Sagwort
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Posts posted by Sagwort
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On the Nature of Things
A Thesis Concerning Topics
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10th of the First Seed, 1598
The accolade brusque camaraderie of paradoxical nouve-riche anticipates a ostentatious tryst of vicarious fait-accompli that equivocates fastidious harbingers of idyllic litanies that obligate lurid malaise within the misnomers of peevish proprietary organized from quintessential rhetoric as a result of scintillating wafts of perfunctory in the acronymical cavaliers of philistines and paradoxical malingers. Thus, the polemical vitriol regarding iconism in the obscurantism of xerography. Namely while the galactophagist revel in the solipsistic dalmatics which are notably gallinaceous. It would be, paleaceous, then, to speculate than any sort of natatorium not uniformly hyaline is a result of rampant myasthenia, and should be, thusly, famigerated to the tampion and made confidential to any jongleur.
Consider then, the quadragenarian of quadragesimal quadrats. How quadragesimarian! One ought to quadrate quadratrix during quadrennial quadrimium. Though, recall that quadrifoliate quadrigas are not exclusively quadringenarious. Personal quadratura contain quadrilocular quadrumanousi. However, the discovery of quadriremes leads to quadrobularly in quadripoles who tend to quadrille whilst quadrigeminal quadrupedation quadrates truly are quadrigenarious.
Dr. Ambros, Wiz.D.
3 -
Meditations on the Turnip
By Dr. Ambros, Wiz.D.
Forward
Consider, if you will, the dignified turnip. A most virtuous of herbaceous plants of which no other vegetative organism can compare. Much knowledge can be harvested from the turnip, just as the yeoman harvest this tenacious crop from the venerable soil from which it spawns.
Before one may learn from the inherently esoteric nature of the tuber, they must first understand its metaphysical essence. This begins with the cosmogony of the turnip. Through my studies I have theorized that the origins of the turnip are cosmological, truly an alien creature of archaic and hoary genesis. It rests in harmonious equilibrium with the four elements. The quadrivium of qualities rest within its intangible essence, a reception of the unanimity of the cosmos in its origin. For, before there was man there was turnip, as it represents a balance that has not existed since the dawn of the formation of matter, a flora from the utopian gardens of the clay men in the Age of Genesis. Thus, it would not be so absurd so assume the turnip holds some sort of eldritch power of its own, given its perfected composition and near divine essence. It is in the domain, then, of the alchemists and transmutational experimentation to extract the spirits from the turnip through achromatic processes, separating the the spiritual qualities from its earthen salts. But such things are not the ambition of this thesis, as the ethics of the turnip hold the most value, though I should have no doubts that a stave or wand of turnip ought to hold some reverence in the occult communities.
The Turnipician Ethics
In this passage, and the ones to follow, I do hope to distill from the turnip a scholastic and pragmatic philosophy from which all man might benefit.
The most obvious, yet ponderous, of conducts one might draw from the taproot lies within its anatomy. While its soft greenery ostensibly explodes from the earth, the far more precious root lies beneath. While this is mayhaps the most valuable and treasured aspect of the vegetable it is what the turnip keeps most hidden, to no avail from the root farmer. Indeed, the turnip has not defenses beyond the earth from which it sprouts, and is consumed nevertheless and to no fault of the turnip or the farmer. So too in the drivel of which man surrounds himself with, he attempts to protect his most precious qualities, and is bested by decay and death, the all consuming farmer of life. Yet, like the turnip, man must realize this is of no fault of his own and continue living accepting of his fate in some peasant stew. This is a most just way to live, accepting of that which cannot be changed, nevertheless, carrying out one's life with all the hearty vigor and pleasantries of the turnip.
Turn now, to the physical composition of the turnip. It is uniform. Not like the discordance of the nut, or the fruit which hides its jewels deep within flesh. Nae, the turnip has no layers or seeds and is simply as it is, a single totality of edible flesh. All of the turnip may be used, whilst the shell of the nut or the skin of the melon might find itself in waste. Man then, must also be uniform in his composition. He hides no ulterior motives or hardening secrets that might turn his soul to a nut or a seed. For certain social constraint is a matter of maturity, though such constraints remain throughout the dealings of man, and not exclusive to his social dealings in the market or political office. The man of the turnip acts as he does with business partners as he does with his bed partner. That is not, to say, he is of dry qualities and stoic in his humor. No, he is of good humor with all, and not prone to placing facades and personas upon his true self.
Finally, the turnip is wise. In tandem with its uniform composition, it is not glamorous nor lavish in its appearance. The turnip, as though self aware of its modesty, acts as nothing more than what it is, a root vegetable. For certain other root vegetables exist, the carrot, for instance. Though the turnip is pale in its complexion, while the carrot is outlandishly titian in it color. The carrot believes itself to be wiser than what it truly is, it does not know itself nor accept itself for what it ought to be, nothing more than a root. Man, then, ought to know themselves before they approach any other intellectual endeavor. For, if one knows what they do not know, they might present themselves for what they are, and not be seen as naive or pompous in his dealings.
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Forward
The following manuscript is a pursuit in defining the branches of scholastic and philosophical thought. So often, in the realms of academia and education, do we compose the most absurd of synopsis on what we consider “fields of study”. The true philosopher knows the nomenclature of what his mind might delve into, as well as the nature of such subjects as one might find it in a dictionary.
Dr. Ambros, Wiz.D.
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On the Nature of Magic
When we define “magic” we are tempted to conjure images of conical hats and old, gnarled wands. This would be the plebeian view, as it were. Nae, there is a difference between the philosopher and the magician. While the magician may be content to busy themselves with repeating magical formulae, or reproducing known effects, the philosopher wishes to understand the nature of these formulae in terms of natural laws and universal truths. The the magician simply regurgitates known knowledge, while the philosopher codifies what is unknown into something the magician might understand.
Let is be, then, that those who summon the undead, or whisper to plants, or conjure flame from the nixian planes are by all definitions of the word: magicians, casters, conjurers, warlocks, regurgitators of knowledge. It is not until these masters of manipulation question their disciplines do they become philosophers.
All philosophers are magicians, but not all magicians are philosophers.
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The Nature of Philosophy
So often does the view of the public to philosophers boil down to those who roll seemingly frivolous questions about their minds until they have gone mad. While this may be true of some, the field of philosophy is the art of questioning. The philosopher might question the composition of trees, or the structure of monarchic courts. Any true thinker might call themselves philosophers, thus philosophy must be divided into various fields for further understanding. However, before one may embark on any of these disciplines of study they must learn the fundamentals, the primordial sort of knowledge all intelligent mortals must master before further study. They are known as the Trivium and are as follows:
The Trivium
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Grammar
While all men know how to speak, not all men know. Grammar is the fine art of putting knowledge into transmittable terms through the mechanics of language. It is the art of definition and defining the senses.
Logic
Mayhaps the most necessary of philosophical studies, the study of logic is the study of the mechanics of thought and analysis. It is through the processes of logic we develop universal truths and knowledge as well as dispute and confront falsities. It is the study of arriving at truth.
Rhetoric
It will do a philosopher no good to have a grasp of definition and understanding such definitions if they do not know the most effective ways of conveying such definitions. Through rhetoric one learns to persuade and transmit knowledge to an audience, for what good is knowledge known by none?
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Once the student has mastered the Trivium through several years of rigorous study they might continue onto more advanced forms of philosophical thought, applying their prowess in definition, understanding, and wisdom to the Quadrivium:
The Quadrivium
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Natural Philosophy
This is the study of the physical world, otherwise known simply as physics, that which can be sensed. It is the study of the nature of organisms, and energy, physical mechanics, astronomy, mathematics, musical theory and forces as they influence the mortal realms. Many a magician best delve into the studies of natural philosophy as an understanding of the void is just as important as an understand of the nature of flame and water.
Metaphysics
The study of being, that which cannot be perceived through the senses. Philosophers of metaphysics ask two questions: “What is there?” and “What is it like?”. They bring up such inquiries as the creation and qualities of the cosmos, cosmology, or the nature of consciousness, the existence and properties of deities, and the idiosyncrasies of the void and realms beyond.
Axiology
The fine, and more subtle, philosophy of aesthetics and ethics, it is the study of value, it is the study of defining good and immoral, and how one might identify these qualities in other things.
Civics
The study of the duties and rights of citizenship and government. Any true nobleman or royal courtier had best take efforts into studying the philosophy of civics, as every king ought to be a philosopher.
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The above divisions will best lay a foundation for future education in philosophy and scholastic inquiry. For so long have the educated public simply defined themselves as “academic” should they have taken a few years in the pursuit of the study of evocation or the history and tenets of Canon Law. Nae, we must ask “why” and not simply “what.”
Once one has mastered the essentials of Trivium and the elegance of the Quadrivium they might begin to apply their knowledge to more pragmatic matters, such as the fields of theology, medicine, politics, law and engineering.
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Note: this is not a post questioning whether or not we should have a magic rewrite, but rather if we did, what do you people think would be a better system?
Note: Note: this is not a post questioning whether or not we should have a magic rewrite, but rather if we did, what do you people think would be a better system?
Note:Note: Note: this is not a post questioning whether or not we should have a magic rewrite, but rather if we did, what do you people think would be a better system?
Do you understand? I'm not questioning if we should have a magic rewrite (I know we probably never will), but if we did by some act of God or Odin or Buddha, what do you think would be the best next system of magic to work with?
Would it be RPG based? D&D inspired? WHAT?!
I do not want to see comments that say stuff like: "We should not have a magic rewrite" or... "This is what is wrong with the current system." I don't care, I just want to know what a new magic system would look like.
