The Order of Thaton

The order of Thaton was founded 12 years after the death of the mage for whom it had been named. 40 years ago, a set of magical tomes were found that described the extensive magical research of a powerful mage named Thaton who was said to have uncovered many of the long lost thamaturgical secrets of the fatherland. It was often written in these books that thaton's greatest aspiration was to build this new place to the former glory of old Tzmyth. The order ultimately plans to gain controlling power over the population such that it can form the future into the vision of their progenitor. At this point, the order is seeks to expand in it's power by gathering arcane knowledge and artifacts. The order has recently become aware of the presence of the Valhe, and seeks to prevent them from stealing their birthright. The order does see that knowledge possessed by the Valhe as a great prize at their fingers which should be taken when possible.

"The Tower of Thaton" is actually three individual towers very near to one another (20 ft appart), and linked with walkways and flying buttresses. Each of these towers is 40 ft in diameter, and has a spiral staircase circling the inside wall which is 5 ft wide, allowing for a round 30 by 30 room on each level of each tower. Of the three towers, the shortest is 90 ft in height, the next 120, and the tallest 150. Thus within the towers, there are 36, 30 by 30 rooms. In addition to these, each tower is toped with a battlement of sorts, and below two of the three towers are subterranean labyrinths. The three towers are named Espire (the smallest) Twentenspire, and Wellspire (the tallest). Espire is the only tower through which egress may be gained. The "tower" itself sits atop a large, grass covered gradually slopping hill. Located on a high point in the plains, it can be spotted for miles around, as can anybody approaching it.

The Order holds two grand meetings each year. The first is on the 34th of Brentner. The second on the 34th of Quennes. These meetings generally last for 2 straight days. Over that time, members are expected to give a complete recounting of all significant events of those 6 months. Lower ranking members go first and are sent on break after they finish so that the most lowly speak first and hear nobody above them. Only the most senior hear all stories. After this is done, all are called back, and the new plans of the order as well as it's immediate goals are discussed and set. It is during this time that duties are assigned or volunteered for. Most new members are spared of actual duty, but are expected to work for the promotion of the order none the less. More senior and powerful members are often given more difficult tasks. After this is all done, the order often gives out what little rewards they do.

Vlaen- Resides in the tower. Valen is the head of the order. What he says goes. Based upon the astrological beliefs prior to Valen's birth, Valen was born at a time and place foretelling his current position. Prior to his assuming this position, Vladerde was head of the order. After the facts of the matter came to light, Vladerde' stood down. Valen is known to be 48 years old, and born upon the 19th of Jelsis at the time of the meteor shower. Apart from being the head of the order, Valen is known to possess three magical items, The first of which is a ring, the second a staff and the third a robe.

Vladerde'- Vladerde' is a short man with bowl cut gray hair. He most often wears a hooded gray robe as will, and lives at The Tower of Thaton. Vladerde appears to be about 27 years of age, but in fact he is 81. He attributes this to potions made for him by Mordikile. Vladerde' is a somewhat under spoken man who often appears as subservient to those who do not quite understand his power, skill and demeanor. Vladerde' conducts large numbers of experiments and research at the tower. As such, he is the natural authority of what resources are available in what quantity. Vladerde's primary concerns are the study and practice of ritual magic, though he is also quite excellent at normal sorcery. Vladerde' unlike most members of the order is completely absorbed in living his life as a member. It seems he has no friends or family. As a side note, older members will remember Vladerde' having been head of the order before Valen joined. Many members respect his steeping down, but still refer to him as a direct superior though he has no real command authority any longer. Vladerde is known to possess a magical talisman

Kaldeous Blackwind- Kaldeous is a tall man of 34, with dark hair, mustache and beard who presents himself with a nobility not of this realm. Within him runs the strain above the wealthy merchants that we know today. Something more similar to the true divine aristocracy of old Tzmyth. Kaldeous is most often seen wearing a royal purple robe, and gold jewelry. Kaldeous has his own small tower in the town of Nibis, where he lives and works. Of the order, Kaldeous is among the most brutally powerful and cunning. He seldom participates (or is even asked) in the high ceremonies of the order. Instead, he does independent research and travel to his own ends. Kaldeous has been known to reap great rewards from his experiences, and shares much, though not completely, with the order. Most of Kaldeous' efforts revolve around direct action with the Valhe. Kaldeous' function in the order is to handle, manipulate, and otherwise control and watch any spell casters who are not part of Thaton. Where possible, he is to attempt to win their affiliation but not membership. Kaldeous is known to travel with three magic items, a dagger, a ring, and necklace.

Lenderof- Lenderof is an older man of about 94 now. Is is the longest living member of Thaton, and dear friend of Vladerde (though none would know it). Though Lenderdof is old, wise and brilliant, he is not particularly powerful. Back in the days when Vladrede found that Valen had been born under the birth right that he was, it was Lenderof who was sent to bring him to the order and to teach him magic. Lenderof has since left the tower, and keeps a distance from the order. He does not take Valen being his leader as well as Vladerde does. Lenderof remains loyal to Thaton because of Vladerde. Now, Lenderof lives in the city of Hes, and teaches some magical theory as well as other esoteric topics at Sigweum. There he looks for those with potential to one day be initiated into Thaton.

