The Arcanum

History

The Arcanum, a secretive council of powerful archmages, rose to prominence in the ancient annals of Abroden's history. Masters of the arcane, the Arcanum gradually consolidated their power and established a magocracy that spanned across the known world. Magic became the sole authority, and the archmages, revered for their mastery over the arcane arts. They formed the ruling elite that ruled over Abroden in a magocracy hegemony, a system of government where the most powerful mages held absolute authority over the rest of the population. The Arcanum used their magic to shape the world according to their will, and oppressed anyone who opposed or resisted them.  

Arcane Discovery

The pivotal moment in the Arcanum's rule came with the discovery of Arcanotech—a revolutionary fusion of magic and science. The Arcanum harnessed this powerful synergy to propel Abroden into an era of technological marvel. Arcanotech not only amplified the mages' magical prowess but also led to the development of advanced machinery, infrastructure, and transportation, solidifying the Arcanum's dominion over the world.  

Downfall

As the Arcanum expanded their magical hegemony, the oppressive use of magic became a hallmark of their rule. Dissent was quelled with magical might, and non-magical citizens faced systematic discrimination. The world groaned under the weight of magical tyranny, leading to the emergence of The Equalists—a rebellion fueled by the desire for freedom and equality.   The Equalists' rebellion sparked a global conflict known as The Unravelling War, which lasted for 100 years and involved multiple parties and factions. The war was named after the phenomenon of the Unravelling, where The One led an army to disrupt a powerful ritual spell. The disruption caused the unravelling and ended the war.   The Arcanum never recovered from the war, and any survivors remaining were quickly captured and prosecuted after the war. The shattered world left in the wake of the conflict serves as a testament to the perils of unchecked magical power. The legacy of the Arcanum remains a cautionary tale in Abroden's history—that magic should not be recklessly used by mages, wizards or any spellcasters.