Factions and Organizations

[Scorchys]

The Mage Hunters

Following the last awakening of the Leylines, the King of Arania called a summit of the leaders of the many countries to discuss the problem presented by the mages. Mages and their unfettered use of the etherium of the leylines, he argued, would lead to the complete and utter unravelling of their world. To such an end, the king of Arania proposed an entirely new group of men and woman that he would dub the mage hunters. In order to be able to take the mages of the world by surprise, it would not be something made known to the public, at least not readily. They would have a sense of diplomatic immunity and were able to hunt down mages in the countries that were gathered at the summit, leaving out Kuokazo and the barbaric North, both of which had a differnet philosophy on magic. But the task of who was to lead the Mage Hunters, and where their headquarters was to be stationed was put up for debate. It was decided that they would all reconvene in a month’s time.

During such a time, it was reported that Darius Reynolf, lord of Reynolf castle, was killed along with his son Grayson’s new wife by a mage. A grief stricken Grayson was called upon by the king and when he arrived the king could see that he had been greatly harmed. Yet, at the same time, there was a steely determination behind his sadness. The newly annointed Reynolf explained that a man that had once been a servant in the castle had returned with newly awakened magic and had used it to kill both his father and his newlywed. But when he was asked what he’d done, he drew his blade, still black with blood and explained that he’d killed the man with his own blade, that he’d managed to evade each spell and killed the man. Impressed, the King of Arania offered him the chance to make sure that what happened to his family never happened to any one else again and explained about the mage hunters that he wanted to make. With his recent loss, Lord Reynolf quickly accepted the position and set to work recruiting able bodied men and women.

While it started off as only humans, their ranks quickly swelled with elves, dwarves and even a few half-orcs. Reynolf converted his mansion and buildings into a compound for the Mage Hunters and was quick to begin his crusade. In the beginning many of the mages and others that utilize etherium were killed, and thus built the reputation of the Mage Hunters and spread rumors about them. As time went on, a more humane way to save the mages was created: the brand. This would keep mages from being able to use all but the simplest and most harmless of spells. Still, the very idea of the mage hunters targeting people was something that concerned the public and the idea of practicing magic in the open was something that quickly stopped. Thus rose the importance of the Mage Hunters.



The Heirarchy of the Mage Hunters:

Stage 1: Initiate

Stage 2: Mage Hunter in Training

Stage 3: Seasoned Hunter

Stage 4: Councilman (only 2 PCs at a time can be councilmen at one time)


Once characters have achieved their T2 and reached the second stage with the mage hunters, characters can take one of two specializations: Mage Hunter Champions and Mage Hunter Enforcers.

[Scorchys]

Arania Magic Academy

The Aranian Magic Academy was founded in 1000 ATD by a man named Murlan Duras, someone whom many people picture or imagine when the term “wizard” is thought of due to his accomplishments. The practitioner’s college was founded in an era of great strife between the Etherium-touched and the normal people scared of its effects. It was an era of rampant magic use with people who were unable to control the sparks at their fingertips. Murlan was one of the wisest mages in the world at the time, or perhaps of all time, and by far the most powerful in his control and potency. He held great magic in his soul, a power that could could cause an army of trained soldiers to surrender with a wave of his hand. He knew the dangers of magic and decided that the world needed a place to better study magic after a horrible catastrophe where fear caused a young man to panic and set fire to an entire district of the more poverty-clad streets of Arania.

After the incident, Murlan Duras started plans, working with the Aranian Kingdom to start peace talks on how to better handle the rampant misunderstanding and lack of control of self-taught magic. Together, they managed to bring up several debitive meetings between the two sides. The result was the Aranian Magic Academy. By creating this college of controlled learning, it gave a place where mages could understand and control their magic. Ran by the country, any student no longer needed to be hunted down and killed just because of what they were.

The goal of the academy is the historical understand, control, and learning of Etherium. It was founded as an ethical alterative in the pursuit of sealing mages and keeping their magic under control. This was a second chance for mages of all ages, to allow them to continue to use their magic in a safe, controlled environment with supervision and guidance.