Also, mayhaps to inspire you I'm going to leave this summary of Sanderson's Laws of magic writing that I wrote up some time ago:
SpoilerQuoteAllow me to cite Brandon Sanderson's (Famed fantasy writer) Three Laws of Magic Systems:
Before I begin this overly long winded explanation I would like to point out that comparing rp to writing may seem a bit like a straw man type argument. However, I firmly believe that every roleplayer and every lore writer is in fact an author contributing to the grand Odyssey that is LotC. Note that these are Brandon Sanderson's ideas, not mine. I take credit for none, I am simply the messenger.
Also note that Sanderson stresses that his laws of magic are not concrete or the end all be all of writing (or in our case roleplaying).
While this is literal wall of text, and I did my best to break it up with colors (yay!) I URGE you to read this as I believe Sanderson as some excellent ideas and probably much more success and experience with producing magic systems than we do.
As roleplayers involved in a community we can actively change we are both the author and the readers.
The 1st Law: An author's ability to solve conflict with magic is directly proportional to how well the reader understands the magic.
Sanderson states that there are two forms of magic systems: Soft Magic and Hard Magic.
Soft Magic is the older form of magic that has been a long established tradition in fantasy for decades. This sort of magic does not completely explain how or why magic works thus producing a sense of wonder and a sense of tension as man becomes a far tiny part of the universe, a small part in a much larger scheme seemingly driven by magic. Authors known for this sort of style are Tolkien who never really explores the full power or mechanics behind the Istari Wizards or any other sort of magical figures within the book. However, the defining feature behind this sort of magic system is that magic is VERY RARELY used to actually solve conflict or problems within the book. In A Song of Ice and Fire, by George R. R. Martin, the world of Westeros is filled with magic that is hardly explained and rarely used and yet the entire overlying plot of the North, long winters, dragons, etc... are driven by magic. Thus, the reader feels that despite the political story archs there is something darker, more mystical, and perhaps too large for any man to handle hanging over the characters you grow to hate and love. It is this lack of understanding that produces this sense of wonder, fear, and tension. Think of the Cthulhu mythos: ancient gods that we petty fleshlings could never defeat. Creatures so powerful that they don't even bother dealing with the affairs of mortals.
Now many would agree that this is the "ideal" sort of magic for any proper fantasy setting, and to be honest, LotC at one point had a very Soft Magic sort of system. Early Aegis for example; we knew of these great powerful Ascended and Undead, but the common player had not a clue of their dealings or how their magic worked. Thus, this sense of awe, fear, and wonder was produced. Unfortunately, it would be near impossible to return to this state as LotC is a community based around structure and rules, any sort of RPG or RP sort of game generally is. As players, as mages, we want to be able to solve conflict with our magic as the knight solves conflict with a blade or a baker solves conflict with an oven. We cannot have a system of magic that is poorly understood because it would be difficult to affect RP scenarios with it as people would feel cheated, feel it is somehow unfair. Similar to how we might feel if Gandalf simply flew the Hobbits to Mordor, to use a soft magic system to regularly solve conflict, even everyday conflict, would only detract from rp.
Hard Magic, on the other hand, is the system we very much use now. This is the system where the author explicitly explains the rules of their magic system to the reader. This way the reader, or the roleplayer, can feel that they are part of this magic. Characterization can occur, plot twists, and clever uses of the rules can be applied to various scenarios. If the roleplayer and/or reader understands the magic they can use said magic to solve (and even cause) problems. Rather than having conflict mystically solved by magic (Which we often view as cheating) magic suddenly becomes a tool that needs to be used properly and understood to be used to its full potential. Note that when Sanderson says "Hard Magic" he does not mean magic needs to follow scientific laws or even have the reader understand why magic works. They simply need to understand what they can DO with magic, its limits. Other instances of Hard Magic include most superhero stories. As the story progresses we come to understand the limits of the superhero so we don't feel cheated when the superhero shoots beams out of his eyes because we say, "Oh, I've seen him do that before." rather than if the superhero suddenly is invincible to bullets without explanation, which we would call bad writing.
Now Sanderson does speak of a median between these two extremes of magic. He uses Harry Potter as an example. Yes, we know what sorts of magic the characters know how to use, their abilities, their limits. We even know how things such as horcrux's work. Yet... we don't really understand the fully potential of magic. Think of all the spells that might still exist in that universe that are never revealed in the books? We never see the full power of Dumbledore, do we? Or even the full potential of Grindelwald.
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2nd Law: Limitations > Power
On LotC we are fascinated by the RED LINES of magic. It is expected that every new proposed magic has some red lines to limit what the roleplayer can do with said magic. (ie. Becoming tired when using magic, needing a certain knowledge to cast a spell, growing physically weaker over time, not being able to make permanent evocations, mana.) This is meant to make the magic balanced within the LotC world, we view it much as a game developer might. But let us view it as a writer might.
Sanderson states that the limitations of magic should not be used to "balance" magic but to add struggle, tension, and depth to the magic and the plot. Struggle will force characters to work for their goals. One such struggle causing limitation on LotC is not being able to levitate or enchant living things. Granted we view it more as a red line. But think about the struggle this might cause someone? Suddenly the mage has to work harder, they have to think around their issues... unfortunately when people on this server try to be clever or witty with their magic they are generally called out. This is why limitations exist though, for the mage to find ways to work around them. Mayhaps if we view red lines as less of a balancing act and more as rp devices for use in day to day rp.
Tension, of course, is what makes rp most interesting. Superman fighting any normal man is rather "Meh" because we know that Superman is so powerful, however... add kryptonite to the equation and suddenly we are at the edges of our seat, wondering how we will WORK AROUND this limitation. See, on LotC when magic users face a problem involving red lines they are forced to or inclined to give up, we must embrace the idea of finding loop holes in the rules of magic, working out our problems with magic rather than viewing magic as a situational tool.
Limitations always create depth as well, making the magic less 2D and more 3D.
Sanderson goes on to explain the difference between limitations, weaknesses, and costs.
Limitations are things the magic system cannot do (levitate living things, create permanent evocations, turn one material into another). Rather than viewing limitations as rules and parameters we should view them as an extra dynamic to the magic, something that add conflict. We don't necessarily need to change our need for red lines, to have these is very important. However, changing the way we THINK about these red lines is what needs to happen.
Weakness, unlike Limitations, are things the enemy can exploit. More character based weaknesses might be their moral principle, their addictions, etc... Sanderson generally avoids weaknesses. While he says kryptonite makes and excellent limitation, it falls short and becomes rather cliche eventually. Need a way to check your man of steel? Just add a situation he is powerless in. This might seem equally as cheap as suddenly having all your problems solved with over powering magic. Presently, we view red lines as weaknesses, not limitations. They are made to check and balance the magic so that we can't go around force choking people or setting fires from a mile away.
Costs is something I personally think LotC does quite well with magic. Costs range from our need for mana, the development of fatigue after long bouts of magic, insanity, physical deterioration, even something like unquestionable loyalty to a deity could be considered a cost. Granted, Sanderson warns against too debilitating of a cost as it can easily lead to never having a good situation to actually use the magic in. This often leads us to discuss why and how magic works.
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3rd Law: Expand what you already have before you add something new.
This law PERFECTLY explains the situation LotC is currently in with magic. Sanderson explains that often times the most interesting magic based fantasies are not ones with a massive catalog of abilities but rather one with a few that has a great deal of depth. Rather than produce magic systems that are the size of an ocean and as deep as a puddle, we should work on creating deep magic systems. Focus on a few simple magical concepts and see how much we can do with those. I could rant on and on about how we could do many of the new magics we have with nothing more than telekinesis. Why summon rocks when we could just pick some up? Why have a magic silencing magic instead of just getting creative with the way we use wards? I could go on but you see my point. Sanderson also notes that for a magic to be deep it needs to be deeply interconnected with society, culture the economy, etc... This is why I love the concept of Court Wizards and Magic Guilds (As you have seen my numerous attempts to produce successful ones.)
Essentially, Sanderson breaks down deepening magic into three different directions:
Extrapolate: This basically suggests that as writers (or lore writers) we need to think about how making changes to magic will affect the world and the magical community within it. For instance, how synthetic blood might affect vampire culture. We see how much the introduction of Arcane Engineering has affected our magic community. No longer do we cast fireballs but we build machines with magic to do it for us. Magic is now more mechanic and creation based rather than actual directly magic based (Which I have no problem with.) Lore writers (And that goes for anyone who wants to write magic lore) should ask themselves "What happens when?..." whenever they intend to introduce a new form of magic. How will this affect the magical community?
Interconnect: This suggests that magics should be both interconnected with other magic, characters, culture, etc... One good example of culture and magic on the server is the religion based magics of Elves and Orcs with their druids and shamans. Mages have much less of a cultural impact, it seems. We should also not have strange "that's cool" magics that don't really mesh with the dynamic of the server or even with your own character. Think about what magics suits your character and might further their growth and add depth to them rather than what suits your "that looks cool" mindset. Something that might go more towards our lore masters is connecting magic to overarching themes within the realm. Use magics the already exist to alter the realm, don't make up cool looking magics or ideas just for a certain event. Consistency is of of utmost importance when producing viable magic systems, otherwise we begin to feel cheated again.
Streamline: This ties in with interconnection. We as lore writers and players should look at our own characters, cultures, and magic and think "How can I combine these?" Rather than inventing a whole new form of magic for a barely rped race of cat people why don't we use magic that already exists and think "Maybe these cat people think magic works differently?" Or maybe they use fire evocation in different ways? Maybe they tie something like conjuration into their own religion with rituals and ceremonies which may have no real affect on the magic itself but would certainly add dynamic to the culture. I mean, think of the implications fire evocation could have on dwarven culture? We just need to think of how dwarves would use this magic differently than say elves or if elves would even use it at all. I believe leowarrior did a great job when defining how Mali should view fire evocation, as destructive. Granted, the dwarves may see it more as tool rather than a corrupting force.
