History and Practices

The history of the Conclave stretches back centuries ago, when Master Ryneh Brier first landed upon the eastern shores of Maud’madir alongside the then Kingdom of Berphaunt. The Master wasted no time in commissioning the construction of the sister White and Red towers, while a third Black Tower seemed to simply spring up out of thin air overnight once construction had finished. The first tower to be completed was the White Tower, which was carved from the purest marble and built along the northern border of the capitol. The second tower to be raised was the Red Tower, shaped from crimson granite and situated along the southern border of the capitol. The final structure, The Black Tower, was said to never be in the same place twice. It was composed of shimmering obsidian, and only ever appeared outside of the city limits.

Once the towers were constructed and his mages situated therein, Master Brier began sending various Archmagi to all of the major cities and settlements across Maud’madir, establishing Mage Guilds under the Conclave’s edict. By the year 2100, these Conclave chapter houses had even begun to spread into the smaller communities and frontier towns of the continent.

For centuries the Conclave’s history was uncomplicated. As they expanded across Maud’madir their organization swelled with both fresh-faced apprentices and grey-haired Archmagi, and their understanding of magic expanded with each passing decade. However, their period of relative peace was shattered in the year 2253 when the Conclave provoked the wrath of the Gods of Light, who dispatched their Angelic servants and set them against the all-too mortal magi. It was clear even to the magi that they were outmatched, and the Imperial throne was forced to intervene. In response to the Angelic Deconfliction Edict pronounced by the then King of Berphaunt, the Black Tower was disbanded and removed from the Conclave. Many Berphauntian citizens still wonder as to its true purpose, why the Gods of Light saw fit to seek its destruction, and why the destruction of the Tower so closely lined up with the creation of the Gargylen. Fortunately for those very same citizens, conflict with the Gods was averted and peace was restored by the then King Louis Berphaunt and the new Grandmaster of the Conclave, Aloysius the Many.

While the fall of The Black Tower reduced the Conclave’s Towers to two for a time, this was not to last. The recently established Gold Tower has joined its sisters within the Berphauntian skyline, bringing with it an overhauled Sentinel Program and advanced training for wartime magecraft.

The Conclave’s modus operandi has always been the control of magic. They seek to be the civilized conduit that the mortal application of magic filters through. The Conclave has one of the largest standing collectives of mages ever before seen by mortal eyes, with spellcasters, ritual mages, and even druids numbering in the thousands. They strive to push the boundaries of magical practice ever forward for the betterment of the Empire of Berphaunt, and for all mortal-kind.

Geography

The Towers

The Conclave’s headquarters are not found within a single structure, and are in fact split between the Red, White, and Gold Towers. These sprawling, massive spires are several hundred feet across, and almost as tall as the high minarets of the Berphauntian Royal Palace. They serve both as beacons of knowledge and as symbols of awe-inspiring power. Generally speaking, the students and teachers of the Conclave reside within the Red Tower, while the curators of antiquity and arcane tomes reside in the White Tower. The newer Gold Tower primarily serves as a training ground for military mages, as well as housing the teaching halls for the Sentinel program.

The Towers are magically connected to each other on their 25th floors by a large open room, 30 feet in diameter. Each Tower’s respective room is identical, and contains a gigantic protections ritual circle, augmented with powerful gate magic. Specialized Grand Magi, known colloquially as Transporters, maintain the circle, opening portals called Arc Slings for Conclave members. These small rifts send the individuals hurtling across the Berphauntian skyline in spherical shells of pure iridescent magic, whereupon they almost instantly appear in their desired Tower. Berphauntian citizens often catch brief glimpses of the blue streak of magic high over their heads as they go about their daily tasks. It is said by some that during the peak hours of transport at night, the sights are akin to that of a shower of stars streaking across the black sky.

The White Tower

Located near the northern border of the city, the White Tower manages both the sale and purchase of Battle and Ritual Magic for the Conclave. Only the first floor of this marvelous structure is open to the public, and it is here that young aspiring Mages are often found purchasing their first magical scrolls. The rest of the massive structure is off limits to any mage not of the Conclave themselves. The interior of the tower is choked with a dizzy array of twisting staircases that spiral upwards and downwards, to upper levels and sub-levels. Many experienced magi of the Tower still require maps to properly navigate the labyrinthine library, and it is a common sight to find an apprentice wandering about in search of directions. These near-unending depositories, filled to the brim with magical literature, are the envy of many a scholar. The circular library itself spans an astonishing 20 floors of the White Tower, and is only accessible by authorized members of the Conclave.

