Order of the Burning Eye

A secretive guild-like organization of mages, the Order of the Burning Eye holds a large amount of power in the Imperial court.

## History

The Order has can trace itself back to centuries before the Tathorian Empire, with their origins in a mysterious cult of mages who inhabited the forests of Southern Tathor. Records of this cult are few and far between, but they eventually earned the respect of the early kings of Tathor.

The cult eventually became known as the Order of the Burning Eye and mostly served as the king's wizards and scholars for the early days. Over time, the Order morphed into a mostly independent organization, though they still had a significant presence in the Empire's bureaucracy and inner workings.

Over time, even the Emperor began to lose control and influence over the organization, and many in the imperial court began to suspect the Magus were planning to take over the Empire. Some of these nobles took part in a plot to assassinate the Archmagus and cripple the Order. The plot was carried out and the upper echelons of the Magus were purged, but the Emperor condemned the act as barbaric and had its participants stripped of their titles and executed.

Despite the damage to their inner workings, the Order recovered over time. Their influence slowly rebuilt and because of the previous purge, they hid their inner workings from the rest of the world, becoming the secretive society they are known as today.

## Religion, Ritual and Research

As their origins as a cult would suggest, the members and traditions of the Burning Eye are highly religious and ritualistic. This is noted for being particularly strange among other magical organizations.

While most outsiders refer the gathering halls as "guild halls", the Order officially refers to them as "temples" denoting their religious origins and purpose. The temples are often extremely extravagant on the inside, with carvings and statues hewn by magic and sometimes by hand from slabs of marble.

The magi worship both Tennyg and Ydallun, though there are rumors abound of the Order partaking in Fiend or Dragon worship. Though many deride Ydallunites for use of psychedelic substances, the Magus are much more focused on dreaming, and through a combination of odd rituals and plenty of sleep the magi conduct their magical research.

While not much is known about all of the rituals of the Order, some are common knowledge. The most famous of the rituals is the Dreamstate, where a magus will dream whilst still awake. Mastery of the Dreamstate takes many years of practice to achieve, and members often praise it for its effectiveness. Other rituals are far less understood or known, though ritualistic chanting appears to be a part of many of them.

### The Burning Eye

The namesake of the Order is shrouded in mysticism and secrecy. A massive eye of fire is a common symbol recounted and recorded by those who partake in the Dreamstate, and it apparently appears in many other rituals as well. The actual origins of the symbol are unknown, though it is suspected that it may be known and is a close guarded secret of the Order.

## Organization

Ranks are a key part of the Order's structure and organization. The six ranks in ascending order of power are Apprentice, Magus, Magus Legate, Grandmagus, Grandmagus Legate, and Archmagus.

### Apprentice

Essentially members in training, apprentices are exactly what they sound like. Their robes bear no insignia and they are not yet responsible for paying dues, though they must pay for their robes and equipment.

### Magus

The bulk of the Order is made up of Magi, who pay dues and benefit from the services and connections that the Order can provide. They are not typically involved in any sort of administration, though they may have to take on an apprentice upon the orders of a higher rank.

### Magus Legate

Sometimes simply referred to as "Legates", they are slightly more influential than the common Magus. Around a quarter of Magi become Legates, and are members of a council. This council is a purely advisory body responsible for assisting and advising their Grandmagus in his duties. On very rare occasions, a Legate may be responsible for a Chapel (a small guildhall). If a common Magus wishes to talk to or organize something with the Order, they typically speak to a Legate who will comply with approval from the Grandmagus.

### Grandmagus

Responsible for the day to day administration of a Temple, the Grandmagus holds significant authority. The Grandmagi are typically very experienced wizards and are noted for their mastery of the Dreamstate.

### Grandmagus Legate

Administrators of a collection of Temples, called a Chapter. Sometimes called Grand Legates, these powerful members of the Order are sometimes referred to as the "Inner Circle". This Inner Circle is responsible for appointing a new Archmagus following the death or resignation of the previous one. Grand Legates are appointed by the Archmagus as required.

### Archmagus

Typically elected from the ranks of the Grandmagus Legates, the Archmagus holds supreme authority over the Order and is responsible for doctrine, focus and administration of the Chapters. The Archmagus is also typically an advisor to the Emperor of Tathor himself, and as a result holds a lot of sway in Imperial politics as well. Archmagi typically serve for life, but the Inner Circle can vote to replace them should they make a major mistake.