View source for Arcane Tower History I-VIII

=== Arcane Tower History #1 - The Wild Spark of Thoramind ===
Author Unknown

Transcribed by Kels Vetian, 13th of Alturiak, AR 170

The Time of Arrival, 23 years before the Arelith Reckoning, a young arcanist by the name of Allestrius Thoramind arrived among many others on the island of Arelith, not seeking riches in gold, but an opportunity. Having escaped his academy as a result of his practiced interest in wild magic, he soon left the newly founded town of Cordor. Away from other common adventurers and the surface-dwelling drow, the mage disappeared from sight for a long time.

Only years later his name was heard again. Adventurers spoke of a strange Tower and a Gnome with many promises, hidden in the Forest of Despair and surrounded by dangerous beasts. This Tower was built, using his skill of wild magic, brick by brick by Thoramind, and the Gnome became his partner. Thoramind shared secrets of the arcane and portal travel with the Gnome, and in return the Gnome agreed to participate in many of his experiments.

As more adventurers arrived on the island, so did the success of Cordor expand and soon enough the island was populated with many skilled adventurers and many mysteries of the Tower were soon put to rest.

=== Arcane Tower History #2 - Time of the Seven Seals ===
Author Unknown

Transcribed by Kels Vetian, 13th of Alturiak, AR 170

It was only inevitable that the Tower became something more than it began. Attracting many promising arcanists, some of them took keen interest in Thoraminds study and research and sought to take advantage of it. Led by the sorcerer Halen Van, a group of arcanists took control of the Tower, leaving Thoramind to mere administrative duties.

The group expanded the Tower, the high peak of the Tower now rising high above the Forest of Despair, turning the Tower from a single-hall structure into a multi-layered nexus of arcane art. Halen Van, together with Shane Gramble and Zoral Baenre, a Drow, formed the first Conclave of the Arcane Tower and became the first Archmages of the Tower. The Council also founded the Arcane Tower Library and built the rooms for the High Teachers.

Archmage Thoramind continued his studies of wild magic, and with the new library, he experimented on his befriended Gnome in an attempt to create a spell that would allow an arcanist to quickly absorb knowledge from books. The experiment, in its failure, created Aniseph, a being born of the Gnomes soul, which was bound to many of the books in the library, jumping from book to book, unable to ever return to its previous form. The creature spoke in riddles and rarely appeared to anyone but the Conclave. Aniseph was also the guardian of the library and was rumored to be in symbiosis with the library itself.

During the early days of conflict that later led to an outburst of a Surface-Drow war, which resulted in many Drow being killed or chased from the surface, so did the Conclave slowly fall apart. With Archmage Zoral Baenre leaving, Halen Van passing on to the Outer Planes and Archmage Shane Gramble seeking greater knowledge in the furthest reaches of Arelith and the Abyss, the Tower fell silent, providing an opportune moment which would forever change what the structure stood for.

=== Arcane Tower History #3 - Quiet Embrace of the Pearl ===
Author Unknown

Transcribed by Kels Vetian, 13th of Alturiak, AR 170

Among Archmage Shane Grambles many students was a young and promising Gnome by the name of Zedeln. As Archmage Gramble left, the young Gnome remained and was suddenly free to experiment and reach the heights within arcane spellcasting not seen in Arelith before. With the brief return of Archmage Halen Van, the Tower was magically moved within the boundaries of Cordor, opening itself to many of its riches, in both gold and arcanists.

While Archmage Thoramind remained at the Tower, his duties had been diminished to simple trade and micro-administration. Many spoke of his 'Aniseph experiment' as a failure, and Thoramind focused his attention on his new apprentice, a young Cordorian boy named Wesley. It was then that Thoramind became cherished, his devotion outstripping his controversial past, and he became a mentor to many Cordorians, mages and commoners alike.

The surface-Drow war ongoing, the Tower standing high and proud in Cordor made many Cordorians feel safe, resulting in an increased influx of gold from the Cordorian government to the Tower. And with the Conclave abandoned, Zedeln became the sole Archmage of the Tower, commanding his newfound resources and building a new order. Many and many years after the Drow-surface war, people started noticing the Gnome less, only hearing of various experiments or seeing his presence, observing from dark corners of the Pearl of Arelith, Cordor. Restless fear drove many people to doubts, but he still managed to gain many followers, among them an apprentice and a known Cordorian politician, Allanna.

While it was never proven in court during the Allanna trials, many records later found in the Tower imply that Archmage Zedeln might have been the one who gave the key of the Shadow Weave to Allanna. Sharran influence spread as quietly and intimately as told in the dark stories heard from the mainland.