Almost all of the Conclave’s ritual scrolls are stored within the White Tower, and are only accessible to fellow members of the Conclave, or by request of the Imperial Palace. The ritual section of the library is said to be the most heavily warded place in the entire Empire, and even the faithful of Ryiak know well to steer clear of its dangerous confines. While a few key Grand Magi have access to the main stores of scrolls, only the White Arcanist and the Grandmaster have access to the more powerful and dangerous rituals stored within the inner sanctum.

Ritual scrolls are not generally rented to individual members, but they have been known to be given to local Guild Masters abroad to foster business in small towns. The purchase of ritual scrolls from the White Tower can only be done through a local Guild Master, or via the Vizier if the Guild Master is unavailable. Additionally, an Archmagus of the White or Red Tower can authorize a purchase of a ritual scroll with the appropriate paperwork.

Generally, Conclave pricing fluctuates with supply, demand, and the particular qualities of the ritual scroll that is being purchased. The White Tower reserves the right to refuse any business, and they prefer to do business with the Empire’s nobility rather than strangely rich adventurers  that come in off the street.

Due to their current agreements with the Skein Dominion, the sale of Gate-related magical effects and objects is strictly prohibited. Spatial travel magics are extremely dangerous in the wrong hands, and both the Conclave and Skein Dominion agree that it is best kept far away from any market and left in the hands of those mages responsible enough to wield it safely.

The Red Tower

Located on the southern border of the Berphauntian capital, the Red Tower houses the diplomats, envoys, and serves as the public face of the Conclave’s day-to-day operations. When a Conclave mage speaks of “Head Office,” they are referring to the Red Tower.

The Red Tower also serves as the continent’s premier center of magical education. Students of the arcane are educated in all things magic within one of many lecture halls found on the upper floors. Many of these rooms also serve as heavily-warded practice chambers, a safe place where a young mage might truly test their magical knowledge and skill. The two most famous of these rooms are located on the 7th and 31st floors respectively. Called Magiscapes by their creator, the Grand Magus Proneima Celene Sharpwill, these rooms are enchanted with a powerful Psionic ritual that creates a controlled mass hallucination that completely fools all five senses. Once the ritual has been activated, Proneima can control everything that her students experience with their senses while they remain within the room. Thus, she can create entire training scenarios that seem to be quite serious, but in actuality do not place her young charges in any significant danger. Should the situation get out of hand however, each student can simply utter a predetermined phrase to remove themselves from the ritual’s effects. Several Grand Magi known as Operators command the Magiscapes, having learned the art from Proneima. She has not lost her touch however, and she has been known to surprise the apprentices with a personal demonstration from time to time.

When serious matters that require the Conclave’s attention are brought to light, it is the Red Tower that is contacted first, and it is the Red Tower who dispatches the requisite Magi to address the issue or request. The Red Arcanist monitors all Chapter Houses within the Conclave’s purview, and is in charge of the promotion, demotion, or punishment of the Conclave’s rank and file.  They are also responsible for dealing with dignitaries of foreign countries that require or request magical aid, as well as serving as the Conclave’s official liaison with the Imperial Palace.

The Gold Tower

Made of shimmering gold and banded in bronze, the brilliance of the Gold Tower cannot be overstated. Within its spiraling corridors it houses the specialized facilities used in the training of the Conclave’s military mages, as well as the newly reworked Sentinel program, which trains the non-magically inclined in the defense of spellcasters.

Having only been finished in 2264, the Gold Tower has become a place of intense activity in quite a short time. Located within the heart of the capitol, it is equidistant from its sister Towers and is the closest tower to the Imperial Palace. With the swift relocation of many martial assets from the Red Tower, the Gold Tower now houses the entirety of the Conclave’s wartime applications of magic. It is here that mages inclined towards combat are trained in advanced military tactics, spell rationing, and tandem spell combinations with teams of other spellcasters. One of the more common combinations taught by the Archmages involves a team of Protections casters dispelling any defensive abjurations the enemy might have, while the Nature casters pin them in place so that the Elementalists might set them all ablaze with a conjured inferno.

The Sorcerer program spans the 7th to 10th floors and focuses on the art of harvesting spent spells, changing higher circle spells into additional applications of lower circle spells, and even utilizing a versatile mind to eliminate the need for memorization. It said the training of the Gold Tower is second to none when it comes to such arcane practices, and to be taught under the Archmages of the Tower is a highly prestigious honor. Battle Mages trained in the limited arts of sorcery that are focused through implements such as amulets and wizard staves are quite prevalent within the program, using its lessons to further hone their craft.

