The Magi

[Joshua_Jericho]

Well, I'll take a poll on it in OOC sometime.. the tattoo thing is obviously one option - it was just raised that that's a very showy requirement for all Magi to be forced to have. Sure, they -can- still have the tattoos... nothing discouraging it, I just took the compulsory portion down to a single Glyph on the hand.

The other thing about tattoos is it'd require Magi to basically strip to demonstrate their full rank to each other. With the Glyphs, it's as simple as raising their hand..

JJ

[Aramis]

Why not just have one glyph, wherever they choose, that starts off small, but becomes larger and more intricate everytime they go up another Magi x1. I'm reminded of the dragonmarks of Eberron. So at level 1, it's just a small glyph, maybe a couple of inches wide at most, on their hand, shoulder, leg, etc, but by the time they're level 50, it stretches the full length, up their arm in a full sleeve, or across their shoulders and down their back, or covering their whole leg.

[Joshua_Jericho]

An intriguing possibility.. but it sort of undermines the identifying aspect of things. The tattoo represents each Magi's unique identity, kind of like a signature. The idea of having to bare your entire leg to prove your identity is a little crazy! I'm still hovering towards keeping the small Glyph on the back of the hand.. with more tattoos as optional. Enforcing lots of tats might be a turn-off to some players, and the Magi can't afford to turn anyone away!

JJ

[Aramis]

Well, they could also change color as they increased, so that way, you'd only have to show them a little bit of it, enough for them to see its color, and then they'd know.

[Joshua_Jericho]

Again, a nice idea... but then how do I differentiate the various Temples? I've already divided them by colour. And, not being female, I only know about.. a dozen colours, or so, I'm lacking in the subtle appreciation needed to sub-divide, say, Purple, into appropriate shades..

JJ

[lyllamarie]

nightshade, periwinkle, ultramarine, violet, blue-violet, magenta, heather, lavender, royal purple, tyrian purple, han purple, red-violet, electric purple, orchid, heliotrope, mulberry, grape, pansy purple, and well, just, purple..

[Joshua_Jericho]

Someone's proved their gender..

Now do it with power tools!

Joking aside, while the colours exist, they're not easy to distinguish for most people.. especially most people in a medieval society like The Empire. Plus, who'd want to explain "Yes, this is my Heliotrope tattoo.. I chose this flattering shade of pansy purple.."

JJ

[Joshua_Jericho]

Okay, so, the big day is here. Ish. Dev are now actively considering Magi submissions. With that in mind, here goes a consolidation and update post. I've done my best to re-arrange things into the order demonstrated by the High Humans page, which I'm led to believe is one of the more recently updated.

I should note at this point that if the "Aura" system is considered far too outlandish/inappropriate for the world/just wrong, I'd like to be informed as soon as possible so I can adapt submissions not to include it. Otherwise I'm going to keep plodding on with Aura stuff that will either be completely useless, or need significant adaptation by Dev, which defeats the whole purpose of "making their job easier".

The Magi are unique as a race in that they do not live on the surface of Belariath. Rather, they inhabit the floating island known as Oceana, far above the everyday toil of Nanthalion. They come, it is believed, from another world, torn asunder and destroyed by a terrible war amongst its own Gods. Every now and then, an exceptional individual receives an invitation - to come to Oceana, to kneel at the feet of Morpheous, and be blessed - to become a Magi. These invitations, however, are few and far between.

No matter the shape they start in, every Magi is changed, altered by powerful magic to fit the same basic mold. They are without fail humanoid, skin tone varying from pale to bronzed, tall, and clean-faced. The easiest way to spot them is the Glyph on the back of their right hand - a Hexagon, in six colours. Ugliness is rare, defects totally absent from a race built by magic, though no two Magi look quite the same. They are separated from the humans they so resemble, however, by their eyes. Pupils, irises, in the normal way, but far from normal. Any colour one can imagine, from rich purple to jet black, usually following the Aura's colour, and glimmering, shifting, burning as if with flame. Even the whites are not left untouched - an angry Magi doesn't stare with bloodshot eyes, but eyes laced through with glistening, sparkling energy. On the other hand, in times of muted emotion, or sadness, the colour can seem flat, even dull.. Each man or woman is also marked out by a shimmering, distinct aura like Elmo's fire, a unique shade to every Magi.

Character Creation

Available Classes : Magi

Starting Stats
STR INT AGI RES STA SPL LFE
Basic Stats 1 6 2 1 3 5 7
Racial Traits

As a race, the Magi are far more varied than most folk give them credit for. Although they are famed for their magical prowess, not every Magi makes it the center of their life. Some sing, others farm, and still others dedicate themselves purely to the service of their Goddess, Morpheous. No matter their eventual profession, every Magi spends a year in each Temple on Oceana, learning the basics of every profession their nation has to offer. In theory, this is to produce a well-rounded, balanced individual - in truth, most Magi abandon the skills they've learned after specialising. Every Magi wears a Glyph on the back of their right hand, unique, and representative of their progress in the various Temples, based on a Hexagon, with each line a colour for each temple.

Oceana is, by many definitions, a paradise. A harmonious, smoothly functioning community that provides for its every need, ruled by a Goddess that loves her people. This of course means that many Magi are extremely naive when first leaving home. Despite this, many Magi leave, driven by wanderlust, or a need to see the world - or in many cases, a desire to prove that they are worthy of Morpheous' love, and the gifts she bestows upon them.

These gifts manifest in many ways. Perhaps most obviously, Magi age much slower than humans. They tend to live in three stages - Novice, Magi, Elder. They train on Oceana as a Novice, then wander the world as a Magi, then finally return home as an Elder, where they finally die. (Or, according to some myths, are reborn as Novices once more.) An Elder can be nearly a thousand years old when he finally dies. This longevity is drawn from magic - though not the same magical energy that most Mages draw their strength from. Morpheous, as the last Goddess of a dead world, burns with a totally different, alien magical energy. At "birth", when she transforms the orphan, or the adopted adult into a Magi, she binds a part of this magic to them, which remains with the Magi for their entire life. It manifests in their lifespan, their eyes, and their Aura.