Dominic Wenmen- Dominic is a young man, perhaps 22, with long brown hair and eyes. He is slim but strong, and quite nimble. Dominic is rather exuberant for a mage, and is often the first to volunteer for virtually any assignment. Though he seldom speaks or takes any position or other, he is most likely to just get on with it. He likes being a mage, and always wears long bright blue robes. Dominic's enthusiasm and enjoyment of swordplay is as well known as his lack of skill at it. Dominic owns and lives in a small home in Elb. He is seldom here however in that he loves to travel. Dominic is very flashy and likes to announce his station. As such many people of many cities know him by reputation and description. Fortunately his repute has not spread so far yet because he has not been around for too long. Dominic's primary task at this point in time is to obtain funding for the order and to generally see what he can get himself into.

Jeaves Stanbren- Maintains a room at Thaton hold and is often there. It is the current task of Jeaves to research and seek out information about mystical places, items and creatures. How Jeaves tries to do this most is by hiring people to go out and search and investigate for him. He also makes it a point to insure that he is the only person who will buy such information. It is also not uncommon for Jeaves to go to Valen to tell him he needs something investigated, yet has a reason he need stay at the tower. Valen is often upset with Jeaves in that Jeaves' business dealings tend to cost Thaton a largest percent of it's wealth, and could easily cost more if Valen didn't intercede as often.

Mordikile- Mordikile is a man of 54 who has long dark hair and is fond of wearing the most plain of robes. He holds a tower in the center of the city of Medes that he inherited from his father Malamom who also was a mage of Thaton, now buried in it's crypts. Mordikile is not the greatest of wizards, but is excellent in the fabrication of magical potions. Mordikile maintains his living by a cut of profits gotten from selling his potions through the order. Despite his great skill at it, potion making is something he does only to provide for himself. Mordikile's true love is astrology and astronomy. Mordikile is practically never awake during the day due to long hours plotting stars an planets in his tomes which are widely considered the most comprehensive known. Though Mordikile is by far the best observer and documentor of the heavens, Vladerde is undoubtedly the best at interpreting that data. This leads to frequent and lengthy meeting of the two.

Tralenbeck- Has a tower in and is a high counsel man of Ascot

Gilder- Has a tower just outside of Hoovra

Losend- Holds a large tower in Tarim

Dorril- Holds a tower as a residence in Mintin

Lanlith- Is the ruler of the town of Nira

Kellend- Maintains a house in both Talon and Hoovra

Mayrund- Maintains a room in Thaton Hold, but is seldom there

Jelean- Female, Holds a room at the tower only

Talbret- Young boy, an apprentice, resides at the tower

Marshak- Is a bit of an exorcist, resides at the tower

Thaton keeps it self in money by the following methods. First, It asks that it's members donate time and money. The order demands that it's members pay at a rate they are capable of. Members are also set about tasks based upon their ability which always benefit the order in some way, often financially or in items and knowledge that can generate funds. Finally, Thaton is one of the very few places magical items can be purchased. Thaton does engage in some operations that result in the gathering of items of magic. Only items of little worth, or that are relatively common are sold. The most common items sold by the order are potions and scrolls (many of which made by members of the order) and magical weapons of minor ability. Thaton is very selective about who may buy from them. Though they like and need the money, it is considered a privilege to be able to purchase Items from them. Thaton also sells it services, particularly detection and other divinational spells. Renwell Keep is by far their best client in this way, even receiving a considerable discount.

Many members of the order participate in High Magic rituals on a regular basis. Vladerde tends to these events. Generally he inquires about interest in joining him at grand meetings. All who apply are both welcome and knowledgeable about their expectations from that point forward. Most of the orders practice of High Magic is secret to all those save for Valen and Vladerde, and those who are long time participants. Most seem to know that the ritual magic practiced by the order revolves around protecting the order, divining the future, and casting massive "spells" that effect the entire world a little bit at a time, over a long period of time. Mages who volunteer as part of this circle can expect to be demanded at the tower whenever Vladerde believes something must be done. This often results in the participant having little free time for a while yet to come.

( The Two primary goals of Thaton are to gather arcane power for the organization and to build New Tzmyth back to the glory of the old kingdom. The Order of Thaton does not accept elves as members in that they are at war with the Valhe. Though the Order strongly opposes the Valhe plans to dominate the continent's inhabitants, they also see them as far too valuable a source of mystic knowledge to simply fight conventionally. Such cloak and dagger they believe to beyond the zealous and direct elven method of dealing the Valhe and their agent. Even worse, allowing elves in may reveal the orders dealing with the Valhe and subject them to elven harassment as well. The Order of Thaton and Renwell Keep have a tentative alliance in that their goals are similar. The only real disputes between them tend to come from the about of assistance each is willing to supply to the other to assist them in their endeavors.

The Order of Thaton is fundamentally distrustful of religion and deities. From the days of Old Tzmyth, sorceress waged wars upon one another and tore the kingdom apart. In a time when magi set countless awful magics against one another, the followers of demons and dark gods were some of the worst. Up until this point, the Order has been relatively active and successful in keeping religions veneration out of Keverton. The fist real failure at this came with the formations of several small druidic covens which evaded discovery and grew in power. Over the existence of the Order of Thaton it has come into knowledge of deities which are refreshingly different from those heinous ones of old Tzmyth. A church being built in Talon will serve as a controlled investigation into the permitting of religion back into the confines of Keverton. )