DON'T CREATE, ADAPT! DON'T ADD, EXPAND!
I know there is a whole nother psychology behind this community with cliques, and relationships not covered by authors... something we may never truly solve. Buy maybe applying these rules to our way of viewing magic might help.
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Issue No. 5
13th of the Deep Cold, 1394
Dr. Ibar Elsiol, Wiz.D. Voted Sexies Wizard Alive (Again)
Dr. Ibar Elsiol, Wiz.D.
Wizards across the realm agree, Dr. Ibar Elsiol is the sexiest wizard alive, though no amount of fervor or lipido can tame this lusty lynx of a man, though we are near certain he is a virgin. We managed to find locate him for an interview about this life changing triumph:
Dr. Elsiol, what will you do now that you are the sexiest wizard alive?
“YAAAAAAAAAS.”
To those curious, Dr. Elsiol is a highly eligible bachelor despite his raging addictions to gambling, alcohol, and domestic abuse.
The Domestic Charm
A Spell to End Heartbreak
An ancient spell used to liberate a heart bound by love assonder.
Reagents
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Beeswax Candles: brown, green, blue, off white,
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Rose incense
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Ground white sage
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Fireproof, heavy vessel
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Large bag
Procedure
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Light the candles twenty days hindmost the event after the heartbreak occurred. Light them in order of off white, blue, green and brown.
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Fill the vessel with white sage and rose incense on a the 1st of the Deep Cold.
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Draw a octagram around the vessel, making sure the vessel is exposed to the moonlight
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Repeat the following incantation:
“My faults it be not,
Forever she forgets me not,
She blames me for their inner strife,
Left me broken, with doubts of life.
My strength returned,
Her dominance slipped,
I’ll be mine own person,
Strong, cleansed and pure.
With harm to one,
This spell be done,
This is my will,
SO MOTE IT BE!
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Now bring the vessel and large bag and locate the house of the heartbreaker.
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Use the vessel to break down the locked door of the house and then to smack the **** out of the heartbreaker.
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Place the body of the heartbreaker into a large bag along with the heavy vessel.
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Tie the bag and drop the bag with the body and vessel to the bottom of a large lake.
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Change your name, shave off your fingerprints, your beard, and move to a different city.
A Poem
By: Anonymous
Nuffin nuffin nuffin
Rhymes with muffin
Does not rhyme with orange
Could it be
That a cup of tea
Is not as good with an orange
As a muffin?
TOP FIVE MAGICS
A publication by BeeFood of the Interwebbing Society of Connected Mages
“Compiling lists so you don’t have to”
(5) Electrical Evocation
Have you ever been running late getting ready for a night out and caught a glimpse of your reflection to see that your hair is flat and ordinary? Shock your way to shabby chic and you’ll know why we think summoning the power of lightning deserves to be on this list.
(4) Wards
1550s kids will remember nestling up under a duvet with a self locking diary. A simple whispered code like “Hiebe has rickets” and *snap* shuts the binder, hiding away your secret crush from all nosey onlookers. There’s nothing worse than your little brother or a filthy necromancer sneaking in to steal the secrets of your lovelife. But that worry is far removed with the right kind of ward. Also great for pranks.
(3) Cognitism
Next to water evocation, nothing aids in getting washing done quite like cognitism. Thanks to the mathematical measurements on your Heads Up Display, you’ll never leave your fanciest robes in to soak too long and end up with a bleached patch between your navel and knees and have to borrow a druid’s evening robe to avoid the embarrassment, which is probably more embarrassing.
(2) Illusion
In this economic climate one can be forgiven for not owning a full set of silver for entertaining dinner guests. But when you’re trying to make a good impression the table setting is your groundwork from which the whole soiree is established. Taking those wooden plates and laying them upon your slanted refurbished dining table never felt so good when it appears as the finest china, lit magnificently by a 40 candle chandelier. Who cares if the rafters aren’t designed to carry that load, all that matters is the imaginary status points that your imaginary light fixture grants.
(1) Arcane Shielding
For centuries it was the lost art of Master Wizards. Now thanks to some hefty research, fatal trial and error, and an 8 step guide from scrub to master, literally anyone can wield the raw power of unshackled energy as a shield against poo-flingers. Today the necessary accessory for strutting the mean streets of Johannesburg is a shield against figurative and literal projectile feces.
The Quarterly Witticism
“Do not look to the west, do not go to the west, there is nothing interesting over there.”
- Who knows
If you wish to post an advertisement within the Wizard Quarterly, send a letter to the Worshipful Fraternity of Wizards with at least 100 minas, or a precious gem, or a priceless family heirloom (preferably cursed).
Have a wonderful, bountiful, and lustful day.4 -
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An excerpt from the Encyclopedia Arcana, Metaphysichae.
Elemental Theory
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Element
noun | [el-uh-men-nt]
Primordial substances regarded as constituting the material universe.
Word Origin from: flexio, common, auvergnian
When the material realm was shaped from the Voidal Plane, form was impressed upon the primordial chaos. These first forms came to be the primal elements of earth, air, water, fire, and debatably electricity. Genesis from the Creator was the result of mingling these “simple bodies” together in correct proportions to produce the infinite varieties of matter found in the mortal realm.
The physical and philosophical qualities of the elements can be listed as fluid, dry, hot and cold. Each of the elements possesses two of these primary qualities; however, fluid and dry, and hot and cold naturally oppose each other and, thus, cannot be combined. To visually construct the relationship between the simple bodies, I have illustrated what is known as the Square of Opposition (Figure 1).
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Figure 1 - the Square of Opposition
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The elemental qualities on either side of the element define the nature of said element. If one were to view the square clockwise, the elemental quality stated before each element is said element’s predominating quality. Thus, dry dominates Earth, cold dominates water, wet (or fluid) dominates air, and hot dominates fire.
Do note that the Square of Opposition functions when there exist only four primal elements, the exact nature of electricity remains a grand debate.
What is defined as Transmutation is the inevitable consequence of the above theory: an element may transform into another element through the quality they share. As a result, fire can be transformed into air through a medium of heat, air can be transformed into water through a medium of fluidity, etcetera and vice versa. Furthermore, two elements can be joined together to become a third by omitting one quality from each. By purging dry and cold from fire and water they might become air, and by purging heat and fluidity they might become earth. This can be seen through various natural processes. When one boils water, vapor is produced, or when magma cools it becomes solid stone. Granted, this concept is used more abstractly by magi as they do far more than simply boil water. The theory of the four elements is the crux of the Arcane sub-school of transfiguration and elemental evocation as well as the venerable science of alchemy.7 -
I'm a fan of this recent turning with divine and dark magic focusing on souls and the nature of mortals, etc.... While mayhaps a "dark souls-y" I think it really helps streamline lore opposed to just existing as separate pockets of disconnected lore as well as establish an actual theme and tone for the server overall. We were getting a bit too fractured there for a bit.
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A Suggestion on the Ages of Mortals
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By Dr. Ambros, Wiz.D.
The 19th of Malin's Welcome, 1591
Forward
The annals of mortal beings is one of affluence and intrigue. However, so often with the nature of states and chauvinism we find that history becomes something of a conjecture opposed to an empirical analysis of events. Perhaps, then, nothing can be done to alter this system, though it can be made urbane and contoured. Therefore, I do purpose a streamlined summary of events seen through the arrangement of such events through the creation of “Ages” or long spanning periods of time, above the influence of individual nation state’s biases.
These ages would break the history of the mortal races so that a historian or civilian might more efficiently reference a generic and humdrum period of time without arresting themselves with the monotony of dates. One might, instead of saying the 5th of Malin’s Welcome, 1245, say the Mid-Second Age of Umbra and have his associate fully understand the period of time he is referring to. Therefore, I give you the Ages of Mortals:
Note: for ease of interpretation, I will punctuate each age with a rudimentary list of notable events that mark the age.
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The Age of Genesis
The first known, and esoteric… mayhaps even fictional, age of mortals based upon ancient narratives, legends, folktales and the like. It is here we see the creation of mortals by the hand of the Creator in the form of primitive, soulless clay figures who were, according to the Wandering Wizard, known as man.
- The creation of man, soulless primordial beings sculpted of clay and water.
- The creation of Aenguls and Daemons, and thus, the creation of the mortal and immortal planes of existence.
_____________________________~O~_____________________________
The Kindred Age
An age characterized by the creation of mortals as we know them today, the four descendent races. Mayhaps history as a scholarly pursuit begins here as mortals began taking an interest in their provenance.
- The creator breathes a soul into the two of the beings of clay and water, creating raceless figures known as the first man and woman. According to the Wandering Wizard these events occur in Aegis.
- The first man and woman give birth to four brothers, the first races: Malin, Urguan, Krug and Horen.
- The earliest forms of magic come to be, being that a soul gives mortals the ability to harness mysterious powers of creation and manipulation. Mayhaps nothing more than a crude joke by the Creator.
- The four brothers disperse and begin spawning their own children.
- The Aenguls and Daemons begin casting their influence upon the mortals races in the Kindred Age resulting conception of Patrons and lesser races. These immortal meddlings would inevitably lead the First Age of Umbra and formation of the Undead, Ascended, druids, clerics, Kharajyr, Dragaar, shamans, the dissolution of the elven race, etc... in the Kindred Age and later ages.
_____________________________~O~_____________________________
The First Age of Umbra (???? - ????)
A age characterized by the birth of war, whether it be between mortals or immortals. A fracturing of cultures and kin result in the dichotomy of races and civilization, followed by migration.
- The thirty year war begins between the Daemon Iblees and the four brothers and their kin.
