Circle of Magi (Dragon Age)
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*'''Apprentices''' : | *'''Apprentices''' : | ||
| − | For apprentices, a noted and feared ritual of the Circle was an experience known as the '''Harrowing''' that was considered a rite of passage. Only those that pass were ever seen again and returned as full members of the Circle of Magi. The rite involved an apprentice entering the '''Fade''' as part of a ritual using '''Lyrium''' where they crossed the '''Veil''' and had to overcome a demon that sought to possess their body to enter the living world. Completion of the Harrowing saw the respective mage being traditionall given a ring made of lyrium-infused silver. Some apprentices instead of undergoing the rite could volunteer to be made '''Tranquil''' though Chantry law forbade mages that passed the Harrowing from choosing this path as they had theoretically proven themselves to resist possession. | + | For apprentices, a noted and feared ritual of the Circle was an experience known as the '''Harrowing''' that was considered a rite of passage. Only those that pass were ever seen again and returned as full members of the Circle of Magi. The rite involved an apprentice entering the '''Fade''' as part of a ritual using '''Lyrium''' where they crossed the '''Veil''' and had to overcome a demon that sought to possess their body to enter the living world. Completion of the Harrowing saw the respective mage being traditionall given a ring made of lyrium-infused silver. Some apprentices instead of undergoing the rite could volunteer to be made '''Tranquil''' though Chantry law forbade mages that passed the Harrowing from choosing this path as they had theoretically proven themselves to resist possession. Those that feared to take the rite of passage or were deemed too weak or unstable were instead offered to take part in the '''Rite of Tranquillity'''. The procedure for this rite was kept a close secret but it severed the connection the mage had to the Fade thus meaning that upon completion they lost the ability to dream. Thus, the greatest danger namely attracting demons from the Veil was removed making them safe. However, the side effect of the process meant an end to magical ability and emotion with those taking part in this rite resembling sleepwalkers as they were not entirely asleep or even awake. Despite this state, the Tranquil were part of the Circle of Magic and considered its most important part as they still retain incredible powers of concentration as it was deemed impossible to distract them. As such, they formed a branch of the Circle called the '''Formari''' that were devoted to the art of enchantment allowing them to become such fine craftsman with skills able to rival the Dwarves. Such was their importance of the Tranquil that it was held that the wealth of the ruling magic was sustained by the Formari. Every city of respectable size boasted a Circle of Magi shop that was run by a Tranquil who conducted their tasks without emotion or feeling that could leave some people uneasy when interacting with them. |
A further aspect of the Circle was the '''fraternity''' whereby mages that became enchanters having to ally themselves with one of them. These groups cross Circle boundaries whereby mages of common interests and goals banded together in order to ensure that their voices were heard in the College of Magi. The largest fraternities included the: | A further aspect of the Circle was the '''fraternity''' whereby mages that became enchanters having to ally themselves with one of them. These groups cross Circle boundaries whereby mages of common interests and goals banded together in order to ensure that their voices were heard in the College of Magi. The largest fraternities included the: | ||
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*'''Lucrosians''' : | *'''Lucrosians''' : | ||
| − | + | A class not affiliated with them were those deemed as '''apostates''' that were mages not part of the Circle. These consisted of either those that escaped the Circle of Magi or were never part of it. The latter of these were referred to as '''hedge mages''' that were those with magic ability in the hinterlands that followed a different magical tradition of their own. Some hedge mages were not aware of their nature with their undeveloped abilities manifesting in a number of ways with the individual attributing it to either their faith, will or some other reasoning. Some of these traditions were passed down from generation to generation with these being present among certain groups. Regardless of their reasoning for being apostate, the Chantry treated them the same with the Templars dispatched to systematically hint them down to bring them to justice that typically involved execution or in some cases they were exposed to the Rite of Tranquility. Those mages that explore the forbidden path of magic were apostates that were classed as '''Maleficar''' who were criminals that were hunted down for their actions. | |
==Members== | ==Members== | ||
Revision as of 12:21, 12 September 2018
The Circle of Magi is an organization that features in Dragon Age.
Contents |
History
The Circle of Magi was a magical organization that was formed among the nations of the continent of Thedas. It was created centuries ago as a means of controlling mages and protecting common people from the effects of magic.
Overview
The Circle was divided into a six-tier hierarchy that included:
- Grand Enchanter :
- First Enchanter :
- Senior Enchanters :
- Junior Enchanters :
- Enchanters:
- Mages :
- Apprentices :
For apprentices, a noted and feared ritual of the Circle was an experience known as the Harrowing that was considered a rite of passage. Only those that pass were ever seen again and returned as full members of the Circle of Magi. The rite involved an apprentice entering the Fade as part of a ritual using Lyrium where they crossed the Veil and had to overcome a demon that sought to possess their body to enter the living world. Completion of the Harrowing saw the respective mage being traditionall given a ring made of lyrium-infused silver. Some apprentices instead of undergoing the rite could volunteer to be made Tranquil though Chantry law forbade mages that passed the Harrowing from choosing this path as they had theoretically proven themselves to resist possession. Those that feared to take the rite of passage or were deemed too weak or unstable were instead offered to take part in the Rite of Tranquillity. The procedure for this rite was kept a close secret but it severed the connection the mage had to the Fade thus meaning that upon completion they lost the ability to dream. Thus, the greatest danger namely attracting demons from the Veil was removed making them safe. However, the side effect of the process meant an end to magical ability and emotion with those taking part in this rite resembling sleepwalkers as they were not entirely asleep or even awake. Despite this state, the Tranquil were part of the Circle of Magic and considered its most important part as they still retain incredible powers of concentration as it was deemed impossible to distract them. As such, they formed a branch of the Circle called the Formari that were devoted to the art of enchantment allowing them to become such fine craftsman with skills able to rival the Dwarves. Such was their importance of the Tranquil that it was held that the wealth of the ruling magic was sustained by the Formari. Every city of respectable size boasted a Circle of Magi shop that was run by a Tranquil who conducted their tasks without emotion or feeling that could leave some people uneasy when interacting with them.
A further aspect of the Circle was the fraternity whereby mages that became enchanters having to ally themselves with one of them. These groups cross Circle boundaries whereby mages of common interests and goals banded together in order to ensure that their voices were heard in the College of Magi. The largest fraternities included the:
- Loyalists :
- Aequitarians :
- Libertarians :
- Isolationists :
- Lucrosians :
A class not affiliated with them were those deemed as apostates that were mages not part of the Circle. These consisted of either those that escaped the Circle of Magi or were never part of it. The latter of these were referred to as hedge mages that were those with magic ability in the hinterlands that followed a different magical tradition of their own. Some hedge mages were not aware of their nature with their undeveloped abilities manifesting in a number of ways with the individual attributing it to either their faith, will or some other reasoning. Some of these traditions were passed down from generation to generation with these being present among certain groups. Regardless of their reasoning for being apostate, the Chantry treated them the same with the Templars dispatched to systematically hint them down to bring them to justice that typically involved execution or in some cases they were exposed to the Rite of Tranquility. Those mages that explore the forbidden path of magic were apostates that were classed as Maleficar who were criminals that were hunted down for their actions.
Members
- Vivienne :
- Irving :
- Orsino :
- Rhys :
- Uldred :
- Wynne :
Notes
- The Circle of Magic were created by BioWare and featured in the setting of Dragon Age.
Appearances
- Dragon Age: Origins:
- Dragon Age: Inquisition:
External Links
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