Pyromancers

The so called Fire Mages of Erenth are also known as the Pyromancers, the Sons of Arecelos, or the Priests of Maegara. Collectively, they refer to themselves as the Infernari. They are wizards operating outside Censure and are thus Hedge Wizards from the point of view of the Dweomersecte, though they belong to a very specific college.

While they do not have access to the same suite of spells that other wizards do, generally voluntarily confining themselves to those based on fire, they are able to cast those limited spells at a much higher degree of facility. They are also believed to be immune to the ravages of all but the hottest fires.

The Pyromancers draw their lineage from Sarseer, Niktalor I, Arecelos I and Vynse of the Dweomersecte. But none of those mighty wizards would have recognized a separate organization of Fire Mages, because it did not yet exist. 

In 4093 the Infernari was officially formed and it's membership split from the Dweomersecte when Peredik the Tall was made Archmage and Lara the Smouldering was ejected from the order. She was first to style herself, the Archflame and named those who defected with her, the Infernari. 

The Wars of Cinders and Silence: The Last Struggle of the Arcane

The Wars of Cinders and Silence, waged between 4992ey and 5046ey, were the series of escalating conflicts between rival wizards before the imposition of the Censure. These wars began as an outgrowth of the political contests between nobles who were employing battle mages in their retinues. As rivalries between the mages grew, their loyalties to the various lords were shifting and faltered. 

In time, these mercenary wizards were more concerned with the supremacy of their own magic than the political aims of their masters. This sometimes meant the wizards were more concerned with choosing opponents that boosted their reputation, rather than those whose defeat benefitted their lords. In time, the battle mages fought arcane contests without regard for the political alliances and rivalries of their employers. The resulting wars, spanning over five decades, saw the landscape of Westrun, and even beyond, scarred by the unchecked chaos of unregulated magic use.

What began as individual wizards battling for supremacy eventually evolved into a growing divide between two opposing schools of magical philosophy. The Pyromancers of Erenth, in league with the self-styled Archflame Vaelgor the Everburning, believed that magic should be a force of absolute power, wielded by those who could command it without restraint. Their ideology saw them forge pacts with infernal entities, trading their souls and servitude for devastating magical strength. In contrast, the generalist wizards, led by Archmage Ghrylan at the outset of the war, sought to maintain structure and discipline in the arcane arts, emphasizing controlled study and careful governance over magic’s destructive potential.

What began as minor eruptions between competing mages escalated into open warfare when, in 4992ey, a conclave of Pyromancers laid siege to the city of Alduldaros of Collonia, burning it to the ground in a single night. The battle mages, unable to ignore such unchecked destruction, retaliated with a devastating counterattack in 4995ey to erase the Archflame's stronghold at Ruinspire from existence —an act that would come to be known as the First Silence.

The Aftermath and the Censure

With the Pyromancers effectively eradicated and their infernal allies banished, the kings of Westrun and the remaining arcane order realized that such unregulated magic could no longer be tolerated. In 5046ey, the Censure was enacted, imposing strict controls over the practice of magic. Only those licensed by the Dweomersecte could lawfully wield the Art, and unregulated sorcery became punishable by death.

The war also marked a shift in magical philosophy. The Dweomersecte, once a loosely affiliated society of scholars, became the official governing body of magic in the Eight Kingdoms. The kings of Westrun, who had previously tolerated a wide range of magical traditions, now became strict enforcers of the Censure, fearing a return to the devastation of the past.

Legacy of the Wars

Though the Pyromancers of Erenth were eradicated, rumors persist that some survived in exile, hiding in the lawless wastes beyond the reach of the Eight Kingdoms. Meanwhile, the Dweomersecte’s dominance over arcane law continues to shape the world, with their authority growing even stronger in the centuries following the war.

The devastation of these wars serves as a cautionary tale for all practitioners of the Art—a reminder that magic, untethered by wisdom, is as much a force of ruin as it is of wonder.