The Aura

The Aura is a Magi's soul, their spirit, their life force, the tie to their magic. It appears as the light in their eyes, and, often as not, a faint, ephemeral light wrapping around their bodies, taking the form of transparent flames, or St Elmo's Fire. Every Magi possesses a unique shade of this magical energy, which can be seen in their eyes, as well as around their skin. In it's basic form, without any spells being cast, the Aura is totally harmless, and will pass through any object without harm. Hostile spells or projetiles will pass through it without resistance - it appears almost entirely as an aesthetic touch. On skin it produces a cool, tingling sensation, but no more. A keen eye might note that it reacts to the emotions of its owner, growing agitated as they do, calming when they are peaceful. Some Magi even report, with some embarassment, their Aura reaching out to stroke over another's skin. It may not detach from the Magi, however, and is usually only bold enough to move within a couple of feet of its owner, at most.

While this may seem harmless at first, a wise man knows it to be the key to a Magi's power. Whereas normal Mages bend the magic of the world to their hands, Magi have their own power source immediately to hand. The Magus sphere revolves around spells that manipulate the Aura, twisting it into a pair of fully functioning wings, or wrapping a sleeve of magic around a hand to deliver a powerful slap. Without the right spell, though, no Magi can attempt to control their Aura, as it moves entirely of its own whim. It should be noted that because Magi are already bound to their Aura, no Magi can take a familiar in the normal way.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The advantages and disadvantages of the Magi are purely for roleplay effect, and can grant no stat bonuses. You may, if you so choose, factor in penalties into your dice play resulting from them, but no bonuses.

Advantages:

The Magi, born of magic and tied to it as we are tied to air and water, have what may be described as a sixth sense. They are sensitive to spells being cast, with more powerful spells creating more "noise", and being easier to detect. This applies to spell casting, or powerful magical items, or creatures. They are also able to sense any other Magi within forty feet or so - within the same room.

Every Magi has gone through the rigorous education on Oceana, blessing them with a general knowledge of just about every field there is, if nothing more specialised. This results in a good fitness level, and usually, an excellent aptitude for learning.

Disadvantages:

A sensitivity to Magic, while an advantage at times, is sometimes a crippling disability. The use of powerful spells, without warning, (For example, someone arriving via Portal), or the sudden arrival of Gods or powerful magical items can stun or dizzy the most experienced Magi, as a loud noise will disorient Chirot, bright lights, moriel. Over time, however, a Magi can adapt to the presence of these things - much as one adapts to background noise.

The Magi upbringing, while rigorous and fairly all-encompassing, is not particularly open to individuality. With only one real direction of progress through childhood and their teenage years, Magi lack the variation in skills demonstrated by other races. As a result of this, they are limited to a single class, with no Advanced Class options available to them.

Ultimately, the Magi owe everything to Morpheous. Their absolute loyalty is to her. In the end, if she gives an order, they must follow it, or else be cast out, and destroyed. Her whim is their command. Of course, Morpheous always wants nothing but the best for her people, so this is not as harsh as it sounds.

Oceana

Impossible. Unbelievable. Majestic. Just a few of the words commonly used to describe the floating city of the Magi. To them it's simply known as Oceana. Originally a large island, torn from the seas around it during their Time of Troubles, and brought by a mighty spell to the skies of Belariath. Floating over the seas, far to the west of the Ilfirian Empire, it casts a great shadow over the water beneath it, nearly five miles across, and almost a mile above the water. It remains in the same place, year after year, day after day, sustained by the yearly Ritual of Ascension - on the very same days as their escape from their own, doomed world.

The island itself is dominated, of course, by the Temple of Morpheous. Once a mountain that reared over the rest of the island, dug out and converted into a place of worship piecemeal over the ages. Now, the once-craggy face of the mountain is home to the huge, soaring temple, in the shape of a hexagon. The side facing outwards is framed by heavy marble pillars, and the stairs leading up formed by blocks of sandstone, cut perfectly to size and protected against the elements by magical runes. Inside, most of the temple is open to the air above, the mountain blasted away by years of Magi digging and excavation. The great double doors open into a courtyard, hexagonal by nature, with a fountain in the center running eternally with water blessed by Morpheous herself. Robed Magi scurry this way and that, disappearing through doors into inner corridors and sanctums, always busy on the business of Morpheous.

The great steps lead down from the Temple to the Six Temples. These are housed within six tall towers, interlinked by shimmering golden bridges by day and night, each festooned with the chosen colour of their Temple. Some towers even go so far as to use magic to paint the very stone that makes up their towers - often this can be a sign of an upcoming festival, or celebration on behalf of that particular Tower. It should be noted that the Temple of the Stars, only rumoured to exist, is not among these six towers.

On the far side of the Temples, the city proper extends down to the shores of Oceana's lake. Buildings cut from sandstone, and red brick, rooftops tiled with red and often sporting awnings, balconies, or similar protrusions to enjoy the temperate climate Oceana is situated in. The streets are almost never dull, bustling with markets, conversation, and winged folk of one kind or another. Although Oceana is often seen as off-limits, exclusively the Magi's domain, the City is the sole part of it which non-Magi may visit. Provided, of course, they can get there, either by securing passage on one of the flying ships of the Magi, or by receiving an invitation, and an escort, from a high-ranking Magi.

