Guild of Arcani

Formally 'His Royal Majesty's Fellow's Guild of Arcane Research', and officially named in Nurem as 'The Arcani Guild of the City of Nurem', the Guild of Arcani, as it is most commonly known as, is the largest organisation of wizards and sorcerers in Western Karthica. Roughly 2000 members form the backbone of the organisation, with over 400 of them studying or living within the Royal College of Nurem - the most prestigious and by far the largest institution of arcane instruction in the known world.   The College and the Guild are generally considered by outsiders to be synonymous with one another. The Guild owns the College, which serves as their headquarters and center of operations, but attending the College as a student does not make one a member of the guild. Only graduates of the College's two faculties may be considered for guild membership.   The guild was created by Duke Jerrod III of Nurem in 912 during a period of persecution of magic users. The King gave the most powerful magic wielders a place to seclude themselves from society, until the stigma against magic faded. Three centuries later, magic is no long actively destroyed, but rather mistrusted by most; a power best left to the Guild of Arcani to preserve and watch over.  

The Royal College

The college itself consists of a mesh of curved stone buildings three stories tall, with three great stone towers sitting in a triangular pattern around the edge of the facility. The college is close to the walls of Nurem, and is also not far from The Baston, or the Royal Palace. Each tower contains one of the Faculty of Sorcery, the Faculty of Wizardry, and the Tower of the High Circle.   The college was once a private project of a lesser nobleman who wished to build a rival stronghold to that of the Baston next door, but quickly became bankrupt. It fell into the hands of the Duke and passed through two successors before becoming the home to the Guild of Arcani.   It stands as a powerful symbol of the Guild on the skyline of the city; many who live beneath its shadow fear what the mages within could unleash upon their city, and many more dream of becoming an apprentice within.  

Faculties

The college is divided into two faculties - the Faculty of Sorcery and the Faculty of Wizardry. The Faculty of Sorcery almost resembles a boarding school. Children, and occasionally older people, who have been born with innate magical power, live in the college and are trained by instructors in how to control their abilities, regulate themselves from using them for ill, and are prepared for a life of either study, counsel or other important pursuits. Sorcerers are feared by many, and once they are brought to the Guild of Arcani, they are a part of it for life - for the good of the civilised world. While some have come to view this practice as barbaric, the dangers of an unchecked sorcerer is often too much of a risk. Not only to themselves, but to arcane wielders as a whole, as those without its power come to fear them... which later turns to anger and persecution.   The Faculty of Wizardry is far larger, and is akin to a university. When a child becomes an adult, they may apply to the Guild of Arcani to travel to the Royal College and study to become a wizard. An entrance exam to evaluate the intelligence of an applicant must be passed, and then the High Circle may approve or reject the application. The Faculty is further divided into eight schools, for the eight forms of magic. Students may study in as many schools as they wish. However, to graduate from the college as a wizard, a student must achieve a passing exam in at least three of the schools. Each school consists of four levels of learning, with each being progressively harder. Therefore, it is nearly impossible to study in all of the schools.   Once a student has completed studies in three of the schools, he or she will face a final examination, which involves a practical and theoretical component. Success in this exam, and the student will graduate.   Graduates of the college may continue to gain access to its libraries and facilities throughout their life. A graduate of the College will have a firm understanding of the basics of the Arcane.   Note: A college graduate will typically have the abilities of a 3rd Level Wizard or Sorcerer.  

Guild Membership

Those who stay on at the college to continue to study become Apprentices of the Guild. With enough study, they may one day become a Mage: a full member of the Guild, and with all the prestige and influence it brings. A Grand Mage is a member of the High Circle of the Guild, a title given to only the best members. Ruling the Circle is the Archmage - not necessarily the most powerful mage, but the wisest leader.   To join the Guild of Arcani, you must be a graduate of the Royal College of the Arcane. If you are not, you may join the college and study for between 3-4 years (2 for the most gifted students), and pass all necessary exams. You may then become an Apprentice.   Alternatively, a person may be sponsored to become a member by a Mage, or higher rank. Typically this will be due to the person accomplishing a great deed using magic, a great demonstration of powerful magic itself, or through showing magical quality while having completed something the High Circle would deem admirable in quality.   Members receive: a component pouch with the guild arms embroidered on it, an apprentice’s tunic and belt, a marque of membership, ink, quill and a blank spellbook, and small iron pendant in the shape of the guild’s insignia.