WORLD BOOK WORLD BOOK WORLD BOOK 0025 0025
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Chapter 2: THE STRUGGLE FOR KHITUS
the Dragon Kings, after all, is nearly part of living memory, as opposed to the ancient gods the Shadazim purport
to speak for, who have not put a foot on Khitan sand for
many centuries. The Trakeen’s use of magical tricks and
items (if not magical skills of wizards turned priests)
serve to drive interest and meet the common folks’ expectations of power from those they might follow.
Agendas of Magic
While there are many smaller groups involved in
magic or individual mages of note who may influence
local or regional matters, their activities are not as organized or as widespread as those coming from the two
surviving colleges of magic. The colleges distinguish
themselves by how they work to blunt or mute dark sorcery’s wrath upon Khitus. In doing so, they save Khitus
and its people from even worse fates than they currently
face today.
Dramidge
(The Bearded Ones)
Notable by their group’s standard for growing long
beards, the Bearded Ones of Dramidge isolate themselves from others, denying vengeful sorcery any targets beyond themselves. Each Dramidget walks a difficult and lonely road, remaining emotionally distant
from the world and all in it. Even among the throngs of
a major settlement, these wizards forge no true connections with the community around them. They sacrifice
all other relationships on the altar of their dark trade,
allowing for no friends or loved ones, no companions
aside from their fellow Dramidgeth or their employers.
Dramidgian wizards seek magical mastery in the service
of government patrons, who not only take legal control of
magic in their realms but also pay well for such services.
A Dramidget can then magically act while his connections with society remain aloof and distant, working only
through agents and governors, not directly for the people
around him. Many consider a Dramidget on retainer as
the most destructive weapon a leader can field, so the
fear of them is often greater than their own power. To a
Dramidget, the goal is never control or money but influence and a prominent position—from which he can take a
lead role upon the restoration of the Dragon Kings.
Regardless of public perceptions, all Dramidgeth dedicate their lives and studies to the eventual creation of
new Dragon Kings through ancient magic. In fact, their
school’s founders served as wizards under the tutelage
of the Dragon King Tharcluun himself. Many senior Dramidgeth, all masters of dragon magic who often control dragons—also called daragkon—from hatchlings to
adults, continue the quest of the founders—to create a
magical beacon to draw more wild dragons to Khitus.
The Dramidgeth still hope that Tharcluun, wherever
he is, will activate his beacon eventually. When that occurs, all Dramidgeth must travel there with all the dragons they can muster. A standard coda for Daragari is
“Tharcluun shall not forget,” though there is a growing
faction of Dramidgian skeptics who think they should
change their thinking on this.
Ranks & Types
Only men can be Dramidge mages, either by tradition or some reason long forgotten but maintained
nonetheless. Orphans are sought out when they are still
young, those showing magical aptitude taken away to
study long hours in dismissive isolation. The acolytes,
students, and lowest levels of mages are the Daragari,
and only after they attain a level of mastery and understanding set by their tutors do they gain the title of
Dramidget.
The vast majority of Dramidgeth carry local titles or
honorifics given to them by employers or general gossip.
The only title or rank any hold dear is their college, and
Dramidgeth all will heed a call from a brother Dramidget
above all others. Those who have either raised or tamed
at least one dragon have the name (used only among the
Dramidgeth) of Daragket. Those who teach and tutor the
Daragari—either a temporary five-year appointment or a
permanent position in Rhojess or the satellite colleges in
Teleris and Torqal—gain the title of Dramark.
Some mages eventually become Draneek, or Tome
Guards, though the Draneek alone know what criteria
matter for such postings (and they reveal such secrets
only to those chosen as successors). Draneek are the only
brethren allowed to touch or open the Tomes, and they
alone can read from them to their students.
Dramidgian Customs
There are a wide number of customs, habits, and details unique to the Dramidgeth, including a number
of opposing groups they loathe due to their stance on
dragons or the Daragkarik.
• Dragon Signs: In their Daragari schooling, all
brothers learn the Dragon Signs, their name for
mundane dragon lore, so they can track dragons
through basic knowledge of their habits.
• Drakeblades: All Dramidgeth wield drakeblades, or
dragon-tooth blades, though the weapon hints at
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