Ancient Order of Elemental Magic

This is a secret order of wizards who have chosen to specialise in the elemental powers. Their numbers are made up mainly from wizards who have been refused membership of the Guild of Esoteric Lore or are wizards who have chosen not to join. A small minority of the Order’s members will also be members of the Guild of Esoteric Lore and their function is to keep the Order informed of Guild actions. All members of the Order have some mundane vocation that they use to shield their covert magical activities.   Each member, when he joins the Order, must specify which branch he is joining - this is either Earth, Wind, Fire or Water. Acceptance to the Order is guaranteed as only those acceptable are invited to join in the first place. When first becoming a member an initial fee is required to cover the cost of the member’s Elemental Ring and joining the Order. Members also receive a magical tattoo upon their right shoulder indicating the branch and circle to which they belong within the Order. The tattoo is no more than an inch in diameter and is only visible when the wearer is taking part in elemental rituals of the relevant branch.   Members with just the tattoo are considered to be members of the Outer Circle, when they are admitted to the Middle Circle of the Order, a silver ring is added around the elemental tattoo. When finally reaching the Inner Circle of the Order, a ring of gold is added. Once a member advances in rank the fee for that rank becomes due. In return he receives a ring signifying the next rank (all of the rings act as Lesser Devices of Power). The monthly dues to the order are one tenth of the rank fees.   Within each branch of the Order there is a conclave of Grand Masters who control each branch. Every five years they elect one of their number, who has attained the required skill level, to the rank of Elemental Lord. These Elemental Lords make up the Order’s Ruling Senate.   The aims of the Order are to gather their strength so that eventually they might “bend the elements” themselves to make the world a better place. In the past some of the Order have fallen from grace and these have been pursued with a vengeance to prevent the secrets of the Order being told to non-members. If a member falls from grace then every member will be informed in some way, with the order to slay this out-cast. They will be honour bound to do this and the rewards can be high for a member who accomplishes the task.   The current Elemental Lords elected in the current year of 613 AU are as follows:

• Fire Jasmelar, a 33 year old Female Human Entertainer
• Earth Durathdun, a 179 year old Male Dwarven Weaponcrafter
• Air Solveran, Defender of Ralersin, a 279 year old Male Tylwyth Teg Knight
• Water Kiloran, a 42 year old Male Human Ship's Captain

  Of the above, Solveran has been nominated as the leader of the Ruling Senate. This is also due to the fact that he has been a Guild Syndic of the Guild of Esoteric Law for some 72 years and is regarded as the defender of Ralersin (who just happens to be his cousin).