The Sanctum
Origins
The formation of The Sanctum (formerly the Sorcerers Guild) goes back to some of the earliest history of modern day settlers in Stormholde. Originally founded to bolster soldier ranks, The Sanctum would abduct younglings with an aptitude for magic in order to train them to become beasts of war. The Sanctums dark past involved harsh training regimens where the 'assets' would be pit against one another in life or death battles to weed out any hesitation or unwillingness to follow orders. Once trained, these unstoppable soldiers would be sent to battlefields in an effort to expand the reign of Stormholde's first king. It was because of these supersoldiers that Stormholdes borders stand where they are today. After the war ended, most of the training facilites were shut down. The few that remained were transitioned to exclusive human only schools for those gifted in magic (or those who could afford to pay a premium price for magical education). Over the ages, as new kings rose and fell from power, The Sanctum would evolve to become more open to the members it admitted. It has since become one of the most prominent institutions in Stormholde with many of its students graduating to become advisors for Stormholdes kings, barons, and generals.
New Leadership - New Rules
Formerly known as the sorcerers guild - a faction of practicing mages of all levels within Stormholde. It has since been taken over by Cyrell Starwell who promises to bring change and security to the guild. His first actions were to rename it into the sanctum - a reference to the safe haven that it will provide for all magic users. The former Grand Sorcerer was Orwell Ravenfarb who, although he was well respected, many believed he was not doing enough to protect their sanctum from the new rules the empire sought to impose. To Ravenfarb, he was following the tradition of the Sorcerers guild by focusing on research and knowledge and remaining out of politics. In his new position, Cyrell has been able to hold back the empire from influencing the guild and its customs for a while since the empire is slow to transition some of the further reaches of the continent including the northern lands of stormholde. While some members are excited about the transition and feel a renewed sense of nationalism; others are wary wondering if the "sanctum" has the right to judge what "wrongs" the lands, and what authority they have to enforce their new idea of justice.
"If they stand stand behind us: show them protection.
If they stand beside us: show them respect.
And if they stand before us: show no mercy."
The Former Sigil of the Sorcerers Guild
The New Sigil of The Sanctum
Letter from Cyrell Starwell - The Grand Magus of the former Sorcerers guild upon his takeover.
Important Members
Laviticus
"I've served Ravenfarb and Trillius before him, and I won't stop now. I will do anything to keep this guild alive - for the good of all mages. It would simply fall apart without me."
Rusty
"Broken pipe? call Rusty. Smashed a window? Call Rusty. Burned a student alive? Rusty will clean it up! But not nobody ever asks how Rusty's doin."
Draven Le Rouge
"Under my tutelage, no student will be forgotten, although they may come out a bit scarred."
Tanya Riverkeep
"You know why I like ruins better than people? They don't talk back to me. Well, except for the ghosts, but even they are more polite than most of the living."