 Hareld of Menea

5187 Braolas the Guilded (Collonia)

Procession of the Patriarchs of the Church of Westrun Part I

• 5109 Gamasiel - originally a priest of the Decadon, Gamasiel had been convicted of heresy and only the mercy of Heimar, High Priest of the Grand Temple, spared him his death sentence. In an extraordinary act of clemency, he was permitted to indulge in the worship of his so-called Forgotten God, for fear of offending an unknown deity. He was also assigned to work as a shepherd for the temple priests. In 5107 he had gathered seven acolyte-pledges to his god and raised them to the priesthood. Then Gamasiel and his Seven Followers ignited the War of the Gods against the other priests of the Grand Temple. The war took place in a series of ten battles of miracles, which were challenges to the power of the elder gods and ended with signs that showed the power of Gamasiel's the Forgotten God. When the last of the battles was won, the remaining priests either converted to monotheism or deserted the Grand Temple. The Church of Westrun was born and Gamasiel was then recognized as the Patriarch of that Church.
• 5124 Planos I - the first Patriarch elected after Gamasiel. A humble man, he seemed ill-suited for the position of grandeur that the High Priesthood of the Grand Temple had established and that the Patriarch would eventually enjoy. He downplayed his own importance, allowing the faithful to refer to him only as "Father" instead of the more appropriate, "Eminence." He was highly educated and a polyglot, but decidedly informal. He was greatly loved by the common people and by his example did more to spread the faith than the combined efforts of those who followed after.
• 5136 Halded the Militant -  he had been a noted soldier before entering the church and becoming its Patriarch. His influence saw to the creation of the Orders of Paladins -- religious knights whose vows would become the basis of their might and power, unlike the "empty words" of so many knights.
• 5140 Cronos I the Blessed - a holy man and worker of miracles, Cronos served as an acolyte to Gamasiel and had risen to Cardinal Prefect under Halded. He was elevated to the Patriarchate in 5140. He codified the first 15 Canons and established the Scriptoriums which saw to their production. 
• 5159 Planos II the Silent - a good man and able administrator, Planos II is somewhat unfairly termed the silent, owing only to the lack of recognition he had in comparison to Planos I -- a patriarch whose name he took to honor the forebear. Both he and his successor also had the unfortunate distinction of being eclipsed in their reigns by a minor cleric, but highly acclaimed one in Jerebola the Hermitess.
• 5180 Cronos II the Short - by all accounts a very tall man, he was a Northruner convert to the Church of Westrun. Both he and his predecessor had the unfortunate distinction of being eclipsed in their reigns by a minor cleric, but highly acclaimed one in Jerebola the Hermitess.

The Books of the Archflame of the Infernari vol. 12

• 5173 Qurnath IV was a political leader who brokered a treaty with the Dweomersecte after many years of estrangement. While not an accord as once struck, it nonetheless guaranteed a period of peace and non-interference between the orders.

The Edict of Supremacy in Faith of 5129

The following instrument is the recognized pact between the Patriarch of the Church of Westrun, the Grand Hierophant of the Continuum and their Graces, the Monarchs of Westrun in Congress. These Monarchs include the High King of all mankind in Westrun, the Kings of Collonia, Rath, Menea, and Bolden; the First Citizen of Treft, the Marksmarshal of Balduren and the High Priest Elect of Talir; the reigning Monarchs of Oromir, Festog, Mistwood, Deepwood, Greywood, Curwood, Forest Hills, Hilldale, and the recognized Steward of Dynkyr.

All parties agree that the Church of Westrun is the successor of the Temple of the Ten Divines.

Notwithstanding the aims, documents, canons and faiths of man and of the Besnir alike; nothing in any of them shall be construed to apply across the known races: including Humans, Els (elves), Stoneborn (dwarves), Lod (gnomes), Hoflin (halflings). For this reason no proselytizing will occur between races, nor converts accepted from races alien to them. No religious strictures shall be imposed by one race upon the other, nor shall blessings and prayers be offered (for good or ill) upon one race by another, unless they be expressly sought by an individual in question.

In the matter of deaths and burial, it is agreed that remains of those deceased entrusted to the clergy of any race, will be returned to the nearest Holy Ground of relevance, in the most expeditious manner possible.

To this document, we affix our signatures and bind all our loyal subjects.

High King Eadred

Grand Druid Pernar

Patriarch Planos

and 16 other kings.

Roll 007

5108    Pernar

Then came Pernar.

The Fergus Codex: Law V -- Concerning Crimes Felonious and Petty

Vyrum Law

The crimes of treason and murder are abominable and shall be avenged by the Range in which they occurred. Kinslaying is an abomination which must be punished by the faction which suffers the loss. Save that for all offenses, hallowed ground may offer safe haven to all those who seek its protection. 

