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1. Overview
The Elementum Arcanum is Staterum’s foremost institute of elemental study, dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of fire, water, earth, and air, as well as their ties to the elemental planes. Founded during the Age of War, the Arcanum began as a research hub for weaponising elemental magic, but has since grown into a sprawling scholarly network dedicated to understanding the primordial forces that shape existence.
- Type: Arcane Institute
- Base of Operations: Thapsos, Fort Logos
- Core Purpose/Focus: Study, mastery, and stewardship of elemental forces.
- Reputation: Respected among scholars; distrusted or condemned as heretical by traditionalists.
- Symbol: A four-pointed sigil, each arm representing one element, encircling a central void.
2. History
Founded during the Age of War as a military research hub, the Elementum Arcanum’s early efforts focused on harnessing elemental forces to produce devastating battlefield spells. Its mages developed techniques and weapons that shaped the course of conflicts, earning both fear and renown.
When the wars ended, the institute faced a choice: dissolve, or evolve. The surviving leadership chose to redirect its vast knowledge toward understanding the elements themselves—transforming from a war engine into a scholarly beacon.
Today, the Arcanum serves as both a hub of innovation and a guardian of ancient elemental shrines. They see themselves as stewards of these primordial sites, tasked with both preserving their mysteries and unlocking their power.
3. Structure & Organization
The Arcanum’s structure still reflects its martial origins, combining academic hierarchy with military discipline.
- High Magister (formerly “General”): The supreme leader of the institute, overseeing all conclaves and setting the direction of research and stewardship.
- The Four Archons: Senior archmages, each dedicated to one of the four elements. They command their own Circles of specialists, apprentices, and researchers.
- Archon of Flame – Masters of destructive fire, pyromancy, and renewal through burning.
- Archon of Tides – Custodians of water, healing magics, and the mysteries of transformation.
- Archon of Stone – Masters of earth, endurance, and geomancy.
- Archon of Winds – Keepers of air, storms, and movement between worlds.
- Conclave Magisters: Leaders of regional conclaves, balancing local duties with the broader mission of the Arcanum.
- Circles of Study: Specialized groups under each Archon, often numbering dozens of mages, researchers, and stewards.
4. Culture & Practices
The culture of the Arcanum is a blend of discipline and curiosity. Members are expected to approach the elements with both reverence and pragmatism, treating them as forces to be studied, not feared. The institute has drawn criticism for its clinical approach to magic. Where most cultures treat the elements as sacred or divine gifts, the Arcanum regards them as natural phenomena to be understood and manipulated. This has led to accusations of hubris and heresy, particularly from religious groups like the Balanckeepers or the Children of the Colossi, who see elemental magic as inseparable from divine will.
Nonetheless, the Arcanum presents itself not only as a centre of study but as a steward of elemental power. Across Staterum, its mages are stationed at ancient shrines, maintaining these sites through ritual observance and the preservation of long-standing traditions. Publicly, this service is framed as a sacred duty—honouring the primordial forces and ensuring their balance is upheld. Yet behind this reverence lies a secondary, more pragmatic, truth: these postings grant the Arcanum direct and privileged access to raw, untamed elemental energies, an opportunity they eagerly exploit in their ongoing experiments and research.
5. Key Figures
- High Magister Caeloran Veyne: Current head of the Arcanum, a stern and pragmatic leader whose military background serving at Fort Logos, ensures the institute maintains discipline.
- Archon of Flame, Serathis Pyrelane: Charismatic and feared, known for seeing fire as both weapon and purifier.
- Archon of Tides, Mirella Veydris: A patient and wise Cia’an healer whose research pushes the boundaries of life itself, seeking to restore the dead through elemental power. A pursuit many view as perilous, yet one she believes is the next evolution of healing magic.
- Archon of Stone, Tharek Ironmantle: A stoic dwarf whose endurance and unyielding nature have earned him legendary respect.
- Archon of Winds, Elirian Dawnwhisper: An eccentric Lux elf whose experiments with planar travel court both wonder and disaster.
6. Geographic Influence
- Areas of Operation: Primarily operates within Eastern Siar’morrin, but has conclaves stretching accross Staterum, from the Dragon Teeth Islands to the remote Chorkas Forest.
- Allies & Enemies:
- Rivals: The Balancekeepers, who view the Arcanums approach to magic as heretical.
- Ally: New Birania, even into this age New Birania has maintained it’s support and finacial backing to the Elementum Arcanum.
7. Resources & Capabilities
- Military Strength: Primarily relies on the armies of New Birania, however their magi are highly trained and powerful with elemental magic.
- Economic Power: Significant, receiving funding not just from New Birania, but numerous kingdoms or powerful houses, eager for access to their vast knowledge.
- Special Assets: Access to ancient elemental shrines; cutting-edge arcane research; one of the largest repositories of magical knowledge (at least elemental magic) in Staterum.