| I. INTRODUCTION:
B. A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE WARRIOR MAGE GUILD The history of the Warrior Mage Guild and elemental mages in general is one of many hardships and triumphs. Over 5000 years ago, when the first mages began attempting to manipulate the elements, a vision passed before all the shamans throughout the lands. This vision led to the banishment of all elemental mages and to a time called the Outcasting, where all mages who practiced elemental magic were driven from their clans and left to fend for themselves. Neither the specific vision nor the reason it drove elemental mages out of favor were ever recorded, or at least no known record survives to this day. These mages met at the First Gathering of Elemental Mages where, for the first time, they were able to work as a group to share their knowledge. After the gathering, most mages went their separate ways to further study one specific element. This led to the formation of many clans, devoted to a single element, which began fighting over the land with the greatest mana currents. One such clan, the Blackfire Cabal, discovered a powerful secret that they used to destroy many other clans. The Blackfire Cabal was a lesson to all that elemental magic must be used responsibly or the world would never feel peace. This lesson materialized in the form of The Citadel of Chyolvea Tayeu'a, ruled by the Council of Warrior Mages. Many consider the Citadel the first Warrior Mage guild, as it taught the basics of the four then-known elements to all of the students and offered a teaching curriculum for all elemental mages. Much research was carried out at the Citadel, and it was here that the elements of Aether and Electricity were discovered. The Citadel guarded the lands for many centuries until it fell to an unknown group called "The True Path." No mention of this band of usurpers or their motivations is ever made. It was not until much later, when Arhat the Fire Lion arrived, that a structured system of teaching was established. Arhat, Lanival's chief mage, established the first of what went on to be the nine Warrior Mage guilds of the five Realms. These guilds are used to ensure that elemental mages are brought up with a keen understanding of their power, as well as a responsible way in which to use it. |