Magic

The nature of magic is elusive. Some powers seem to come from the four elements that make up the world, and those who draw upon them are the least stigmatized by the fearful. Some of these Elementalists are masters of illusion, but most of them shape their magic into harmful forms such a fire or helpful ones such as shaping stone.

Some mages draw from darker sources, notably the energies of life and death. At its darkest, these are Necromancers who would be killed on sight in a place like Windamere. Still others draw upon Possibility itself and become Diviners.

All mages' spells require materials and other trappings, and many spells can be easily foiled by interruptions or outright violence. The latter is possible because there is an anti-magical sentiment in many locales, notably Windamere.

The Pogrom

Some years ago, a group of Windamerans rose up, declaring the practice of magic evil. Innocent diviners and entertainers were beaten to death on market days in a long-planned outburst that Royal troops barely suppressed. A few dozen were convicted and hung for their crimes against fellow citizens.

Recently a secret society has arisen with the aim of ridding the world of magic, run by a Windamerean named Lorjak, the Boar-Slayer. Little is know of him other than he was a noncommissioned officer in the army during the last Khannish battles. He is thought to be a leader of one of the Small Kingdoms to the south of the river.

The most powerful mages fled the Kingdom or died from the sudden assault. Today Windamere, unlike the Khan's Empire, has few who openly practice magic. The Pogrom spared the clergy, as these folk draw their power from the gods, not the mystical energies mages harness.

Pol of Many Colours, a mage whose official title is "Thaumaturge Royale of Windamere" assists the Royal Court. He's one of the few who openly proclaim themselves as mages there, partly because he's both erratic in his personality and greatly feared. During the Pogrom he incinerated a mob that had him cornered, and was acquitted of wrongdoing by Royal order, then hired by the King.