=== Arcane Tower History #4 - The Era of Shadows ===
Author Unknown

Transcribed by Kels Vetian, 13th of Alturiak, AR 170

As Zedeln vanished from much of the public eye, councilwoman Allanna became an archmage. Many arcanists in Cordor found themselves in an awkward position, with access to the Tower and its library restricted, only possible under the careful eye of Archmage Allanna. Records found later show, however, that the new members of the Tower were corrupted, and turned to the Shadow Weave by the self-proclaimed Black Witch.

This practice was ongoing for many years, but as time passed and her sorceress spirit stumbled to judge many careful situations, within both the Tower and Cordor's council, it only took a few mistakes to cause Allanna's slow but steady downfall.

The words murder and corruption became synonymous with her name, and it was not long before she was declared an outlaw. The Black Witch, clad in dark armor and lurking within the Cordor Sewers or within the various caves on the island was a terrifying threat to many adventurers.

But the spirit of Cordorians was strong, overcoming the rule of the Silent Hand that had corrupted the government for a decade, and many Cordorians picked up their weapons against her. In the following year, with slow and steady actions by the Cordorian Guard, she was caught, charged, sent to trial and found guilty. Her goddess, Shar, abandoned her as she lost all her spellcasting abilities.

She finally was beheaded, surrounded by the gathered crowd of many Cordorians.

[Transcriber's Note: This work is undated, however the research of the vampire Adelyn Belle'rose places the events recounted at circa AR 10-19. This information has not been independently verified, and I have not contacted Adelyn for obvious reasons.]

=== Arcane Tower History #5 - The Se'Lhane Reformation ===
Author Unknown

Transcribed by Kels Vetian, 13th of Alturiak, AR 170

The Sharran influence and presence within the Arcane Tower remained for many months after Allanna's death. One of Archmage Allanna's most devout servants, a battlecleric of Shar, continued the 'war' in the name of Shar. It took the combined effort of Cordor Guard, led by Sir Aristotlus Bibliophilius the Fifth, and two powerful arcanists, the Archmage of Light Keep, Sway Sand, and future Archmage of the Tower, Kaeshan Se'Lhane, to cleanse the Tower of the shadow presence.

After a long and difficult battle, the battlecleric fell and the weary victors were left standing in the cold, ruined and lightless Tower. The doors were closed shut for many months and not a soul was allowed entry.

It took a lot of patience, resources and political effort by a Myon citizen, the half-elven Kaeshan SeLhane, to buy the Tower from Cordor. Kaeshan SeLhane came to the island when his life was spared by one of the Seven Sisters, after his brother had died during their attempt to turn to lichhood. Arriving on the island, Kaeshan worked on washing himself of his past and devoting himself to the cause of Mystra.

He bought the Tower from the Cordor Council and through high portal magic, he moved the Tower to a newly bought area of land in the northern regions of the Bramble Woods. His goal was to achieve political neutrality and make sure the Tower remained independent from outside influence. Archmage Thoramind wished the Tower and Archmage Se'Lhane well, yet decided to stay in Cordor and retire. He returned to his roots, practicing Wild Magic and opening his little shop of wonders.

Archmage Kaeshan Se'Lhane soon rebuilt the Order and Law of the Tower. Well defined after Mystra's own guidelines, he restored the original Conclave rule and asked two of the most accomplished and known arcanists on the island to join him in the Conclave. Archmage Landy Snowpetal, a pixie mistress of fear, illusions and cushions was the first, and his long-time trustee - already Archmage of Light Keep - Sway Sand, the other.

The three put a start to one of the most active periods within the Tower history. New members joined daily, and to accommodate such numbers, many improvements were made to the Tower. The Conclave opened a pocket plane for dueling grounds, expanded the library and opened private portals for portal travel for the members.

Archmage Se'Lhane also built Spellhold, an arcane jail, that was actively used for locking up the remaining Sharrans on the isle. Other accomplished arcanists were granted the title of Archmage as well, among them Archmage Abel Nightroad for his deeds during the Sharran War, and Archmage of Stonehold, Rizzen Coloana.

The Conclave organized many events, among them Arcane Fairs and Spellcasting Tournaments which attracted a very large number of visitors, both commoners and spellcasters. After a while, Archmage Se'Lhane had achieved what he was destined to do, and the curse put on him by one of the Seven Sisters came to pass. Spending his later years on the island serving the Mistress of the Weave and rebuilding her beacon on the island of Arelith, life faded from Kaeshan's eyes in slow but steady rhythm. The Archmage fell to the events of his past near the Tower of Mystra. A statue was raised by the Conclave soon after in his name, in honor of the Tower's Reformation.

