Requirements: Apprentice Path (any)
One of the few mystic orders to survive the fall of the Curse, the Nostiri have long been a tightly knit and secretive organization. Once their Lodges were found throughout the Empire, but in more recent years their surviving members have been wandering the Frontier attempting to reestablish themselves.
Most Nostiri adorn themselves with draconic symbology. They often wear jewelry depicting dragons, clothing with embroidered dragons, and some even bearing dragon tattoos. Many also prefer to keep their scrolls in grimoires made of reptile hide, and it is not unheard of for them to illustrate their scrolls with small depictions of dragons. Even their titles have some markings of draconic origin.
The Nostiri primarily focus upon places of mystical power, often referred to as a Crossroads or Nexus. Their Rituals are often used to enhance or manipulate these locations, creating temporary focal points for ley lines. However, awakening such powers comes with tales of caution, as they attract other forces.
History
Almost since the inception of the Empire, there existed an esoteric order of those who sought the secrets of magic, spending considerable time and effort to gather information from the ends of the Realm and beyond. It is believed that their earliest incarnation was a small cabal based in Caledona that blossomed as the Empire grew.One tale speaks of the first three initiates confronting the last great dragon and defeating it, and upon doing so unlocking a great power within themselves. Others believe that they merely defeated the beast and discovered a great hoard which they used to finance further endeavors and expansion. It is due to this origin story that most Nostiri utilize dragon symbology in their clothing, jewelry, and personal effects.
As they grew and spread throughout the Empire, they became more powerful, and in time many Lords and Ladies of the noble houses would often request a member of their Order to become a permanent fixture in their court in an advisory role. Some few centuries after the Second Expansion it was not unusual for a member of the Nostiri to be noted as an advisor or record keeper of a noble.
Perhaps due to their growing power and influence over the realm, they often had conflicts with other older cabals and established conclaves of mystical origin. Rarely would these conflicts be little more than political duels, but on a few occasions they became disastrous. One such conflict was with an eldritch cabal called the Warlocks of Shaviath, who originated out of Nacizain. Little information remains of the conflict, other than a few references of how the Warlocks were “banished to the far reaches”.
Of course, over the years their vast libraries on the esoteric were often a subject of debate among the Anointed, who would occasionally accuse the Order of harboring dangerous works. While the odd member of the Nostiri would seek power within dark corners of the Realm and fall in with dangerous cults, such occurrences would often be enough to ignite the fires of accusation coming from Anointed who felt that the Nostiri held too much political sway.
Recent History
During the time of the Warlock King and the events leading up to the Charlatan War, the Order attempted to remain uninvolved with the political upheaval. However, as many of their number were also advisers to particular lords and ladies, they found themselves embroiled in the situation. While their overall stance was to remain neutral, schisms began to form within the Order, and as the Rebellion occurred, the Order found itself divided.
Communication between the Lodges broke down due to internal allegiances, and hostility simmered beneath the surface of any interactions. Eventually, entire Lodges broke away, openly siding with the Warlock King. While a few members would slip away to find refuge in other Lodges, others sought to conceal their presence elsewhere.
While there were no known attacks between the various Lodges, whispers of missing members went rampant. While some loyalist-aligned Lodges were accused of horrid practices, the truth about the missing members may never come to light.
Since the fall of the Curse, the surviving members of the Nostiri claim no allegiance to fallen Lodges, often politely concealing any involvement in past transgressions. Others of the Order find it best not to inquire as to their prior allegiance.
Internal Organization
Before the fall of the Curse, the majority of the members of the Nostiri were assigned to various Lodges that were located within most cities and a few interesting locations throughout the Realm. Each Lodge had a Magister, who was as often a logistics coordinator as any sort of leader, and a Council of Three, which were the highest-ranking individuals of the Lodge.
The Nostiri has an internal hierarchy entirely dependent upon an individual’s skill and mastery of the eldritch arts. The higher-ranking members of the Order are known to be capable of wielding truly powerful spells and abilities often unseen elsewhere.
To indicate their level of mastery over the eldritch arts, the Nostiri will often append their name when greeting one another. While their nomenclature is easy to decipher, even to outsiders, it quickly relays the capabilities to their fellows.
The main component is the number of Paths that an individual has mastered, which immediately indicates competency and stature within the Order. While most Lodges used monikers based on fictional dragons and their ilk, a few far-scattered Lodges within the frozen north at one time developed their own system of identification.
Ascending – Lack of Mastery
Wyvern – Master of a single Path
Dragon – Master of Two Paths
Wyrm – Master of Three or more Paths
Vulf – (Northling) Master of a single Path
Howler – (Northling) Master of Two PathsDire – (Northling) Master of Three or more Paths
In addition, Masters would often indicate at least one of their Paths of Mastery through an additional title.
Path of Eternal Flame – Fiery
Path of the Chill Wind – Frigid
Path of the Arcane Mind – Knowing
Path of Shadows – Shrouded
Path of Flesh – Transformed
Path of Thorns – Verdant
Finally, there were a few additional titles, most of which fell out of use or had occasional resurgence among the Order.
Questing – Not a member of a Lodge, a rare title that has fallen to disuse due to the lack of established Lodges still in existence.
Silent – Having spent time meditating or studying within the circle of Seven Towers.
Thus, a Nostiri named Dracius Valon, who was a master of the Path of Shadows would introduce himself as “Dracius Valon, the Shrouded Wyvern”. Similarly, Kathla Tiernan, a renown triple master would introduce herself as either “Kathla Tiernan, the Knowing and Fiery Wyrm” (only openly revealing two of her three Masteries), or sometimes simply as “Kathla Tiernan the Wyrm”.
The Tribunal
The Nostiri have always attempted to present a unified neutral front. Thus, open conflict between two members has always been forbidden. In the rare instance it does occur, a member may request a Tribunal from someone of a higher rank, who listens to both sides and often punishes both for their insubordination.
More information on Faction Membership: Order of the Nostiri can be found on the Factions page.