Frequently, the streets open up into a busy square, some covered, most not - but eventually, one reaches a long promenade following the edge of the Island. From here, beaches sweep down and away towards thin air, studded with piers and decks. Although some ships can land here, most choose the bigger, dedicated Docks a little further around the island. These feature the usual warehouses for unloading goods, occasional rudimentary cranes for lifting heavy crates, and special cradles that allow the Magi keeping their flying ships in the air to relax, and take the weight off while in port.

Of course, big as the City, the Temples, the Docks and the Temple of Morpheous are, they don't even take up half of the island. The lake takes up another significant proportion, though how the water stays on the floating island is something of a mystery, but most of Oceana is green. Rolling farmland, parkland, even a small section of forest predominates the surprisingly contoured island. With this, the Magi are able to sustain themselves with arable and pasture land, though they prefer to import as much food as impossible to encourage good international relations.

Upbringing and Beliefs

As earlier mentioned, the Magi lack the variation in their upbringing possessed by many other races. Almost every single Magi child goes through the same eighteen years. The first two or three years are spent, as with all races, learning basic motor skills and the language. This is overseen by the Earth Temple, and up to the age of ten, Magi children are in their care. Between the ages of ten and twelve, Magi children enjoy their first real freedom, allowed to roam Oceana with an instructor, sometimes helping out at one of the Temples, sometimes simply wandering, but always under the watchful eye of their Earth carers. At thirteen, Magi children are permitted to choose their first Temple, and their true upbringing begins.

Temples

The Magi are more than the Jade Priests they once were. For the survival of their race, they have to be. Though originally conceived as an elite group dedicated to the country's defence, now, the surviving Magi -are- the country. Thus, there exist on Oceana all manner of trades, professions, and livelihoods, separated into Temples, each presided over by a senior Magi who answers to Morpheous herself, and no other. At the end of each year, the Adept undergoes a review by his teachers. If his progress is deemed satisfactory, the Adept can progress onto the next Temple. He is usually permitted to choose his Temple, though often teachers will recommend a particular temple for an Adept based on his areas of weakness. It is regarded as extremely unwise to ignore the recommendation. Years are repeated until satisfactory progress is made, with no exceptions. When he or she finishes his final apprenticeship, they are brought into the full ranks of the Magi by Morpheous herself. It should be noted that 12 is only the usual age. There are tales of converted Magi becoming Adepts much later in life. Most Magi stay on after their "graduation" to specialise in one particular Temple.

This specialisation is not obvious - it sometimes manifests as a preference towards a certain colour, a certain style of dress. The only way to know for sure is to consult the Glyph on the back of a Magi's right hand. For a newly-graduated Magi, this takes the form of a Hexagon, with one line representing each temple, in each of their colours. When Magi advance in a temple, that side of the Hexagon becomes more complex, with additional interwoven lines, adornments, and intricacies, spreading both inwards and outwards. Hierarchs can be easily spotted by Glyphs entirely dominated by their chosen Temple's colour. No two Magi, even possessing the same qualifications, will ever have an identical Glyph.

The first, and the oldest Temple, is that of Jade. This Temple is led by an elderly Magi named Okeras, white-haired and bearded. No one knows how old he is, though he maintains a sprightly, energetic lifestyle. Rumours say he was among the first initiates the Goddess chose to become Magi. His Temple presides over the closest thing the Magi have to religion. The worship of Morpheous, the celebration of festivals, and, perhaps most importantly, the induction of new Magi into the Order. Green-marked Magi act as priests, of a kind, offering guidance and support to their kin on the Island. Often, these Magi will choose to embark upon pilgrimages to the lands below, to spread Morpheous' word, and, when the opportunity arises, whisk away promising but lost individuals to the floating home of the Magi. Jade Glyph lines are green.

The second Temple is known as the Azure Temple. Named for the sky, the source of knowledge in Magi lore, this temple is dedicated to the looming libraries that dominate a significant part of the floating continent. Duties range from maintenance of books - copying, binding, organising, to research and study of the tome's contents. This is the scholar's field, and so a Blue-marked Magi is rare to see roaming the surface lands. However, the younger, more impulsive Azures are known to take the quest for knowledge further afield, wandering the lands Below collecting books, stories, histories, and knowledge of all kinds. The Hierarch of this Temple is a kind-hearted, mousy brunette known as Natael, who is rarely seen outside Morpheous' Grand Library. Rumour holds, however, that she has read every single book within the 7 Libraries, and is much older than her youthful appearance would suggest. Azure Glyphs are a deep royal blue.

The third Temple is, perhaps predictably, known as the Ruby Temple. Those of the blood-red stripes tend to take themselves rather seriously, as a result of their duties. The Ruby Temple is charged with the defence of the Continent, and the airspace around it, from any and all who dare to trouble their floating home. Training for this Temple is both arduous and long-lasting, in both physical weapons and the use of magic to strike down the foe. Ruby tattoos are -only- placed on the chest, nowhere else, on the left breast for physical prowess, the right for magical. Ruby Magi are also given to travel on the surface world, to seek new weapons, new styles of combat, physical and magical. This Temple is chaired by two of the most feared Hierarchs on the continent, one for the Physical, and the other, for the Magical side of things. It is said, for practice, each will adopt the usual tactics of the other, and engage in a duel that can last for hours, if not days. Isael presides over weapons and physical combat, an unusually short, bald-headed man with barely five feet of height to his name. Nonetheless, his skill with any weapon you care to name is well-reputed, as is his temper. His partner and wife, Iralell, teaches students the finer points of using Magic against their foes. Soft-spoken, and tall enough to place Isael firmly in her shadow, she is known for handing out punishments both unusual and effective when trifled with. One plucky Cadet was compelled to walk the lines of his fellow recruits, and deliver an Energy Slap to the face of each and every one, for speaking out of turn. "For," She is said to have remarked. "If you disrespect them with your voice, you might as well do so in a more courageous fashion.". Ruby glyphs are a bright crimson slash.

