The Magnus Arcanum

## Summary

Also known as The University, this kingdom to the far East of Almeryn is ruled by magiar sorted into four houses based on four of the disciplines of magic. This is clearly the superior form of government (except for the anti-Kraken bias) and the Magnus Arcanum is cooler than all other kingdoms combined.

Current issues: There's a push to create one or more new houses since there are 6 disciplines of magic.

## **From the Rulebook:**

### **History**

After the Rupture, the world was in chaos. Four of the strongest surviving mages retreated to the area now known as the University. During this chaos, each of these

paragons took a different task.

Arch Magnus Richard Wogan focused on the casting of protective magic for his companions. This allowed them to help gather and retain knowledge in the chaos. For his efforts, he became known as the Dragon.

Arch Magnus Moria Freya healed those afflicted physically and mentally during this time. She saw both Arcane and Divine Magic as intertwined and looked to bring followers of both to this area for their protection. Her compassion was so rare during this upheaval that she became known as the Unicorn.

Arch Magnus Kirkegard Veritas struck out in sorties against the forces that threatened this fledgling group. So often he sacrificed his body and rose again to battle that he became known as the Phoenix.

Arch Magnus August Slidwell searched for answers as to why this turmoil occurred. Why had the Gods seemingly abandoned them? Why did this chaos come forward? Deep into mysterious and dark magic he delved, but returned each time, earning the name of the Kraken.

These four preeminent mages formed the Magnus Arcanum. They knew that civilization would rise again and that the light of knowledge would need someplace to shine from. The Magnus Arcanum would be that place. More so, if the tides rose again, if the fire rained down if the earth shook, or the winds tore into the lands, these mages saw to it that the Magnus would remain. It would hold fast, and it would keep the light from sputtering again.

The Magnus Arcanum became known as the University because it would seek out knowledge and preserve it. Not just Magical knowledge was precious to them, but the mundane as well. Teachings focused on a wide array, ranging from infrastructure, to the creation of mills and looms, to smithing and mining ore properly, to the harvesting and practice of herbs. These teachings would not be lost; regardless of how advanced the country’s magical prowess grew. Knowledge from other kingdoms would be sought out and preserved as well.

In the years following the Rupture, the Magnus Arcanum has sought out and preserved knowledge in addition to growing its own considerable power. They have sought out martial practices from places such as the Freelands, and the Protectorate. It has sought out the Divine. It has sought out the technology.

While not recognized as a world power, there are ways the University influences each kingdom. Whether it is through magical expertise as advisors, or through the actions of the Abyssal Reach, the University teaches the world.

### **Government**

The Magnus Arcanum, known colloquially as The University, is a Magocracy. They view magic as the source of power and influence throughout the world, and as such, those who wield magic most effectively should rule. The determination of who wields magic most effectively can change, some view ritual magic as most powerful, some the ability to wield the magic of war, some view the ability to heal, others the exploration of older magic that affect the very fabric of reality, sometimes known as deep magic or preternatural magics. The esteem that their colleagues and even adversaries hold for a mage defines their power as much as their grasp of magic.

The Magnus Arcanum holds four major houses. These houses are:

•**The Dragon**: seeking to obtain and preserve magical and mundane knowledge

•**The Unicorn**: tasked with spreading the knowledge of magic and the light of learning to others.

•**The Kraken**: seeking to uncover dark secrets thought to be lost and to understand those secrets hidden from view.

•**The Phoenix**: dedicated to rebuilding Almeryn and making it stronger after catastrophes and to rebuilding Civilization.

The houses were created in honor of the four disciplines of magic.

The Headmaster and Emissaries are the executive force of government within the Magnus Arcanum. The Headmaster is chosen by the four houses. He or she rules over the country that is the Magnus Arcanum. The Emissaries (who are the representatives to Coventry) oversee foreign relations. They are chosen by elections and are tasked with that weighty responsibility for a minimum of five years. There is no maximum term for any of these officials. Once elected, they rule as long as they wish or until there is a vote cast against them of “no confidence”.

Of the four houses, any of them may be elected to Headmaster or Emissaries, save for House Kraken, who is forever restricted from the ruling body due to the nature of the magic that this house specializes in.

Each of the houses has an internal structure that allows it to fulfill their stated purpose. It, in part, illustrates how they approach, study, and value magic. It should be noted that this is a guideline and not a draconian approach.

