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The Arcane Light - A wizard's order (need suggestions)
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The Arcane Light - A wizard's order (need suggestions)
#1Hi all, first timer here...
I run a campaign in my homebrew world called Regenta in which sorcery is outlawed, and wizardry is strictly monitored. There is a historical justification for this scenario which is quite extensive, but suffice it to say that sorcerers are no longer trusted in the realms, and wizards are highly organized in a bureaucratic hierarchy. Many wizards function in a government role, working closely with nobles.
Currently, I have a wizard's order that is clearly dominant throughout the kingdoms. It is called the Arcane Light, and it is headquartered in a magnificent spire with a continual shaft of light that shines on the heavens at all times. The majority of its members are good, usually lawful, wizards. Their role is to control and monitor all magic and wizardry in the lands, and to prevent sorcerers from abusing their innate talents. They function in many ways like the Spanish Inquisition of the 17th century, but without so much torture, lol.
While I have a good idea what the function of the Arcane Light is, I would like some suggestions from all of you as to what titles, responsibilities, bureaucratic domains, uniforms/clothing, traditions, etc. I could work with to "flesh out" this society? I have a wizard in my party that I currently DM for, and he just attained 2nd level. I have told him that he won't be able to officially join the Arcane Light until he reaches 3rd level, but that may happen in the next few weeks, so I need to get to work.
Ideas? -
Re: The Arcane Light - A wizard's order (need suggestions)
#2
3rd Level "The Revealed" Gray Robe
7th Level "The Illuminators" Blue Robe
9th Level "The Light Ascending" Yellow Robe
13th Level "The Pillar of Radiance" White Robe, strewn with thousands of mirror shards
16th Level "The Pure and Shining" bathed in pure light beam, as the spire of Arcane Light
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Re: The Arcane Light - A wizard's order (need suggestions)
#3Sorry to interrupt, but I find it a little silly to base the ranks on a game-mechanic as level is (OK, I understand that is the way of the system, but still.) This gets complicated particularly on the higher levels.
Most important, no magic-user should recieve a title based on his power-level only. Add the various requirements (promises to behave in a certain way, offered spells of own production to the order, and of course admission by the higher-ups).
Secondly, no matter what the rules are, there will be people trying to get around them - and get their high rank sooner rather than later. Conversely, some people are likely to be denied their rank, based on politicking, intrigue, or even perceptions of usefullnes (say that Illusions or whichever school of magic has a low esteem; Necromancy may be another good case).
Lastly, if you want to keep the levels, why not make it in some more elegant way - create a spell/ritual, where the wizards can join their powers for some great purpose. To recieve a certain rank, you must master this spell (Share Power 5 or whatever - give it a nicer name ;) ), which is accidentaly a spell of a level X, that you can cast only if you are level Y.
Don't forget the social implications - in the grand ritual, the archmages will stand in the middle and do the real job, the lesser mages are around for support. Also, a mage has to actually learn a spell which is useless for himself, and be able to cast it - as a proof of wilingness to aid the order (they wouldn't accept somebody who won't do it). Lastly, this encourages research for the mages of lesser power - a new spell of lower level, that can do the same as a higher-level spell - even a rumour of it - could greatly upset the order.
Hope it helps. -
Re: The Arcane Light - A wizard's order (need suggestions)
#4Yep...I like what Manfred said a lot better than the nonsense I came up with :D -
Re: The Arcane Light - A wizard's order (need suggestions)
#5Excellent ideas, both of you! I like the idea of having titles represent the different levels of "authority" within the Arcane Light. I also understand that basing these positions strictly on levels attained may not be the best, but perhaps they will serve as a "rule of thumb". I think I will follow Manfred's advice, and create a spell unique to the Arcane Light that is virtually useless to the individual wizard, but works with other mages in ceremonies honoring the ancient arcane nature of their work. I may make this a 2nd level spell, so that my player will need to select it as one of his spells for his spellbook when he reaches 3rd level.
Murometz, I like the titles you offer! I think I will use those. I have already notified my player that when his wizard achieves 3rd level, he can get his familiar, and when he reaches 5th level, he adopts an "arcane" name. This helps explain why so many higher level wizards seem to have "wizardly" sounding names, and it helps maintaint the privacy of wizards' families. -
Re: The Arcane Light - A wizard's order (need suggestions)
#6Just to throw one out there... symbol of the Arcane Light is the Lantern of Truth, representing the Highest Good to which the order is pledge. The badge of the golden lantern is a sure sign of an Arcane Light mage. Perhaps the badge becomes more and more ornate as they reach ranks (or maybe vice versa- it is most ornate at lower ranks of wizardhood). Perhaps it is a pendant or brooch they wear, perhaps a tattoo, or maybe it is sewn into their clothing. -
Re: The Arcane Light - A wizard's order (need suggestions)
#7I like that symbol, CP. I can't decide whether to have members wear a brooch (flashy and official, but could be lost or stolen), or have a tatto (magically placed so as not to be imitated - but not as "flashy"). The Lantern of Truth sounds great. Maybe, if it's a brooch, the lantern could be made of different metals to symbolize rank within the order (copper, bronze, silver, gold, platinum).
I also think that I'll go with the idea of an insignia sewn into the clothing, or robes.