The Accords Binding All Erenth

Penned and signed, in the Year 3990, as the Elves reckon time.

Let it be known and set forth upon this parchment, by the authority of those whose wisdom and might shape the weft of this world, that the Wizards of Erenth and the Lords of Dragonkind, in solemn counsel and with measured purpose, do hereby affirm these Accords. Though the winds of time may shift and fates may weave new destinies, let this covenant stand as testament to the understanding reached between the Most Wise and the Ancient Powers.

On the Respect Due to Power

It is acknowledged that the Princes of Dragonkind and the Wizards are each mighty in their own right, and that neither shall seek unjust dominion over the other. Those who bear the gift of magic among mortal races shall not presume mastery over the Dragonkind, nor shall they seek to undo their sovereignty, lest ruin and calamity be their due reward. In turn, the Lords of Dragonkind, wise beyond mortal reckoning, may offer counsel when it is sought and guidance when it is earned, but shall not be bound to act at the behest of another.

On the Sorcerous Balance

No Wizard shall raise a binding upon a Dragon without just cause and due provocation, nor shall they seek to yoke the will of those who rightful place is beyond the reach of time. The forging of spells, artifacts, or enchantments meant to compel the Princes of the Chromatic Faction shall be deemed an offense worthy of swift and terrible correction.

Yet, let it be understood that the Lords of Dragonkind shall not devour the wellspring of knowledge that mortals seek to protect. No dragon shall set forth to raze the sanctums of the Wizards, nor their so-called Dweomersecte. Neither shall they seek to hoard the Magical Arts entirely to themselves. What wisdom is claimed shall remain in possession of those who rightfully wield it, save where arrogance leads to perils too great to be ignored.

On the Dominion of Many Realms

The sovereign lands of the Wizards, their towers, halls, and libraries, shall remain inviolate from the predations of the winged lords, save where debts or oaths demand otherwise. In return, the Wizards shall not seek to depose the great Dragons from their rightful holdings, nor rally the lesser races to war against them.

Yet, where conflicts arise, let it be known that neither side shall move lightly, for war between the Arcane and the Eternal yields only ruin. Should grievance be laid, let arbitration be sought before annihilation is pursued, lest the world itself weep for the folly of its greatest children.

On the Pact Eternal

It is acknowledged that these dealings have been struck, debts incurred, and agreements laid down for observance across the annals of time. Such bargains as are made shall be honored in their spirit, if not in their letter, by those who hold true to wisdom. None shall not be bound against their will, but neither shall they set themselves above the reckonings of old where word and honor hold weight.

Likewise, the Wizards shall not claim ignorance where knowledge was once granted, nor shall they seek to rewrite the past to suit present convenience. Let both parties walk in the shadow of history with their eyes unclouded.

Thus, by the will of Nizarys, so-called Archmage of All Erenth, and the Assembled Princes of Dragonkind—

Noxifer the Black, Prince of Umbrevost
Ceraunor Dracontes the Blue, Prince of the Far Wastes
Viridion Chloroctis the Green, Prince of Emerald Wood
Pyraphon Rubiclasis the Red, Prince of Vyruma Serpentis
Borealys Glacivor the White, the Frostbound Prince

Be it known that this Accord is sealed, witnessed, and spoken into the fabric of time. It is the duty of all signatories to communicate it to their offspring in perpetuity. Let none say that the great and the wise did not seek a path apart from ruin.

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 Books of the Archflames of the Infernari vol. 5

• 4415 Olaf was a grim Northruner battle mage, Olaf believed fire should be a weapon of war and wasted for any other purpose. He led campaigns to suppress the Dweomersecte. 
  
  
• 4439 Wilder was considered eccentric even by Infernari standards. He believed all flame had memory. 
  
  
• 4457 Viator was a traveler and collector of fire magics from across the world, Viator expanded the Infernari’s knowledge with rituals of desert and deep-earth flame.
  