The Fourth Temple is perhaps the most understated of all. Its colour is a deep chocolate brown, and it is known as the Earth Temple. It is unique within the Magi continent in that it contains no specific role. Rather, Earth Magi are dedicated to the improvement and maintenance of the world they live in - the Continent. Thus they may range from farmers to carpenters to something the world below would know as slaves. Obviously, some of the more... sexual aspects of this service are not taught to Adepts. These Magi choose their life of servitude, though, and wear the collars only if it suits them. Earth Magi are known as the kindest souls one could hope to meet - and the compulsory year within the Earth Temple is structured to instil a sense of humility within each and every graduate. Sadly, such Magi are far and few between on the surface world - as their duties are in a large part tethered to their Island. Occasionally you may hope to see one as an attendant to a visiting diplomat - or a particularly impressive gift to a friend of the Magi. The Hierarch of this Temple is known as Moan, and takes the role of personal attendant to Morpheous herself. He makes the claim, without boasting, of being able to provide anything. An expert carpenter, blacksmith, weaver, farmer, butler, Moan has been the unchallenged Master for many years, and the unofficial Grandfather of many Magi. Some older Magi tell tales of the previous Earth Hierarch, a woman unsurpassed in her simple goodwill to all that lived... and her sad end. Earth Glyphs are a simple, muted brown.

The Fifth Temple is that of the Sun, the source of Music for the Magi. Bards, poets, storytellers are found within these ranks, Magi of a cheerful and charismatic nature, with a talent for playing an instrument, or crafting music with their voice alone. As an interesting quirk, any Magi entering this Temple are compelled to follow at least two disciplines. Music and Poetry, Story-telling and Dance, Acrobatics and Performance Art, are merely some of the disciplines available. This Temple tends to attract the mavericks of the Magi race, those born with wanderlust or a rebellious streak. As such, they are oft seen on the surface. No one is entirely sure of the gender of the Hierarch of the Sun Temple, though. Known simply as Moiran, he has been known to sing in both male and female tones, with an impossible range many suspect to be magically augmented. Some on the Master's Council think him, or her, a waste of time and space, but Morpheous has a special ear for his views. Sun Glyphs are bright, gold, and decorative.

The final two Temples are a little more exclusive.

The Sixth carries the slightly pompous name of Heliotrope, which fits their duties well. They start at managerial positions, bureaucrats and Seneschals, and carry on up to judges and diplomats, or representatives sent to other nations. Naturally, for the year of required apprenticeship within Heliotrope, Magi are kept to more clerical and "Gopher" duties. Generals, tacticians, and strategists are also contained within this Temple, and are marked out by the purple tattoos across their shoulders. As members of the Master's Council, every Temple Hierarch has the right to wear a purple stripe if they see fit, but many prefer to keep to their own colours, as their reputation usually precedes them. Often, members of this temple are sent as mediators to troubled nations, sometimes with unfortunate results. The Hierarchy of this Temple changes hands often as a result of political machinations, though at present, one female Magi named Yina has held the seat for an impressive length of time, approaching five years. Blonde-haired, blue-eyed, and given to giggling, this is a woman oft understimated. Heliotrope's purple glyphs are both ornate and showy.

The Seventh Temple is the only place Adepts are forbidden from entering. In fact, the Temple of the Stars is off-limits for most Magi. Only those invited may enter, and it is well-known that to even be considered, a Magi must bear the marks of at least two Temples. This Temple forms the absolute cream of the crop. The brightest minds, the strongest warriors, most powerful mages, are gathered here. As one might expect from a Temple coloured with Black and Silver, its operations are usually clandestine, except in times of great need. If this Temple has a Hierarch, they are totally unknown. Newly graduated Magi are never invited to this Temple, as it is believed experience of the real world is crucial to forming the kind of Magi desired for this Temple. There is no marking worn by its members, save in war-time. This temple has no visible Glyph marking.

There is a kind of ranking system existing within the Temples, proceeding as follows.

During the year's apprenticeship, Magi are Adepts. This bars them from -any- sexual roles, and most higher-level roles within the Temple, as most Adepts are under the age of 18.

Once they have completed their apprenticeship in every Temple, and graduated from their Adept status, they automatically granted Magi status in every Temple. This is effectively the lowest level a full Magi can attain, and results in 6 tattoos, each only a side of the Hexagon Glyph.. Level 1 Magi start here. Every time they take the Magi class (so at 5, 10, 15), they can rank up in a temple.

The next rank up from Magi is Magister - a position which allows the holder to teach the incoming Adepts every year, if they so choose, as well as granting a more intricate Glyph. At this level, these tend to be simple, only adding a single line or curve to the Hexagon. At Magi x 1, a Magi may choose a single Temple to raise to this rank.

The rank that follows on from this is known as a Maiora, pronounced "My-your-a". These usually make up the body of a Temple, as neither a complete novice, nor a Master in their chosen school. Magi of this rank upgrade their Glyph, usually to a triangle, using the original line as a base.

The highest rank that can be achieved by simple dedication is Master. At this point, the chosen temple's colour Glyph develops lines that spiral out towards the other temples, both inside and outside the Hexagon. At this rank, the Magi is automatically part of the Temple Council, and is eligible for the position of Hierarch. It should be noted that the Magi must return for a meeting of this Council every year, at least. It is also noted that all the Temples hold their Council Meetings within the same few days each year, for convenience. The procedures for becoming a Hierarch differ from Temple to Temple.



Death and the Life Cycle
Magi live for a very, very long time. Their closest comrades in lifespan are almost certainly the elves. Altered by Morpheous, imbdued with a divine power, forever cast perfect by her magic, Magi tend to shrug off disease, from bubonic plague down to the common cold, and show almost no signs of aging once they reach their early thirties. Up to this point, though, they age as a human would, reaching maturity in the more usual eighteen years. On a direct comparison, they lack the immortal youthfulness of the elves - a five hundred year old Magi is usually easy enough to spot, either because of intricate, collected, runic tattoos, or simple scars and marks of age he has allowed to build upon his face.