- Ibless is sealed into the Void by legions of Daemons and Aenguls, magic being sealed away with him.
- The curse of Iblees causes the four brothers and their kin to fracture through language and appearance.
- The Kingdom of Malinor is founded by Malin in Axios.
-
The Kingdom of Malinor collapses and fissures into the separate races of Mali’ker from the meddling of the moon spirit Laura, and Mali’aheral after bathing in the golden pools, and the Mali'ame who remained unchanged.
- The Mali’ame, the untouched children of Malin, split into nomadic seeds in Axios.
- The Mali'ker form the nation of Magara'lin in Axios.
- The children of Horen, humans, split into numerous sovereign feudatories.
- The Kingdom of Urguan is destroyed by the eternal winter brought by Ondnarch, the fallen Aengul.
- The orcish lands of Mor'Ghuun splits into separate feuding nations.
- Some of the descendent races begin colonizing Asulon and beyond by entering the Verge through Nemiisae’s portal of Hubris.
- Birth of the Mori’Quessir in Asulon.
_____________________________~O~_____________________________
The Age of Kings (ca. 600 - ????)
After the sealing away of Iblees and the inevitable fracturing of the descendents of the four brothers, some amount of unity came about as an era of general accord and cultural evolution occurred.
- The orcish nations united, forming the War Nation of Krugmar.
- House Horen founds the Kingdom of Oren by uniting all smaller sovereign petty lords.
- The city of Laurelin is founded in Aegis and the elves are once more united under the Princedom of Malinor.
- Dwarven King Simppa overthrows the Khorvad Empire, refounding the Kingdom of Urguan
- Iblees begins breaking down the barrier which binds him to the Void, resulting in the return of magic.
- The development of “modern magic”, mayhaps as a result of the founding of the Mages Guild and a more methodized Druidic Order.
_____________________________~O~_____________________________
The Second Age of Umbra (???? - 1351)
An age wrought with conflict and war, at least on the continent of Aegis which would lead to its eventual destruction. For certain a great deal of crisis and events of intrigue were occurring on the other continents, however, the actual nature of these separate histories are hazy at best and some amount of archaeological investigation would need to take place, unfortunately these other continents have all but been abandoned.
- Rise of the Undead and the beginning of the Undead War brought about by Overlord Freyj and Prophet Rott.
- A cultural stagnation and perhaps even loss of culture amongst the nations of Aegis.
- The Kingdom of Oren splits into the the Kingdom of Renatus in the South and the Kingdom of Hanseti to the North as a result of the Phoenix Rebellion.
- The collapse of Aegis.
_____________________________~O~_____________________________
The Solar Age (1351 - Present)
The present age of mortals, the Age of Solar begins as the descendent races of Aegis migrate to the continent of Asulon. An end to dominating sinister forces allowed for a veritable explosion of culture, growth and discovery. Granted, while dark companies continued to ravage the descendent races no force as destructive as the Undead of Aegis has been seen since the Second Age of Umbra, at least not one dire enough to result in a unification of the descendent races in the Undead Wars, something that has not been seen since.
- The cycle begins of the descendent races moving from continent to continent. A curse?
- The widespread rise of science and more “deductive” arcane magic. Today one might even fail to identify a definitive difference between magic and natural philosopy.
-
Creation of numerous new and innovative forms of magic, as well as the growth and founding of contemporary societies of magical research and education.
- The more widespread use and understanding of dark magics.
- Rise and fall of various empires and kingdoms. (Oren Empire, Salvus, Renatus, Hanseti, Alras, etc… etc… )
- Several fractures and reuniting of Mali, shifts of power to the Silver Council, back to the Mali’ame, etc...
-
An veritable cannonade of cultural discovery amongst the four descendent races, as they reconnect with and explore their heritage.
- Rediscovery of the ancient Mali language, a reconnection of Mali’ame with their ancient seeds and a canonization of Aspectism.
- Recreation of the Silver state of Haelun’or as a result of a historical discovery by the Mali’aheral.
- A refinement of the dwarven pagan religion of Brathmoradkin.
- A refinement and expansion of human Canonism and the development of Farfolk and Highlander culture and nations.
- Growth of orcish Shamanism.
_____________________________~O~_____________________________
Endnotes
History is a fluid entity, something which is a perpetual cycle of changing and creation. For certain the Solar Age will not last to the end of times. It is young Age at that, only being in existence for approximately two-hundred years, let us hope for two-hundred more.
I do implore that the chroniclers and historians who expectedly read this document take its notions to heart and do reference these Ages of Mortals. Should they find any inconsistencies or wish to add affairs of major import, I implore them to contact me so that the proper revisions might be made to this hopefully canonizing document.
Have a wonderful, bountiful and lusty day,
Dr. Ambros, Wiz.D.
9 -
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Issue No. 4
11th of the First Seed, 1589
A Note to our Readership
With the recent, and perhaps all too predictable, failure of the Galdorcreft College of the Archduchy of Lorraine, the Wizard Quarterly has now passed into the hands of the enigmatic Worshipful Fraternity of Wizards, Sorcerers, Warlocks and Casters (Not necessarily in that order), otherwise known as W.F.W.
The Worshipful Fraternity hopes to regularly release new issues of the Wizard Quarterly at a semi-regular time or whenever, one can’t be too certain about these sorts of things as wizards are notoriously flaky.
Regardless, with the release of this issue, the College of Galdorcreft as hereby been placed in the ever capable hands of the Worship Fraternity. However, Galdorcreft itself is still in use, I’m not sure for what. Any future qualms and queries about the Wizard Quarterly must now be taken up with a member of the Fraternity, head of publications, to be exact… whoever that is.
Thank you for your understanding and have a wonderful, bountiful lustful day,
Chief Editor, Enoch Solomons
The Domestic Charm
A Spell for Summoning Daemons
An advanced spell given to the ancient sages in return for sexual favors by the daemons of old.
Procedure
-
Before one may begin they must attract the demon from the immortal planes of yore through an antediluvian and eldritch ritual. Begin by wearing the traditional robes of summoning, made from 50% cotton 50% polymer blend, dry clean only, cold iron, leave out to air dry.
-
One must stand just outside of a pentacle drawn when the sun kisses the hills.
-
Place one’s left foot firmly into the pentacle.
-
Swiftly take one’s left out of the pentacle.
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Place one’s left foot firmly into the pentacle.
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Vigorously shake it all about.
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Now do the [Insert daemon name, ie. Hokie-Pokie]
-
Rightly turn oneself around.
That is what it is all about.
A Poem
By: Anonymous
Standing is stupid,
Crawling’s a curse,
Skipping is silly,
Walking is worse,
Hopping is hopeless,
Jumping’s a chore,
Sitting is senseless,
Leaning’s a bore,
Running’s ridiculous,
Jogging’s insane-
Guess I’ll go upstairs and
Lie down again.
A Glimpse into the Worshipful Fraternity
Now dear readers, I have been strictly told by the Worship Fraternity of Wizards, Sorcerers, Warlocks and Casters (Not necessarily in that order) to speak very little about what dealings actually occur behind the star covered curtain. However, I was able to leak this small amount of information on the nature of the W.F.W.
To my understanding, the Fraternity is more of gentlemen’s social club (not an academy, research institution or secret magocratic council), highly exclusive for all concerned. The entire Fraternity seems to be divided into three separate Orders, members of the Fraternity are placed in each Order based upon their level of initiation and overall appeal to the fellow who run the Fraternity. I managed to jot down a quick list of the general structure, though I most likely missed quite a few, they were on me like extremely slow moving, elderly cheetahs.
The First Order
Brotherhood of the Arcane-Mystic-Eldritch-Occult-Cabalistic Esoterics
______________⤞O⤝______________
1. Zelator
1.1. Theoricus
1.2. Robe Washer
1.3. Hat Washer
1.4. Beard Groomer
2. Practicus
2.1. Magician
2.2. Greater Scholar
2.3. Grand Beard Groomer
2.3.1. Respected Goo-goo
3. Philosophus
3.1. Esoteric Sophist
3.2. Greater Magician
4. Dominus Liminis (Head of the Order)
The Second Order
Mystic Order of the Ancient Brotherhood of the Eternal Circle
______________⤞O⤝______________
4. Adeptus Minor
4.1. Lesser Toad
4.2. Sublime Salamander
4.3. Regal Newt
5. Adeptus Major
5.1. Sorcerer
5.2. Greater Sorcerer
5.2.1. Sorcerer of the Silver Star
5.3. Elder Sorcerer
6. Adeptus Exemptus
6.1. Exalted Magician
6.1.1. Venerated Guardian of East Gate
6.1.2. Exalted Protector of the West Gate
6.1.3. Transcended Watcher of the South Gate
6.1.4. North Gate Observer
6.2. Adept of Pentacles
6.3. Master of Pentacles (Head of the Order)
The Third Order
Venerable and Elucidated Council of the Ebon Night of the Brethren….something, something, something (I was running out of time), of the Purple Eye
______________⤞O⤝______________
7. Magister Templi (Master of Mysteries)
7.1. High Wizard
7.1.1. Chief Wizard
7.2. Grand Sorcerer
7.2.1. Justicar
7.2.2. Justivan
7.2.3. Justiwheel
7.3. Archmage
7.3.1. Domemage
7.4. UNINTELLIGIBLE
7.4.1. UNINTELLIGIBLE
7.4.2 Something about thigh gaps?
8. Magus
8.1. Grand Magus
8.2. Grander Magus
8.2.1. Transcended Staff Bearer
8.2.1.1. Transcended Staff Bear
8.3. Grandest Magus
8.3.1. oiouyviuv
8.4. Supreme Grandmaster Magus
9. Ipsissimus (Head of the Order)
I should have no idea what the responsibilities or duties of any of these particular titles and ranks have to do with anything, it is all quite mystical, you see. The initiation process is highly selective. Now...
