Orientation Day 5
Magic, history, and the final portion of the Guild Charter
Overview of Magic on Darya
This is, perhaps, the first thing I've shared in our overview of our operating environment that you don't already know. Wizards, druids, and the nobility like to keep this secret, and so it's called "forbidden knowledge." Indeed, it is especially forbidden if you are not licensed by the nobility to know it. Thus, by receiving and reading this missive, you have entered into a conspiracy with the Guild to possess forbidden knowledge, as rudimentary as what I share will be. Please destroy this missive after reading, or at the very least lock it up. Most importantly, do not speak about this to anyone outside the Guild.
Here is the most important thing to know: Magic is scientific in Windgrest. That means that anyone with scientific training can learn and perform it. Our best understanding of how it works follows:
At the dawn of creation, a celestial conjunction created a weave of magic around the planets in our solar system. Sentient creatures have been developing ways to harness this magic since the beginning of recorded time.
Nehalennia, seeing that people needed a way to survive in this world, sent part of her essence out into the world for their use. (This is why Yamata no Orichi imprisoned her.) Through thousands of years of study, people have learned to harness her power, called the Ennia, through scientific study with math being the most important of the areas of study. Anything that can be described through a mathematical formula can be called magic, making it sound mysterious to the layperson. Keeping the science behind magic secret is why no math beyond simple addition and subtraction has ever been taught in the common schools in this realm.
Schools of Magic
Arithmancy: Focuses on numerical precision and probability.
Geometrics: Uses shapes and spatial logic.
Harmonics: Based on wave theory and resonance.
Fractalmancy: Studies recursive patterns and chaos theory.
Types of Magicians
Official Wizards: Trained in Guild Colleges, which means that only the wealthy or those sponsored by the nobility can attend. Education includes math, philosophy, and magical ethics.
Street Mages: Self-taught or trained in underground schools. Often use unstable or improvised formulas.
Forbidden Practitioners: Some wizards and mages, trained officially or unofficially, use equations that are explicitly banned. These are primarily those that tap directly into Nehalennia’s dreaming essence or try to manipulate minds like the lost crown.
In the next orientation dispatch, I will share with you the arcane uses of astronomy and astrology.
Guild History
On 8 Emberwane 87, Boudiath Moonshadow, a level 1 Druid, joined the Guild as an apprentice. Two days later, she joined Hamish, Prasha, and Atlene for a job in Crasmere in regards to a Chimera terrorizing the town. They successfully defeated the Chimera and its many minions. We have subsequently contracted with the town to provide our services in the case of future monster infestations.
Guild Charter
Article IV: Facilities and Resources
The Guild intends to construct and maintain a three-story headquarters, including:
Infirmary, kitchen, dining room, armory, vault, and public reception area
Libraries and reading rooms
Magical, theological, and alchemical labs
Training halls, gymnasium (indoor), arena, climbing wall, swimming training area, and classrooms
A stable
Living quarters for owners, members, apprentices, and staff.
Additional beds and storage lockers that can be rented by freelancers at a rate that is lower than local inns and includes daily rations.
Article V: Contracts and Missions
All contracts must be reviewed and approved by the Guild Council.
Members may propose missions and accept external contracts with approval of the Council.
Owners and members receive a salary and participate equally in profit sharing.
All equipment, magical and otherwise, is distributed to owners, members, and apprentices by the Quartermaster according to job requirements and individual need.
The Steward is responsible for providing the consumable items for jobs outside the Guild. This includes bandages, rations, potions, holy water, and other consumables required for the job.
Article VI: Amendments
Amendments to this Charter require a two-thirds majority vote of the Guild Council.
Emergency provisions may be enacted with unanimous Owner approval.
Closing Statement
Let this Charter stand as a testament to our unity, our ambition, and our commitment to the people of Windgrest and Sylvanara. May the Silver Spire rise ever higher.
[disclaimer: The Silver Spire Guild is a homebrew solo TTRPG that exists only in my head… and now in yours.]