  
• 4486 Edwir the Unloved was a bookish and withdrawn Archflame. A socially inept, but brilliant Archflame, he amassed great wealth and developed the Emberclave into a sprawling and formidable complex, hidden from prying eyes.

The Songmasters of Old

The Llorfiril, or Song Masters of the Elves, are revered among their kind as the original wielders of magic, harnessing the power of ancient melodies that resonate with the very essence of the universe. Through their ethereal voices and intricate harmonies, they evoked transformations in the material world, shaping reality itself. Believed to have discovered the celestial songs that weave through all existence, the Llorfiril held a mystical status akin to cults dedicated to sacred knowledge and cosmic harmony.

Among Elven societies, these masters were not just skilled singers but revered as keepers of profound secrets, passed down through generations in sacred rituals and secluded sanctuaries. Their belief mirrors the notion that celestial music, an unseen symphony of cosmic vibrations, maintains the delicate balance of creation -- a harmony of spheres governing the cosmos. The Llorfiril perceive their songs as keys to understanding and influencing the natural order.

Within their cults, disciples study under rigorous tutelage, learning not only the melodies but also the deep philosophical underpinnings that govern their use. The Llorfiril teach that mastery of these songs requires spiritual attunement, a profound connection to the rhythms of nature and the celestial realms. Thus, they are not only practitioners of magic but guardians of a sacred tradition that bridges the mundane with the transcendent, echoing the cosmic symphony that binds all things together in harmony.

Alas the Llorfiril are no more. Since they unleashed horror upon the world during the Fifth Age, their art has been lost. Now the wizards of Erenth are the inheritors of the Llorfiril tradition. No longer understanding the musical component of their arcane arts, mere wizards are reduced to chanting spells and resorting to crude formulas for spell casting. 

On Magic

It is known that there are certain laws that govern all the Lands in specific, measurable, and identifiable ways. A seed becomes a tree. An apple when dropped or thrown, will eventually fall to the ground. Water will move from high places to low, and an ocean will always heave in its basin to produce waves. Yesterday became today and will eventually be tomorrow. A sword and a body may not occupy the same place without either breaking one or wounding the other. A candle will illuminate darkness and a boot which is left by its owner, will remain there until someone else moves it.

Magic, or majk (dwarfish) or llor (elfish), is any thing which creates an exception to the known laws in a meaningful way. There are "three realms" of magic: Naturia, Goetia, and Theuria.

• Naturia is the magic of neutrality. It is the power inherent in certain herbs and stones. It is also produced in some quantity by all living things. It is used, consciously or not, by certain beings such as unicorns while teleporting and by nymphs who dimension door. It is magic that operates in harmony with the world and does not produce ill effects to flora and fauna -- it may even increase their vitality.  It is wielded by curates and druids. 
• Goetia is the magic of chaos. It is often found in incantations and formulas, but sometimes wielded by beings who have learned to transcend that need, or else who use it instinctually, and can sometimes grant it to others. It can be performed by anyone who has been taught how to sense the flow of magic around them. It is a more violent form that makes a demand of the physical universe and wrests control of it temporarily, damaging the natural order, even if imperceptibly, in the process. It is wielded by wizards and other spell casters.
• Theuria is the magic of divine law. It is a grant of power from the source of all matter, life and energy. It does not come from the natural world, nor disrupt it, but has its origin in the original moment of creation of all worlds. It is reinforced by belief or granted as a reward for fidelity to that belief, and is wielded by priests and titans and other certain powers in service of the divine law. 

 

The Concordant Colleges of Laketon

Those colleges located in the City of Laketon have bound themselves by the Concord of Saklan, which prohibits the active use of their magical energies against one another, when either they or their fellows are located in the Kingdom of Saklan. It also provides a pact of automatic mutual defense that says that should any of their number be attacked by anyone, the others will immediately rise to their defense.

