The Arcanarorum

[Percuriam]

The Arcanarorum

Information​

The Arcanarorum, oft referred to as 'The Arcana' or 'The Arc of Providence', is a radicalist Magic purity organization of unknown origin oriented towards the purging magical individuals who improperly utilize the connection to the various dimensions by their own definition. The Arcanarorum also exists to organize and formally educate individuals within the Empire who have sought out the power to cast magic in any form. The Arcanarorum is an Anti-State, Anti-Synod Organization as both aforementioned organizations stand to oppress the gifts of so called Aberrants; be it mutors, Possession, or sought Arcane knowledge.

Recruitment into the Arcanarorum is done strictly in person and through individuals designated as 'Inductors'. All recruitment is performed by means of initial reviews, inspections, trials, and an eventual 'Rite of Manifest', though all this begins only after an individual has been 'Marked' by the Arcanarorum, by use of a 'Mark of the Arcana'. Though the symbols, shapes and means of marking vary, they all manifest through runic patterns and glyphs of various origins, with the true meaning of each one remaining obscure to all but the upper echelon of the Arcanarorum.

Recruitment into the Arcanarorum is often not a choice once a Marked applicant has begun upon the path towards their Rite of Manifest. To sever one's connection with the Arcanarorum or to knowingly betray the Organization is punishable by death and disappearance. To have information coerced out of one's self is often reprimanded by severe punishment in encouragement to avoid such instances. As such, to knowingly accept the Mark of the Arcana and the path it divines is a life-changing decision.

Unlike the Black Mages of the Evocarorum who have aligned themselves with the City of Light, the Arcanarorum's survival in present-day Regalia is a means founded on the Order's brutality and secrecy - though curiously the two Orders founded from the same namesake do hold a mutual agreement to stray from meddling in the affairs of the other. It's not uncommon for those to hear of the Arcanarorum to mistake it with the similar sounding Evocarorum, as both organisations dabble in the Arcane. Moreover, the Kathar want for an eventual resurgence of the Void Invasion clashes with the Arcanarorum's ideals for Arcane preservation, hinting at the Order's neutral path in regards to Arcane fanaticism despite their seemingly zealous stance against the Synod's efforts.

Organization Goals

• To infiltrate, manipulate and necessarily dismantle any and all anti-magical organizations within the Regalian State.
• To purge all reckless members of the Arcane community and discipline those perceived as passable.
• To promote widespread education of Magic within the Regalian Empire.
• The collection and possession of Planar, Void, Exist, Binral, and Aberrant knowledge owned by the Regalian State and associated organizations.
• To access realms outside of the current one through the use of portals as formerly possible through the influence of the "Arken".
• To allow a safe and open forum for the mages and so called "Aberrants" of Regalia to discuss and express themselves.

Hierarchy​

The Archon
The leader of the Arcanarorum, the Archon is selected by the Circle from existing high-ranking members and oversees ALL operations within the organization. Their command is final and absolute, and overrides any and all decisions made in the Arcanarorum otherwise. The identity of the Archon is not known to anyone but the Arcane Circle.

The Arcane Circle
The secondary command to the Archon, the Arcane Circle, or simply 'The Circle', consists of the highest ranking members of the organization who have proven their devotion to the organization and make all decisions in place of the Archon. They also exist as high ranking officers, and their involvement in the Arcane Circle is a secret to all other members except the Archon. Their decisions are presented to the rest of the organization as always unanimous, as no dissent exists between the Arcane Circle and they all exist as a hivemind of operations. As such tight-knit cooperation between Mages is unheard of, any rumour of the Arcane Circle's existence even within the Arcanarorum is often disregarded as hearsay.

The Magistrates
The ranking officers of the Arcanarorum, the Magistrate of Court, often simply referred to as 'The Magistrates' or 'Magisters', are the most active and influential public leaders of the entire organization. They act as commanding officers in the field and take initiative in driving the goals organizations. Magistrates of Court are known to all members of the organization and are expected to encourage and create activity, though many of the more socially outgoing members choose to cloak themselves behind masks and aliases to best separate their social and professional lives as members of the Arcana.

Though not officially required to do so, many Magistrates take upon at least one Theurgist as a 'Disciple' or 'Apprentice' to either pass their teachings onto, or to simply have another member of the Organisation to dump more of the paperwork onto - not unlike a secretary. More forebodingly, there have been instances where Disciples overthrow their Magistrate Mentors in efforts to climb the Arc's Hierarchy, as it often aligns with teachings of the Void.

