Post by Gloriosa on Oct 29, 2021 9:13:47 GMT -5
The Recondite
"Lies hide the deepest truths, and what all believe to be true is the sharpest lie of all."
For as long as there have been mortals, there have been those who sought to steal the power of magic for their own ends. The Recondite are an association of magically-inclined beings who seek to obtain control over magical forces for their own ends.
Some of their members seek mastery over life and death so that they can obtain immortality. Others try to circumvent the natural order of the world; roll back time to undo some tragedy of their past, or obtain such power they can take entire worlds for their own. Some simply wish to take power for its own sake, or satisfy some dark and awful hunger in themselves that more principled magi would balk at.
At the heart of The Recondite are teachings that have been passed down from the Kashvar and other sinister sorcerors for generations; mysteries which draw power from ancient and terrible oni, keys to gates of power that ought to remain sealed, and foul curses that are anathema to any right-minded Sorceror. The Recondite revel in the mastery of such abilities. It is commonly accepted amongst their members that no one person can ever hope to master all the arcane mysteries of reality, but that by learning what one may and working with others of similar inclination, all the power of magic itself can be mastered by the group for their own ends.
Though the organisation is - by necessity - a loose one with little in the way of formal rank structure, members are expected to cooperate and avoid unnecessary conflict. Of course, when you are dealing with a bunch of ego-driven megalomanics who each seek arcane power at any cost... there are limits to the amount of cooperation that can reasonably be expected. For this reason, the following rules are made, and all members of The Recondite swear on their blood and magic to uphold these simple rules.
1) When a member enters the domain of another of The Recondite for the first time in one cycle (approximately 30 standard days) they are to be afforded hospitality for up to seven days.
2) A member of The Recondite will not knowingly endanger another member nor aid their enemies directly or indirectly.
3) Once per year all members will gather for The Concilatorium at a venue set by The Primus, this is a three day revel and sharing of knowledge where all are expected to demonstrate what they have learned within the past year. Failing to show at all within the three days will result in disbarment from The Recondite. This is also the venue at which the next Primus will be chosen.
The Primus is the nominal head of The Recondite and is expected to assist in the guidance and development of other members for the year of their term. The position is considered to be something of a nuisance as it naturally detracts from the development of The Primus' own duties, and it has been known in the organisation's history for rivals to campaign on behalf of each other to try and force the imposition upon their fellows.
Blood sacrifice. Consorting with the worst demons and fallen Shinjin. Devouring of souls and forgotten lores. These are the stock in trade of The Recondite, and where their vortex symbol has been found, it is often in the aftermath of some terrible cataclysm.
(Symbol taken from the Invisible Sun prop-crafting kit; full rights allowed for use within roleplaying games)
Some of their members seek mastery over life and death so that they can obtain immortality. Others try to circumvent the natural order of the world; roll back time to undo some tragedy of their past, or obtain such power they can take entire worlds for their own. Some simply wish to take power for its own sake, or satisfy some dark and awful hunger in themselves that more principled magi would balk at.
At the heart of The Recondite are teachings that have been passed down from the Kashvar and other sinister sorcerors for generations; mysteries which draw power from ancient and terrible oni, keys to gates of power that ought to remain sealed, and foul curses that are anathema to any right-minded Sorceror. The Recondite revel in the mastery of such abilities. It is commonly accepted amongst their members that no one person can ever hope to master all the arcane mysteries of reality, but that by learning what one may and working with others of similar inclination, all the power of magic itself can be mastered by the group for their own ends.
Though the organisation is - by necessity - a loose one with little in the way of formal rank structure, members are expected to cooperate and avoid unnecessary conflict. Of course, when you are dealing with a bunch of ego-driven megalomanics who each seek arcane power at any cost... there are limits to the amount of cooperation that can reasonably be expected. For this reason, the following rules are made, and all members of The Recondite swear on their blood and magic to uphold these simple rules.
1) When a member enters the domain of another of The Recondite for the first time in one cycle (approximately 30 standard days) they are to be afforded hospitality for up to seven days.
2) A member of The Recondite will not knowingly endanger another member nor aid their enemies directly or indirectly.
3) Once per year all members will gather for The Concilatorium at a venue set by The Primus, this is a three day revel and sharing of knowledge where all are expected to demonstrate what they have learned within the past year. Failing to show at all within the three days will result in disbarment from The Recondite. This is also the venue at which the next Primus will be chosen.
The Primus is the nominal head of The Recondite and is expected to assist in the guidance and development of other members for the year of their term. The position is considered to be something of a nuisance as it naturally detracts from the development of The Primus' own duties, and it has been known in the organisation's history for rivals to campaign on behalf of each other to try and force the imposition upon their fellows.
Blood sacrifice. Consorting with the worst demons and fallen Shinjin. Devouring of souls and forgotten lores. These are the stock in trade of The Recondite, and where their vortex symbol has been found, it is often in the aftermath of some terrible cataclysm.
(Symbol taken from the Invisible Sun prop-crafting kit; full rights allowed for use within roleplaying games)