On the 36th and 37th floors is the Faculty of Eldritch Weaponry. Working in conjunction with enchanters from the White Tower, this faculty creates everything from the magical polearms given to elite Berphauntian regiments, to enchanted siege weapons capable of laying waste to entire enemy strongholds. Each engine of war constructed by these mages requires an immense amount of expensive ritual magic that is funded directly by the Berphauntian army. Due to the temporary nature and exorbitant costs of most ritual magics, many of these siege weapons have their enchantments locked indefinitely until they are needed upon the field of battle. The workshops located on these floors are filled to the brim with a vast array of complex thaumaturgical equipment and elementally-imbued forges ever-churning with raw planar mana. While the magic items created by White Tower’s enchanters are second to none within the Conclave, the weapons of war created within the Faculty are an advanced blend of craftsmanship and ritual magic unseen anywhere else in the Empire.

Within the uppermost floors of the Tower lies the Sentinel program. This initiative was launched in 2047 by the then Red Arcanist, Dar’ath Saydend. He had come to the realization that in the pursuit of Hedge Mages, occasionally more than just the application of magic was required. The other two Arcanists of the Towers initially opposed allowing the non-magically inclined to join the Conclave, but the then Master Ryneh Brier eventually agreed to let Saydend try his plan. The results spoke for themselves as the numbers of Hedge Mages brought into compliance with the Conclave tripled in just a few short months.

Under the current Gold Arcanist Sagebane, the Sentinel program has shifted its focus from merely guarding rituals while they are being cast and the hunting of Hedge Mages, to also including specialized military training for each applicant. The rank of High Sentinel can be held as either a Tower or Chapter House title, and as a whole the High Sentinels of the Gold Tower are an incredibly effective and efficient fighting force. The rank of High Sentinel only truly holds distinction within the Towers themselves, and there it is equivalent to an Archmagus of the Gold Tower. This allows the High Sentinels to advise the Archmagi as equals on important matters of strategy that fall within their mandate.

Most Sentinels receive training as Witch Hunters, as these heavily armed warriors are often called to hunt Hedge Mages by the Conclave. Many Conclave members are grateful for the assistance in keeping illegal ritual magicians at bay, but some mages gripe at the lack of opportunities to apprehend a Hedge Mage themselves and garner a rich reward from the Gold Tower.

The Black Tower

After the Angelic assault in the Summer of 2253, the Black Tower was publicly disbanded by the Conclave under the orders of the then King of Berphaunt. In its prime the Black Tower was primarily responsible for the research of experimental magic. While the Black Tower has had many significant discoveries over the course of its lifetime, their most infamous act was the creation of the original Greater Gargylen. These created beings were the progenitors of the newer Gargylen seen in the world today. Those who survived the Angels’ attack were said to have fled the Conclave in secret before forming the Skein Dominion, and it is said that the Conclave’s former Master Ryneh Brier led them in their flight. However, not all those who wore the black robes were willing to give up all they had worked for, and thus changed their robes and remained as members of the Conclave.

The Black Tower was an imposing monolith in its time. Magically carved from pure obsidian, it seemed to be but a single piece of stone with no noticeable doors or windows. The only way in or out of the Black Tower was through magical portals, and many Conclave members attest that the Black Tower had its own private Arc Sling circle to allow restricted access. The practical application of Gate rituals, as most mortals comprehend them, were said to have been created from experimental research carried out within the halls of the Black Tower. The Tower itself would warp around the outskirts of the Berphauntian capital, and every night it teleported to a new, undisclosed location. So secretive was the nature of the Black Arcanist and her Tower’s exact subjects of study, that only Master Brier was truly privy to the knowledge stored within its confines. What is known is that any members of the posthumous Black Tower still left within the Conclave are under an oath from the current Grandmaster not to speak of the research they carried out within its obsidian halls.

All that being said, the following truths are known about the Black Tower:

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Towerless Members and Hedge Mages

Each individual that joins the Conclave while within the Berphauntian capital must pick a Tower that they swear allegiance to, and this choice will also inform the direction of their education in the arcane arts. Usually, general students of magic join the Red Tower, while those more interested in the research or scholarship of magic join the White Tower. Admission to the Gold Tower requires completing a rigorous application process, a recommendation from a military officer of the Berphauntian Army, or a special invitation from the Tower itself. One does not need to join one of the towers to be a member of the Conclave, and indeed many mages across Maud’madir are members of a myriad array of local mage guilds that are allied with the Conclave.