The secret behind this, is a little more complex than first might appear. Every so often, every Magi returns to Oceana, and to Morpheous, to undergo the rite of Reclamation. This represents Morpheous taking back what is hers.. and then, bestowing it once more upon her Chosen Magi. It dates back to the time when the Magi were an order of Priests - the Magi honours would be bestowed upon a few at a time, then transferred to others as the duties of the Jade Priests passed to them. Now, though, all that remains of the nation the Magi served are the Priests themselves, so there is no sense in lending her blessing to only a few at a time.

This blessing has the effect of revitalising and restoring the Magi to a youthful state, should they wish it. There are times when a Magi has grown particularly fond of a particular scar or wrinkle, and chooses to keep it, rather than have the rite restore him to perfection. A Magi is not, however, compelled to undergo this rite. Should they wish it, after their eighteenth birthday, a Magi could never undergo the rite again - but this would shorten their lifespan dramatically, likely to that of a regular human. Perhaps even less. Thus those Magi that wish to maintain a youthful appearance undergo the Rite every twenty years or so, whereas others go for fifty, or a hundred years between each Rite. The rate of aging, though, remains slowed - a Magi that has not undergone the Rite for a hundred years does not appear one hundred and twenty years old! Instead, he or she ages at 1/3 the normal rate.

Although it seems that this rite might allow a Magi to live forever, that is not the case. Instead, as a Magi approaches a thousand years of age, or whenever she feels that she has lived too long, she undergoes the Final Rite of Reclamation, also known as the Rite of Life and Death. With this, Morpheous takes back what she has given.. and allows the Magi to die. The body, however, is never seen, and within a week, there is a new Magi child in the Earth Temple, often with a striking resemblance to the one that died. Of course, no children ever speak of memories of a past life, or reincarnation as such. ((OOC Note : Undergoing this rite is Permanent Death for a PC character.))

Society and Beliefs
Magi society is not quite like any other. Although in theory, Morpheous is the final arbitrator on all laws, rules, and decisions of any kind, She is almost never called upon to make decisions, or even give an opinion. Each and every individual is raised with the knowledge that somewhere, either out in Belariath or on Oceana, there is a place that is perfect for him, or her, and that all he has to do is find it. There are channels for every possible desire. Those with a musical aptitude are gently eased towards the Sun Temple, the librarians and book-keepers, the Azure. The more martially minded go into Ruby, those with a desire to serve others into Earth. Often, the mavericks and rebels of society (for there are some) are gently eased into the Jade Temple. In close proximity to Morpheous herself, and learning firsthand of the fate of their original home, most youngsters tend to calm down swiftly enough. If their rebellious streaks cannot be tamed, they are often sent out into the world, either to serve in the Magi Navy, living and working on board those glorious flying ships, or simply permitted to make their own way, safe in the knowledge that they can always return safely home if need be.

With a universal education system, it is not difficult to ensure that every Magi knows the story of their homeworld, and the dangers of rebelling against their Creator. This serves almost as the invisible whip that keeps the people in line, the ever-present memory of what happened once, and could easily happen again. With this in mind, all Magi are highly devoted to Morpheous, maintaining small shrines to her in their homes, and sometimes carrying a small Hexagon, carved of mithril, enchanted with their own Scrying ability, so that in times of trouble, they may view their Goddess at all times, and take heart.

Amongst those living on Oceana, loneliness is a foreign concept. The Magi take the nosy neighbour concept to an absolute extreme - so that a Magi will usually know the names and business of almost everyone in his district, and enquire about or speak to them regularly. They are, as a people, unabashedly interfering, and nosy. It's not uncommon that with news of one shortage or another, folk come hurrying from one street or the next to relieve it. Each street tends to be self-governing, with small, naturally councils of older Magi springing up naturally here and there. In theory, the whole City district is overseen by the Earth Temple Masters, and Heliotrope Masters, working in conjunction. Each Temple is obviously responsible for its own upkeep and maintenance, and the Jade Temple take on all responsibilites for the Temple of Morpheous.

There is also another group of Magi, that have recently been suggesting (As a people they are far too polite to clamour for anything!) that they too should be elevated to Temple status, and that is the Dock Workers and Navy. Often Ruby-trained, with skills in Heliotrope, or Sun, or even Azure in some cases, these Magi man the ships of the line that glide through the skies above Belariath, maintain them, and are in charge of all loading and unloading issues at the Docks. Generally Ship Captains take command, as these tend to be the individuals that have naturally graduated towards positions of leadership, but the Earth Temple Hierarch, Noan, keeps an eye on the Docks and Harbour when there are no ships in port.

Politics and the Navy

The Magi have a reputation as being meddling, holier-than-thou nosy do-gooders. And they've earned it. Ironically, for being immigrants to Nanthalion, they are easily among the most diplomatic of races. That is to say, they have the most diplomats, in the most places. It has become something of a sign of status. In a world where small, feudal kingdoms and chiefdoms form and collapse every decade, a Magi ambassador requesting an audience, and official diplomatic relations with the latest established chief or king is an excellent stamp of authority.

To earn their meddling reputation, the Magi follow a policy of non-military-intervention. This means that while their ships will never swoop down upon armies to rake massed forces with crossbow bolts and balls of magical fire, or invade and hold an area in the name of stabilising it, they often send representatives into the middle of conflicts with quiet offers, rather than demands, of mediation. Needless to say, this is not usually successful - but the Magi are known to break their non-intervention rule for those that break a ceasefire at a meeting arranged by the Magi themselves. Or attempt to, say, behead the Magi delegates to send a message to Morpheous. Warmongers, therefore, often groan at the arrival of a Magi ship of the line.

