Name Origins
Physical Conditions
Located centrally in location to the four continents and linked by underwater tunnels, Exordium is a mostly sub terrain temple filled with many chambers and interlinked passageways. It is thought that this was the ancient meeting place of the Ancient Ringmasters. It’s underwater maze spans countless miles of dead ends and twisted turns with only one true path to each of the continents of the new worlds.
On the evening of The Ritual of The Ancients, the Portal Entries to the tunnels open, allowing the safe transport of elected officials to the central chambers of Exordium. However, the risk of such travel is high. Those worthy of passage are transported by magic to the centre, those not worthy are trapped within the inner maze and left to fend for themselves.
Exordium is mostly a temple in aesthetic, but a city of a small dedicated creatures called the Mastari who practice religious asceticism by living within the temple boundaries and only serving The Ancients who are now so old, they are relics - worshipped and kept safe.
Sapient Species
Mastari [ mast ah-ri ]
The Mastari are dedicated to the old ways of the Ringmasters, the long forgotten magical species of the old world who would host a celebration every hundred years in the Ancient Worlds. The Mastari’s leader built their knowledge of the Ringmasters by gathering old texts and documents that survived the Enola Rapture. The Mastari dress themselves in the clothing that was found left behind and use the insignias and sometimes the tales of the past to construct their beliefs. Heavily reliant on mythological beliefs, the Mastari believe in pagan inspired rituals and elemental based magic.
Their main drive is to resurrect the ancients and obtain some control over the management of the new worlds by reinstating the centennial celebrations as a vehicle to escape Exordium and start to influence magic in the Escen Realms to once again regain their position as a silent society, one that can manipulate the future state and possibly become a ruling class. Unfortunately, their insights and understanding
of the new worlds is based on the Ancient Worlds and for this reason - if they were to gain power, their success could be limited.
As a side note, their inability to reproduce would also provide complications for this plan.
The Head of State
As Exordium is a compound of sorts, they are seen by the other continents as a cult without being a cult. Their nominated leader is Darko The Ringmaster - who is currently in stasis.
This has seen the rise of Mazarine Mastari, a self appointed Head of State who has elevated herself to perform the Ritual of The Ancients and take charge of the ceremonial particulars. While on the surface it may appear she is working to see the rise of The Ancients, she is aware this could see her position of influence become invalid should Darko return.
Mazarine is after all the sole translator of The Ancient Texts and has every right to worry. Especially if the true history of The Ancient Realms were to be realised.
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