The Order of the Rook

Order of the Rook

The Order of the Rook is a secret society of wizards and sorcerers, which has been established for at least 400 years, possibly for much longer. It was originally based in Coxland, Belyce, Tarrice and other centrally located countries, but has expanded with Imperialism and is believed to now have branches all around the world. They supposedly meet in secret temples, which are hidden so well by magic only members can ever find them.

For most of its history, The Order was feared and persecuted by society. Even though most of their practices were unknown, they were accused of practicing dark magic, including dealing with demons and human sacrifice. Up until the last turn of the century, Order members have been hunted down as outlaws and witches and only recently have some societies started to accept them. Nonetheless the organization maintains a strict policy of secrecy and little is known about their beliefs and practices. Many organizations, such as the Church and conservative governmental parties still condemn The Order of the Rook.

One thing about The Order is certain; it has always had powerful practitioners of magic. For many years during the medieval era, The Order had the most powerful wizards in the central aria. It wasn’t until Shelby University was formed that they began to loose power. It’s known that the Order uses a method that is the same as, or at least very similar to the Shelby Method, but rumors of sorcery and witchcraft continue to linger. It’s also said that The Order has the power to give people magical abilities, even if they had previously had no special gift for magic.

Though little is known about the internal organization of The Order, it is a society firmly based in traditions, ideology and some kind of higharchy and class system, in which inheritance plays a big part. Membership is supposedly passed from parent to child and stories about the Order often involve new members pledging their eldest child in exchange for great power or favors.

The origin of the Order can only be guessed at, but according to legend they follow a religion based on the beliefs and practices of ancient High Elion and Geddish cultures, both of which are extinct Elven peoples, who once lived in Coxland, Tarrice an other central islands. The last appearance of these Elvs was six hundred years ago, when a lone elf, named Japheth, (sometimes called a wizard and sometimes a sorcerer,) managed to use magic to resurrect an army of Elven spirits, which he used to possessed and take over the bodies of humans. Japheth was eventually defeated, and history writes that he was killed in the battle of Ari’s Cross. However rumors say that Japheth survived Air’s Cross and with the last remnant his strength, transformed into a large black bird. He fled into the mountains of Tarrice where he met a Soren, a prince who’d given up his royal life to become a hermit. In the form of a rook, Japheth taught Soren his many secrets and powers. Soren converted to the ancient religion of the elvs and then went on to found the secret Order of the Rook.

Religion and magic both have a central part of Rook ideology, but weather or not their religion is the source of their magic, is uncertain. Most likely the religion and myths are just traditions which have been handed down and on which they base identity and a common cause. The teachings of Soren and The Rook, are their most secret knowledge, but it’s clear to people who have studies their development that the majority of their magic has developed over time, often in order to keep pace with the developments of Shelby Universities. Shelby and the Order are historically rivals and enemies, and old stories often portray them as good and evil locked in continual battle. In modern times, however this perception is viewed as old fashioned and rather ridiculous. Officially, Shelby University claims that, if such an organization exists, they are free to practice magic however they like, assuming they don’t break any laws.