=== Arcane Tower History #5 (Supplemental) - Rizzen Coloana ===
Author Unknown

Transcribed by Kels Vetian, 1st of Ches, AR 170

Rizzen Coloana is most well-known for his exploits within Stonehold, but in the years before this influence he was known to call those of Light Keep and Cordor good friends. His once-pleasant outlook on life was shattered alongside his wife, Allanna, for reasons lost in time. In this process Allanna is known to have killed Rizzen. After his murder it was some years before he was seen again, eventually appearing at the side of Ryan Valtheran. He stood beside Stonehold thereforth.

He delved in experimental magic, fusing his own elven blood with that of a Red Dragon and assuming its characteristics over a period of years. He was never documented to have removed his helmet after this process, and his entire body was always covered in thick robes, concealing the red scales that rested beneath, though his expansive wings were always exposed. With this newfound knowledge, he began training and corrupting would-be Dragon Disciples. The only well known survivor of this process is Rhianna Necator.

Rizzen became known for his violent outbursts against the rest of the island, and began many campaigns on Stonehold's behalf. During the years where Rizzen, Calli, and Ryan commanded Stonehold, there was a reign of tyranny and violence that spread all across the island. In this time Rizzen Coloana became known as 'The Destroyer' and wore the title 'Arbiter of Stonehold" proudly. It is no small secret that he did most of his 'work' in the basement of Stonehold, where few stories escaped and even fewer could speak of the horrors.

After Ryan Valtheran disappeared from the island, Rizzen assumed the title of Dreadmaster of Stonehold. Many posit foul play on his part, but not two years after he rose to the throne he disappeared in much the same fashion as Ryan. His current location is unknown.

=== Arcane Tower History #6 - The Surviving Order ===
Author Unknown

Transcribed by Kels Vetian, 13th of Alturiak, AR 170

After Kaeshan's passing, the Conclave fared well. Archmage Snowpetal and Archmage Sand ruled the Tower with great success, organizing more mage fairs and tournaments and teaching many spellcasters, new and old, the secrets of the Weave.

The order of the Tower, in its neutrality and academic structure, fared well throughout the years, outlasting the regime changes in Cordor and other governments on the island. Many Archmages, since the reformation of the Tower and the first Conclave, have managed to keep the Tower running well even in the times when the protection of the high mages was not needed.

Archmage Calad was an Administrator Archmage of the Tower for many years and after Archmage Landy Snowpetal left the island to return to the mainland - to be cherished and praised by her sister-pixies back home. Archmage Calad oversaw the well-being of one of the most accomplished mageduelists in Towers history, Archmage Kaeshan Se'Lhane's daughter, Kathele Meilea. Kathele, together with another notable young arcanist named Jacob Swift and a cheerful gnome wizard named William Melphele, slowly climbed through the ranks of the Tower and in their later years became Archmages of the Conclave.

Jacob Swift's successful administration of the Tower has been compared to the Conclave members of old, his patience perfectly matched with his sharp wit and determined mind, while also dealing with many controversial issues and surviving a coup d'etat by traitors, a group led by a skilled arcanist named Tarok and supported by Red Wizards and other followers. Archmage Swift became the oldest serving administrative Conclave member in the entire History of the Tower.

[Transcribers Note: This final statement is unverifiable, as it is unknown precisely when or by whom The Surviving Order was written, and so should not be considered factual in the modern era.]

=== Arcane Tower History #7 - End of the First Conclave ===
Author Unknown

Transcribed by Kels Vetian, 13th of Alturiak, AR 170

[Transcriber's Note: The First Conclave referred to by the title is a post-Se'Lhane Reformation First Conclave, rather than the one formed by Archmages Halen Van, Shane Gramble and Zoral Baenre, as detailed in "Time of the Seven Seals," which was abandoned under Archmage Zedeln.]

Archmage Jacob Swift left the Tower to a young arcanist, Duran Sane, who - in his very first few years - successfully saved the islands portal system in cooperation with mainland arcanists.

Duran Sane also managed to increase the interest in the Tower in his first few years, but his friendship with Ayin Mesmer and often being difficult to reach left many old members of the Tower outside, without renewing memberships. This included many officials of Light Keep, Bendir Dale and Cordor. Within the new members however, Duran found a couple of skilled assistants for the Conclave - among them Master Zanthir, who became part of the Tower's administration.

