Non-Seeker Arcane Traditions?

[Adrianne]

As the title suggests, I am meaning to inquire about the existence of arcane traditions or institutions that are not affiliated with the Seekers. Basically are there any non-Seeker arcanists out in the world, and could I potentially create one?

Additionally, how exactly do the Seekers go about their recruitment? Do they only take in children as Neophytes, or could (young) adults be taken in too? And does every mortal have arcane potential?

[Maltruism]

There is another faction in the works, but I think I really ought to let Tribute take any magic-related questions.

But I will venture to say that magic is not viewed favorably by most folks, so recruitment could occur a number of ways.
A child could have been noted to have "odd things" happen around him. He may not even know what his parents did to find the guy that then comes and recruits him at a very young age. They would have wanted it hushed up.

Or it may be something that manifests at puberty and gets some girl killed. Maybe the outcry, as he's being chased down, reaches the ear of a sorcerer who then rescues him.

I don't want to use up all the good ideas here, so I'll stop, but charting out how your character was discovered and recruited is part of the fun of making up your character's history.

Only NPCs can start out independent. And there are probably going to be more than a few of them. It's my understanding that the second faction is going to be hostile to the Seekers, so that should spice things up. it's also my understanding that a player can always thread his way free of a faction and become independent. That will probably leave hard feelings, but that's half the fun.

I realize I haven't given you as definitive an answer you hoped, but I wanted to be sure you got at least a little info right off.

[Adrianne]

Thank you, that's very helpful.

[Mythic]

Arcana is a non-intuitive skill. One cannot have natural talent at it, and thus, any person that a Sorcerer chooses to recruit is a viable recruit for the Seekers. While a mortal can have no 'natural talent' they can be pre-disposed psychologically, which is where choice and preference in discipline comes into effect.

Seemingly random, but it had to be said in order for the next point to go through XD

Anyone can be a Seeker. All you would need is a backstory explaining how the character was found and by whom, then whomever presides over the city whose Hideaway the PC chooses to start in and that player would communicate in regards to specifics about the NPC.

It's not so much that Arcana is viewed unfavourably by most as it is that most simply never 'view' Arcana. It's just so rare in the current scope of the world of Idalos. Currently, anyway. It's less hateful fear and more freaking the hell out because you've never seen fireworks before and there's some perceived maniac lighting them up right by you.

For the moment, non-Seekers arcane PC's are discouraged, however if you'd like to post to the Narrator Support forum in regards to your idea, I'd be happy to shed light on it for you

--Tribute.

[Adrianne]

So as far as the Seekers go, which races are unlikely or unable to join their ranks?

[Mythic]

Mer, merely by stigma would be unlikely to be recruited. The Ellune would very rarely be able to join due to restrictions in where they live and adaptability. However, for the most part, the Seekers don't see race as an issue.

[Adrianne]

How do the Seekers tend to approach necromancy? Would it be forbidden for an acolyte to learn?

[Mythic]

Not at all. Arcana is not inherently good or evil, and the Seekers, being neither, are not going to restrict knowledge being acquired. Of course, they also wouldn't purposely allow their students to go the way of the 'late' founder Ellasin. All of the lower-ranked Seekers are watched by the hideaway as an entity and if issues come up, they would be resolved in house.

[Adrianne]

Not at all. Arcana is not inherently good or evil, and the Seekers, being neither, are not going to restrict knowledge being acquired. Of course, they also wouldn't purposely allow their students to go the way of the 'late' founder Ellasin. All of the lower-ranked Seekers are watched by the hideaway as an entity and if issues come up, they would be resolved in house.

So, if I'm understanding you correctly, the acolytes can learn the theory, but aren't actually allowed to experiment with corpses?

[Mythic]

Not human corpses. They'd allow students to manipulate animal corpses and learn the theory of necromancy through that. The rare chance of coming across a non-human or half-breed corpse also breeds a chance of learning to manipulate sentient corpses. However, for the most part, one's training would consist of learning to create a nexus and implanting it into whatever you are allowed access to.

If you decide to make a necromancer, please message me I'll help you on your way.