Arcana Pansophical
All of Tal’Dorei’s greatest mages fought at the Battle of the Umbra Hills. They saw the incursion of demons and devils firsthand, and were rightly terrified that the spawn of the Betrayer Gods could ever return to the world. It was clear that the Divergence had not wholly prevented supernatural evil from infringing upon the world, and that the mages of Exandria must prevent future “surprises” of this nature. The mistakes of the Age of Arcanum must never be repeated. In light of this, Yurek Windkeeper, high enchanter of Syngorn and a well-respected arcanist, reached out to the realm’s most trusted and capable mages, and together they formed a private society called the Arcana Pansophical.
Goals
The chief priority of this fellowship of powerful arcane specialists is to maintain the Truth of Magic, a strict code enacted to never again allow the rampant misuse of magic seen in the Age of Arcanum. General members are referred to as Guides, while the higher circle of members who deal in judgment and oversight are called Makers. At least one member is established at each place of arcane learning. Membership is largely kept secret unless out
of necessity, though the existence of the order is relatively common knowledge. Anyone found to be practicing magic is logged and routinely checked up on, as misuse of magic is grounds for arrest, judgment by the Makers, and punishment outside of the local law. Even so, the reach and sight of the Arcana Pansophical are not without limits, and many dark and terrible dealings manage to escape their notice.
Relationships
The Arcana Pansophical is respected, if somewhat feared, throughout the Republic of Tal’Dorei. Syngorn and other elf-founded settlements see the Pansophical as allies, as the roots of the society began within Syngorn itself. The people of Kraghammer are suspicious of the Pansophical’s legalistic Truth of Magic, and they fear that its members hold more loyalty to the Pansophical than to their homeland.
Recently, a group of profit-driven arcanists splintered from the Arcana Pansophical to form the self-styled League of Miracles. Their involvement in the for-profit reconstruction of Tal’Dorei has made them popular among mages who see the Pansophical as a stodgy, elitist institution. The Pansophical, however, sees the League of Miracles as a distasteful upstart that will soon buckle under its own ambition.
Figures of Interest
These figures are major members of the Arcana Pansophical that you can use as NPCs in your game. You should also take inspiration from these figures to make up your own NPCs.
Enchanter Yurek Windkeeper
Elf wizard (enchanter) and Maker Founder of the Arcana Pansophical, the ancient archmage Yurek generally stays within Syngorn, acting as the nexus of the order and a consultant to the Wardens of Syngorn.
Alchemist Oz Gruude
Halfling alchemist and Maker Gruude is an ornery old halfling who is more interested in traveling the world to study plants and minerals with latent magical properties than doing alchemical lab work. He is rarely seen in the halls of the Pansophical.
Seer Gloria Ios
Human wizard (diviner) and Maker Gloria is one of the great diviners of the age, and her duties have sent her to Vasselheim, where she acts as a foreign outreach for the Pansophical.
Magus Seanor Wiles
Human wizard (enchanter), Maker, and tutor A humble-looking traveler, Wiles delights in finding fresh and emerging talent and helping his new students refine their arcane gifts.
Planerider Ryn
Tiefling wizard (conjurer), Maker, and planar studies specialist This former pupil of Yurek Windseeker has grown
into a master of planar travel. She likewise has taken an interest in the flow of magic across the world by means of ley lines. She’s constantly on the move, traveling from plane to plane to conduct her research.
Tinkerer Quash Dentdruggle
Gnome construct specialist and Guide Obsessed with the development of autonomous and living arcane constructs, Quash is usually holed up in his laboratory within Kraghammer.
Arcanist Allura Vysoren
Human wizard (abjurer) and Guide As a member of the Tal’Dorei Council and a retired adventurer, Allura has helped maintain the political significance of the Arcana Pansophical within Emon. Even among her colleagues in the Pansophical, her unpretentious strength commands great respect.
Elementalist Drake Thunderbrand
Dwarf wizard (evoker) and Guide Driven to bind the physical elements of the chaotic planes to his will, Drake is a prodigy of new incantations in the field. He and Allura Vysoren are lifelong friends, and together they’re renowned for achieving the impossible.
Realmseer Eskil Ryndarien
Human archmage and Maker emeritus Though he was a Maker for most of his life, Realmseer Ryndarien grew frustrated with the politics and limitations of the Pansophical, eventually retiring to Westruun to pursue his own interests. These days, he has found a way to rejuvenate his aged body and is now renowned as a handsome and aloof man about town—much to the annoyance of all who formerly knew him.
The Truth of Magic
The Pansophical’s myriad rules on the use and misuse of magic are innumerable — detailed at length in centuries of amendments made to the full text of the Truth of Magic. Though the Truth’s bizarre intricacies are left up to the GM, the Truth’s preamble establishes three unbreakable edicts:
“In the Eternal interest of the Preservation of Harmony within the realm of Exandria, we the Arcana Pansophical establish the Truth of Magic, and three Edicts from which none shall stray. Those Arcanists found in gross violation of the Truth will be punished by the full extent of this Order—outside of any local law.
Though the school of Necromancy shall be restricted to none, in the interest of magical study and Understanding, the animation of the dead is a Violation of the Truth.
The Arcane is a tool to be wielded for the good of the People. To use its Power in the pursuit of wanton Destruction or unjust Murder is a Violation of the Truth.
In addition, though the Jurisdiction of the Pansophical supersedes the power of local laws, a mage who willfully breaks the laws of the land is in Violation of the Truth.”