WORLD BOOK WORLD BOOK WORLD BOOK 0027 0027
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Chapter 2: THE STRUGGLE FOR KHITUS
Rakar
(The Cozeners /
The Shrouded)
Unlike the Dramidgeth who labor to draw sorcery’s
wrath more directly onto themselves, the Rakarian
magical college teaches precisely the opposite. Its students specialize in deceptions to confuse wrathful magic. These Cozeners selfishly deflect sorcery’s vengeance
upon the innocents around them, with no more regard
for them than one who tramples a tiny ant beneath his
boot. Freed somewhat from the dangerous consequences of spell casting, the Rakarth are imprecise and often
careless wizards, since they can afford magic’s wrath expended upon others.
The Rakarth seek dominance of all local forms of magic and, through them, political or social dominance as
well. Also called the Shrouded, Rakar are all too happy to
work with the Watu Pachyaur, the slavers of their kind,
and even the Bev al-Khim, caring not if their pay comes
from the enigmatic Pale. Ultimately, these powerful sorcerers see themselves as the rightful rulers of Khitus, so
they work to keep all other non-Rakarian authorities off
balance.
Originally formed in the equatorial Spider Realm of
Pavouk, the college has scattered far across Khitus. They
hold few meetings among their widespread faculties,
further proof against angry magic taking revenge on
acquaintances. The Scrolls of Anitzar, an early and powerful Rakart, are prized for their written philosophy of
dominance and Rakarian superiority.
Ranks & Types
The most powerful among the Rakarth become Neprimancers, and appear as (and may only be, by most accounts) shadowy wisps and silhouettes of their original
forms. “The Absent” (as commoners name them) hide
themselves through masterful disciplines and have the
utmost proof against sorcery’s wrath.
Zmast are specialists at suggestion and confusion,
making them vital at keeping their slave Vezhika decoys
sufficiently docile. They specialize in hypnotism to keep
decoys docile and emotionally bonded to the Rakarth,
making them experts at fooling magic’s wrath.
Apprenticeship to another Rakart is the only entry
point into the college. Each Rakart is honor bound to
train two apprentices in his lifetime, but usually demands monetary compensation. Apprentices attain
independence and the right to call themselves Rakarth
only upon the sacrifice of a true loved one to wrathful
magic. That pain reinforces the wizard’s right to enslave
decoys for that purpose from that day forward.
Rakarian decoy slaves are called Vezhika, and they only
regain their freedom on the death of the Rakart wizard
who enslaved them. Rakarth keep Vezhika shrouded in
gauzy cloth from head to toe with the exception of their
smiling masks and their slender chains. The materials a
Rakart chooses for his Vezhika masks and chains always
clearly demonstrate the wizard’s wealth.
Employers consider the Rakarth to be ‘safe’ wizards to
hire because of their slave decoys. They should never
use an employer’s (or their own) personal vendettas as
a reason to make someone a Vezhika, but this happens
rather often, risking their immunity to magic’s wrath
at times. Making Vezhika also causes many to seek revenge against the cold-hearted Rakarth, most often the
family of the enslaved.
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