Legends of Belariath

Magi 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. 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 color, 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, should they choose to bear it. For a newly-graduated Magi, this takes the form of a Hexagon, with one line representing each temple, in each of their colors. 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 colors. 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 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 color 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. 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 Noan, 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, Noan 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 distaste for the beaten path. 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. Often, members of this temple are sent as mediators to troubled nations, sometimes with unfortunate results. The Hierarchy of this Temple tends towards near-constant flux 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 colored with Black and Silver, its operations are usually clandestine, except in times of great need. The Heirarch of the temple is entirely unknown, but it is well known that members of this temple answer only to him or her and Morpheous herself. Members of the Temple of the Stars are far more autonomous than other magi, tasked with protecting Oceana and the Magi and given little in the way of limitations or instructions. The glyph marking of the Temple of the Stars is a black circle and unique silver pattern which encompasses the normal hexagonal glyph, but is only openly displayed during times of war, great need or when the magi must 'pull rank' on another.

To be invited to join this particular Temple, a Magi needs to have met several different conditions. These are :
The highest level of Advancement in their own Temples. (Level 30, Magi x 7.)
The agreement of the ruling members of the Temple of the Stars. (Op approval.)
Spectacular achievement or demonstration of ability. (Story submitted or Quest run)

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 most higher-level roles within the Temple.

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 a six-sided 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.

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 color 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. The levels taken in each Temple should be put onto the Notes section of the character sheet.

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