[ Narration ]

Standing before the bonfire and pale tree central to the city of Aelwen lies the alloyed man LOGOS, who speaks to the people as they pass and as they rest. Here the light of the fire shines greatly upon his bald and polished head, invoking an almost torchlike glare and reflection which may more easily draw eyes his way. He genuflects and gestures as he speaks, and always is his metal expression stern and thoughtful, and looks upon the people eyelessly and yet sees them all before him with the most perfect clarity. Here, he speaks. The subject, was creation.

“Hear me, Aelwen, hear me. I speak to you now as the unstruck iron nears the loss of its red heat. The time is still opportune in the infancy of this place which some whisper to be Malinor-Reborn, home of all Elves, to uplift it to heights previously unknown, cradled in the arms of empire, rebuilt upon ashes of Haelun-Or which had been burned to purge it of ill humors and tainted notions.

Voca Et Videm; those are the words of this day. It means “we call it as we see it”, and I shall take first charge in identifying the maladies that plague the continent which may be treated with the salve of rightful Aelwennic intuition, intrigue, and unity. Hear me, now, as I call it as I see it.

We know there are already the corpses of cities and states in the land; placed at remarkable distances for security of territory or otherwise, the continent is bepopulate with towns dwelled only by ghosts and silence, and already does this curse rear its head for our home. There must be a shortening of the way.

We know that all men thrive on bread and water, or meat when he is graced by good hunting, and that for lack of its abundance the common banditry are so willing even to deprive others of their food-bags and thus their energy needed to conquer and tame this land we have been driven to from the place behind Kalldur, already fading from memory. There must be feasts lent to every man.

We know there is war, there is ideological and socioreligious conflict. We know the people of all races except perhaps for humanity are divided, and see no just cause to bind themselves together into their original Four-Brother nations - the Elves especially, and the High Elves the martyr of this fact. We must mend the ties between Elves and foster them beneath one nation, to right old wrongs and forge new rights. There must be peace in the woodland of Malin. 

Hear me and consider my calculations. I have read and absorbed without need for sleep a thousand historical perspectives, as well as mine which I have lived to experience, and from my evaluations I seek only to repair what is broken. We must call things as they are, and recognize that all things around us have become worse as time has gone on, and rarely better. More evils are born in the shadow of the Descendants than miracles. We have seen what the will of a mortal is capable of; I have been born by the very same notions. Let us see many five-fingered Elven hands reach for a golden age in Aelwen with that same miraculous will.

To the Wizards of the Big Hat Society, to the mages of Aelwen not yet ushered beneath our wing, hear me: let us create the shortening of the way. Let us forge arcane doors through which unfathomable gaps may be crossed, so the layman and the lord may both equally and easily traverse to the Aelwennic realm. Let every man of every race find value in such portals, bringing with them their patronage and good will and desire for presence among fellow mortals. And when such a portal proves itself useful - let us place a portal in every city beyond us, so that Aelwen becomes a nexus or crossroads powered by the genius of wizards committed and invested in the wellbeing of the world.

To the Druids of the Sun Circle, hear me. In your grasp lies the undeniable mastery over the natural world, and ears to hear and listen to voices the common man cannot. Here, in Aelwen, you have allowed me to walk uncontested though your more ancient predecessors, and other circles would impose upon you every reason for my destruction. Allow me to reward you for your patience in elucidating the miracles of bounty and harvest you may bring to our city - if not already within your intentions. Solely in your hands lies the power to turn Aelwen into the breadbasket of the world, so flooded with wheat that food itself becomes without cost in every nation. Let our land brim with crops and beasts given fair and quiet conditions for their prosperity and hunting. Feed every mouth with your power, and see how all men shall be ushered behind our walls in good and loving visitation.

And to our most ideal leader, the Prince Adriel as he is known, I tell you - rule as you have been. You walk the walk of the High Prince Native. You do not dwell in the shadow of him but rather parallel to his memory, he who held the Elves together as one in Malinor, in Aegis. I beseech you, hear my words and aid me in uplifting our folk and our orders. Break down any walls between forces brought into our city, erase all diametric opposition where it emerges like an evil ghost. Let us create the City of Miracles where before there was only the City of Bedlam. Let us be as the Creator, and create.”

THERE are pillars that begin to appear erected in the outerlying reaches of the newly borne domain of Aelwen, carved primarily of stone and adjacent materials. Each pillar lacked refinement, instead infused with a distinct planned obsolescence, for not long after their proximal investigation whether by sorcerer or layman each primitive structure collapses, and reduces to dust and fragments the message previously etched into them. Those keen to inspect from a distance could discern that these obelisks, stacked in cylindrical and seemingly uneven layers, were so carefully balanced by whoever left them in these places that the slightest local motion of bodies acted as enough of a direct butterfly effect to cause their crumbling in a span of three to five minutes - a subtle metaphor for the impermanence of Voidal Evocations, and the riddlesome mark of an arcane society.

