The Wizards of E’ma Thalas

Gwennyth Grimsbane

 

In the year 4214 AOP, one Revered Tatersdale Mackle became bishop of the Arcana Maximus. Reverend Mackle had a deep-seated hatred for all creatures born with magical blood and began a covert operation to have these beings removed from the Xaggarene Empire. It was at this time that the Examiners came into being, and the Arcana Maximus gained police power. Had Reverend Mackle been able to convince his childhood friend, the then Emperor Ashcroft Billinghurst, that his plan had warrant, the witches and wizards may have been expelled sooner. However, Emperor Ashcroft determined that these beings posed no threat. As a result of this argument, Bishop Mackle moved the home of the Arcana Maximus to a small island far to the west.

 

At this same time period, Samara Soulton spoke out against Bishop Mackle’s plan and gained a following of witches and wizards and others with non-human blood. However, when Samara Soulton disappeared, the movement ended. For years afterwards, many of the witches and wizards, as well as others possessing a magical heritage, lived in fear of the Examiners. Over time, however, life returned to normal.

In the year 4725 AOP, Emperor Lazarus Nicodemus is finally convinced to acquiesce to the Arcana’s desire to purge the empire of magical people. Emperor Lazarus signs the edict that allows the Examiners free reign to hunt and kill witches and wizards, as well as Shadow Walkers and others. Many take refuge in E’ma Thalas, the northern home of the elves, and the Shadow Walker headquarters moves to Corleon.

Ravyn Grimsbane was the leader of the witches and wizards at this time period. She was

E’ma Thalas and the Xaggarene Empire

pregnant with her oldest child, one Aramaya Grimsbane, when her mate was killed. She made her way north, across the Borderland Mountains, and begged Oberon, king of the elves, for asylum. He granted this and ceded the northernmost plot of land, now called Crowrest, to the witches and wizards with the understanding that they would guard E’ma Thalas against outside attacks from this quarter.

 

Since Ravyn first crossed the mountains, Crowrest Keep has become the home of the witches and wizards. It is ruled by a council of elders, though Ravyn still has final word in most major decisions. Children are educated in the ways of magic as well as combat and survival, and none are allowed to forget that the Xaggarene Empire once threw them out. Other wizarding towns have been established, the most notable being Ragekeep on the eastern edge of E’ma Thalas. The small village of Ashenthall is also primarily wizard.

The Xaggarene Empire has lifted the ban against those of magical blood, but there are many wizards who refuse to forgive. While Shadow Walkers are currently welcomed, wizards are still shunned, and many of those living in the empire are rogues cast out from E’ma Thalas. In spite of what appears to be progress towards tolerance, the Ibunana of Freywater is working ceaselessly to have the ban reinstated and all those of magical blood killed.

 

 

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