The Shanolis

Lands: Prydain

Races: Elf (High)

For centuries, the Shanolis have defended the elves of Prydain, and are known as some of the most fearsome warriors in the world.  Each one of them is versed equally in blade and spell, and the training of a Shanolis is a very specific thing.  

Note: each rank of the Shanolis requires specific levels in an associated subclass.  

History

The Shanolis serve the Queen, there is no Shanolis without the Queen to serve.  Still, the traditions that encompass the Shanolis style are quite old and must predate the founding of Prydain.  However, since the founding, the elves of Prydain have only allowed the Shanolis to practice the art of Bladesinging.

Goals

• Serve the Queen.
• Protect the Realm.
• Perfect the Art

Key Individuals

• Fiedilann Ap’Andin: The Queen’s champion and the grandmaster of the Shanolis, Fiedilann is a living legend amongst the Prydani.
• Ecorina Ap’Mengali: Fiedilan’s former apprentice, and one of the masters of the Shanolis.  
• Wendolyn Ap’Urlond: A master and ruthless agent of the Queen who she currently favors for missions.
• Inselle Ap’Ingalis: The newest master, and youngest since Fiedilann to achieve that title.

Rank and Associated Abilities

Associated Subclasses Fighter (Eldritch Knight), Rogue (Arcane Trickster), Wizard (Bladesinger)

• Apprentice (Rank 1): Fighter, Rogue training available  (required for 3rd level of fighter or rogue). An apprentice must complete this training to move onto journeyman
• Journeyman (Rank 2): Wizard training available  (required for 2nd level of wizard).  A journeyman must complete this training to move onto Bladesinger
• Bladesinger (Rank 3): Fighter, rogue or wizard training available (required for 6th level of wizard,7th level of fighter, or 9th level of rogue).
• Master (Rank4): Fighter, rogue or wizard training available (required for 10th level of fighter or wizard,13th level of rogue).
• Grand Master (Rank 5): Fighter, rogue or wizard training available (required for 14th level of wizard, 15th level of fighter, or 17th level of rogue).  There is only ever one grandmaster at a time.

High Mages of Prydain

Lands: Prydain

Races: Elf (High)

The elves are the undisputed masters of the arcane, and Elven Wizardry is the envy of all the people of Haylene.  Within the Eight Towers of the Kythori, the elven people command power that is unheard of outside the borders of Prydain  

History

While the elves control the largest and best known college of wizardry, it is not the oldest.  The Four Towers date back to an older tradition, before the Queen came to power over the Prydani peninsula.  

Goals

• While they serve the Queen, the High Mages are all quite independent, and chaff at attempts to lead them.
• Each one is quite politically powerful, as they are allowed to address and advice the Queen.  The archmages are essentially her counselors.

Key Individuals

• The Queen of Prydain: On of the great arcanists in the world, the Queen of Prydain is seemingly ageless, and has led her people since time forgotten.  
• Nymuea: The queen’s oldest friend, and her devil’s advocate, Nymuea is the archmage of divination.
• Ornien: The most powerful wizard in Prydain, Ornien is the archmage of evocation.
• Selestra: Known as much for her temper and wit as her magical ability (and it is considerable), Selestra is the youngest of the archmages, and has mastered Enchantment.
• Dyfed: A recluse and a bit of a scoundrel, Dyfed places little value on even the lives of his elven brethren.  He is the archmage of abjuration.
• Rhystel: Known to be older than the Queen, and of universally bad reputation, Rhystel is rarely seen in Prydain.  He is, however, the archmage of conjuration.
• Thymean: An adventuresome and charismatic leader, Thymean is the archmage of transmutation.
• Anippa: The white necromancer, and the first to be named by the Queen when she started the council, Anippa has long practiced a unique tradition of necromancy.
• The Mistmaster: The archmage of illusion has long left his or her enemies guessing as to the archmage’s true identity.

Rank and Associated Abilities

Associated Subclasses Wizard (Abjurer, Conjurer, Diviner, Enchanter, Evoker, Illusionist, Necromancer, Transmuter)

• First Circle (Rank 1): Wizard training available (required for 2nd level of wizard).
• Second Circle (Rank 2): Wizard training available (required for 6th level of wizard).
• Third Circle (Rank 3): Wizard training available (required for 10th level of wizard).
• Fourth Circle (Rank4): Wizard training available (required for 14th level of wizard).  There is only one wizard of the 4th circle or higher for any given school, plus the queen.
• Fifth Circle (Rank 5): Bestowed on any wizard capable of casting 9th level spells.

