Mages of Monvesia - Scholars

RETCON NOTE: This post replaces portions of "Mages of Monvesia" and "Savants of Monvesia;" see also "Mages of Monvesia - Malefactors."

Mastery of the arcane arts can be achieved by strengthening one's connection to the Spheres of Power.  While some mages make pacts or embrace an inborn otherworldly nature (see malefactors), a dominant majority do so through years of research, experimentation, and formal study.  These scholars view themselves as "true" mages, and often argue that they are the more powerful of their kind.  These include the industrial Artificers and the academic Wizards.

Artificer

This class is detailed in Eberron: Rising from the Last War.

From a Pracian perspective, the ways of artifice began with the dwarves and gnomes (and, presumably, neanderthals).  Humans would learn the arts from them, and spread them throughout the Monvesien Valley to the other races of Prace.  In Henjal, artifice is as old the the scalikind Empire of the Morning and Evening Star--whence it spread from the Forest of Vines to the Sea of Fuhon. While in Raviq it was practiced by an elite, priest-like caste of revered craftsmen.  Fuhonese artifice is a unique blend of all three traditions, since the korobokuru would have brought their Pracian tradition with them.

Alchemists are by far the most common artificer.  Local traditions of alchemy can be found throughout the regions Monvesia, each with their own names and customs.  This specialty forms the basis of the Natural Sciences of Goliath Medicine.

Battle Smiths and Armorers (Unearthed Arcana) are tied as the second-most widely known artifice specialties.  The two are just as often seen working side-by-side (particularly during times of war) as they are rivals. 

Artillerists are a closely-guarded dwarven secret in Prace--though the korobokuru in Fuhon have been more willing to share the art.  In Henjal, kobolds have independently developed their own artillerist tradition; it is meant to be secret, but a drunk kobold can't always keep such secrets.

Wizard

Enhancements to the class features of this classes can be found in Unearthed Arcana.

There are several ways of approaching the study of the arcane arts.  While the method approved by the Divine Drajan Empire is the most common, it is not the only available option.

• Rakasta Bladesinging (Sword Coast), "Qrish-Song"
• Veldi [Human] Lore Mastery (Unearthed Arcana), "Madjiq"
• Raviqi/Dogfolk Onomancy (Unearthed Arcana), "Ren-Heka"
• Senarian / Cuorrian & Honderreicher [Human] Schools of Magic (Player's Handbook), "Arcane Orders"

Additional arcane traditions may find their way into Monvesia, should suitable lore  be developed for the setting.

• Order of Scribes (Unearthed Arcana) - Also known as Archivists, the Order of Scribes finds its power in the written word.  It is possible that this is the the secret arcane tradition of the dwarves.
• War Magic (Xanathar's Guide) - War mages are likely connected to one of the great empires of the past, such as the scalykind Empire of the Morning and Evening Star.

Schools of Magic / Specialist Wizards

While the use of magic is not expressly forbidden in the majority of the Drajan Empire, it is not exactly encouraged either. Most wizards in that part of the world study under private masters, supplementing the study of magic with a more socially accepted vocation—alchemy, herbalism, astrology, etc.

In the Kingdom of Montaigne and areas influenced by Montaignese culture (including the Imperial regions of Waschbar and Zyrndy), magic users are encouraged to study at academies during their apprenticeship. Certain academies have even risen to prominence, with aspirants fighting for acceptance; the most prestigious academy is at Lorrace in Montaigne.

In Waschbar and Zyrndy, where the sensibilities of the Empire need catering, academies are built in tandem with monasteries. Commonly, these monasteries are of dynamist or idealist orders—with the wizards under the watchful eye of the Avengers or Sentinels who defend the monastery.

At least one incident is widely spoken of—though rarely with correct reference as to location—when the Sentinels (or was it Avengers?) of the monastery took it upon themselves to “cleanse” the academy by slaughtering all of the wizards therein. This is an uncommon occurrence, and the motivations for doing so are likely extreme and without firm precedent.

In the Hindland, the practice of magic had been forbidden by the Divine Order of the Rose and Shield (a strictly materialist order).  This order did not disband with the destruction of the Hindland, but instead became the new state religion of Gierland after that nation severed its ties with the Empire.  Today, wizards in Gierland are not expressly outlawed, but are subject to severe prejudice and harassment.

Elsewhere in Monvesia, wizards can learn their craft using either or both of mentorship and academy models. Academies and private tutors are scattered throughout the world. A prestigious academy in the Honderreich is the Tower at Vastfurt, which is under the protection of an order of avengers.

(see Crusaders, above).

Wizards are commonly associated (by humans) with the philosophical temperaments according to their school of study. This associations does not require wizards to follow any particular alignment, however. 

• Abjuration: Heiromancer (White Wizard) 
• Conjuration: Lithomancer (Golden Wizard) 
• Divination: Hydromancer (Green Wizard) 
• Enchantment: Aeromancer (Blue Wizard) 
• Evocation: Pyromancer (Red Wizard) 
• Illusion: Aeromancer (Blue Wizard) 
• Necromancy: Necromancer [duh] (Black Wizard) 
• Transmutation: Lithomancer (Gold[en] Wizard)

Edited May 16, 2020.