During the Wharftown incident, Duran Sane stayed out of Wharftown, cutting his political ties to Ayin Mesmer's government, at least officially, as the Archmage Kathele Meilea Se'Lhane-led army freed Wharftown. Duran was himself a resident there at the time. In the next few years, Duran Sane became difficult to reach for many members as well as many new applicants, and the Tower's activity lessened to a crawl. During the event of Wharftown, Durans friendship with Ayin Mesmer, along with Archmage Se'Lhane's persistence to stay as a Safeguard of the Tower's Spellhold, as well as Duran's fear that she might attempt to take the Tower over during his inactivity, led Duran Sane to completely cut all memberships temporarily, to ensure Archmage Se'Lhane's membership was removed.

Such a move was cause for much conflict and discussion, for Archmage Se'Lhane had worked for the Tower's benefit for years and despite numerous chances, did not grab the reins herself and focused more on government-supported lecture series and teachings. Controversy followed in many public circles and the consequences to this decision spawned across all corners of the island. This includes official documents from the government of Myon, denouncing the Arcane Tower for as long as it remained under the leadership of Duran Sane and preventing Myon elves, and many elven kin in general, from joining the Tower. This action was a result of Duran Sane's sanctioning visits into sacred elven burial grounds without Myon's approval and presence.

As a counter-move by Sane, Archmage Se'Lhane was also exiled from Cordor, her home, by the order of Ayin Mesmer who had been made the second-in-command in the Tower at that point. These events are considered the 'fall' of the Arcane Order Conclave and its traditions, that had lived from the very early days of Thoramind, replaced with a one-man rule, who alone appointed new leaders. This is quite different from the traditional Conclave which required the vote of trust from other settlements in the name of neutrality. A memorial was erected near the Skull Crags by the followers of the Clergy of Mystra and Archmage Se'Lhane, to celebrate the history of the Old Conclave. This Shrine was maintained and taken care of by Maar and other surviving Mystrans, after Archmage Se'Lhane had left the island.  This event marked a spiritual end to the traditional Conclave rule which lasted for many generations.

[Transcriber's Note: While this work is undated, the supplementary text "Ayin Mesmer" suggest the events within took place circa AR 40-50.]

=== Arcane Tower History #7 (Supplemental) - Ayin Mesmer ===
Author Unknown [Transcriber's Note: The tone and grammar suggest a contemporary of Mesmer's.]

Transcribed by Kels Vetian, 1st of Ches, AR 170

The story of the one named Ayin Savvix-Urhun Zrask Mesmer.

Of Mulani extraction, the open Red Wizard of Thay Ayin Mesmer has over a hundred and fifty years of his past to tell. The island however seems privy only to what has taken place on it. Ex-Minister of Wharftown, Ex-Ambassador of Thay, Archmage of Divination of the Arcane Tower, frequent Councillor of Cordor, ex-Lord Magistrate of Cordor and known for hobnobbing with the highest and mightiest of the land, Ayin has gotten himself involved in many affairs he really shouldn't.

He has been known to dabble in diabolical plots and intricate plans, resulting in attempts to overthrow or undermine Cordor's government, an act which had him banished for a time, and have dealings with the Abyssal forces and ancient god-kings of Netheril. On the other hand, he has occasionally been instrumental in helping to save the island from the very same Netherese god-kings, dealing with escaped Spellhold inmates, kept good peace within Wharftown, and his political abilities are rightly renowned.

As a Red Wizard he seems peculiar, with many 'evil' traits mixed in with redeeming acts. Whether these acts are genuine, or if he simply wants people to think that, is a mystery, but at times he has shown compassion and understanding to those he feels that deserve such. A very peculiar man indeed.

Ayin Mesmer was charged with numerous crimes at the end of his impressive reign in Wharftown, including treason and desecration of the Temple of Selune, and he was removed in a bloody battle from the town in an event that still to this day opens up a heated debate within many - for far more of Wharftown's guards were slaughtered than were Ayin's Thayans. Many of his designs and items in the Lighthouse were destroyed in the battle, but the most accomplished Red Wizard in the islands history survived, albeit barely.

He served several terms in a row in the Elected Council of Cordor, proving a remarkably decent politician and bringing about a number of changes to the status quo. He grew bored of the Council falling apart and took his leave in AR 44 to focus better on the Arcane Tower, and his new appointment as Lord Magistrate of Cordor. With Duran Sane's cooperation, they brought about a new era for the Arcane Tower, in which Ayin was appointed the title of Archmage of Divination. At the same time Ayin Mesmer cooperated with the pirates and Banites on the island in secrecy, gaining corrupt votes for his re-election into Cordor. One method used was causing public terror while masked under disguise as a lich with the grandiose title of Prince Hassad.