The following message was inscribed on each pillar in spiraling, enveloping carvings; and for every pillar that was erected, read, and then allowed to collapse, another would be raised in another part of the outskirts the following day, until in the closure of the week they would appear no longer. This is the First Transmission.

"THE MAN IS NOT WHAT HE SEEMS; THOUGH HE IS MANYFOLD IN FORM,

ALL SOULS LIKE HIS FUNCTION LIKE AN IMMATERIAL KEYHOLE,

AND IT IS HIS SHEER WILLPOWER AND MIND THAT ACTS AS THE KEY

TO UNFOLD NOT ONLY THE RIGHT TO POWER AND ARCANE MASTERY,

BUT ALSO TO BE GAINFUL OF A SCALE THAT OUGHT BE RIGHTLY BALANCED,

OR ELSE INCUR CONSEQUENCES FOR FATES WORSE THAN DEATH

SUCH AS BEEN THE WAY OF THINGS: MAGES IN IMBALANCE,

WITHOUT THE GUIDANCE OF GOD NOR CREED NOR NOTION OF DISCIPLINE,

WHERE THEY HAVE FAILED TO EVEN SEE THE SCALE IN THEIR HANDS

SO FIND ME, MAGES, IN AELWEN - FIND THE LOGOS, THE SYMBOL,

WHO MAY ELUCIDATE TO YOU THE MAN WHO FIRST SET THE BALANCE,

AND GAINED THE NAME TRISMEGISTUS BEFORE TWO OTHERS KNOWN"

[ For wizardly players seeking arrangement with the Big Hat Society,

contact @Johannand @Swgrclaŋfor scheduling. ]

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‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

✦FROM THE OFFICE OF EL’SIRAME ✦

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CHARTER OF THE BIG HAT SOCIETY

Let it be known throughout the Lordship of Aelwen that the order of the Big Hat Society, hereby designated the Arcane Stewards of the Sanctuary, is formally established to embody the pursuit of written wisdom and the practical application of discipline in the magical arts. All members shall be sworn to the principles of the evarn’sae, using their talents for the benefit of the world and the lands held in stewardship by the crown of Aelwen.

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ARTICLE I: PURPOSE AND MANDATE

The Society shall exist to advance the Acaelanite scholastic discipline and magical theory and serve the Autumn Prince through arcane counsel, defense, and innovation in the new lands. The Society’s paramount duty is the magical integrity and purification of the realm, which includes:

1. Cleansing: Containing and rooting out all lingering magical corruption and taint left over from the fall of the Silver City. The Society will contain and root out magical threats, including rogue practitioners and forbidden art.
2. Preservation: Upholding and expanding the knowledge of the Elves of Aelwen as well as maintaining the Aelan Archives.
3. Education: Educating and accrediting new practitioners in alignment with the living word and the laws of Idunia and the Empire of Man.

ARTICLE II: SOCIETAL STRUCTURE

The Society shall be led by the Archmage, appointed by el’Sirame or elected by unanimous vote of senior members. As of the writing of this Charter, the magi May shall be appointed as Archmage of the Society.

The Society shall recognize the guidance of the Archmage, who serves as its chief coordinator and representative. The Archmage shall have the authority to establish ranks or roles as they deem necessary for the function of the guild. While formal titles may be instituted, the structure shall remain flexible and subject to the revision of the archmage’s discretion.

ARTICLE III: OATHS AND STEWARDSHIP

Members’ Rights and Privileges

• The right to access the Archives of the San’taliyna and the Society’s laboratories.
• Protection under the laws of Aelwen, provided their practice upholds the Entwined Imperatives (purity and harmony).
• The right to wear the symbols and decorations of their rank and office, as well as their big hats.

Members’ Sacred Duties

• To submit all experimental spells, writings, and discoveries for cataloging in the Archives.
• To render magical aid and counsel to el’Sirame and the Sun Circle whenever summoned, especially in matters of defense and purification.
• To maintain an unwavering abstinence from all forbidden arts.

TITLE IV: MAGICAL REGULATION

The Society shall maintain an internal tribunal to investigate and judge infractions.

The following shall constitute punishable offenses:

1. Heresy: Open worship or magical practice involving the Aspects, unregulated Mani summoning, or any other practice in opposition to the Creator.
2. Corruption: Use of forbidden magic, including but not limited to necromancy, demonology, or mysticism.
3. Negligence: Reckless spellcasting, endangering the Sanctuary, or concealing any magical threats or artifacts from the Blades.

Penalties may include censure, forfeiture of rank, and up to and including exile for acts that violate the fundamental cosmic order.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Covenant is sealed under the authority of the Autumn Prince Adriel, Lord of Aelwen and shall carry the weight of both civil and spiritual law henceforth within Aelwen.

San’taliyna be our Guide, Evarn’sae be our Path.

Signed and sealed,

THE MOST HONORABLE, EL’SIRAME, Adriel aen Araleth, 

Autumn Prince of Aelwen

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