Ritual casting mages within the capital city that do not join a Tower or local mages guild for any reason, be it refusal, obstinance, or protest, are labeled as Hedge Mages or Hedge Arcanists. These two terms are interchangeable colloquialisms, and being labeled as such places a bounty upon the individual that is sanctioned by the Gold Tower, as well as stripping them of any former Conclave membership and rank. Additionally, the title of Hedge Mage can be assigned to any individual who has betrayed the Conclave as a whole, or an unaligned ritual practitioner who refuses to register their name and the location of their ritual circles with a local Chapter House of the Conclave or an allied mages guild.

Depending on the severity of the Hedge Mage’s crimes they are either captured and brought back to the Gold Tower to face judgement by a tribunal of Grand Magi, or they are slain until Final Death. While the punishment is assigned on a case-by-case basis, the very moniker of “Hedge Mage” is synonymous with one’s death. The Conclave is rarely merciful.

The Shadow Tower

This does not exist.

Rules, Law, and Conduct

The Conclave maintains a strict set of rules that govern its members. These are enforced as written while within the main Towers of Berphaunt, but are often altered slightly for Conclave Chapter Houses located abroad. All Conclave members who live within the capital city and also hold rank in the Gold Tower are considered members of the Berphauntian Military, and may be called upon for service in times of war.

The following are excerpts from the “Conclave Arcanum: Charter of the Mages Guild of Berphaunt”.

Conclave Law and Major Offenses:

• No Guild member shall harm or bring death to another member.
• No Guild member shall bring death to a Berphauntian citizen without the citizen being labeled as a Hedge Magi.
• No Guild member shall cast magic upon another Guild member without their express consent.
• No Guild member shall practice, utilize, or possess magic forbidden by Berphauntian Law without the appropriate Magical Seal of Approval.
• No Guild member shall willingly hinder another member’s learning, so long as said learning is in accordance with Berphauntian Law.
• No Guild member shall divulge secrets regarding the Conclave, their Chapter House, or any of the Guild’s members.
• No Guild member shall associate with or aid a Hedge Mage.
• No Guild member shall fail to report and/or hand over significant magical findings, specialized ritual components, ritual scrolls, or enchanted items as directed by their superiors or Guildmaster.
• A Guild member who willingly seeks to evade reprimand for a convicted Minor Offense, or one who has committed a repeat offense in excess of three times, shall be charged with a Major Offense.

Minor Offenses:

The following are infractions that still garner punishment within the Conclave, but do not directly break the core of Conclave Law.

• Unjustly causing harm, but not death, to a Berphauntian citizen via magic.
• Negligence resulting in a Major Offense, or being an accessory to a Major Offense.
• Refusal or inability to pay Guild dues without an approved explanation.
• Spreading gossip, hearsay, or other falsehoods regarding the rumoured continued existence and function of the Black Tower.

Policies for Major Offenses:

Punishments doled out for major offenses range from demotion to death, and on occasion, final death. An offender that is unable to be arrested or reprimanded shall be considered a Hedge Mage. No Guild assistance shall be granted to them, and most Guild members would not risk associating with them in any way, as doing so would put themselves at risk of being punished alongside the Hedge Mage. Any individual who learns of or discovers a Hedge Mage must immediately report to their local Guildmaster, who will then relay this information to the Gold Tower. Failure to do so results in the immediate ruling of guilt by association for the member who found or learned of the Hedge Mage. The member shall be charged with a Minor Offense, the punishment thereof is most often a heavy fine if they cannot explain their actions.

In the case of Hedge Mages, their capture or Final Death by a Guild member’s hands shall result in a reward, and often a promotion, from the Gold Tower.

Policies for Minor Offenses:

Usually, these incur a fine as decided by the member’s superiors or Guildmaster. If the mage willingly submits themselves for reprimand, some measure of leniency is usually factored into their punishment. Should an offense occur within the capital city of Berphaunt, the Grand Magi of the Red Tower will convene to pass judgement via tribunal.

Organization

Heraldry

The symbol of the Conclave is a white, red, and gold tower, from left to right, printed within a larger grey badge resembling a keep with battlements atop. Some older insignias held the Royal Crown of Berphaunt with crossed swords overtop of the white, red, and black tower. Later still the crown was removed in favour of a crescent moon with its points facing downwards towards the towers. Both symbols were discontinued in the year 2014, due to their similarity to holy symbolism of a few of the Gods, and a direct connection to the Royal Family respectfully. The Conclave wished to remain a loyal servant of the Empire, but with their own heraldry for the sake of magical identity.