Law of Fergus 4275

We desire that the crime of harboring those who have committed treason or murder shall be punished in like manner as the abominable crimes. For sanctuary can only be found on hallowed ground by a Priest. 

Law of Fergon 4301

We declare that nothing shall prevent a lord from seeking his own justice, if he is the victim of any abominable crime, regardless of where the crime occurred. Moreover, the crimes of robbery and theft shall be be worthy of maiming on the second offense, and considered abominable only upon the third offense. Moreover, no one who has stolen only food or water shall be guilty of robbery or theft if they have passed at least three towns without receiving any by begging.

Law of Etru 4376

We desire that to the abominable crimes of treason, robbery, murder and theft are to now added the crimes of counterfeiting, forgery and arson upon the second offense. For all abominable crimes a debt of silver may also attach and ransom accepted in lieu of punishment.

Law of Wald 4422

We desire to clarify that crimes can only be committed abominably when exercised against someone of equal or greater station: 

• Treason is the taking of arms by vassal against his lord, or else plotting with others to do the same. 
• Robbery is the unjust taking of property by force of arms, but shall not include the lawful spoils of war. 
• Murder is the unwarranted taking of a man’s life by a person outside of his family, except under a flag of war. 
• Theft is the unjust taking of property by deception, subterfuge or cloak of darkness, 
• Counterfeiting is the attempt to pass some material thing as an item of higher value by concealing its true nature. 
• Forgery is the attempt to pass as legitimate, the illegitimate seal or signature of a lord or noble house. 
• Arson is the burning of property belonging to another, or endangering the property of others by uncontrolled burning. 

Law of Marten 4858
We desire that the protections of forgery be extended to duly chartered companies, orders and factions which are enrolled with either the Devout Order of Clerics Regular of the Penitent Knights of Poverty, or of any of the noble banking houses. 

Law of Gelder 5011
We desire that Treason also be defined so as to include murderous threats breathed against any King, and affirmation of the same either by word or silence. 

Law of Thelstan 5108

We decide that the following offenses may only be punished as petty crimes in accordance with local customs: 

• Any abominable crime committed against someone of lesser station. 
• Assault 
• Bastardy 
• Bigamy 
• Excessive Indebtedness 
• Disturbing the Peace 
• Drunkenness 
• Riotous assembly 
• Oath-breaking 
• Poaching 
• Rape 
• Slander 
• Slave-dealing 
• Tax avoidance 
• Trafficking stolen property 
• Vagrancy 
• Witchcraft 

Law of Halinard 5285

Because Bounty Hunting is a dangerous profession, but one that is necessary for the good order of all societies and the protection of nobility everywhere, we therefore, bind ourselves to the institution and protection of the articles instituted by the Bounty Hunters Guild.

The Fergus Codex: Law II -- Concerning Principalities

Vyrum Law
The Prince occupies the place of honor and has no rival to his authority. He acts to shelter and support, serving as both father and mother to the masses. As his children the masses must be loyal and filial. Should they cherish wickedness and have rebellious hearts, they will offend the order established by heaven itself. 

Law of Fergus 4275

We desire that the Prince of Peakshadow shall only be seen as the first among princes. As the first among equals, he is able to judge among them for any disputes he shall be invited to hear. 

Law of Fergon 4301
We declare that whenever matters are in dispute among princes that only one party to the dispute must request a hearing for the Prince of Peakshadow to hold court. 

Law of Wald 4422

We acknowledge that the masses have no champion greater than the Prince of Peakshadow, and their mistreatment shall be as an affront to his throne. 

Law of Damon  4449

We recognize that the right to rule proceeds from heaven and to those princes who bear that divine right, and whom we now name Kings. We now name the Prince of Peakshadow as the High King. Beneath us are other noble classes, owners of estate and means, who along with kings rule the masses, but only when invested by kings with the divine right to do so. 

Law of Marten 4858

We specify that precedence shall be given to Kings and then Princes and all manner of royalty which are descended from them as custom shall allow. Next in precedence are the noble classes which rule over duchies and counties and baronies who shall in no way be denied the right of their stations and names. 

Law of Gelder 5011

We declare that inasmuch as the Patriarch has given places of honor above what is common to members of his ignoble clergy, we also deem that by acts of valor and other greatness, Princes may likewise elevate certain men to this gentle station. Such men shall in no way be denied the right of their stations and names. 