The Academy grew to be one of the most acceptable magic academies in all of the lands of Shinma. The academy accepts students from all of the neighboring lands; any and all who wished to learn to control their magic we permitted to join as long as they understood the rules and guidelines of the nation of Arania. When students have graduated from being apprentices to being full-fledged mages, they are given more freedoms yet still under the strict guidance of the Arania Magic Academy and its host country. Mages are still a part of the government and must report their work with the academy to keep things under control even beyond being a student.

The current Arch-Magus of the Aranian Magic Academy is Ishan Duras. Ishan Duras is a direct descendant of the founder of the Academy.

Academy Rules:

[1] No Un-Authorized use of magic. Especially outside of the Academy grounds. Only mages or higher can break this rule with exception.
[2] Magic should only be used in the designated areas. If you are an apprentice, all use of magic must be supervised by a mage or higher of the academy.
[3] Do not speak of or invite anyone not a student into the college grounds nor speak to anyone about how the college is laid out or the location of any college part. Only staff members are allowed to break this rule with exception.
[4] No teaching magic to non-academy affiliated mages.
[5] Do not cast magic at students, staff, or guests without permission from a staff member. There is to be no unwarrented violence or hostile actions towards your staff and students. If you start this, any actions others take against you is your fault, including staff.
[6] As an apprentice, do not practice magic or experiment on your own without staff permission for your own safety. If you feel like you are ready for something beyond your current lessons, ask a staff member for guidance.
[7] Any other actions are your own fault. Settle disagreements with other students on your own. You're training to be a liceansed mage. Act mature with responcibility. If you cannot, you will be removed from the school.

Mage Ranks:

Arch-Magus: Level 40, Tier 3, Know a rank 5 in Each Mystical Tree; The Arch-Magus of the academy is the leader of the academy. They are usually the master of all forms of mystical spells. Rank shown with their white accents/robes.

Grandmaster: Level 35-40, Know a Rank 5 in at least one Mystical Tree, Tier 3; A grandmaster is one who has gained mastery of at least one form of Mystical spells. They run the various departments inside of the school. Rank shown with their red accents/robes.

Master: Level 25-35, Tier 2 Power; A master is a magus who has broken through the barrier between a normal mage, and a master mage. They make up the main teaching force of the school. Rank shown with their purple accents/robes.

Mage: Level 15-25, Tier 1 Power; A mage is a magic user who has broken through the barrier that separates normal people, and true adventurers. Mages handle tasks for the school, which could be bounties, or special missions that need someone trained in magic. Rank shown with their blue accents/robes.

Apprentice: Level 5-15, Etherium-Touched; Apprentices make up a good portion of the student body. They have shown an aptitude for learning magic, and have begun training. Rank shown by green accents/robes.

Scribe: Level 1-5; These are potential students who have yet to show they have aptitude in learning magic. They scribe for the various students and mages. They do not have colors portraying ranks, they are colorless.

Academy Mage-Mark

The academy mage mark takes a different approach from the traditional sealing of a normal mage-mark. The Academy Mark still limits the amount of magical prowess they are allowed to use; however, it can be turned off at will. It registers the mage as a member of the school and gives authorization for them to use magic responsibly if a situation requires it. Each academy mark is attuned to the registry scroll of that member of the academy. It keeps track of their location and their health. If the mark is ever turned off, the applicant must make a report of the situation and the reason why it was undone to the staff of the academy to judge. Failing to do so within a certain time limit will register them as a renegade and will be tracked for questioning and potential imprisonment. The academy mage mark is a privilege that can be taken away.

Limiter Effects by rank:

Arch-Magus: None
Grandmaster: Makes the Highest Rank spell that can be cast outside of the academy Rank 4. Cannot release T3(or higher).
Master: Makes the Highest Rank spell that can be cast outside of the academy Rank 3. Cannot Release T2 or higher.
Mage: Makes the Highest Rank spell that can be cast outside of the academy Rank 3. Cannot release at all.
Apprentice: Makes the Highest Rank spell that can be cast outside of the academy Rank 0. Cannot release at all.