Regarding Religion

The Conclave was founded upon the pursuit of knowledge in all its forms. They maintain that the Church has no place within their organization, but that does not mean that those who worship or serve a higher power are not welcome. The Conclave has opened its doors to Champions, Demagogues, and followers of all beings, so long as they can work within the confines of Conclave law. The White Tower has long held to the stance that knowledge itself must be unbiased. The faithful should keep their tenants and purpose within their hearts, and wisdom in their heads. The Red Tower has voiced their concerns over the possible dangers of having, for example, followers of Kael and Malagant being forced to communicate civilly underneath one roof. These concerns have not altered the overall decision of the Grandmaster to allow freedom of religion within the Conclave, with the exception of the reverence of the Firstborn Shiloth at the Emperor’s behest.

Ranks

Members of Conclave Chapters may hold two ranks: One within the Tower of their choice or designation and one within their local Chapter House. The ranks of the Towers themselves supersedes the ranks of these local mage guilds within the greater organization of the Conclave. The Towers do not simply grant rank to all mages under the banner of the Conclave, but it is possible for these mages to earn one. They are required to apply directly to the Tower, and if accepted they may hold that rank as long as they continue to remain in contact with the Conclave through any means necessary. In general, one applies to the Red Tower to show magical prowess, to the White Tower to show academic research, and to the Gold Tower to formally apply to be a military spellcaster or a Sentinel.

In the case of a Tower rank, the Tower’s name should be added as a suffix to the title given, in the case of similar rank. For example, the Magus of a Chapter House would be signed as:

“Magus” and then the Magus’ name, or “Magus of the Conclave” as a title following a name.

A Magus belonging to the Red Tower would instead use “Magus of the Red Tower” as the title following their name.

In conversation, the rank would come first and the Tower would be stated after: “Magus” and then the Magus’ name, “of the Red Tower.”

In the specific case of those who remain from the days of the Black Tower, any titles they had tied to that Tower were redistributed as necessary between the existing Towers. Despite this, any casters that remain from those days are seen as legacies by younger mages, and are feared just as much as they are respected.

Members of Chapter Houses are considered to be of Initiate rank within the Red Tower unless otherwise noted, with the exception of the local Guildmaster who is considered to be of Magus rank. Petition for the elevation of a rank within the three Towers is handled by the The Red, White, and Gold Arcanists with a small counsel of Grand Magi.

Rank Structure of The Conclave:

Grandmaster – Tower Rank Only

The Grandmaster serves as the undisputed head of the entire Conclave. Their word is law regarding all matters of magic, and they are completely unrestricted from any field of magical study, experimentation, or sphere knowledge, for they possess a special one-of-a-kind writ signed by the current Emperor or Empress. The Grandmaster answers only to the Grandmaster’s Table of the Imperial Guilds of Berphaunt, and retains offices and official residences in all three Towers. Under the administration of the Conclave’s founder Ryneh Brier, the rank was previously known as The Master.

The current Grandmaster is Aloysius the Many. He appears to be everywhere at once, with many mages swearing they have seen him present at more than one Guild function simultaneously. He is both flamboyant at occasions of mirth, and fierce in moments of politics. He was appointed by Emperor Louis Berphaunt in the year 2231, although little else about him is known including whom he apprenticed under during his time as a student. Whoever his teacher was, they have either long since faded into obscurity, or do not wish not to take credit for their teachings. Curiously, no one has ever directly seen Grandmaster Aloysius perform feats of magic. He does not display any ostentatious magical trophies, nor do any of the typical minor glamours augment the functionality of his offices. Indeed, he seems to simply enjoy whittling away his free time tending to a trio of small gardens across the three Towers by hand, or feeding the ducks that line the beautiful ponds across the capital city.

Arcanist – Tower Rank/Chapter House Rank

The rank of Arcanist is the most influential rank any mage can hope to attain within the organization via promotion. Arcanists are rarely seen or heard from by the rank and file, and command great respect within the Conclave. The three most well known Arcanists are the Red, White, and Gold Arcanists, the leaders of the Towers. They advise the Grandmaster on matters of magic, and rarely leave their respective spires.

In the regional Chapter Houses, an Arcanist is slightly different from their Tower counterparts. Where a Guildmaster is the leader of a Chapter House, an Arcanist is the overseer of several. A Guildmaster can petition to be elevated to the rank of Arcanist if they successfully control two or more Chapter Houses in good standing, however the process is grueling and the title is rarely awarded. Arcanists become akin to wandering researchers, no longer tied down to their Chapter Houses. Most Arcanists establish their own small mage towers in remote locations where they might conduct private research undisturbed, and periodically send their findings back to The Red Tower. They may appoint new Guildmasters to the Chapter Houses they manage if they so choose, and many do so to lighten the burden of administration upon themselves so that they might be free to study whatever takes their fancy. Arcanists possess complete magical authority within Berphauntian lands, and do not require legal sanction for forbidden arcane arts or fields of magical study. For all intents and purposes, they are considered to possess Magical Seals of Approval granted by direct Imperial Sanction for all Spheres of Magic, with the caveat that they may only study the inner workings of Wytchcraft, and cannot in any way replicate it or cast its magic.

