While there is a grain of truth in the charge that these are merely social clubs or associations for the furthering of members political plans, the standards
for entrance and membership are so high as to usually ensure that members merit whatever rewards accrue them just for belonging to the Order. The most famous
of these Orders are known Trishore-wide, and their members treated like visiting nobility virtually everywhere they go. Entrance standards are the greatest
barrier to admittance, but most also have very specific rules of conduct or a code of behavior which must be followed or risk expulsion (particularly the
Paladin "Holy" Honourary Orders).
Rarest of the Honourary Orders are the Magical Orders, due in part to the usual secretiveness of high level mages, and the fact that few bodies / governments have the clout to sponsor the power that a conclave of senior mages represents. Most of these Orders seek to gain from the combined knowledge of the members, while offering them benefits of opportunities to socialize and do funded research at their leisure.
The Arcanium - one means of rewarding powerful mages in the Magedom of Dalmask without actually making them a member of the ruling elite is to offer them membership in the Arcanium. It is open to any class of Mage of at least twelfth level, and all who would join must pass a series of arduous written and practical exams. That is only the first stage, for then every four years there is spell competition between the applicants (sometimes resulting in serious injury). The lone winner is then inducted into the Arcanium. Of course, there is a much surer and faster way, and that is for the ruling elite to decide to induct you on the spot, which happens from time to time in order to placate a Mage with visions of rulership, but who the rulers do not wish to kill. There are but 16 members at this time, but they represent an awesome assembly of power.
Order of the Glass Eye - named not for some magic item, but for the fact that many of the older members have needed help with their vision, this Order is basically an excuse for non-adventuring (or no longer adventuring) mages to gather and socialize every spring and fall. Based in Phenb (just south of Iftos), members usually meet in the large but seedy inn, the Court of Ladies, where they entertain one another and the ladies with tall tales and magical wonders. The Order's origins are shrouded in mystery (most agree that it's just that no one can remember), but because of their high entrance standards, and their activities every six months, the Order has a certain notoriety, and even cachet. The only responsibility of members (other than the necessity of passing the initiation test) is to pay an annual fee of 100 gp to the Order's Treasurer. Membership is gained by casting a spell which no other members present at the meeting have ever seen before, and which the majority agree is a worthy spell. Thus, a new Magic Missile spell is unlikely to impress them, but a new Prismatic Sphere spell might do the job. Other than the meeting (or party) every six months, fully funded by the Order, the key benefit to membership is other mages eager to trade their unique spells for your unique spell. No one but the High Officers know the actual number of members, but it is thought to be about 20 active participants.
HOME