The Four Towers

Lands: The Imperial City, Prydain, the Hinterlands

Races: Elf (High), Half-Elf, Human

The only source of wizardry outside of the Prydain, and one of the few places of the holy outside the Mysteries, the Four Towers have long represented hope for the good people of Haylene.  However, in recent times, they have fallen far from their once powerful state, and today only one of the Four Towers can truly claim an archmage.  Organized along four cultural lines, each of the towers was led by the Loremasters, and served by an order of holy warriors:

• The Northern Tower, in Prydain, was served by the Akadi Archers (arcane archers).  Unfortunately, the Loremaster of the North was slain over a century ago by the Red Witch of the Western Tower.
• The Eastern Tower, in the Imperial City, has always operated in hiding from the mysteries, protected by the Knights of the Whetted Blade (paladins with an oath of vengeance).  The Loremaster of the East, Valketha, is the last Loremasters in their tower.
• The Western Tower lost it’s Loremaster, Talecka, to the Red Witch (who was once her apprentice). The Red Witch is technically the Loremaster of the West, but no longer dwells in the Tower.  The Horizon Walkers of the West… the handful of planar guides who have always defended the Tower, now serve a lesser mage.
• The Southern Tower was overrun hundreds of years ago prior to the Great Conflagration, but the Warriors of the Wode (ancestral guardians) kept faith and eventually reclaimed the tower.  The Dundrarch, the Heirophant of the southern druids, came to live there in more recent times, and today, the Southern Tower operates independently.

History

Originally, the Towers were built by an alliance of humans and elves, who both risked their lives as traitors to defend against the growing perils that afflicted Haylene.  Over the years, their power waxed and waned, although the loss of the Southern Tower nearly crippled the faction, and the actions of the Red Witch essentially ended it.  Today, they maintain their missions separately, but only the Eastern Tower is able to follow its charter, although the Southern Tower is a formidable force to itself.

Goals

• The Four Towers were established to combat planar incursions into the world of Haylene.  
• The primary concern of the Towers is the land of Darkane and the perils of the Underdark.

Key Individuals

• Valketha, Loremaster of the Eastern Tower: The last true Loremaster, and historically one of the least powerful, Valketha is part of an effort to keep the flame of the East alive.
• The Red Witch of the Western Tower: Reviled for her part in the Reckoning, the Red Witch has reformed and attempts to make amends for her misdeeds.
• The Dundrarch: A powerful opponent of Darkane, the Dundrach is believed to be a hereditary position
• Ophalia, Caretaker of the West: The surviving wizard of the Western Tower, she tries to care for her walkers
• Edgerrin the Well-Traveled: The leader of the Horizon Walkers.
• Allyn Lackland: The leader of the Knights of the Whetted Blade
• Shema of Tulone: The Dundrach’s daughter, and heir to the position.

Rank and Associated Abilities

Associated Subclasses Barbarian (Ancestral Guardian), Druid (Circle of the Land), Fighter (Arcane Archer), Paladin (Oath of Vengeance), Ranger (Horizon Walker), Wizard (Loremaster)

• Apprentice (Rank 1): Barbarian, druid, fighter, paladin, ranger or wizard training available (required for 2nd level of druid or wizard or 3rd level of barbarian, fighter, paladin, or ranger).
• Learned (Rank 2): Barbarian, fighter, paladin or ranger training available (required for 5th level of ranger, 6th level of barbarian or 7th level of fighter or paladin).
• Walker (Rank 3): Barbarian, druid, fighter, ranger or wizard training available (required for 6th level of druid or wizard, 7th level for ranger, or 10th level barbarian or fighter).
• Initiated (Rank4): Barbarian, druid, fighter, paladin, ranger or wizard training available (required for 10th level of druid or wizard, 11th level of ranger, 14th level of barbarian, 15th level of  fighter or paladin). All individuals with this rank are listed above.
• Master (Rank 5): Druid or wizard training available (required for 14th level of druid or wizard).  At any time, there could only be four Masters, right now there are only three.