Geographically each House is responsible for a quarter of the land and population of The Arcanum.

**The Dragon**

This house prizes defensive magic, and the ability to preserve the knowledge that it finds. Mages who find themselves aligned with Dragon generally will look to practice magic within the spheres of Air, Intellect, and Death. Very often, conflicts are settled by contests of skill that will not endanger the participants. Whether this is a game such as Chess or Go, or through a challenge of riddles.

House Dragon is responsible for the protection of the Arcanum. This includes the training of the Sentinels. Sentinels are martial bodyguards for mages that desire protection both within the Arcanum and abroad. They are vigorously recruited and trained in the protection of their charges. There is a legion that is tasked with the protection of the Arcanum from invasion, and individual Sentinels who are often paired or bonded with traveling mages. In addition, the Dragon House is responsible for the internal economy of the Arcanum. This includes regulation of merchants once they are within the Arcanum and trade within her borders.

**The Unicorn**

This house focuses on ritual magic and spreading knowledge. Practitioners tend to focus on Life, Inspiration, and Earth magic. Within the house, conflicts are generally settled with meticulous trials. These are largely seen and run as debates. The two opposing sides make their case to an impartial Tribunal of Three. Once each side has presented their case, a rebuttal round is had, and finally, the closing arguments.

House Unicorn is responsible for the health and wellbeing of the Arcanum. They provide the Medicia, the priests or people skilled in creating and crafting wonders out of the magical world. They focus on the physical and mental health of those within the Kingdom. These Medicia are recruited to aid house Unicorn in caring for the people of the Magnus Arcanum. Many members of the Medicia will also look to adventure outside of the Arcanum, often seeking to align themselves with mages who travel because the Medicia who are Priests find wonder in witnessing the power of the arcane. They have been known to travel to places of the Divine to pay homage to their gods as well. To be a Medicia, you need not be a Priest. Alchemist and Rune Scribes have been known to be recognized as Medicia for their gifts in arcane healing. In addition, the Unicorn House is responsible for the agriculture and herbalism with the Arcanum.

**The Phoenix**

This house prizes the magic of warfare. Practitioners tend to focus on Fire, Light, and Order magic. Where there is a dispute, an attempt to reason the matter out is always preferable, but if there is not an accord reached a trial of magical combat settles the disagreement. It is believed that the victor’s views are correct, while those who are defeated are urged to learn and rise again, stronger. Rarely do these matters end in a resurrection, and usually there is a responsible member of the Medicia on hand in order to revive the fallen combatant.

House Phoenix is responsible for the projection of power needed from the Arcanum. As such, they train and maintain the Talons. These are individuals capable of martially projecting the power of the Arcanum when needed among foreign lands. They are similar to Sentinels in structure and purpose, but where the Sentinels are the shields of the Arcanum, the Talons are the Her swords. House Phoenix is also responsible for trade with other kingdoms and the economic development outside of the Arcanum’s borders.

**The Kraken**

This house prizes information. Practitioners tend to focus on Water, Dark, and Entropic magic. If ever there is a dispute, it is settled by a duel of information. Two mages at odds will face off amidst a large gathering of House Kraken. There, they will begin to reveal information they have gleaned about the other. The duel continues until one side submits, unwilling to have further information revealed about themselves, or if a secret revealed can be unequivocally proven false.

House Kraken is responsible for providing an information network within and about other kingdoms. This is used both to inform, and when necessary, to manipulate other kingdoms in the political arena. The group of individuals tasked to do this is known as The Abyssal Reach. The Kraken House is responsible for the maintenance of the naval power of the Arcanum.

Mages and members of the Sentinels, Medicia, Talons, and Abyssal Reach are the only ones with voting power within the Arcanum. Other members of the Arcanum are provided for and given considerable compensation for their work. To be recognized as a Citizen, however, one must be trained and counted amongst one of the elite orders of Sentinels, Medicia, Talons, or Abyssal Reach. For a mage to have voting power, they must pass a test and be declared an Archmage. They are then recognized as full members of the house and granted voting rights.

**Current Ruler**

The current Headmaster is of House Phoenix. Arch Magnus Alteri Rast is said to hold considerable power. Fluent and practiced in strong battle magic, Rast also holds impressive achievements in the crafting of some rare ritual magics. It is widely whispered that he is the pre-eminent master of the older, deeper magic.

