Primal Blood
Order of the Shattered Thrones
Conclave of the Spheres
Legion of the Fallen
Conclave of the Spheres
Profit or perish
It is difficult not to notice the markings of those who wield Liastrum. With the orbs and gauntlet as their tools, the blue taint of Liastrum upon their skin signals both their corruption and great power. However, those who fail to notice these signs, be warned: the Conclave of the Spheres never fails to capitalize on acts of ignorance.
About the Faction
History
People of the Faction
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Lore Articles
Off the eastern shores of Selejia, the Isles of Quinvala are home to the Conclave of the Spheres, a conglomerate of magic schools, each holding a monopoly over the study and monetization of a field of magic. The Conclave was conceived by Molech, the Architect of Secrets and Serpent of Logic, an Everlasting solely dedicated to the pursuit of magical power, whose vision extended farther into the future than any of his brethren, and whose schemes traced back to the Great Wounding. He created the erisyr people to assist in his research and gifted them the knowledge of Liastrum magic. In the end, however, not even the Serpent could foresee all, and he would fall during the War of the Everlasting, but not before creating a power artifact, imbued with the power of his own soul: The Molech Oracle. Both the Erisyr and the Oracle then became a part of the Astarian Paradux, preferring to bide their time in service, rather than risk destruction by the hands of the Triumvirate.
In the latter years of the War of the Everlasting, before the final siege, Ethalizar, then keeper of the Oracle, was granted a portentous vision by the Vestige of Molech. In this warning, he saw the Fall, the death of civilization, of the erisyr people, and of the magical secrets they guarded. He warned his people of the incoming catastrophe, and together they disassembled the Oracle and absconded with the pieces from the city of Osterath, back to their homeland, the Isles of Quinvala. There, they planned to reassemble the Oracle and prepared for the harsh times to come, but even the best laid plans were waylaid by the Fall, and none could have predicted the horror of the Malediction.
Not every piece of the Oracle returned to Quinvala, being lost, along with the powerfull mages that were supposed to guard them. The ones that arrived at Quinvala were reassembled into the Oracle as it exists today. Even in its incomplete form, this Vestige of Molech still reverberates with power, leaking it, in fact. This power forms the basis for the Conclave. The Oracle produces an amorphous, volatile, blue substance known as Liastrum, which the Conclave has learned to exploit to great effect. The fact that prolonged use of Liastrum marks its wielder’s body forever, demanding an ever greater cost, does not stop the mages from delving deeper into its secrets.
Over time, the erisyr felt the stagnation that came from their limited numbers and began to search for apprentices from amongst the other ancestries. Humans, for example, proved to be quick learners, even if too impulsive. The influx of new apprentices turned the Conclave into a massively powerful organization, with many adversaries but few enemies. Unlike other factions, the Conclave isn’t worried about conquering new territory or subjugating through force. They know the true power belongs to those who pull the hidden strings of the universe, manipulating others like puppets, and the strongest strings are made of Liastrum.
The Conclave is organized in Spheres, at once colleges, dedicated to the study of magic and mercantile conglomerates, focused on leveraging their magical knowledge for resources and influence. The masters of the Conclave may seem to be consumed by greed, but profit is but a means to an end. The mages have come to understand that they don’t need to beat the continent into submission, only make it dependent upon them and their magic.
All mages of the conclave have the capability of casting any spell in their vast libraries, but different Spheres have a specialty, or even a monopoly over a particular field of study. Sphere Amblis specializes in teleportation and is the only one capable of safely operating the ancient Transposition Towers around the continent, charging a hefty price for this service. Sphere Akhenza holds dominion over defensive spells and wards, but is also responsible for inspecting the various laboratories within the Conclave, enforcing the law of the Council. Each of these Spheres is led by a Nexi, but not all Nexi nor all Spheres are equal.
Only the five most prominent Spheres in the Conclave are granted a seat on the Council of Nexi. This Council sits in judgement, resolving disputes and enshrining trade law among the Spheres. In their hands lies the destiny of Quinvala and of the many who depend on their magic. This affords them great influence, but this power is not absolute. Spheres may grow in prominence due to a new discovery, or fade away due to a political or mercantile blunder. The development of a new type of magic, or the unearthing of Relics and Legacies, could elevate a Sphere into the Council, or at least make it very rich.
The mages see opportunity where most would see only madness, and believe their logic can overcome any chaos, even that of the Malediction itself. Nothing is beyond their keen mind and greedy hands. Spheres sponsor expeditions into the Malediction in search of any advantage over their rivals, knowing that their position of power is never secure. As the saying goes: “Profit or perish.”