There are five member colleges: Sirillian, Mordenkainen, Rary, Llorloveim and Otto.

The White Council

The White Council is believed to be a subset of the Dweomersecte and is supposedly composed of those wizards motivated by law and goodness. Working in concert, these wizards allegedly want to see the advancement and betterment of all mankind.

It was formed in 5271 -- the so-called Year of the Restless Dead in Menea. The White Council was able to reverse the curse which afflicted that Kingdom.

Members are said to have taken oaths to uphold what they call the Sevenfold Laws of their Council:

• The 1st Law prohibits the killing of humans with spells, unless it be for self-defense.
• The 2nd Law prohibits the polymorphing of others without permission.
• The 3rd Law prohibits the violation of someone else mental integrity with domination, charm or ESP for personal gain.
• The 4th Law prohibits the use of illusions and phantasms in transactions, contracts or in the conduct of business.
• The 5th Law prohibits the creation, summoning or exploitation of the dead.
• The 6th Law prohibits the use of time travel.
• The 7th Law prohibits trafficking and communicating with extra-planar creatures.

There are three members of the White Council: Melf, Serten and Leomund.

Circle of 8

Supposedly an organization of wizards within the Dweomersecte, the Circle of 8 is believed to be dedicated to the principle of neutral promotion of the arcane arts. That is not believed to be its actual name and wherever it has been found, the stylized 8 always appears to be written on its side.

Stories allege that it was founded by Archmage Balakarde after he was force to agree to the Censure, he was later asked to step down by his fellow council members who believed that he had lost his mind and become obsessive after the death of his sister.

There are only seven current members of the circle: Mordenkainen, Drawmij, Otto, Bigby, Otiluke, Tenser, Nystul, and Rary. Bucknard, a previous member, has vacated his spot. It has not been filled.

Hedge Wizards

A so-called "hedge wizard" is one that operates outside of the auspices of an official college. They are poorly received by the colleagues and considered unlicensed witches and warlocks by the people at large. Practicing magic in all the Eight Kingdoms without licensure is a crime punishable by death.

The Dweomersecte

The Dweomersecte
A Report
Prepared by Fr. Saales of the Prefecture of Peakshadow
For His Holiness Ensal, Patriarch of the Church of Westrun and All Erenth


The Dweomersecte is the name of the largest confederation of wizards in Erenth. Composed of magisters from each of the Four Lands, the Dweomersecte is led by the Archmage -- one of their order who is chosen to serve for life at a secret conclave held in the remote redoubt called the Citadel that the magister wizards maintain.

All evidence shows that the Dweomersecte began with Arepos the Great -- the first of the accomplished human wizards. Arepos had been a student of arcane mysteries, and once having made a name for himself, sought to be united in some sort of common cause with the ancient wizards (Llorfiril) of the Elves in order to further his knowledge. These ancient wizards rejected his overtures of friendship because he was not of their race. So instead he was forced to look for members from among his human peers. Though, at first,there were precious few of those of note.

The early years of the Dweomersecte only boasted a handful of wizards, but from that modest membership, has come all of the so-called magisters in all of the Four Lands.

The Dweomersecte does not act in concert, exactly. But they do certify when a wizard has reached the level of magister, they also recognize the official colleges and record their colors. Whatever political goals they have seem to be limited to their own pursuits and their own judgements.

Most importantly the Dweomersecte selects an Archmage from among its number who serves until forcibly deposed or else deceased. He is supposed to be the final arbiter between the Magisters themselves, as well as between the Dweomersecte and the various Monarchs. This confederacy works because it is apparently in the best interests of all involved to avoid open warfare of the sort that plagued the early and middle 7th Age.

I will send more when I receive it.

Your loyal servant,

The Lloraldalen

an examination by Edwir the Learned

The "Masters of Song in Harmony" are a loose confederation of elven wizards (Llorfiril) who teach and work across the Four Lands of Erenth. 