While they have no immediate ulterior motive in these acts of charity, the Magi are, of course, quick to tell of Morpheous and her kindness to any who listen, always keen to cast themselves and Her in a favourable light. Also, whenever a Magi is representing Morpheous and Oceana in this capacity, he strives to seem a paragon of every virtue. He keeps his word, is both honest and straightforward - quite frankly, nauseating to any normal person. This does lead, however, to a reputation for honesty, virtue, and general good manners for the Magi. It's not necessarily grounded in fact, nor true of every Magi in the world, but it certainly exists.

The exception to this rule is the Ilfirian Empire. As if knowing this nation to be entirely independent of their ability to assist, and certainly, in no need of mediators, there has been no official diplomatic delegation brought before Stormbringer, to date. Surely, one day will come when a Magi ship sails into port to request an audience with the Emperor, but not yet.

These ships, of course, are one of the tricks behind the Magi prosperity. In most ways, they resemble a normal ship of the line. They have sails, and ports for oars if one looks closely, though these are never used, and a rudder for steering, as well as the usual shape of a seafaring vessel. The figurehead adorning the prow is always an image of Morpheous, though, a telltale sign. Add to this the fact that instead of sailing on the ocean, these ships sail through the sky with the greatest of ease. They are limited, though, in number, and the knowledge of how to craft them was lost in the great Rite of Ascension that took them from the original world. Every lost ship, therefore, is mourned greatly by the surviving sailors, for they can never be replaced. They can, however, be maintained - and all vessels return to Oceana on a regular basis for exactly that.

On the inside, the similarities with seafaring vessels continue. There's always a Captain, and usually a First and Second Officer, a Magi in charge of galley duty - all tasks, handed out according to ability, and regularly rotated, with only the Captain and First Mate remaining mostly static. The hold is a vast, open space, from which the ribs of the ship, and inside of the hull can be seen, covered in swirling runes that burn with an inner fire when the ship is in the air. To lift the ship, a good number of Magi - usually a dozen, because twelve works particularly well for some reason - must stand inside the activation circle in the hold, and focus all their magical energies into the runes. This duty is exhausting, and as a result, the crew is usually divided into three or four shifts, one on deck, one in the hold, and one or two resting. With all these crewmembers on board, the space is naturally fairly confined - but communal as they are, the Magi have no problem with this.

Though it is rarely called for, all ships are outfitted for combat, as well as simple merchant duties. This almost always involves repelling boarders, rather than engaging another ship, be they chirot raiders taking advantage of a low-flying ship, or thieves ambushing a Magi ship in port, looking for an easy profit. To date, no Magi ship has ever been successfully hijacked, with the crew preferring to die rather than be captured. With the Magi dead, none can make the ship fly, and the vessel is usually retaken within days.

The Magi and the Outside World
Some remark upon the beauty of Oceana, and question why the Magi would ever leave their paradise of a home. Food there is plentiful, the weather is good, and the women beautiful. Nonetheless, the Magi can be found across almost the whole of Belariath. This can be for a wide variety of reasons. There are the "official" ones, to begin with. This varies from an assignment from a particular Temple - to document the history of a race for Azure, to learn a new weapon style and the crafting of the weapon itself for Ruby, to acquire a rare or valuable enchanted instrument for Sun - the assignments vary. Often, they can be open-ended in nature. "Go out, and learn all you can of this nation, or this region". These are often given to Magi their overseers believe are chafing a little in the surroundings of Oceana, or would benefit from the experience of the outside world. Sometimes Magi even leave on their own initiative, simply citing curiosity, or a desire to prove their worth in the eyes of their Goddess.

In rare cases, Morpheous intervenes herself. Either to give an assignment, to seek out a special relic, or go on her behalf as a messenger, or even to become a gift to a favoured ally, in the case of some Earth Magi. However, sometimes, this can take a more unpleasant turn. Even though dissent is unheard of in Oceana, rebellion against Morpheous unimaginable, on occasion, a Magi manages to do something that lands them before Morpheous. Delving into forbidden tomes, disobeying or disrespecting an Elder.. striking a Master, or murdering another Magi - these things are impossibly rare, but they happen. In this case, often, the Magi brought before Morpheous will repent, and be forgiven, but sometimes, there is no such easy way out. Sometimes Magi are outcast, punished, and sent out from Oceana to wander the world until they have learned whatever lesson Morpheous wishes to inflict. Often a curse, or ailment accompanies these pariahs of Magi society. This is, however, not a death sentence - these outcast Magi are permitted to return to Oceana for the Rite of Reclamation, to extend their lifespan beyond human norms. However, they are escorted from the Docks directly to the Temple of Morpheous in chains, and then back once again when the Rite is complete. They are, however, denied the yearly celebration of the Rite of Ascension.

It is rumoured, though never confirmed, that once, if ever, these Magi are forgiven, and accepted by Morpheous back into the fold, they become candidates to be recruited by the secretive, shadowy seventh Temple, the Temple of Stars. This Temple, it is said, prizes the ability to think outside the box, to defy authority, and do the unexpected above all else.

I have mentioned two fairly well-defined Rites here, the Rite of Ascension and the Rite of Reclamation. I'll include a description of each below, though I'm not sure where to put them.

The Rite of Ascension is a holiday for the Magi, plain and simple. It occurs every year, around the first days of summer, and lasts for four days. The first day, June 18, marks the casting of the first great spell of Ascension, that brought Oceana up into the skies of their homeworld. Be they on Oceana or itself, or scattered around Belariath, all Magi must spend several hours, preferably the whole day, in meditation, lending their strength to their Goddess as she prepares to renew the spell holding their continent in the sky. She begins casting at noon, and the spell continues all the way through till midnight. The end is celebrated with a great hymn, sung by as many Magi as can gather on the steps to the Temple of Morpheous. In recent years, it has become tradition to carry a candle, or use magic to produce a light, for this parade. Regardless of how much care they have for Morpheous or Oceana, every Magi must spend the ten minutes leading up to midnight in solemn meditation, unless on Oceana itself.