The Servants of the Speheres
An apprentice of the conclave may dream of one day being accepted as a Master, but until they are, they must serve a true Master. Each mage keeps various apprentices they are supposed to be teaching, but who are often used as sacrificial pawns. These aspirants submit themselves to such treatment because only those who have survived the Gaze of Molech, the final step of their training, may draw Liastrum from the Oracle and allocate it to their research or to their apprentices as they see fit. Without Liastrum, most apprentices would only be capable of paltry magic, and so they acquiesce. Below them are those who have not yet been selected to become apprentices and are eager to prove themselves. These poor sods remain in the coastal city of Gateway, performing any service for a taste of Liastrum. Lower still are the constructs, be they of metal and stone or the Spellbound creations of Sphere Chimer. Disturbingly, there are reports of some of these creations beginning to show a degree of autonomy. The Council of Nexi denies such absurdity.
Long before the Everlasting War started, Molech was unsatisfied with the dominion the Triumvirate held over the Thorn of Olem. He wanted a power source of his own, one freed from attachments to the other Everlasting or even to Ymiris herself. For this purpose, he built the Oracle, a great cosmic orrery, constructed using the same principles of the Thorn of Olem. Instead of piercing through the skin of the slumbering Ymiris, Molech wanted to go beyond and pierce the skies, finding a more primordial source of power, something fundamental and pure. The result was Liastrum, an amorphous blue substance, the blood of the universe itself. Although Molech succeeded in finding his new, independent source of power, not even he uncovered all of the secrets of Liastrum before his demise. The people he created to aid in his research, the Erisyr, continued the work of their master to the best of their ability, but many things about Liastrum remain a mystery to this day.
Liastrum works as both a source of energy and a magical catalyst. It can empower spells and give the necessary energy for constructs to function, but it also allows for even a weaker mage to cast more advanced spells. It does this by destabilizing reality itself, priming it to change to the tune of a mage’s will. Once the erisyr of old realized its potential, they created ways to carry this volatile substance with them, for it is consumed with each use and only the Oracle is an endless source of it. Liastrum is stored in vessels, typically spherical, and then manipulated by the use of specially constructed arcane gauntlets. Every apprentice accepted among the Conclave’s ranks is granted a set of these tools by their master, but to become one themselves, they must build their own.
Liastrum magic is the most versatile of all magical traditions used by the great nations, being able to produce nearly any effect and even affect the casting and functioning of spells from any origin. It is also one of the most dangerous, as Liastrum poisoning may cause irreversible damage to one’s mind and body. Those who wish to be recognized as masters must face the Gaze of Molech, standing before the Oracle and controlling a torrent of Liastrum. Those who emerge victorious become full citizens of the Conclave; those who don’t are consumed by the blue flames, never to be seen again.
Story
Conclave of the Spheres
Bathed by the waters of the eastern shores of Selejia, the Isles of Quinvala are home to the Conclave of the Spheres. These are the wielders of liastrum magic and keepers of the Molech Oracle, a relic that dates back to the time of the Everlasting. The history of the Conclave is inextricably linked to […]
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east
Story
The Everlasting and the Relics
In an age long since past, the Everlasting, divine beings of unfathomable power, descended to the world of Agnar from their celestial realm. First, they created great tools with which to shape reality and anchor the chaotic primordial state of the world into one of their liking. These were the Everlasting Relics. To ensure that their grand vision for the world would come to pass, even in their absence, these gods decided to imbue mortal beings with part of their power and knowledge.
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east
Story
The Fall and the Malediction
In the last years of the Age of Relics, a great alliance arose against the Astarians between all the remaining kingdoms of the world. Osterath was besieged, and the combined might of their enemies, and the betrayal of the Erisyr and Oerikan people, who had joined the empire, proved too much for the great city. […]
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eastThe Seekers
The Malediction holds secrets untold, and only a Seeker may uncover them. Join the ranks of the brave few who dare face death.
Polinore, The Prime Archivist
Once one of the greatest Nexi to have ever lived, Polinore has been ousted from the higher circles of the Conclave, but his ascent to power is not yet over. To the surprise of his bitter rivals, the Archivist seems almost eager to risk his life as a Seeker, helming expeditions into the Malediction. All watch him from afar, wondering: what could he be scheming next?
Londriel
Londriel is a rare survivor of the ancient world, the world sundered by the Fall. She remembers little of that time, except that the marvels mortals could accomplish then will forever dwarf the fledgling empires of today. Still, the power of magic blesses the wise and the reckless in equal measure, and she is haunted by the knowledge that prideful fools may bring about a second Fall. She MUST stop them!
Morrida
No one would deny the honor of being the Amatrix’s chosen and assume the role as the Queen of the Dead… Except for Morrida Umberland, the Blue Witch. She is known for enjoying the company of the dead more than of the living, and some say she consorts with ancient, dangerous spirits… However, the undeniable truth is that her relic grants her access to a path unknown to anyone who doesn’t carry the title of a Blue Witch.