Contrary to their name, the seven Llorfiril do not always work in harmony. In fact, they have little in common, except that they are all in the small minority of elven society which does not find the working in magic to be cause for alarm. They place blame for the end of the Golden Age, not upon Llorfiril excesses, but in the political whims of various Ranes and Ranaas.

Of all the confederations of wizards, the Lloraldalen are most apt to share information with one another, finding their common cause as elves and their love of advancement of their craft to be able to overcome most objections.

Its membership consists of Valosis (Darmalas), Syranaol (Losnolmalas), Sylvanus (Aranelmalas), Falerian (Durrmalas), Dazinor (Dravomalas), Jiamei (Fingolfmalas) and an honorary non-voting membership has been granted to Llorloveim the Half (Saklan).

The Known Colleges of the Four Lands

Northrun
Gunther the Warlock
Hornunga the Witch
Valosis of the Darkwood

Southrun
Abi-dalzim
Al-emir of Midir
Dazinor of the Drowood
Khazid

Eastrun
Jaimei of the Southwood
Maximillian of Shu
Zi'dong (Bloodstone) of Chiro

Westrun
Bigby of Talir
Drawmij of Balduren
Evard of Collonia
Falerian of Greywood
Fritoss of Wanderhalt
Leomund of Talir
Llorloveim of Laketon
Melf of Rath
Mordenkainen of Laketon
Murdoc of Menea
Nystul of the Free Province of Ravia
Otiluke of Treft
Otto of Laketon
Perfetti of the Bank of Aqilia
Rary of Laketon
Serten of Bolden
Sirillian of Laketon
Sylvanus of Mistwood
Syranaol of Deepwood
Tenser (Clem) of Peakshadow
Von Gasik of Wanderhalt

Goblin Kingdoms
Malec-Keth

Whereabouts Unknown
Tasha
Vecna the Undying

College of Al-emir

The College of Al-emir is located in the City of Waddah in the Sultancy of Midir in Southrun.

The college is formally recognized across all Southrun as a leading authority on divination. Not strictly a college of magic, it is a college of astrology.

The Primus is Hasin. The students wear white robes and green hoods.

The Oxmen have rated the college at 27 gold bars.

College of Abi-dalzim

The college of Abi-dalzim is located in the City of Byza, in the Kingdom of the same name, in the Land of Southrun. It is one of two great schools of divination and famed for the astrologers it produces.

Abi-dalzim is known as a world traveler and an ambassador of sorts between lands. He is also a world class poet and his verses are prized the world over.

The Primus is Almeed. The students wear green robes with white hoods.

The Oxmen have rated the college at 19 gold bars.

College of Bigby

The college of Bigby is located in the City of Belfalas of Talir, one of the Eight Kingdoms, in the Land of Westrun.

Bigby is human.

Member of the Circle of 8.

The Primus is Dirik. The students wear red robes with yellow hoods.

The Oxmen have rated the college at 22 gold bars.

College of Dazinor

The college of Dazinor is located in the storied Drowood of Southrun. This college does not recognize the Censure.

Dazinor is an elf.

The Primus is Haregor. The students do not dress according to the Censure.

The Oxmen have rated the college at 11 gold bars.

College of Drawmij

The college of Drawmij is located in the City of Balduren, in the Kingdom by the same name, which is one of the Eight Kingdoms in the Land of Westrun.

Drawmij One of the Circle of 8.

The Primus is Eque. The students wear white robes with blue hoods.

The Oxmen have rated the college at 23 gold bars.

College of Evard

The College of Evard is located in the town of Haven, which is located in the Kingdom of Collonia. It is one of the Eight Kingdoms of Man in the Land of Westrun.

Evard.

The Primus of Evard's College is Karnak. The students of this college wear black robes and a black hood, with a distinctive white piping on all edges.

The Oxmen have given the school a rating of 11 gold bars.