The current leading Arcanists of the Towers are:

• Indomitable Onimarim, The Red Arcanist, Human – Onimarim is said to be a peerless master of Elemental magic, and is continually refining its usage to better the lives of the Berphauntian Empire’s citizens. It is rumoured that he is the reason why a royal event or proclamation given from the capital city has never experienced inclement weather. Many also believe the destructive tornadoes and earthquakes that preceded several of Berphaunt’s military campaigns were due to Onimarim’s mastery over weather-controlling magics.
• Vamonora the Clairvoyant, The White Arcanist, Human – Vamonora serves the White Tower as both its Arcanist and its High Curator. She is said to be capable of casting all Spheres of Magic that do not require the intervention of an extraplanar entity, although many students of her Tower like to gossip of her one day overthrowing Salam, the God of Magic, with the extent of her magical understanding. She is also said to have been experimenting with ways of using her significant mystical power in conjunction with Psionic magic to further refine her prediction of future events.
• Sagebane, The Gold Arcanist, Night Sidhe – Known only by the singular name Sagebane, this newly appointed Arcanist is as mysterious as they are tactically brilliant. It is commonly known that they are a master Battle Mage and an effective General of Berphaunt’s Caster Regiments, having risen through the ranks as a prodigy under the Red Tower’s tutelage. Beyond that, little is known of their life or their past. Since becoming the Gold Arcanist, they have revamped and improved upon the original Sentinel program to such an extent that they are looked upon quite favorably by the Grandmaster of the Conclave. However, many members of the Conclave are still wary of the Fae’s intentions and whether their interests truly lie with the fate of the Empire and its citizens. Despite this unease, the results of Sagebane’s work speaks for itself, and those that distrust the Fae have kept their misgivings to themselves, for now at least.

Grand Magus – Tower Rank Only

To be elevated to the rank of Grand Magus, an Archmagus has to be responsible for a great innovation or discovery in the field of magic. Currently, there are fewer than 100 Grand Magi in the entirety of the Conclave, and all are master ritualists that have contributed greatly to the Conclave’s understanding of magic. They are the pioneers of new understanding within the magical world, always searching for that new arcane discovery or trying to prove some new, half-insane magical theory. If a Chapter House member is awarded the title of Grand Magus, they are required by the Conclave to relocate to the capital city of Berphaunt, and take up a position at a Tower. They may take a sabbatical that lasts no longer than one year for every three years of study, and have the ability to leave the capital city for business abroad, but only for a short time. In terms of respect, Grand Magi and wandering Arcanists are on par with each other. Arcanists, apart from those who head the Towers, are seen as quirky and almost whimsical, whereas Grand Magi are often more politically minded and regimented. Grand Magi rarely take apprentices, preferring to keep to the more ministerial side of the Conclave. A Grand Magus is considered to possess the same Magical Seals of Approval as an Arcanist.

Guildmaster – Chapter House Rank Only

A Guildmaster is, quite simply, the leader of a Chapter House of the Conclave. They are the leaders of their respective Mage Guilds, appointed by the Head Office of the Red Tower. These mage guilds dot the length of the Empire, and while many have their own traditions, they still answer to the Conclave.  In these smaller guilds the Guildmaster serves as the liaison to the Towers for the area in which they reside. Guildmasters undergo an annual review conducted by the Red Tower, and if at the end of that review they are deemed unfit for the position, they may be replaced by the residing Vizier. So long as they remain in good standing with their monitors and the local Berphauntain authority, a Guildmaster is considered to possess a Magical Seal of Approval from the Red Tower to practice whatever Spheres of Magic they so choose, with the exception of Wytchcraft.  This Magical Seal of Approval only covers the area in which their Chapter House resides and does not extend beyond these borders. Guildmasters may have as many Apprentices as they wish, and keep their previous Chapter House rank should it have been at least the rank of a Magus. In terms of Chapter Houses, a Guildmaster is considered to be above an Archmagus in station for as long as they keep the position.

Vizier – Chapter House Rank Only

The right hand to the Guildmaster. In matters where the Guildmaster is unavailable, the Vizier takes over as head of the Chapter House, until such a time the Guildmaster returns to duty. They may take as many apprentices as they wish, and they keep their previous Chapter House rank that they had before becoming a Vizier. In terms of Chapter Houses, Viziers are on par with an Archmagus for as long as they keep the position, but are elevated to the superior status of the Guildmaster in times where the original Guildmaster is not present.