The second day, June 19, marks their departure from their world, and their first day of travel to reach the place they would come to know as Belariath. Many of the more traditional Magi fast through this period, and spend their day in prayer or meditation. Others still visit the Wall, a great memorial inscribed with the names of all that they could remember as being left behind on their burning world, Gods and men alike. In the hours of this day before dawn, supplicants may visit Morpheous, and beg for her decisions on their problems. Many outcast Magi return home for this supplication, seeking forgiveness from their Goddess for their wrong. Still more come forward with wrongs they believe they have committed, but have not been punished for, to be forgiven.

The third day, June 20, was the dawn of hope for the travelling Magi. On this day in their history, some claimed they could see light, faint and approaching in the distance, rather than the endless, starless night which had dominated their skies for the previous day. To mark this, candles are lit. It was at this point in their journey that the candles and wax they had taken with them ran out, and so, rather than being swallowed by the night, the Magi took to burning non-essentials. Furniture, books, tapestries, weapons - anything that would burn. As a remembrance of this, many Magi take the opportunity to "spring-clean" , and fill bonfires with things they have no more use for, and cannot give away. In the evening, between sundown and midnight, Morpheous hears supplicants once again. This is a sober day for Magi across Belariath.

The fourth, and final day of the Rite of Ascension could not be more different from the previous. Far from the great labour of the first, and the anxious waiting of the second and third, on the fourth day, Oceana arrived in the skies above Belariath, and there was a great rejoicing. Food that had been stockpiled, expecting a week-long journey, perhaps more, was set on tables, and the Magi had a great feast and celebration. Loved ones, and even strangers, found solace in one another's arms, rejoicing in the simple fact that they were -alive-. There are no more supplicants on this day, and any outcast Magi that have failed in their pleas must leave before the sun rises. As dawn comes, there is singing and dancing across Oceana, with magical displays and demonstrations put on by every Temple. Great works of art or literature are often unveiled on this day, and plays are often performed, almost non-stop. Recognising the celebration, Morpheous extends her Blessing to every Magi in Oceana, and indeed, the world, except for those pitiful outcast few. Every Magi is imbdued with the power of their Goddess on this day, starting from dawn. Their energy is limitless, their happiness infectious. For those with creative talent, their muse pours endless concepts, ideas, genius into their ears, and the more.. social-minded are driven to first seek out their Magi brethren, then, in groups, to gather up the people around them to sing and dance and talk of the great Goddess Morpheous. Rumour even says that Morpheous herself emerges from her Temple to join the celebrations and lead the chorus in Oceana. A more cynical mind might note that they make easy prey for slavers or rapists on such a day.

And.. the Rite of Reclamation.

The Reclamation is the closest thing a Magi has to a birthday. That it falls upon the date of their arrival in the Earth Temple is not, of course, a coincidence. The rite occurs once at eighteen years of age, to welcome them to adulthood, and then a minimum of once every hundred years, if they wish to preserve their long lives.

It is, however, a very difficult Rite to pin down in description. The Magi enters the Jade Temple, along with those that share his Day, and subjects himself to purification and cleansing at the hands of the Jade attendants, before entering a single, blank stone cell for meditation. Though the stone is rough, perhaps among the least comfortable places in all of Oceana, everything changes when Morpheous enters. She can take an hour, sometimes six to arrive, but as soon as she does, the simple cell appears transformed. The stone sparks into gold, and Her radiance fills the room with light. In technical terms, Morpheous now takes back her Gift of power, absorbing it into herself.. then gives it once more, restoring the Magi to his desired appearance, be it youthful, or older. Some Magi have even been known to change hair or eye colour in this ceremony, though it is purely at the will of Morpheous, not their own.

Exactly what happens, though, varies. Some Magi describe a heart-rending pain as she takes the light from them, followed by the most blissful pleasure imaginable as it returns. Others never see the cell at all, but instead, find themselves reliving and re-experiencing the years since their last Rite of Reclamation. Even the description of Morpheous varies, in hair colour, eye colour, size and proportions - but every man and woman agrees that she is perfect. Some, confused and blushing Magi, even come out of this Rite tongue-tied and babbling, usually claiming that they -slept- with Morpheous herself. Wiser Magi then they cast an amused glance at their stained and soaking clothing, and laugh at the playfulness of their Goddess in using such illusions. All Magi come out revitalised, brimming with energy and ready to go to work on the behalf of their beloved Goddess. All but the outcast, of course, who emerge young once more, but dejected by the close contact with that which they have lost.

And, the History..

History
The story of the Magi began in a world far from here, separated by more than distance, more than time and space. There Kron, the Father of Gods and Men bent the stars to build a paradise. A place where Men could live, and worship the Gods in safety and bliss. Yet all too soon did ravaging Time break down Heaven's Gates, to bring ruin to this peaceful world.

Kron heard a whisper, passed on between the spaces in the night sky, an vision of the future. He saw his world cracked, and broken, flame gouting from the earth, brother fighting brother for survival, and children lying slain on the battlefield, while Gods squabbled over petty differences. He saw a monster born from his own hands that would stalk the land, destroying everything, until finally, consuming itself when there was nothing left. Horrified by what he had seen, the Omnipotent commanded the Gods, (For he knew that they, and Magic, the gift they gave to Men, would be their undoing) to confine themselves to the clouds, and never more trouble the lands below.

At first, his children listened. They turned away from Men and concerned themselves only with their own affairs, lived in the clouds. But some dared to look down upon the world, though they could never touch it. Morpheous was first among these Gods to shed her tears for the pain of Man. For in the absence of their deities, the people below were wracked by torments innumerable. Disease ran rampant in cities, whole tribes were buried by volcanic detonations, their easy grace no match for untempered Nature's fury.