Law of Thelstan 5108

We recognize that when men of noble station are not on hand to make knights of the valorous and great, that other knights shall not be forbidden from doing so, as they are often the only witnesses to such acts as are deserving, and that this is in keeping with the most ancient of customs. In any case, we declare that it shall fall to men of nobility to ratify that which is recognized on the fields of glory.

The Fergus Codex: Law I -- Concerning Religions

Vyrum Law

That which is sacred belongs to the Priests and not to the Princes, for the latter have no power in the matters of the former.

Law of Fergus 4275

We desire that all peoples shall be subject only to their own gods as befits each man according to his tribe and custom.

Law of Fergon 4301

We desire that all peoples who live under our benign reign shall live under the same religion that is taught by the Temple that the Priest Theokron gave to the Boldish and which it is well known that the Priest Damathius, a man of divine sanctity, has embraced. We believe that there is one faith, if many divinities; and many shrines kept forever by them as whole and incorrupt.

Law of Howerd 4388

We desire that the Edict of Artifice become the Supreme Law of the Land.

Law of Wald  4422

We desire that all those who live under our benign reign shall live under the faith  kept by the Grand Temple of Heaven and invested in accordance with discipline and doctrine. If a controversy concerning things of the gods should arise between laymen, or between laymen and nobles, or between nobles, it shall be treated of and terminated in the court of the High Priest. Likewise, that all vacancies in the priesthood shall be filled at the pleasure of the High Priest, of which the Princes shall have no recourse.

Law of Thelstan 5108

We order that all those who follow this law recognize the divine faith of the one true God -- the Church of Westrun. We further grant in perpetuity the nobility due its High Priest, the Patriarch, together with his holy orders, and to afford them the rights and privileges of their estate in all matters and before all men.

Law of Aleranus I the Pious 5130

We recognize that those who do not follow the divine faith be considered demented and insane. We order that they shall bear the infamy of heresy; but that nothing we do can hasten or forbid the Divine vengeance which they merit. We delight that they shall be punished hereafter by God himself in accordance with holy resentment. We have reserved the right, which we have acquired from the judgment of Heaven, to punish those who make converts to their false religions and who spread their heresies by the public expression of their insanity. Let no place be afforded to heretics for the conduct of their ceremonies, and let no occasion be offered for them to display the insanity of their obstinate minds. Let all persons know that if any privilege has been fraudulently obtained by persons of this kind, it will not be valid. Let all bodies of heretics be prevented from holding unlawful assemblies, and let the only and the greatest God be celebrated everywhere. 

The Tandis List: List XX

The Tandis Lists are the compiled lists of all of the Old Bears since the First Gathering of Rangers in 3278ey. They are kept by Tandis of Peakshadow -- a well-respected historian of the Fraternity.

In the 51st century there was:

5108 Peren of Treft 

5118 Waleed of Byza who burned the longships before the Coral Tower. 

5128 Novanir the Elf
5178 Boros the Red
5198 Sven the Northman

The Temple Peace

In 5107, the Nine Temples procure a signature of peace between Miyabe, Shu and Chiro with the signing of the Silk Truce. Trade and commerce begin to thrive between the cities and with other places. Only war with the Daizu continues and intercity rivalry is handled economically.

Ghazril the Diviner

In the year 5107ey, the sect that was started by Ruwallah the Lawgiver was expanded and given its permanent status in Southrun society.

Ghazril, Sultan of Byza, was himself the sixth son of his father, but the only one to survive his extremely long-lived father, and therefore became the unlikely heir to the Sultanate. Like many lesser sons, Ghazril was first trained in the divining arts because it was assumed that one of his five brothers would have the rule of his father's realm. He spent long days pouring over the manuscripts of his predecessors and betters. As a young man, this thirst of his for knowledge carried him into late nights of study and contemplation, as well as on long trips into the Khard to observe the movements of the stars.

When he ascended to his father's seat, he carried with him that desire for knowledge. He also brought the firm conviction passed on to him by the writing of many scholars that the discovery of Ruwallah had been accurate and true. In the third year of his reign, he entered the Khard, convinced that he could discover the Lake of Glass and the Obelisks that Ruwallah had claimed to discover. He left his responsibilities to his Uncle and took a retinue of 66 men with him on caravan into the desert.

Six months later, he returned, the sole survivor of the trip, with etchings made upon parchment from the same Obelisks that Ruwallah spoke of. Ghazril himself was also changed. His visage was aged many years beyond what seemed possible and a perpetual warmth exuded from him. Moreover, he had been struck blind by the brilliance of the truth he'd discovered. Many of his royal house believed at once.

