The Cerberus Assembly was established nearly three hundred years ago, when strife and competition between warring mage lords threatened to unravel the social order of the Dwendalian Empire. The house leaders of this conflict nearly destroyed one another in what was called the Eve of Crimson Midnight, an arcane battle within the capital of Rexxentrum that leveled two wards of the city, killing hundreds of civilians. At the peak of the violence, a parlay was called, and the mage lords decided to put aside their differences and avoid mutually assured destruction, instead joining as a unified conclave. When brought before the king for judgment of their crimes, they offered an accord to instead officially instate the conclave and submit entirely to king’s rule. Taking the name the Cerberus Assembly, a reference to a powerful, historical union of mages during the Age of Arcanum, the mages took the empire to new heights of power and expansion.

In the centuries since, the Cerberus Assembly has subtly ingrained itself within most facets of the empire’s government, becoming a force of political and military power that many say could rival the king himself. This reality is not lost on the royal council, and tensions often simmer between the assembly and the Crown. The mages of the assembly are known for their extravagant lifestyles and intimidating history of political and economic control, and much of the populace mistrusts them, though no one dares to cross them or the king. There are eight ruling positions within the assembly, and the families of each member are appointed as lesser members without responsibility, called “annexes.” Mages of the assembly wander throughout the empire with little fear of argument or resistance.

Those not allied with the Assembly are wary of their growing power. Those allied with the Assembly claim that they keep the Crown in check and prevent abuses of power. Outside the Empire, the Assembly is regarded as a necessary evil and treated with distant respect. The mages of the Cerberus Assembly are involved in virtually all aspects of governance of the Dwendalian Empire, including spying with their Volstrucker Legion, protecting it against foreign invasions, the supervision of the Soltryce Academy and the Hall of Erudition, foreign relations, and discovery of powerful artifacts of the Age of Arcanum.

The Assembly and the Cobalt Soul are often at odds with each other. They have worked in an antagonistic lockstep since the inception of the Assembly. They do not outwardly show aggression towards each other, but have maintained a series of checks and balances. Both sides have done what they can to curb the influence of the other and prevent the other from achieving internal goals that went against the needs and wants of their own faction. They also work together at times out of necessity, both publicly and behind the scenes. Sometimes they maintain a relationship of frustrated convenience, and at other times, a subversive antagonism.

Members are elevated into one of the eight major offices on the death of a member that leaves an office vacant, or when a standing member abdicates their position. The remaining members then recommend replacements and vote on the mage to fill the newly open office.

Martinet Vellis Thorwind: Archmage of Domestic Protections - Oldest of the Assembly, and the only original member that still lives, considered the leader of the institution. He is the master of warfare and conflict.

Master Astrid Becke: Archmage of Civil Influence - A recent promotion after serving as a prominent member of the Volstrucker for years.

Baroness Jenna Iresor: Archmage of Industry - One of the youngest members of the Assembly. Described as “unique but a bit distracted”.

Master Marcus Arrylon: Archmage of Dysology - In charge of the study and understanding of abnormal creatures and deviants of arcane creation that might threaten the empire’s way of life.

Lord Dorlyn Hess: Archmage of Diplomatic Union - His duty is to foster a positive relationship with people of power both within and beyond the borders of the empire.

Headmaster Zivan Margolin: Archmage of Conscription - He is the Headmaster of the Soltryce Academy in Rexxentrum in charge of the curriculum and watching for any latent powers that may be worth grooming as future allies of the Assembly, dangers to be monitored, or prospective minds for Intathon to conscribe into the Volstrucker.

Headmaster Oremid Hass: Archmage of Cultivation - Headmaster of the Hall of Erudition in Zadash tasked with watching and grooming the next generation of mages and arcane specialists outside Rexxentrum.

Arcanist Kellent Intithon: Archmage of Antiquity - Serves as the expert historian for the Assembly, and is the propagandist and constructor of the face of the Empire in upper echelon circles. He is entrusted with selecting and training students for the Volstrucker.