A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE W.F.W.
REMEMBER CASTERS, TRUE WIZARDS EMBODY THE FOUR W’S:
WISDOM
WIZARDY
WELL-KNOWN
WHISKERS
AND STOP LOOKING TO THE WEST, THERE’S NOTHING INTERESTING OVER THERE.
The Quarterly Witticism
“Stop hitting yourself, stop hitting yourself, stop hitting yourself, etc.”
-
Supreme Grandmaster Sorcerer Yiodulus
If you wish to post an advertisement within the Wizard Quarterly, send a letter to the Worshipful Fraternity of Wizards with at least 100 minas, or a precious gem, or a priceless family heirloom (preferably cursed).
Have a wonderful, bountiful, and lustful day.
13 -
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((OOC: MC Name: Sagwort))
Name: Ambros
Age: Unsure
Race (if Keeper, Ascended, or Archon, please state so): Heartlander
What Magics do you have [State any and all. To hide Magic is to hide a great power, and will be treated as a crime]?
Fire Evocation
Transfiguration
Sensory Illusion
Letter Address: Galdorcreft College, Lorraine
0 -
A letter would arrive to the Conservatoire addressed to Koralon.
To Koralon Doomforged of the Conservatoire,
It would seem that the nomenclature of things is of much import to the nature of interpreting philosophies. For, in the meaning of words comes inherent nature and underlying rationale. I suggest to you then, that perhaps we trade the name of inductionism for empiricism and rumanism for rationalism. Mayhaps these titles be more precise than the later names, for the empiricists seek out that which is empirical in nature, or observational, and the rationalist uses rationale and logical thought in turn.
Regardless, beyond such specificities...
The act of recording data and interpreting statistics is inherently empirical in nature as it involves the recording of sensory phenomenon. For instance, how long a day might last, or the number of swans in a lake on a given day. The empiricist would use this sensory data to make predictions about the physical world.
The rationalist; however, would see no use in recording such things the senses manifest into the mortal mind, as such data could inherently be flawed since the senses, according to the rationalist, are also flawed by nature and often lead the mind astray. Nay, the rationalist would use the inherent knowledge of existence to come to these conclusions. Mayhaps this process be more arduous, but tis' the burden of the rationalist.
Sincerely, Most Regards, Yours Truly, Kisses, Love, and have a beautiful, bountiful, lustful day,
Dr. Ambros
1 -
Treatise on the Nature of Magical Thought
13th of Sun’s Smile, 1584
____________________________~o~____________________________
Magic, the most practiced and authentic of sciences, leads a most expansive array of thought from which the scholars and sages use to explain this inherently chaotic existence. For certain, it was the magicians and theologists who are most interested in cosmology and the nature of energy, permeating throughout the physical and immaterial planes. What then, we must ask, is the most appropriate way in which the enlightened philosopher and experimenter of magic should carry out their studies and analysis of the mortal, immortal and nixian planes?
I shall define for you then two types of magical thought which are most present in modern thought processes. They are as follows: inductionism and rumonism.
Inductionism can most clearly be defined as a nature of thought which involves the physical realm. Hypotheses and conclusions are made based upon the senses, being that which one sees, hears, tastes, feels, and smells. The inductionist relies upon sensual experience and experimental knowledge to affirm their theories of the world. For no truths can be certain unless one experiences it, say the inductionists.
The rumonists; however, consider the senses of the mortal inherently flawed and thus, opt for a more rational and internal form of affirmation. Conclusions and natural laws of the physical and immaterial realm can be determined through innate knowledge, logical thought and introspection alone. Such conclusions come from the assumption that there exist some inherent truths to existence. From these truths can more truths be made. Conclusion to conclusion can all truths be found.Perhaps a more mundane title for those who practice inductionism and rumonism would be the scientists and the philosophers, respectively.For further clarification on the nature of these two mechanisms of thought, consider now that a man before you holds his hand in a fist. He claims that within his fist is an elephant. The inductionist would proceed to open the fist so that he could see with his own eyes that an elephant is, in fact, not within the man’s palm. The rumonist; however, would use reason and logic to conclude that the man could not possibly have an elephant in his fist because elephants are quite large, much larger than the man’s closed fist.For certain, each has its place in all forms of scholarly thought. Granted, there are limits to the philosophical mechanisms of inductionism, for there are many a realms beyond the comprehension of moral sensation. Never can the mortal experience the glory of the stars or the divinity of the heavens. Nay, only rumonism can hope to explain the nature and cosmology of such abstractions. It is through rumonist thought that such invisible forms of energy such as mana can be explained. Magic is an inherently abstract and invisible force within all realms, the void itself goes beyond sensation. Only internal meditations and rumination can hope to explain these critical phenomena.Be it then, going forward for all future forms of magical thought and discoveries, that the scholar utilize rumonism to explain that which can nay be sensed.Dr. Ambros, Professor of Cosmology at Galdorcraft College
7 -
The Wizard Way
13th of Snow's Maiden, 1583
From the desk of Ambros of Galdorcreft College
____________________________~o~____________________________
1.
In the beginning there was nothing,
Then there simply was,
And it was glorious.
From the nothingness comes the one,
From the one comes the two,
From the two comes transformation,
From this comes all myriad of things.
____________________________~o~____________________________
2.
What desire does the Void have?
The Void desires nothing and thus, is eternal.
From this eternity, the Void is nothing and everything.
This is how the Wizard must be,
Desire nothing and yet an origin of all things,
For if the Wizard desires nothing,
No plan or schedule can fail,
And the Wizard is content.
Inevitably,
A pot is useful for its emptiness.
____________________________~o~____________________________
3.
Just as a stream carves canyons,
So does the Wizard wait centuries
For an inevitable outcome he might not live to see,
And he cares nothing of.
The Void abides in inaction,
And yet nothing is left undone.
Thus, the Wizard lives simply,
For a man who chases two rabbits
catches neither.
Passive yet spontaneous,
Weak yet acquiescent,
Detached yet passionate,
Action without effort.
Nothing and everything.
____________________________~o~____________________________
4.
The Wizard is the abiding teacher,
Yet does not seek his own students.
Only when the breeze blows such pupils
To his doorstep does he teach.
For only once the student is ready,
Will the teacher appear.
This is his ultimate duty,
To pass on a eternal knowing,
Passively, without words or agenda.
The Wizard knows,
To light another's lamp,
Will illuminate his own path.
The Wizard is; however, careful in
Using his magic to ease the burdens of life on others.
For a bird shall never learn to fly if it
Trusts only in the strength of the branch it stands on,
And not in its own wings.
____________________________~o~____________________________
5.
The Wizard is the eternal student,
Learning for enlightenment,
Not respect nor power,
For what use has he for these concepts?
Thus, the Wizard is ever weary of
Practicing his art before an audience,
Should they praise him.
A block of marble does not exist
Nor care to be carved and worshiped as a statue,
it simply wishes to be.
____________________________~o~____________________________
6.
The Wizard, a philosopher of magic.
Through its comprehension,
Might the Wizard find a oneness,
With the great nothingness.
____________________________~o~____________________________
7.
The Wizard mustn't take up a profession,
So that he might fill his stomach,
Or clothe his back.
Such creations of bustling society
Are a mere distraction from a life of
Mental solitude and scholarly thought.
This is the one true life,
One of perpetual learning.
Thus, the Wizard must find himself
In self sufficiency through his practice.
____________________________~o~____________________________
8.
The Wizard cares not for hollow
Titles and awards, how does this
Further a life of thought when
Distracted by the responsibilities of
Organization?
If a stone remains low to the ground,
It may never fall.
____________________________~o~____________________________
9.
That which is of the Void is magic,
Do not all things find origin in the Void?
Then it must be that all things are magic.
Thus, all things find an identical birth.
For every pool of water
Reflect the same moon.
This is what the Wizard understands,
And carries out a life knowing
all interactions are magical,
and all objects have been evoked
To inevitably return back into
the great nothingness.
All things are impermanent and
Only a oneness with nothingness can be
Eternal.
It must be, then, that the Wizard finds
Joy in the most simple of pleasures from such
Impermanent physicality.
____________________________~o~____________________________
10 -
[[Yes, we just don't have much of a need to post things on the forums at the moment]]
1 -
What about calling it a lodestone?
1 -
What is keeping a mage from engineering a magical gun already?
Instead of thinking of ooc reasons guns wouldn't do well on lotc (Ie. ruin immersion, power-gaming, etc...) think of an rp reason, what would rply stop people from designing guns? I honestly can't think of anything considering we have all the necessary materials.
Of course, I suppose we could say the widespread existence and use of magic would make guns seem obsolete and thus no one would bother.
1 -
Issue No. 3
13th of the First Seed. 1577
Wizard Quarterly to Change Management
After the inevitable collapse due to inexplicable lethargy and dawdling of the late Wizards Guild, the Galdorcreft College has since taken over editorial and revisional administration of the Wizard Quarterly magazine by the authority of Scholarch Ambros. The observant reader would note that the second issue of the Wizard Quarterly has seemingly vanished from existence. Galdorcreft researchers have since given up explaining the literary phenomenon they are deeming Lettered Diaphaneity in which nonsensical, poorly written periodicals spontaneously vanish from existence.
Regardless, the Wizard Quarterly will continue as usual being released at sporadic dates potentially determined by the alignment of the celestial bodies and their erudite manipulation of mortal souls. This issue has been released by the suggestion of some unnamed star, or a comet or something that came to me in a feverish, drug driven dream.