But when Ghazril returned before the seat of his father in Byza, his Uncle would not step down as Sultan. Instead, he had him thrown into prison. There, in the cool of the dungeons, Ghazril taught his first students -- many of whom were to perish, but others, upon being released took the teaching of Nahmus Abadi. By the time, that Ghazril died in 5191, there was scarcely a soul in Byza which did not know the teaching and which did not clamor for its adoption.

As for the Uncle, he died the same day as Ghazril, by spontaneously bursting into flame as he was in his bedchamber. His servants found only a charred husk of what had been. So the house of Ghazril was ended forever, but his greatest contribution spread all over all Southrun and became the conscience of the Land.

Observant Society of Wr. Cronos

Wr. Cronos served as a Cardinal Prefect in 5140 and was put in charge of codifying The Canons, as well as establishing the Scriptoriums which saw to their production. He was a holy man and a worker of miracles besides.

The Society of St. Cronos was established in 5202 by priests who felt that others had become too soft in regards to the teaching of the Church. Members of the Society are extremely devout and adhere to the highest standards of personal holiness, while also taking great pains to study the Canons, even committing large portions of them to memory. Cronosians often preside at juridical functions and in matters where the letter of the law is needed.

They are sometimes at odds with the Planosians.

Their symbol is that of a ram.

Most Learned Brothers of Wr. Planos

Planos was the first Patriarch elected after Gamasiel in 5124. A humble man, he seemed ill-suited for the position of grandeur that the Patriarch would enjoy. He downplayed his own importance, allowing the faithful to refer to him only as "Father" instead of the more appropriate, "Eminence".

While the Planosians adhere to the teachings of the Church in all ways and are well-known as highly educated priests, they are notably lax when it comes to the rites and canons. They consider themselves fiercely independent and have pledged themselves to the office of the Patriarch, without regard to the rest of the hierarchy, which might be a necessity, but one they obey with some reluctance. The chief mission of the Planosian Brothers is in the area of education. The priests are well known as polyglots, historians and sages of reknown.

They are sometimes at odds with the Cronosian Fathers.

Their symbol is an owl clutching a key.

Laboring Order of Wr. Gamasiel

The Order, also known as the Brothers of Love, is named for Worthy Gamasiel, who rediscovered Ere of All for all men, calling him the Forgotten God. Gamasiel opposed the temple hierarchy and its paganism and introduced true worship into the Grand Temple in 5106ey.

While uncompromisingly devout, he was sympathetic to his pagan peers. He was also committed to spreading the truth of his faith through patient teaching and persistent good works, rather than by debates or apologetics. In like manner, the Gamasielites prefer to allow their works to speak for them. They travel Erenth, establishing hospitals, orphanages, and schools. They are sometimes called the Brothers of Love.

Their symbol is a lion hitched as a beast of burden.

Magister Otto

Suspicious : Nervous. Thoughtless.
motto : Expect nothing, and you will never be disappointed.

Member of the Council of Concordant Colleges and the Circle of 8, Otto is a powerful human wizard. He tends to dress in fine, expensive garb. Originally a priest of Westrun, Otto soon found he had an uncanny knack for wizardry, and in 5129 left the life of the church behind him becoming a powerful and prolific master of the arcane arts.

The Books of the Archmagi of the Dweomersecte vol. 15

5000 Balakarde the Generous - Twice great grandsire of Balakarde the Young aka Bucknard, his time at the Dweomersecte was marred by a recurring affliction of Dreadnestle Pox. This not only marred his visage, but later in life also deeply effected his ability to remember and cast spells. Balakarde is best known for signing the first three Articles of the Censure between himself and High King Gregory of Rath and for successfully defeated the Pyromancers in the conflicts known as the Wars of Cinder and Silence that he inherited from his predecessor.

5058 Vecna the Undying - a human wizard obsessed with eternal life, Vecna claimed to have unlocked the secret of immortality. He managed to broker a peace with the Fire Mages and their Archflame Qurnath IV. His expertise in prolonging life was offered to Qurnath, but not accepted until he was replaced by Baalruh the Immortal. The peace would not long last as the Archflame grew distrustful of Vecna's intentions.

After 230 years as the Archmage, he also aroused suspiscion among the Magisters of the Dwemoersecte and was eventually revealed to have become undead.

Vecna claimed that extreme steps were necessary to keep the Pretender gods from quitting their exile and returning to enslave humanity. He undertook great experimentation in time travel and used his newfound arts to go back and assume the identity of Seleseer the Uniter which he held for almost a century before being caught and banished by the Dweomersecte of that time.

Vecna was slain by the minions and henchmen of Aya, a young witch who was hungry for power and desired a shortcut to leadership of the Dweomersecte.

5287