Archmagus – Tower Rank/Chapter House Rank

The highest rank of distinction a regular Mage can attain while still belonging solely to a Chapter House, although many Archmagi belong to a Tower as well. An Archmagus is considered to be a pinnacle of magical power, excelling in both battle and ritual magic, civil conduct, and the training of successful apprentices. They must be able to successfully and safely cast a ritual successfully as a prerequisite for the position. Before being awarded the title, they are scrutinized in their planning and ultimate execution of the ritual. In courtly society the Tower-based rank is akin to that of a Knight in most realms, and allows the Archmagus to have a proper voice during the proceedings. Archmagi may have as many Apprentices as they wish.

Magus Prefect – Tower Rank/Chapter House Rank

The addition of the suffix “Prefect” to a Magus is as much a symbol of an overachiever as it is a badge of respect. A Magus that successfully masters a full pyramid of spells and can cast at minimum two Spheres of Magic can be awarded this special honor should they seek it out. The Magus Prefect may now apprentice an additional guild member, and any applications for Magical Seals of Approval submitted in their name carry a greater weight due to their rank. In the Red and White Towers, Magus Prefects are assigned as guides to Initiates and Apprentices during their first year within the Conclave to help foster their learning. Amongst their peers, Magus Prefects are seen as model members of the Guild to aspire to, and are much beloved by the Archmages as trusted assistants.

Magus – Tower Rank/Chapter House Rank

A Magus is a member who has not only shown only their unwavering dedication to the Guild/Conclave, but also has shown themselves to have been a valued teacher and leader while still respecting those in office above themselves. The Magus rank is where most Mages in The Conclave plateau, but there is no shame in this. Without extensive delving into ritual magic and a deep involvement in Chapter House politics, most spellcasters will stay at this rank for the rest of their lives. In the case of the Towers especially, the elevation of an Adept to a Magus is a prestigious occasion for the mage due to the infrequent nature of this promotion and a small celebration often follows. A Magus must possess knowledge of at least 7th circle spells to be considered for the position, but most hopefuls are scrutinized till they learn all of the Battle Magic spells of their chosen Sphere. A Magus may apprentice up to two Guild members.

Adept – Tower Rank/Chapter House Rank

Adepts are mages that have proven that they are responsible magic casters, capable of conducting themselves in a manner appropriate to the Guild. An Adept must at least possess knowledge of advanced spells of the 5th circle to be considered for the position. They may have a single Apprentice.

Apprentice – Tower Rank/Chapter House Rank

A fledgling Mage that is currently under tutelage by an Adept-rank mage or above. They must be able to cast the 1st level spells of at least a single sphere of magic. They may not attempt to teach or instruct on the workings of magic to any member of the Guild.

Initiate – Tower Rank/Chapter House Rank

A basic member of the Guild. Initiates are required to find a mentor to apprentice under them within a month’s time after joining. Should they fail to do so without proper explanation, they may be expunged from the Guild for tardiness.

Members of Note

Grand Magus Proneima Celene Sharpwill, Wild Elf: Creator of the Magiscape rooms within the Red Tower and the designer of the proprietary Psionic ritual Greater Hallucination, her work forms a key aspect of how mages are trained within the halls of the Tower. She is seen as the foremost mind regarding Psionic magic on the continent of Maud’madir.

Archmagus Ikron Enubeus, Human: Master of Planar Knowledge within the White Tower. He is perhaps most well-known for his dissertation paper “Notes on the Realms, Planes and the Known Universe,” which took over a decade of rigorous research to complete. For this work he is currently under review for the position of Grand Magus of the White Tower.

Arcanist Oslo Cragg, Human: Oslo Cragg is the only Arcanist in Conclave history who does not formally cast magic. Instead of magical prowess, he is known for his mastery of scrollcrafting, and has taken the art of magical inscription to its peak. Oslo’s dissertation on an ancient text regarding the Amethyst Dragon Essyllt the Unchained, ultimately elevated his status from Archmagus to Arcanist of an area spread out across five hundred acres in Southern Berphaunt. He resides to this day devising more efficient ways to create spell scrolls. It is said his hitherto unknown ability to craft scrolls without the requisite ability to cast magic stems from studying personally with the Firstborn Essyllt, and that he has been either unwilling or unable to teach others this same skill.