Thank you for your understanding and have a wonderful, bountiful lustful day,
Chief Editor, Enoch Solomons
Galdorcreft College Grand Opening
The Administrative Board of Galdorcreft College would like to formally announce that grand opening of the college campus with the completed construction of the college with the aid of the Archduchy of Lorraine, most notably the labor of the Viscounty of Chambery and the town of Chambery, near which the college presides. In memoriam to the family which presides over Chambery, the VonSchlichten family, the main lecture building has been named the Gestahl-VonSchlichten Lyceum, so named after the accomplished cow farmer ancestor of the present VonSchlichten family… or something like that.
To celebrate this most illustrious of days, the college is hosting an opening ceremony to display the facilities to the general populace. Note, however, that it is by invite only one may attend the opening ceremony. If you did not receive invitation via perspiration, then DO NOT come to the college on the date enclosed within the invitation, failure to fail to attend could lead to catastrophic consequences. Granted, I suppose if you did not receive an invitation you wouldn’t know the date not to attend… you know what? It might be a good idea just to stay away from the college all together.
Galdorcreft Now Accepting Students and Professors
The Board of Administration would like to invite all potential students and professors to send a letter expressing interest in enrolling or joining the college to the Provost, Scholarch, or Curator. If one is feeling particularly brash they may come to the college uninvited to show off their own prowess in the magical arts, of course, not on the same date as the opening ceremony, that would be madness. Absolute madness.
Do note that the Galdorcreft College only accepts students with preexisting knowledge of the arcane arts and a connection to the great nothingness which can be adequately proven by a display of some arcane magical feat or vanishing into the nothingness entirely. Also note that an existing position must be open for a Professor to join, and the college does not teach the evocational disciplines.
The Domestic Charm
In this issue and the following issues, the Wizard Quarterly will release a simple spell for the public’s education and use. This issue’s charm:
A Spell for Sleeping
This spell will effectively put most mortal assailants into a deep slumber.
Materials
-
1 Knife of Stabbing
Procedure
-
Choose a victim target on which to cast the spell, making sure they are not of the immortal sort.
-
Insert your knife into the target at least once.
-
Should they not collapse to the ground and cease groaning, repeat step 2 until this occurs.
-
The target is now asleep. Note that the college researchers have yet to devise a reverse spell for waking the target up.
-
Alternatively, this spell can be cast on oneself.
Galdorcreft Redefines Magical Schools
The mission statement of Galdorcreft College is to emphasize research in magical and natural areas of study rather than simple practice. For centuries magic has been deemed a “scholarly pursuit” and yet, as of recent years little has been done to further our understanding of the supernatural and natural. Mages are instead trained for “performing” magic rather than studying it. Knowledge has been passed from master to apprentice and little has been added in between. For this reason, Galdorcreft considers many of the “evocation” schools of magic to be little more than frivolous in the world of academia.
“To understand the secrets of the universe, we must stop hurling balls of fire.”
-Scholarch Ambros
To encourage this sort of curiosity and progression of knowledge, Professors of the College must conduct original research in order to remain employed at the College. It is not only the duty of a master sorcerer to teach, but also learn.
The Quarterly Witticism
“An apple a day keeps the Doctor away.
Seriously… eat apples, or he WILL come for you and he WILL find you.”
If you wish to post an advertisement within the Wizard Quarterly, send a letter to Galdorcreft College with at least 100 minas, or a precious gem, or a priceless family heirloom (preferably cursed).
Have a wonderful, bountiful, and lustful day.
3 -
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Galdorcreft College
Non spectant ad occidentem
Galdorcreft College advances learning through scholarship, research, and teaching of unsurpassed quality, with an emphasis on alteration and magic theory based education that is distinctive among the realm’s great research institutions, and with a pervasive commitment to serve mages and the realm.
Faculty
Scholarch
Ambros
Lead overseer and administrator of the College. The Scholarch has full jurisdiction of all occurrences within and concerning the College. Such a position is bequeathed by the previous Scholarch or given to the Provost, should the old Scholarch be unfit to perform their duties.
Provost
Eliza
A senior administrator of the College, the Provost serves as “Vice-Scholarch” to the Scholarch and carry out any of their duties should they be unfit to do so themselves. All legislation given by the Scholarch is to be administered by the Provost. While the Provost can make these decisions on their own, they are better advised to consult the Scholarch beforehand.
Curator
Zaviel Carcimor
Archiver and librarian of the College, the Curator serves to organize, gather, and distribute the books held within the College. The Curator also serves as secretary to the Scholarch.
Professor
The title of Professor refers to the highest rank one can achieve within the College and academia. Such an illustrious achievement only comes after several years of dedication at the College and being recognized in a respective field by conducting and publishing original research. Professors at the College are more dedicated to their own individual research rather than teaching or assisting in others’ research like the Lecturers or Readers. The rank can only be bestowed by the Scholarch, generally after completing at least three theses on unique original research.
Reader
The title between Professor and Lecturer, Readers conduct and assist in research as well as teach. The title of Reader is given to a member of the College when they have completed at least two original theses on their own novel research.
Lecturer
The lowest title within the faculty of the College. After graduating from the College in any one subject an alumni may apply for a position as a Lecturer. For a majority of their time, Lecturers will be assisting Readers and Professors with their own research, however, they will also be responsible for conducting their own research and the writing of a thesis based on this work. Once they have completed at least one thesis while working at the College they will be given the title of Reader.
Applying for a Faculty Position
If an alumni of the College, or another recognized academic institution, wishes to apply for a faculty position at the College they must first submit a thesis of original research to the Scholarch and Provost in one of the fields of study listed below. Should both the Scholarch and Provost approve of the research, the applicant will then have to present and defend their research to the Scholarch, Provost and a board of Professors. Thereafter, the board will assess both the research as well as the individual skills of the applicant, should they approve the applicant will be bestowed the title of Lecturer at Galdorcreft College.
If an applicant feels that they have completed enough independent research to be given a higher title (ie. Reader or Professor) they may consult the Provost and Scholarch for further appraisal of experience and skill.Enrolling
The Galdorcreft College, located in the Duchy of Lorraine near Chambery.
Being an institution of higher education and primarily research, the College expects all “students” to enroll with preexisting knowledge on voidal and mana theory, the ability to practice one form of an arcane magic is also highly recommended.
Upon enrollment students will take an entry exam to prove their knowledge as well as perform any arcane magic they practice before the Scholarch or Provost. Only upon a satisfactory score on the exam and an acceptable showing of their skill in magic will they be admitted into the College.
The College prides itself on exemplary students and will, thus, only admit the most intelligent and skilled of magi.
Areas of Study
The College emphasises the research of magical concepts and related fields rather than the practice of arcane magics. While all members of the College must show satisfactory ability to use a discipline of arcane magic, this is not what the College itself teaches. Galdorcreft believes that magic itself is simply an application of far more primordial principles, this is what the College is most interested in. However, the College does vilify the elemental evocations, considering them “unscholarly” practices of magic beyond the applications used to cast them such as Arcane Mechanics. More academic forms of magic are encouraged such as Transfiguration and Apparition.
Do note that students may enroll while only knowing an elemental evocation, but before they may graduate they must show proficiency in a different form of magic. The approved list of “academic” disciplines of magic are: Transfiguration, Telekinesis, Apparition, Divination, and Conjuration. The College has no standard curriculum for the teaching of magic disciplines and such arrangements must be made between the student and faculty of the College on an individual basis. The aforementioned list of magics are all considered “Lower Disciplines” while the following areas of study are dubbed higher disciplines:
Supernatural History
Professor: Vacant
Prerequisites: Any arcane magic, Conjuration recommended
The study and experimentation upon supernatural organisms of the realm and beyond. While the flora and fauna of the physical realm are intriguing enough, the College puts a certain emphasis upon the beyond and what might reside there, abstractical or not. Emphasis areas include Esoteric Zoology, the study of magical creatures; and Mystical Botany, the study magical plants.
Arcane Engineering
Professor: Vacant
Prerequisites: Transfiguration
Dubbed a “higher discipline” due to the need for the knowledge of several fields of magic and science prior to studying, Arcane Engineering is the most heavily studied and avant-garde form of magical study in the modern magical community. Students will learn advanced magical metallurgy as well as applied enchanting, transmutation techniques, and mechanics.
Alchemy
Professor: Kardel Irongut
Prerequisites: Any arcane magic, Transfiguration recommended
The classical study of Alchemy is a discipline nearly as old as magic itself. The College defines Alchemy as the study of the primordial properties and essences of matter. Most importantly, alchemy’s esoteric and secretive nature leads room for a great deal of in vogue research. Emphasis areas include Arcane Metallurgy and Mineralogy, the study of the properties and structure of magical metals and minerals.
Arcane Mechanics
Professor: Vacant
Prerequisites: Transfiguration or Telekinesis
A field of study exclusive to the College of Galdorcreft, Arcane Mechanics is defined as the study of magical energy, force, and movement. Whether it be mana or divine energies not of this world, those who study Arcane Mechanics wish to understand the primordial forces which govern the planes of existence.
Metaphysics
Professor: Ambros
Prerequisites: Any arcane magic, Apparition recommended
Otherwise known as Magical Theory, the field of Metaphysics covers a broad spectrum including cosmology, ontology, causation, and epistemology. In essence, the field of metaphysics studies abstract concepts within magic such as the makeup of the cosmos, the nature of gods, being, knowledge, and abstruse laws.
Magical Axiology
Professor: Eliza
Reader: Rosalyn VonSchlichten
Prerequisites: Any arcane magic, Divination recommended
An understudied subject, magic philosophy is perhaps the most necessary area of study for any modern mage. Approaching such topics as arcane ethics, how to define “maleficium”, the moral dilemmas that come with practicing various forms of magic and arcane aesthetics.