Current Members:
Arch-Magus: Ishan Duras

Grandmaster:
Grandmaster of Mystical Combat
Grandmaster of Mystical Support
Grandmaster of Mystical Healing

Master:

Mage:

Apprentices:

Scribe:

[Scorchys]

Arania’s Military History

Arania’s “Fist of the King” military is perhaps one of the greatest fighting forces on the planet, though this is more due to sheer numbers than to any greater degree of training or technological advances. Indeed, the majority of Arania’s rank and file soldiery are still equipped with basic weapons and armor, nor affording them nearly as much protection in battle. The military, itself, first came to be in the second century following the founding of the main city that was simply called Aran Ia. As the small farming community grew into a decently sized town, and then, into a proper city, the people found themselves attacked by those that would steal their food and other such necessities. While trade had begun to flourish with similar nearby towns, convincing them to keep coming became more and more difficult as the caravans were raided.

Realizing that a true defensive force was needed to keep the lifeblood of Aran Ia moving, Councilor Arshen gathered volunteers from around the city and drafted them into a militia. While they lacked any real training, other than where to point the business end of a weapon, they managed to defeat the bandits and raiders and drive them away from the lands of Aran Ia. Seeing the successes, many of the smaller, surrounding, villages began to pledge themselves the Aran Ia for protection, growing the available land. Yet this, in turn, grew more opportunities for looters.

As Aran Ia’s third century dawned, the counilor had grown the city into an even mighter force and proclaimed himself king. His armies, now trained and arrayed in fine bronze armor began to march across the land, defeating foes of all shapes and sizes, annexing territory as they went. The dissolution of the nation to their West was more fortuitous, allowing them to snatch up more territory that was left behind as part of the break up. These new conquests caused Arania to adapt new technologies and strategies, including enormous longbowman, into their retinue. These continued advances made Arania more and more powerful, but also created problems of succession in the military. Solving these was the subject of concern for the eighth king of Arania. It was due in part to this king’s focus on the military, that the chain of military command was settled and became what is seen in the Aranian military of present day Shinma.

The most recent Grandmaster of the Aranian military is Rorshean Cordtalgus, one of the youngest men to ever hold the position, at forty five.

Military Rules:
1. Members of the military are to maintain strict dress code, when not off duty. Military uniform is to be worn at all times, unless currently on leave.

2. Weapons are to be worn but NEVER drawn, whether it be on junior officers or even civilians. NO Exceptions.

3. Training sessions must be attended at their appropriate times. If you need alternative times you must speak with your commanding officer.

4. No soldier is exempt from training; it is well known that even the grandmaster is required, albeit by the king, to continue improving.

5. Training of pages and squires are to be done under close supervision of, at least, 2 knights; knights must be overseen by a senior officer. While senior knights don’t necessarily need to be watched to train, it is common practice that at least another senior knight be taken as a sparring partner.

6. All actions reflect upon the senior staff. Disagreements must be settled within the ranks. You are a knight of Arania and are expected to behave professionally. If you cannot then you will be removed from the military at the senior staff’s discretion.

Arania Military Ranks:
Grandmaster: Level 35 - 40, at least Tier 3; has a rank 5 in each physical tree; the Grandmaster is both the highest general as well as the best tactician of the military; they are perhaps the greatest combatant within the realm and has mastered all forms of combat. Wears distinctive gold/black mail in combat.

Champion: Level 30 – 35, has a rank 5 in at least one physical tree and is tier 3, a champion is one of the three generals that command the bulk of the troops in differents ways and are a master of at least one form of combat. Their distinctive armor is black and white trim.

Senior Knight: level 20 – 30, Tier 2 power; Senior knights are right below the champions and tend to command several legions of soldiers. These tend to be some of the most seasoned tacticians as well as excellent commanders in their own right. Their armor is blue with black trim.

Knight: lvl 15 – 20, Tier 1 power; Knights are those that have risen above the common rank and file, becoming something more than normal men and gone into the realm of having true combat potential. These men and women command squadrons of men and are just below senior knights. These tend to wear full plate mail colored blue.

Squire: lvl 5 – 15; while not necessarily a true rank within the military, squires tend to be discovered by knights under their command and are taken in as members of the knights’ houses, making them psuedo-nobility if they weren’t already. Here they receive training to become true knights themselves.