Archmagus Sool’atel Raszhvere, Fire Elf: Master of Flora and Fauna within the White Tower. She has documented over 225 species and subspecies of plant and beast, both magical and mundane. Her last outing within the Bakuran mountain ranges documented the legendary phoenix in its nesting grounds. It is said her knowledge of the various creatures of Maud’madir is only rivaled by the collections held within the lodges of the Arthos Hunter’s League.

Archmagus Menozar Agrüzzenov, Ajaunti: Master of Elemental Magic within the Red Tower. Known for being both one of the strictest teachers in the Tower and a gifted practitioner of the elemental arts. They have designed several Elemental rituals of immense destructive potential, including one stone-based evocation that causes a cataclysmic upheaval of earth, leaving a miles wide crater in its wake.

Grand Magus Ophelius Dubois, Human – Grand Magus Dubois is perhaps best known for being the current bearer of the Orb of Power, Seti. This Orb of Power has absolute mastery over all forms of defensive barrier magic, and was responsible for the Dome of Seti that entrapped Clan Sprawn many years ago.

Arcanist Senwin Alkannus, High Elf – An elderly researcher in his seventh century. He is said to speak all known languages fluently, and has deciphered several ancient Enchantment-based ritual tablets by himself over a 100 year period.

Ardeana Stye, The Black Arcanist, Human – Ardeana is said to be one of the original heads of the now-dismantled Black Tower. It is rumoured that she did not defect to the Skein Dominion along with most of the Black Tower’s mages, and instead remained with the Conclave where she works within a secret underground facility. Though no records of her death or retirement have ever been found by private investigators within the capital, this has been largely written off as baseless hearsay by the current Grandmaster. She remains a popular “ghost story” amongst the student body, with many claiming they have seen her wandering the halls of the Towers after dark, her elderly visage pale and gaunt like a phantasm. Such gossip is thoroughly denied by the Red Tower in particular, with Magus Prefects doing their best to report Initiates who spread such salacious rumors for disciplinary action.

Hedge Mages of Infamy

Ghunadrun von Malbraxian, Vulcan Dwarf:  Ghunadrun Malbraxian was formerly a well-respected Archmagus of the Black Tower until his unsanctioned practitioning of Necromancy was uncovered by a young Magus Prefect. He cursed the restrictions placed upon the Conclave’s study of Necromancy, especially when it seemed as if the priests of the capital’s Black Cathedral were given special treatment regarding that matter from the Imperial Palace. Before he could be captured by the High Sentinels, he used powerful ritual magic to transport himself to a cemetery at the city limits, but not before unleashing a wave of infliction magic from a magical trap in his more public office in the White Tower. The blast killed twelve Guild members, including the 9th Grand Magi of the White Tower, Morastus Trion’kash of Felnir. Ghunadrun has since publicly cursed the name of the Emperor for his cowardice in bowing to the will of the Gods over that of scholarly reason, blaming him for having his home Tower destroyed out of fear.

Estelle Parnast, The Wytch of Nettles, Wood Fae: Formerly the Arcanist of the Shackletwine Forest in Northern Berphaunt, her career was cut short when she seemed to simply vanish in the year 2259. Estelle’s bimonthly research papers had ceased returning to the Red Tower as usual. The Sentinel teams sent to find the Wood Fae would return to the Conclave and report nothing being amiss, save for the pinpricks they suffered making their way through the thick bramble of the woods. It wasn’t until a month had passed did the unknown Wytch Estelle make her play. Each member of the fifteen teams sent to find her systematically robbed the Conclave of a host of powerful ritual scrolls and magical items in a single night. Despite the best efforts of Conclave mages, each recovered “thief” could not remember why Estelle had ordered them to steal the items they did. She continues to move across the continent to this day, posing as a kindly soothsayer while amassing Conclave secrets for her mysterious Demonic patron.

Zan the Achromatic, Draconian: An oddity in Conclave history, across the course of five years Zan was a Magus of the White, Black, and finally, the Red Tower. His prodigious skill was such that his request to transfer from the White to the secretive Black Tower was approved, although within two years of that he successfully applied to be transferred to the Red Tower. One day seemingly out of nowhere, he managed to cause each of the Arc Slings in the Towers to begin unraveling, causing utter chaos within the Conclave. He is said to have stolen something from one of the Grandmaster’s offices during the panic, evading capture with an unmatched understanding of the architecture of the Towers. Zan is a Silver Draconian of the fallen Firstborn Daedalon, and is said to utilize Sigil magic in conjunction with personalized ritual gateways in ways that were called “innovative” by the former residents of the Black Tower. The bounty placed upon him by the Gold Tower is explicit in that he is to be captured alive.