Archmages

The story of Kelthane the Seeker is shrouded in the mists of prehistory, a blend of legend and fragmented oral tradition. He is said to have been born as an ordinary man during an age when humanity was a fragile species, subjugated by powerful magical creatures. According to lore, Kelthane’s discovery of the Veil was accidental—a chance encounter during a celestial event when the "Great Auroras" bathed the skies in iridescent light.

Legacy: Kelthane is credited with pioneering "material magic," teaching early humans to harness the latent magical potential in the physical world. Through his understanding of plants, minerals, and natural phenomena, he enabled humanity to craft magical tools, brew potent elixirs, and bind elemental forces. His teachings were practical yet transformative, granting his followers the ability to survive and eventually rise against their magical overlords.

Legends:

- Kelthane is said to have wielded Aethelar, a staff rumored to be crafted from a branch of the "World Tree," a mythical source of life energy. The staff was believed to resonate with the Veil itself, amplifying his ability to manipulate material magic.
- Some myths claim Kelthane lived for centuries, his life prolonged by the magic he unearthed. Others suggest he willingly passed into the Veil, his essence becoming one with the magical fabric of existence.
- The most enduring tale tells of the "Seeker’s Pilgrimage," a journey where he faced trials set by the Veil’s custodians, proving humanity's worth to wield its power.

By the time of Lyras the Weaver, humanity had established itself as a dominant force, but it remained divided by war and ignorance. Born during a time of great turmoil, Lyras united people through his mastery of "formal magic," the art of channeling magic from within oneself and through structured rituals.

Legacy: Lyras introduced spells, incantations, and rituals, codifying practices that became the foundation of magical disciplines. He is credited with founding the first "Magical Conclaves," where knowledge was shared and honed. Formal magic became an art of not just power, but also unity and understanding, bridging the gap between individuals with innate magical potential and those without.

Historical Facts and Myths:

- Lyras’s most famous creation was the Song of Binding, a spell that harmonized the power of multiple mages, allowing them to perform feats of magic beyond the ability of any individual.
- He is said to have woven a grand tapestry in the heart of his conclave, each thread imbued with magical knowledge. This "Tapestry of Lyras" is thought to still exist, though its location is lost to history.
- Some claim he had a divine patron, a celestial being that granted him visions of the Veil and its workings, though others argue his achievements were purely mortal.

Unlike his predecessors, Veridion the Scholar is remembered not as a wielder of great magical feats but as the father of "theoretical magic." Born into an age of enlightenment, Veridion rejected the traditional forms of magic, focusing instead on understanding the Veil itself. His era marks the transition from magic as a mystical art to a structured discipline.

Legacy: Veridion’s work dissected the very nature of magic, exploring the principles and patterns governing the Veil. He authored The Codex of Infinite Threads, a monumental text detailing his observations, theories, and hypotheses about the Veil. This text became the cornerstone of magical academia, studied and expanded upon by generations of magicians.

Known Accomplishments:

Veridion discovered "resonance points," locations where the Veil’s influence is stronger, allowing for more potent magical effects. Many of these sites became sacred grounds or institutions of magical study. He created the "Veil’s Lexicon," a system of symbols and glyphs that allowed mages to interact with the Veil with precision, a precursor to modern spellcraft. Veridion himself lacked any material or formal magical talent, making his achievements a testament to intellect and perseverance alone.

Theories and Legends:

- Some speculate that Veridion’s insights came at a terrible cost, as he is believed to have ventured deep into the Veil, encountering entities that bestowed knowledge in exchange for his humanity.
- It is said that Veridion’s death was not natural; he simply vanished one day, his last writings cryptically stating, “I go now to become one with the threads.”
- A cult known as the "Keepers of Veridion" claims that he transcended mortal existence, becoming an eternal presence within the Veil itself.