Dark Studies
Professor: Kardel Irongut
Reader: Zaviel Carcimor
Prerequisites: Any arcane magic
While Galdorcreft, for certain, does not condone the practice of any dark arts, it does consider having knowledge of them valuable. Thus, the field of Dark Studies delves into such sinister practices to further the understanding of perhaps the most enigmatic form of magic. Students within this field are cautioned to never entertain the idea of performing a dark magic.
8 -
Guild Charter Application:
What is the name of your guild, group, or organization:
Galdorcreft Phrontistery
What is the purpose of your guild (if sensitive, this can be withheld and then privately shared with whomever is handling the charter):
“Caldorcreft Phrontistery advances learning through scholarship, research, and teaching of unsurpassed quality, with an emphasis on alteration and magic theory based education that is distinctive among the realm’s great research institutions, and with a pervasive commitment to serve mages and the realm.”
What plot size are you interested in:
70x70
What tile are you interested in:
a55
If your tile is currently owned by a nation, do you have that nation's leader's approval:
Yes
Signatures (players should sign their persona/character name and their MC name):
- Sagwort
- Draxagon
- Bathrugman
- daanyolx3
- Cooliomafia
- FlamboyantUsopp
- CaptainSheepy
- aerielkebab
- Summorox
5 -
- Popular Post
- Popular Post
A Guide To Accents
Based upon Watyll’s Languages of the Realm post, we can see that the world of LotC has almost two dozen languages, most of which exist for lore purposes and have never been spoken in-game. The language spoken most commonly in-game is Common, or our English. Now there are numerous other racial languages that are usually only spoken in ritual or tradition such as Elvish, Dwarvish, Flexio (Latin), etc… etc…
However, perhaps the most distinct difference linguistically between races are accents or dialects. While it is clear that Dwarves speak in a quite pronounced Glasgow or Highlands Scottish accent (an old Fantasy trope), while the Orcs speak Blah which share many things with Common other than a handful of words (opposed to Old Blah which is an entirely different language) but has no real world equivalent, and the Kha speak similarly in another conspicuous accent which has no real world parallel.
What this guide hopes to achieve is to show how to type various accents that I believe go unexplored but would most likely be spoken by a majority of the descendent races of LotC. Ideally, when someone reads back the dialogue using the accent rules below it would automatically have the sort of sound that is trying to be achieved. Granted, this is very difficult to achieve since people will most likely read them back in their own native accent so…
Presently, everyone speaks in a form of neutral English that one would write casually and subtle accents are generally stated in the character bio. However, if you want to go that extra mile and SHOW your accent when your character speaks then read on as I believe it would be highly immersing for those you role play with, none of these accents are warped so much that you wouldn’t be able to understand it (unlike Blah, Kha, or some Dwarvish (Scottish) accents I see). Note that text can only go so far, so I am going to do some very basic dialects (I might add more later) where the differences are clearly seen. We could talk all day about Midlands British, Northern England English, West Country English, etc… but on text the differences would be difficult to detect so I’m leaving it to the most identifiable accents.
Note: I believe it is fairly understood (as is with most Medieval Fantasy tropes) that there are no American accents since this trope generally takes place in a European or even British Isle inspired setting so the following dialects are taken from this idea.
Note Note: And before you ask, Old Common I assume is the LotC equivalent of Old English which, contrary to popular belief, is an ENTIRELY different language than modern English. Old English is not the whole ye olde, thou art, thee, hither, thine, etc… that is Early Modern English or Elizabethan English or the language of Shakespeare. Old English is more like… Leornian bêga rihtl¯æcung bôc êow f¯ærbena. Which translates roughly to “Read a history book you peasant.” I don’t speak Old English so that is the translation according to the internet. But you get the idea, don’t think of Old English or Old Common as a different dialect of English as it is an unrecognisable language. Also, since no one in-game really speaks in Elizabethan English either I will not be covering that sort of dialect here today. However, if you want to add an old timey flare to your character, I will add a brief section of when to use such words as thee, thou, thine, etc…
Received Pronunciation
Received Pronunciation, Standard English, Queen’s English, or Oxford English has no particular geographic origin and was used by those of a high social class. In the world of LotC I would imagine Nobles, Aristocrats, and Academics would use this dialect. As far as sound goes, it sounds rather posh, upper class, and clear. A good fantasy example of such a “manufactured” accent would be High Elves from Lord of the Rings, Galadriel in particular. Thus, this would the accent an elf from LotC would most likely have, most notable the Mali’aheral. Similarly, numerous other examples of this sort of accent can be found in other fantasy movies, Game of Thrones for example.
Accent:
- Non-rhoticity or dropping the “r” sound from the ends of words, so “mother” sounds like “mothuh”, and “farther” and “father” sound the same, being “fathuh”, or “fire” becomes “fiuh”.
- Trap-bath Split results in broad “a” so “bath” is “bahth”, and “cat” is “caht” or “tomahto”. Essentially “a” becomes “ah” in words. But “nation” remains the same.
- Unlike some other accents, the “h” sound at the beginning of words is NOT dropped.
- The “y” sound of “ee” sounds more like “eh” so “happy” and “sorry” which sound like “happee” and “sorree” become “happ-eh” and “sorr-eh”
- The “t” sound is always pronounced. To drop the “t” is considered lazy and informal.
Dialect
- Dialect in the Received Pronunciation is quite simple or even nonexistent. Since Received Pronunciation is not geographically based it does not actually have a dialect since dialect is the regionally based on region. However, little to no slang is used and large, latin based words are used. So instead of “good” use “excellent” or “exemplary”.
Examples:
- “Here is some pronunciation. Rahtion nevuh rhymes with nation, say prefuh, but preferahble, comfortahble, ahnd vegetahble.”
- “Get the cah from the hahbuh yahrd.”
- “In whaht othuh language do people recite aht a play and aht a recietal? We ship by truck but send cahrgo by ship. We have noses thaht run and feet thaht smell. We pahrk in a driveway ahnd drive in a pahrkway.”
Here is an example of Galadriel (Cate Blanchett) speaking:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKaAXnP0pmo
An example of Thranduil (Lee Pace) speaking:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h318jKI9uC0
A prime example of Received Pronunciation from who the accent is so named after:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMHseSSRxgQ
Cockney
The accent of the working class of Britain. While certainly not medieval in origin it still holds the same sort of dialect of the peasantry. Unlike Received Pronunciation, Cockney is generally full of slang and such. Note that Cockney is generally not what the Halflings would speak, Cockney is more exclusive to the race of humans at least in LotC, of course, there are always exceptions. However, Cockney does seem to be a more urban lower class accent.
Accent:
- Glottal Stops or dropping the “t” from words. So “butter” sounds like “bu’uh” and “Scottish” sounds like “Sco’ish”. Perhaps iconically, “Don’t know” becomes “Don’ know”.
- Non-rhoticity or dropping the “r” sound from the ends of words, so “mother” sounds like “mothuh”, and “farther” and “father” sound the same, being “fathuh”, or “fire” becomes “fiuh”
- Trap-bath Split results in broad “a” so “bath” is “bahth”, and “cat” is “caht” or “tomahto”. Essentially “a” becomes “ah” in words. But “nation” remains the same.
- Drop the “h” from the beginning of words so “hopefully” becomes “‘opefully” and “house” becomes “‘ouse”. This also includes such things as “who” which would be “‘oo”
- The “y” sound of “ee” sounds more like “eh” so “happy” and “sorry” which sound like “happee” and “sorree” become “happ-eh” and “sorr-eh”.
- Th-Fronting is quite difficult and something that can only be done with practice. The “th” in words is replaced with a more forward consonant such as “d”, “f” or “v” so “something” becomes “somefing”, “this” becomes “dis” and “mother” becomes “muvuh”. A prime example of this would be "That guy over there" would become "Da' guy ovuh dare"
- The “l” in words is replaced with a “w” sound. So “milk” becomes “miwk” and “mail” becomes “maiw”. This can sometimes be difficult to actually pronounce.
- In the “ing” sound the “g” is dropped so “nothing” is “nofin’”
Dialect:
- Use “ain’t”.
- Use doubles negatives such as “I didn’ see nofin'!”
- Use “me” instead of “my”. So “I’m going to walk me dog.”
- Similar to Blah it can be difficult to understand a Cockney accent with all the slang as well as the actual accent. While comprehension is important, sometime the effect you are trying to produce is obscurity.
- Instead of saying “we were” say “we was”. For instance, “When we was…”
Examples:
- “‘ere is some pronuncia’ion. Rah'ion nevuh rhymes with na'ion, say prefuh, but prefe’ahbwe, comfor’ahbwe, ahnd vege’ahbwe.”
- “Ge’ the cah from the ‘ahbah yahd.”
- “In whah ovuh language do peopw reci’e ah' ah play ahnd ah' ah reci’aw We ship by truck bu’ send cahrgo by ship. We ‘ave noses da’ run ahnd fee' da’ smew. We pahk in ah driveway ahnd drive in ah pahkway.”
Pretty solid Cockney accent:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGhHowLOrlg
Another pretty solid Cockney accent:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvufHABS0Ng
Northern
Pretty self explanatory, the Northern, Midland English, or Yorkshire accent can be found all throughout the Game of Thrones, most notable by the… Northerners.
Accent:
- The “uh” and “oh” sound in “cup”, “love”, and “stone” becomes “coop”, “loove” and “stoone”. This is a very rough phonetic spelling and not exact.
- Non-rhoticity or dropping the “r” from the ends of words, so “mother” sounds like “mothuh”, and “farther” and “father” sound the same, being “fathuh”, or “fire” becomes “fiuh”.
- Trap-bath Split results in broad “a” so “bath” is “bahth”, and “cat” is “caht” or “tomahto”. Essentially “a” becomes “ah” in words. But the hard “a” in “nation” remains the same.
