Witches & Wizards

Leader: Echo Cross

Species Overview

The Witches and Wizards of Valtheris are among the oldest and most mysterious species, their origins shrouded in both myth and legend. According to ancient texts, magic was a gift bestowed upon mortals by Elyndra, the Goddess of Knowledge and Mysteries. She granted this power to those who sought wisdom, giving rise to the first magical bloodlines—the Arcana-born. These bloodlines grew into powerful clans, each specializing in a distinct form of magic.

In the early days, magic-wielders were revered as divine messengers and protectors of the land. The Great Arcane Age saw the rise of magical academies, where witches and wizards honed their craft and safeguarded ancient knowledge. However, power breeds envy, and soon rivalries between clans led to The Arcane Wars, a brutal conflict that nearly tore the magical community apart.

Fearing the extinction of their kind, the most powerful covens united to form the Arcana Concord, a council dedicated to preserving balance and preventing another war. Since then, the magical community has operated under a strict code, with the Arcana Concord overseeing all magical activity. Each coven or academy is bound by ancient laws, and those who break them face exile—or worse.

In modern-day Valtheris, witches and wizards live among the other species, their roles as varied as their magic. Some work as healers, alchemists, and advisors, while others prefer solitude, delving deep into forgotten knowledge and ancient spells. Magic is both a gift and a curse, its wielders forever walking the line between creation and destruction.

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Societal Structure

• The Arcana Concord: The governing body of witches and wizards. It enforces the magical laws and mediates conflicts between covens and academies.
• Covens and Academies: Most magic-wielders belong to covens or academies, each with its own focus. Covens are usually more secretive, while academies offer formal training in magic.
• The High Archmage (Echo Cross): The supreme leader of all witches and wizards, chosen for their unmatched magical prowess. This individual is said to possess a unique power that no other magic-wielder can replicate.

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Modern-Day Magic

In Valtheris, witches and wizards must balance tradition with survival. The rise of dark forces threatens their fragile peace, forcing many to choose between loyalty to the Arcana Concord and their personal ambitions. Rogue witches and wizards, known as Arcane Exiles, operate outside the laws of the Concord, practicing forbidden magic and delving into dangerous knowledge.

The magical community remains both a vital ally and a dangerous adversary in the politics of Valtheris. For those who underestimate them, their magic is a reminder that power can be as seductive as it is deadly.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths:

• Mastery of Arcane Magic: Witches and wizards can manipulate the elements, cast spells, and perform complex rituals.
• Access to Magical Artifacts: Ancient relics passed down through generations enhance their power.
• Wards and Enchantments: They can create powerful protective wards and enchantments to safeguard people or places.
• Ley Line Connection: By tapping into the magical ley lines that crisscross Valtheris, they can amplify their power exponentially.

Weaknesses:

• Physically Vulnerable: Compared to other species, magic-wielders are not physically strong and rely heavily on their spells.
• Spell Failure and Backlash: Magic is volatile. If a spell is cast incorrectly, it can backfire, injuring or even killing the caster.
• Life Force Drain: Complex or forbidden spells can drain their life force, weakening them for extended periods.
• Corruption by Dark Magic: Prolonged use of dark magic can corrupt a witch or wizard, turning them into a Shade, a twisted and malevolent version of their former self.

Special Abilities

While all witches and wizards possess basic magical skills, only a few are born with rare, innate abilities. These abilities are categorized by gender, with each type requiring approval from the Arcana Concord before being used.

Female-Specific Abilities

• Prophecy: The gift of foresight, allowing the witch to glimpse possible futures. 
• Lifeweaving: The ability to heal and manipulate life energy, even bringing someone back from the brink of death (at great cost).
• Elemental Mastery: Complete control over a single element—fire, water, earth, or air—without the need for spells.

Male-Specific Abilities

• Soulbinding: The power to forge a deep, unbreakable connection with another soul, granting shared strength and memories.
• Runic Summoning: The ability to summon and control magical creatures by inscribing ancient runes.
• Shadowmancy: The manipulation of shadows, allowing the wizard to move unseen, create illusions, or envelop an area in darkness.

Arcanist Territories & Their Leaders

Here you will find the names of the cirles to join and the leaders to contact if you want to join their circle. To find out information on each Territory you will click on it to read more. 

Circle Name	Leader	Territory
The Aetherium	Echo Cross (High Archmage)	Astral Spire
The Veiled Nexus	Ronan Quinn	Shadowmire Hollow
The Eldritch Conclave	TBD	Luminara Heights
The Celestial Cabal	TBD	Ebonflame Bastion
The Whispering Arcana	TBD	Crystalwood Glade