Upon a return to the Council of Cordor, he attracted old enemies once more. His actions were painstakingly followed, mostly by Kathele Se'Lhane. Mesmer was publicly revealed to be the man behind Prince Hassad, after his political moves gained him far more enemies than just the work of Se'Lhane, many of whom came forth with information of Mesmer's actions. With his public image under attack, Mesmer retired from Cordor to continue his work in the Tower, but later became interested within the city again. A massive campaign against the then-Banite leadership of Wharftown as well as being the first man in Cordor's history to stage a public speech for election won him many more votes than money could have bought him.

That said, of course, his dalliances in Cordor were short-lived as always, and, thwarted by a treasonous Herial yet again, he returned to the Arcane Tower. A revolutionary series of changes occured after, as a great exodus of the Thayan population and powerful mages left and closed down the Enclave of Thay in the lower district. A series of alterations to the way the Tower was handled, orchestrated almost solely by Ayin and nodded into agreement by the Conclave, resulted in the Tower's most active period since the last time Ayin was seriously involved in the Tower. He is believed to have departed the island for an indefinite period of time, likely continuing his bizarre experiments. Probably creating sentient demiplanes and weaponizing them.

=== Arcane Tower History #8 - Yule, the First Warden ===
By Rhue del'Asandro, Knight of the Road, AR 78

Transcribed by Kels Vetian, 13th of Alturiak, AR 170

What does it mean to be a hero? To be chivalrous? To be true? To be a shield to the weak? The island of Arelith is home to many heroes - Yule was not among them.

Yule was the portrait of diligence, practice, precision, and ambition. Where the lonely child may look to the stars, he followed his dreams with monastic obsession, and in the end, those dreams were his undoing.

He emerged a fresh-faced adventurer approximately 72 AR. It is said that he hailed from Sembia, but no-one could say for certain. A restless soul, no place would be his home.

He was a martial and disciplined man. He would take strategy and realism before valour or chivalry, and was never quick to judge another. He was pragmatic to the quick. He was perhaps too aloof to ever become a true leader, but his veritable spirit earned him a few life-long friends. Few, but they were with him through it all. Unfortunately for Yule, the island of Arelith was never known for its stability. His days consisted of tranquil wandering and undisturbed training in the "Forest of Despair," which soon took to harpy-slaying along the bluffs by the dwarf-hold, and before long - the "Frozen Wastes" to the north. Our protagonist used a variety of weapons; rapiers, greatswords, scimitars, warhammers and more. He could move as fast as one with a haste spell guiding their feet, and could resist magic. He wore leathers, rather than plate armour. He often trained in the aforementioned Frozen Wastes for weeks at a time, alongside his compatriots Victoria Lane and Alir Feather.

Soon enough, tremors were felt in the fragile political landscape of which none were innocents.

A violent usurpation by closet Sharrans was held in the Arcane Tower near the middle of the decade. A large power-base had turned rotten. Despite that, this insurrection was nothing to Yule's reserved judgement and morality. His consigning as a Tower Warden meant he was now in the payroll of the despised Abel Nalbadian, the cowardly Sull Fel-Tet, and powerful but naive Arraxus Vikarius. To us, villains. To Yule, his masters. He did not allow morality interfere with his pragmatism.

Where one may have called him protective and passionate about the Tower no matter what, being the first, and self-appointed Warden (having created the post), his decision to stand by his immoral employers was not smiled upon. Rather, he was perceived as an untrustworthy mercenary who would do aught for coin.

His true feelings were a mystery. His moral compass could not be placed. Yule died an enigma in a muddy ditch somewhere outside Wharftown. As it was recounted by Nhymax of the Infernalist cult, Yule was chosen by Abel to assassinate him. Bordering on impossible - a suicide mission - nothing deterred Yule from what he set out to accomplish.

Yule set upon Nyhmax in Wharftown's Mercantile building, Brief words were exchanged. Yule employed the chronomancy device "Time Stop" as things grew uncertain. And then he fled. Landrake Fearlson received superficial wounds in the scuffle, but Nyhmax was not so much as scratched. Flitting between the houses, Yule knew he had lost before it even began. That morning, late 75 AR, Yule died running. A coward, or a victim of circumstance? Kalina Star of the Infernalist cult struck him down, but it was his hubris that killed him.

He would not be remembered as the man of quiet magnetism who drew like-minded friends toward his bonfire of spirit. He would not be remembered as the innovator who brought the Wardens of the Arcane Tower into being. No, he would not be remembered for his love for Daijin Helefnarian. History will remember Yule has nothing more than a failed assassin, as Abel's crony. His life amounted to nothing more than a footnote in the brief and uncomfortable Arcane Tower usurpation. Yule was not a hero.
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