04. Witches and Arcanists
"I'm not here to debate a myth, Second Arcanist" Vith almost smiled with amusement
"Good" Second Arcanist, Arlik Gorn slumped into his chair "I don't want to argue with you, lad"
The future Minister of Defence was tired of this eggshell dance. He knew the Arcanist for quite some time, knew exactly how to play him, which words to use. It tired him his entire life, childhood and adulthood. No, not tired. Annoyed. He wanted to gut the man across him for the need of keeping up this charade, if not for the atrocities he committed. He chose to pluck an invisible speck of dust from his cane instead.
"I believe there's no other way, Second Arcanist" young man put the cane down and rested his weight on it "A researcher of mine found a proof of another telepath presence. One powerful enough to turn entire town into cultists. It was a deceit, quite crafty one" Vith focused on the window, looking thoughtful "To make the Empire chase a fairy tale, perhaps to lower our defences, perhaps to descredit the Council... I wish to take it to the Council" he waved his hand dismissingly "And the Emperor, of course" Vith straightened up and refocused on the Arcanist "I need your advice on how to proceed with this matter"
Arlik frowned at that. He requested the Emperor to raise an army and march south, level Senia, Provinces. Or swim. Or both. Who knows where the fuck he wanted to go. Just because some five year old breathed out "Time Eater" in agony. Then he altered the memories of every poor soul in the town, so they were killing each other, a massacre. Few survivors reported to the authorities it was some demonic cultists from the island. Vith couldn't prove it was Arlik's doing, but... The Time Eater was Arlik's obsession. And his deceased father's. Fun times indeed. He shuddered internally, pushing away the memories.
"My advice?" the Arcanist flashed his teeth
Vith didn't want his advice, he wanted him to hang. But it wasn't happening, not to the most powerful Arcanist alive. Silencing him, making him unreliable after he requested a fucking army should be enough. Ridiculed Arcanist would be an outcast, even as powerful as Arlik. That's a win. He had to make a sacrifice though. The only logical option, Shest.
"I always trusted your judgement, Second Arcanist. Also... this delicate matter involves your apprentice"
Arlik leaned back. Young man stood like a statue, waiting for the response. He was not going to lie to him, the milk was spilled, the researcher lived and found the survivors he couldn't influence, perhaps even found the girl, Shest obviously was a traitor. Now Garrett invented a way to salvage this. Arlik had a soft spot for his friend's son. First Arcanist died when the boy was a kid. Too bad he was not a witch, he'd be a brilliant apprentice. Maybe he'd find some place for the young man to be useful.
"I'll deal with my apprentice, lad. And yes, the council should be informed as soon as possible. The emperor too, of course" old man smiled "Thank you for bringing this to me first, Garrett. I appreciate your loyalty. Your father would be proud"
"Thank you, Second Arcanist" Vith tilted his chin slightly and left
Tower of the Council
In the heart of Arcania City there's a Tower of the Council, a building designed to accomodate both Arcanists and untrained witches during the Dominion Wars. It was a place where the rite of Awakening was conducted. Since the end of the Dominion Era, the Arcanists take their own homes, and their apprentieces witht them.
Witches
Humans don't wield arcana. Some races do, but humans are not magical. With the exception of Shru, a culture originating on the far west of Teria. But even among Shru arcane attuned individuals are uncommon.Arcanists
The witches who proven themselves capable of controling the arcane flow are called Arcanists. They posses unusual powers which are constantly developed by them.Arcane Council
The most powerful aranists disrupt the Arcana, they come forward and become part of Arcane Council. At least that's the way it was supposed to work. For some generations the most powerful ones take apprentices, the most gifted individuals recommended by the schools, or other government bodies. Currently there are four Arcanists in the Council: First Arcanist Ordo, Second Arcanist Arlik Gorn, Third Arcanist Luna, and Fourth Arcanist Skuur.Tower of the Council
In the heart of Arcania City there's a Tower of the Council, a building designed to accomodate both Arcanists and untrained witches during the Dominion Wars. It was a place where the rite of Awakening was conducted. Since the end of the Dominion Era, the Arcanists take their own homes, and their apprentieces witht them.Rite of Awakening
So... you are a witch. You can summon your fireballs, read books about Arcana, grow plants extra fast, whatever is your thing. And you are fine for the most part of your life. Then something happens and the spell misfires. You end up with a stormcloud in your belly. For a split second that is, because you literally explode. Being a witch is living on the edge. If you're lucky that is. Imagine a witch toddler, who has a bad dream and levels entire block. To be honest I sorta get why Senians kill witches on the spot. If you're very lucky, and smart, and have some unique talent, you are interesting. So interesting that someone might speak about you to an Arcanist. An Arcanist can take you as an apprentice. It means they will show you the ropes, train you. You're a servant, paid, and with high status among the society. But have to cater to the Arcanist's wishes. And those are annoying bunch. Then the Council schedules the rite of awakening. No idea what's happening during it, but I can imagine it's all sorts of spellcasting and tests. Witches die, vanish. Some survive. And join the Council as a new Arcanist.Extra mechanics
No worries, there's none. You won't explode during your travels, unless you do something stupid. Others might though. If you have a spellcasting ability, have any spells at hand - you're a spellcaster, and a witch in Teria. Racial abilities don't count. Divine magic, is also a magic, clerics and paladins are witches, conduits who need to maintain their connection to the divine. Still, a witch, congrats!
Scientific Name
Shru Witch
Origin/Ancestry
Shru
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