It is said her tears fell as rain from the skies, healing and watering the land below, giving aid when none seemed possible. On the surface, the first Jade Priests prepared, and planned. In secret, a small group of Gods led by Morpheous met with the Jade Priests, to bring about the only end to this suffering they could see. Paranoia had made Kron cruel, and his reign grew ever tighter, and more tyrannous. It was if he no longer cared about his children, or worse, desired to see them suffer. With this in mind, Morpheous, her fellow deities, and the Jade Priests conspired against their God.

With the blood of the Gods, the blood of the Priests, forged in the heart of the world itself, they made a weapon. A sword so terrible to swing it was to rend the world itself. Bearing this weapon, Morpheous rose to do battle with Kron, far above the sky. For ten days, and ten nights, the sky was darker than night, true black, with not a single star. Some say it was a shield placed there by Morpheous, to hide things no man or God should ever have to see, some say it was the blood of Kron blotting out the Sun.

Dawn came, at last, on the eleventh day, and Morpheous came with it, plummeting like a falling star, battered and burned but victorious. On shaky legs, she swung that terrible blade, and cut a chasm from the fabric of the world, before hurling the blade into it. It is whispered among the Jade that she admitted, to a Priest of the time, her failure. She had not slain Kron, merely imprisoned him high above the world, to watch his creations evermore.

Just so began a Golden age, a happy time of wealth and prosperity, wherein the people spread across their world and flourished under the care of their Gods. No more the tyranny of Kron, but now, a Divine Council ruled the world's affairs, with Morpheous at the helm. It seemed there was no end to the glories they could achieve. The cities they built shone with rainbow colours, a great many of them created at the hand of Morpheous' chosen, the Jade Priests. This order served as the protector's of her nation, upright and righteous, the very best of the people.

Time conquers all things, though. Scarcely ten milennia passed before unrest spread amongst the Gods. Some grew jealous of Morpheous' unsurpassed command of the magical arts.. some desired supremacy for their people over all others. Some yearned for the rule of Krom. One God pushed things too far, and within a decade, peoples peaceful for ten thousand years marched to war. The fragile alliances between the Gods crumbled as they fought for power, and before long, Morpheous became the first to withdraw from the Divine Council. The rest followed.

Armies marched, and armies fell, whitening plains and reddening the rivers with blood and bones. Only Morpheous kept within her borders - and it was rapidly realised that any army which dared invade would never be heard from again. The simple truth was the Jade Priests. Not that they annihilated the enemies with magical power, but rather, that they would walk out to meet them unarmed, and convince them that there was a different way of life. No one ever chose to go back out to the world of death and hardship, seeing the kind of life Morpheous offered to her faithful.

Perhaps things would eventually have died down, had not one God taken things to a new level. Thenatos, a longtime rival to Morpheous, looked on her nation and seethed with envy. Sacrificing his own divine beauty for more and more power, the handsome God was soon twisted into a monster that hungered only for more, driven by a ruthless intelligence. Eventually, he crossed the final boundary. With the blood of children, women, men, Thenatos cut open the fabric of the world, and retrieved the Sword used to strike down Kron.

With this in hand, Thenatos became unstoppable. He and his forces, dark, twisted remnants of the beautiful Magi, roamed the lands slaying men and Gods alike with the help of the one weapon that could do so. Every blow he struck tore the fabric of the world only further, and the lands felt the pain. Great chasms swallowed continents overnight, as the world cracked, and burned. Flame gouted from the earth.. brother fought brother for survival, and children lay slain on the battlefield, while Gods ran and hid in the face of their own mortality. Kron's vision was coming true.

In the last days of the world, Morpheous gathered the Jade Order for one mighty spell, that claimed the lives of many, nearly that of Morpheous herself. With a rumble that shook the stars, the whole continent that carried her followers lifted itself from the land around it.. and kept rising. Onwards and upwards, further and further until it passed through the very sky itself.

Legends hold that far beyond their sky, they came to a cage of blood-red fire, screaming without stop. There Morpheous raised her hand, and struck the flames aside to reveal the imprisoned Kron, tears rolling down his face as he saw his world destroyed. They spoke a while in conversation, then she turned away in tears. After a long silence, she removed the fetters from her Father.

Kron took the floating island on his palm, as one might hold an ant, and blew, gently. His exhalation threw the Magi far, far away, into a world where they might be safe. Morpheous alone remained to seal the portal behind them.. and Morpheous alone remained to watch the death of the world, and the Creator with it.

With her body annihilated, incinerated and reduced to nothing but dust, only Morpheous' essence could travel with her people, her spirit, sustained by their belief in her, and that alone. The orphaned Magi came to the skies of Belariath in a time of troubles.. the time Of Katarein. It was with the greatest of trepidation that the Magi sent their delegates to the tower of Unigo, to announce themselves as they were. A lost, broken people, with a Goddess clinging to the barest threads of life. What happened next took everyone by surprise. Katarein demanded an audience with the spirit of Morpheous, and was denied. The woman that built Unigo with her bare hands, however, was not so easily refused. Legend holds that she bound a dozen dragons with golden threads, and rode them all the way to Oceana, up to the very Sanctum of Morpheous herself. There she stood, glowing with a terrible power, with the Jade Order arrayed against her, ready to defend their dying Goddess... when She spoke.

She dismissed the guards, and brought Katarein into her temple. What was discussed inside, no Magi knows, but Katarein emerged the next day.. changed. Her power was thick on the air, and stronger than before, and every Magi knelt to her immediately. Morpheous had needed a body, and Katarein desired immortality. Together, they would lead the Magi into a new age..

Ok, so, more coming soon!

JJ