Theurgists
The regular members of the Arcanarorum, the Arcane Conscripts are the every day members who have been fully accepted into the Arcanarorum following a pass on their Rite of Manifest, and have moulded themselves into regulars that benefit the Arc in some facility. Many Theurgists hold titles awarded seemingly by the Magistrates, though in truth the Magistrates are merely the middle-men for the faceless Arcane Circle in this venture - unbeknownst to most. Theurgists exist in an undefined hierarchy of their own, many acting as Mentors for the younger Theurgists, though some group into unofficial 'Gangs' or 'Cliques' as a means of distinction from the crowd - each with their own leader.

Acolytes
Acolytes are the fresh blood of the Arcanarorum. They have been recruited into the organization on a trial basis but have not been accepted and must still undergo the final stages of approval. Rejection as an acolyte ultimately results in expulsion from the Arcanarorum, and expulsion ultimately results in death or disappearance. Many tales have been spun by the existing Theurgists of the Arcana that the majority of expelled Marks are loaned off to the Evocarorum to maintain an underhanded cooperation between the stark Organisations. Acolytes, unlike the Marked, have fully accepted their path towards the 'Rite of Manifest.'

Marked
Marked are individuals being tracked and analyzed by specialized recruiters within the Arcanarorum. Marked individuals are not aware of their status, though some do possess the 'Mark of the Arcana' in the form of runic symbols appearing on a certain part or various parts of their body, not unlike some Arcane Mutations. These symbols vary in appearance, many remain indecipherable. Some Veteran Arana members make a hobby of collecting inscriptions of the various symbols in hopes of one day deciphering them.

Titles
Not unlike Alchemists who often name their invented or innovated concoctions after themselves, Theurgists and above within the Arcana are often rewarded with Titles to signify their talents, strategies, abilities and history within the field of the Arcane. Though many older Arcane Practitioners remain content with whichever titles they so earn in their pursuit of greater knowledge, this system breeds and encourages competition between the younger Theurgists to earn more prominent titles based on their various accomplishments.

For instance, Battle Mages and Spellswords often duel one another or face off against fabled enemies outside the Organisation for their titles, whereas more supporting and healing Mages hold the admiration of their peers in their ability to bolster courage and dispense aid in times of dependency. It's not uncommon for Theurgists and above within the organisation to be weaved titles suiting of their dispositions. Though Magistrates are publicly delegated to deliver titles to various Theurgists, the titles themselves are awarded by the Arcane Circle and above - the Magistrates simply overshadow this fact to maintain a greater shadow of importance among the Arcana. Curiously enough, the Arcane Circle doesn't seem to mind this, and so the secret remains tightly hidden even amongst the Organisation.

Trials of the Arc
Though the Rite of Manifest is the most well-known of the Arcanarorum's trials, the Organisation holds numerous opportunities for trials in which Theurgists and above within the Arcana may prove themselves to the Arcane Circle and Archon himself in return for rewards rarely whispered about. These Trials are not unlike the Progression Missions that the Phantasma allied with the Synod are sent on, and those familiar with both the Arcana and Synod may even draw correlation between the two. Nonetheless, the Trials act as a means for testing Theurgists and Magistrates alike, though specifics on these are often shadowed to any save for the tested party.

OOC Recruitment Details​

Individuals who want to be in the Arcanarorum must be contacted in-game by an existing member. These meetings cannot be scheduled. People are accepted after a discussion by ranking members and then must undergo the relative trials to be fully accepted. This will ALL be done IC, but in some instances there may be some skipping.

A large facet of the Arcanarorum is the aspect of loyalty and the code of silence regarding the Arcane, as the majority of Mages in Regalia benefit from the Arcana's meddlings - not unlike the School of Undercroft, yet on a far more severe scale. Leaving or ratting out the Organization is seen as acting counter to the Organization's goals, and forgoes Kill Perms on any character. In some instances leaving may be forgiven, but joining the Arcana is an obligation and commitment. The secrecy of the organization is to be respected to maintain the theme.

Knowledge of the Organisation's existence, should it be discovered, is to be discovered IC only. No amount of proficiency in Syndicate Contacts or Void & Exist Knowledge will allow for a shortcut into revelation of the Arcanarorum. In short, if you wish to join; don't call us, we'll call you.

 

[Percuriam]

This thread is merely for documentation purposes. There may be use for replies in the future, but for now it simply exists as an introduction.