**What is The Arcanum**
***The Arcanum*** is an __ancient__ order from a **__mirrored__** world, *__translocated__* through space and time by means of extraordinary sorcery. It was founded upon the belief that knowledge should not remain solely in the hands of the privileged, the wealthy, or the favored, but also in those with the hunger and will to seek it.
In the present age, the Arcanum is known only in fragments: a whispered name, a hidden symbol, a chain of eight. From the shadows, it extends its influence across the realm of Antica, acting according to its own designs, with measured purpose and little regard for whether its hand was invited.
Chain Symbol of The Arcanum
Foundation Tale of The Arcanum
Audio story:
From the Seventh Shelf of the Lower Archive, in a worm-bitten copy attributed to Magus Hagbard, who wrote in his old age and claimed to have heard this account from one of the last keepers of the Chain...
The Eight Seats of The Arcanum
The Arcanum is composed of eight seats, no more and no less. Each member bears a distinct charge within the Order, entrusted with a different branch of knowledge, duty, or design. The Seats are not only specialties, they are political roles inside a machine designed to steer the Realm while remaining invisible. Each seat has a scope, a function, a temptation and a symbol.
Destruction
Scope: Force, disintegration, dueling.
Function: Deterrence and hard endings when subtle methods fail.
Temptation: Becoming the order's shortcut.
Seat holder: TBA
Time
Scope: Temporal perception, delays, accelerations.
Function: Continuity, archival truth, succession planning.
Temptation: Paternalism - deciding consent is less important than outcomes.
Seat holder: TBA
Space
Scope: Teleports, portals, spatial anchors.
Function: Secrecy, logistics, extraction and denial of access.
Temptation: Controlling movements can easily become tyranny.
Seat holder: TBA
Balance
Scope: Healing, counter spell, equilibrium.
Function: Internal governance and stability
Temptation: Absolutism. Freezing the world to preserve balance.
Seat holder: TBA
Illusion
Scope: Glamours, concealment, memory fog and narrative warfare
Function: Cover stories, infiltration, reputational control
Temptation: Losing reality, confusing mask with self.
Seat holder: TBA
Divination
Scope: Scrying, future, truth pressure.
Function: Intelligence and counter-intelligence.
Temptation: Paranoia. Seeing threats everywhere.
Seat holder: Marlon der Nachtfall
Conjuration
Scope: Summons, bindings, constructs, elementalism.
Function: Deniable assets and emergency tools
Temptation: Dependency.
Seat holder: TBA
Necromancy
Scope: Funerary rights, memory extraction, ancestor counsel.
Function: Continuity through what others bury.
Temptation: Treating souls as tools
Seat holder: TBA
How To Apply
So, you are interested in becoming a link in the chains of the Arcanum.
You may apply for a seat by sending an application letter to Marlon der Nachtfall, saying a little about your character and naming the two seats that appeal to you most, for example Destruction and Necromancy.
If you wish, you may also write a character sheet themed around the Arcanum on our public forum boards for a greater chance of securing the seat of your choice.
Regardless, you will receive an answer by in-game mail no later than seven days after your application has been sent.
Guidelines of the Arcanum
1. The Arcanum exists first and foremost as a light roleplay faction meant to add flavor to the game. Seat holders are not bound to heavy obligations, and no great burden of activity is expected. Its purpose is enjoyment.
2. Arcane-themed events, gatherings, and small roleplay initiatives are always welcome and encouraged.
3. Those who hold a seat within the Arcanum are expected to wear outfits suited to the order’s identity, favoring sorcerous themes such as Mage, Wizard, Summoner, Elementalist, and similar attire.
4. Members of the Arcanum are welcome to contribute to the decoration and atmosphere of its headquarters, Smuggler’s Den.
5. All Seat holders stand as equals within the order. No seat is above another.
6. Excessively bright magical displays, such as utevo vis lux, should be avoided within the Arcanum’s headquarters.
7. Only Sorcerers and Druids are eligible to hold a Seat within the Arcanum.