The Emissaries to Coventry hail from the Houses Dragon and Unicorn.

Arch Magnus Diana Freya is a powerful ritualist, learned historian, and powerful Healer. A member of the Unicorn House Arch Magnus Freya also achieved the title of Medicia.

Arch Magnus Harrold Areadu is a master of abjuration magics as well as being skilled in riddles and wordplay. If rumors are true, Areadu is also quite skilled with a blade, and regularly trains with the Sentinels.

The Head of House Kraken is a person known only as Grey. It is said that they have stared into the Abyss and heard its singing. Their efforts in the study have brought forth several tomes, detailing theories on interplanar travel, creatures of outside the Prime, and a look into deep ritual magics. It is rumored that Grey may be more than one person, and that, rather than aspiring to Headmaster, as this way is shut for

them, those that study the Abyss and propose a viable written theory to Grey will eventually take their place.

### Geography and Climate

The Arcanum is situated on the second most powerful Nexus of ley lines on Almeryn. As such the land is lush and fertile surrounding the Capital City of the Merylin Citadel. Deep forests extend to the west, snowcapped mountain ranges to the north, the coastline to the south, and an active volcanic range to the east. While it produces eruptions often, this range is not seen to be a danger to the country.

Due to the powerful conflux of Leylines, intense storms fueled by magic often rage across the land. The people have learned to weather these storms, which range from terrible tornados in Autumn, to bone-chilling blizzards in the winter, to hurricanes in the spring, to tsunamis in the summer.

The Sonnet of Sorrows is located right outside of the Magnus Arcanum. This is the forest that appeared after the implosion of The Wellspring of Virtue, a vast library that was home to ancient Volaris.

**Chief Exports**

Magic, Herbs, and Knowledge

**Chief Imports**

Timber, Ore, and Textiles

**Major Cities**

**Merylin Citadel**

The Capital City of the Magnus Arcanum. This boasts the true University of Magic of the country. This is the seat of the political and military power of the country.

**The Obelisk**

This is the stronghold of House Dragon. It is centered close to the active volcano range. Much of the focus of this stronghold is centered on protecting the rest of the country from catastrophic volcanic explosions.

**Glenn**

Centered in the forests surrounding Merylin Citadel. This is the center of power of House Unicorn. Flowing with lush gardens and towering forests, many feel a sense of great tranquility in this forest city.

**Cove’s Gate**

The center of power of House Kraken. This is the major port of The Arcanum. Chosen by House Kraken mostly due to its close proximity to a major source of the Void, whose mystery is unknown to all but the most powerful and learned within House Kraken.

**Craig**

A mountain top city and the stronghold of House Phoenix. The city itself is carved into the mountain providing both a highly defensible position and amazing views extending far into the heart of the Magnus Arcanum. Walkways extend out from the highest points of the city towers, providing breathtaking views of the heavens, and invoking a feeling of being suspended hundreds of feet in the air. High Mages are often seen casting powerful rituals on designated platforms far out on these walkways.

### Prominent Families

The Arcanum is a meritocracy. As such it is difficult for anyone house or family to develop a hold on power. Some families, however, have managed to produce enough prominent mages that they are fixtures within the country.

**Freya**

One of the first families to form as a fixture within the Arcanum. Freya is of House Unicorn and within the Medicia this family is known as the nurses of the University. They are regularly looked to provide succor and wisdom within the country.

**Atilles**

The progenitor of the family was Alex Atilles. One of the foremost military mindsin the history of the Arcanum, Atilles, having developed both the Sentinels and the Talons, separated them for the purposes of both specialization and maintaining military balance.

**Starling**

A House that has risen recently and focused on bringing the Arcanum to economic power in addition to military and magical powerhouse.

### Culture

The Magnus Arcanum is perhaps the purest Meritocracy on Almeryn. Mages are preeminent, but Sentinels, Medica, Talons, and Abyssal Reach can all wield considerable influence in the Kingdom.

If there is a blind spot in this Kingdom it is for smiths, farmers, weavers, and similar craftsmen. While valued and compensated for their work, it is not a viable path to citizenship or power within the country.

**Typical Characteristics**

Members of the Magnus Arcanum are typically perfectionists seeking to be among the best in the world at their craft. This is born both through the culture of meritocracy and the systematic recruitment of those who are recognized as scions of their craft.