- Drop the “h” from the beginning of words so “hopefully” becomes “‘opefully” and “house” becomes “‘ouse”. This also includes such things as “who” which would be “‘oo”
- The “y” sound of “ee” sounds more like “eh” so “happy” and “sorry” which sound like “happee” and “sorree” become “happ-eh” and “sorr-eh”.
- The hard “a” or “ay” sound such as in “taken” and “cape” is replaced with a “eh” sound so “tehken” and “cehpe”.
- In the “ing” sound the “g” is dropped so “nothing” is “noothin’”
Dialect
- Use “me” instead of “my”. So “I’m going to walk me dog.”
Examples:
- “‘ere is soome pronoonciehtion. Rahtion nevuh rhymes with nehtion, say prefuh, but preferahble, comfortahble, ahnd vegetahble.”
- “Get the cah from the ‘arboor yahrd.”
- “In what other language do people recite aht a plehy ahnd aht a recital? We ship by troock but send cahrgoo by ship. We ‘ave nooses thaht roon ahnd feet thaht smell. We pahrk in a drivewehy ahnd drive in a pahrkwehy.”
Two northerners from Game of Thrones showing of their northern accents:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ewcnjd-SlY
An example of some annoying girl with a Yorkshire accents:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhkZgNkmk0A
Bristolian
This is a rather rural or farmer accent that can be found in the Southwestern portion of Britain, or Bristol. This form of accent ha also been said to sound quite “pirate-y”. Samwise Gamgee has the quintassential Bristolian accent, granted, I wouldn’t really know what is and isn’t a good Bristolian accent since I am very much American. However, it does hold some similarities to Cockney. I actually find that on LotC, most dwarves achieve this sort of accent rather than the Scottish one I assume they are going for, thus, this will also serve as a dwarf accent guide.
Accent:
- Drop the “h” from the beginning of words so “hopefully” becomes “‘opefully” and “house” becomes “‘ouse”. This also includes such things as “who” which would be “‘oo”
- The hard “i” sound sounds like “oi”. So “time”, “eye” and “ice” becomes “toime”, “oi” and “oice”.
- Unlike most other accents in this guide, the “r” sound is very much pronounced such as in Scotland and America. So “muthuh” is pronounced “motherrrrr”. Over exaggerated just to show the differences clearly.
- In the “ing” sound the “g” is dropped so “nothing” is “nothin’”
- Glottal Stops or dropping the “t” from words. So “butter” sounds like “bu’er” and “Scottish” sounds like “Sco’ish”.
Dialect
- Use “ain’t”.
- Use doubles negatives such as “I didn’t see nofing!”
- Use “me” instead of “my”. So “I’m going to walk me dog.”
- Instead of saying “we were” say “we was”. For instance, “When we was…”
Examples:
- “‘ere is some pronuncia’ion. Ra’ion never roimes with na’ion, say prefer, bu’ preferable, comfor’able, and vege’able.”
- “Ge’ the car from the ‘arbor yard.”
- “In wha’ other language do people recoi’e a’ a play and a’ a recoi’al? We ship by truck bu’ send cargo boi ship. We have noses tha’ run and fee’ tha’ smell. We park in a driveway and drive in a parkway.”
Samwise Gamgee speaking:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdrOueZ3g2c
Some guy with a Bristolian accent:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FENw5satQsA
Elizabethan Grammar
This is the sort of speech with all thee, thou, thine, ye, etc… etc... I will include a brief grammar lesson in these words as well as a few Elizabethan vocabulary words. Note that this is most likely not something you would see someone use casually and would probably be used ritualistically.
1st Person
The next word begins with a consonant: My
Ex. “My cattle”
The next word begins with a vowel: MineEx. “Mine apple”
2nd Person
Subjective: You/ You all = thou or ye
Ex. “Thou art loved.”
Objective: You/ You all = thee or ye
Ex. “I love thee.”
Adjective or the next word begins with a consonant: Your/s = thy
Ex. “What is thy qualm?”
Ex. “Thy cattle”
Pronoun or the next word begins with a vowel: Your/s = thine
Ex. “Is this book thine?”
Ex. “Thine apple”
Conjugating Verbs
2nd Person singular verbs add -est (Thou givest)
3rd Person singular verbs add -eth (She giveth)
Sometimes these sentences can be switched around so “What dost thou thinkest” can be “What thinkest thou?”
Vocabulary
Do = “Dost"
Are = “Art"
Hello = “Good morrow”, “Good den”
Good bye = “Anon”, “Fare thee well”
Please = “Prithee”
Hey! = “Hark!”
Alas = “Alack”
Soon = “Anon”
Truthfully = “Forsooth”
Please tell me = “Pray tell”
Very = “Verily”
Here = “Hither”
Unless = “Lest”
Nothing = “Naught”
There = “Thither”
Where, from where = “Whence”
Please note that giving your character one of these accents can be quite a bit of trouble and most of it is implied. Once a person sees it in a certain way they will hopefully simply adopt that sort of accent in their head when they read it.
Also, be aware that I am an American and cannot do any of these accents for the life of me in real life. If there are any “experts” out there that have additions or corrections please comment below.31 -
((IGN: Sagwort))
Full name: Ambros
Race: Human
Practised branches of the Arcane: Fire Evocation, Transfiguration, Sensory Illusion
Place of residence: Johannesburg
Closest relative: None
[X] I agree to persecution upon a violation of the Magic License Clause, within and without Orenian territory.
Signed: Ambros
1 -
IMPERIAL CITIZENSHIP FORM
((Put your RP name, followed by your Minecraft username))
Name ((OOC Name)): Sagwort
Surname/House: Unaware
Date of Birth ((Example: 11th of Sun’s Smile, 1520)): Unaware
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Citizenship Class (A or B): B
Physical Description
Height: 5'10''
Weight: 151 lbs
Eye Color: Blue
Hair Color: Gray
Skin Color/Shade: White
Outstanding Markings/Tattoos: None
Personal Information
Home Address (Leave blank if unknown): 17 Alba Street
Region of Residence (Leave blank if unknown): Johannasburg
Profession/Occupation: Wizard
Oath(s) of Loyalty
For all classes of Citizenship (fill your name in the blanks):
"I, Ambros, hereby swear my loyalty the Emperor of the Holy Orenian Empire entirely by my free will. I swear to read and obey the laws of the Empire and understand the punishments and penalties that will be incurred should I violate the law."
0 -
Who wants to bet that this place gets abandoned and they end up building somewhere else?
Edit: Looks good anyhow!
3
The Worshipful Guild of Astronomers
in Inactive Guilds
Posted
☉ THE WORSHIPFUL GUILD OF ASTRONOMERS ☾
VTᐧAPVDᐧSICᐧINFRA
-
Est. 18th of Snow’s Maiden, 1602
“And Horen, may your people one day explore the Seven Skies”
-Ancient History, by Availer
In Conversation with God
“There exists a cardinal harmony which cascades and ebbs through the cosmos; it is as if the grand architect did strike a tuning fork, letting the resounding song of creation ring into eternity, for this is what we sense when we turn our gaze to the heavens, the notes of genesis.”
- Musica Universalis
Ever has man coveted the knowledge of realms beyond the physical plane. Thus, the ancient and divine arts of magic came to be. That is, until he decided to look to the stars above and learned to read the heavens through its eldritch composition. So comes the Worshipful Guild of Astronomers, an order of sky gazers who seek to unravel the untold mysteries of the planes of existence.
Royally chartered by the Crown of the Westerlands, the Guild of Astronomers is positioned within the city of Bastion inside of the Astrologicum.
THE DISCIPLINES
The Guild of Astronomers recognizes three disciplines of the heavens and beyond. They are as follows:
Astrometry
Otherwise known as celestial mechanics or celestial navigation, astrometry is the study and measurement of the movements and positions of celestial bodies. An understanding of astrometry requires a deep knowledge of geometry and mathematics which serves as the cornerstone of more advanced disciplines of astronomy.
Cosmology
Among the most coveted of astronomical disciplines, cosmology is the study of the structure, nature, and origins of the cosmos and existence as a whole. From the Spirit Realms, the nixian Void, and the Immortal Planes of Aenguls and Daemons, the ethereal nature of worlds beyond our observation makes cosmology a highly theoretical, philosophical, and even theological pursuit.
Astrology
A new and alluring field that involves the study of the movement and relative positions of celestial bodies as a means for divining information or determining the optimum time for terrestrial affairs such as weddings, marriages and war. It is considered a form of “practical” or “useful” astronomy.
MEMBERS
Master ☉
In order to be deemed a Master Astronomer of the guild, one must publish a “master work” of celestial observations which demonstrates a understanding of advanced and novel concepts.
Journeyman ☾
After completing several years of training, an apprentice of the Guild may become a Journeyman in which they have proven a satisfactory understanding of basic concepts.
Apprentice ☆
Burgeoning astronomers are apprenticed to a Master of the Guild who will teach them basic knowledge in the three disciplines of astronomy. They are expected to assist their Master with any requests pertaining to research.
CONSORTING
The Guild of Astronomers, while prestigious and rigorous in its work, is permissive to those who seek the wisdom of the great beyond. Potential apprentices need only complete the following inquiry:
--------☉--------
Reason of Admittance:
Prior Experience in Astronomical Study:
Signature:
--------☾--------
Astronomer Consorts with Monk
After a brief consultation with a master of the Guild, potential members will be given an appropriate position within the Guild. Note that a period of examination will commence after said consultation, with Masters of the Guild being able to dismiss new, uninitiated members. All knowledge discovered by the Guild will be open to members of the venerable order and the selected public.
PUBLICATIONS OF NOTE
N/A