My Name is Jamir the Young

I am writing this book with the help of The Scribe. This book will serve as an encyclopedia for all those worthy of my knowledge. My hope is that this book will help all races understand Kalish, and that great power is not only found in darkness. This encyclopedia contains vast knowledge, as I sense that my own end is near. Therefore, I have chosen to provide guidance to all who wish to know who the original Grandmasters are. To those new to our circles, I welcome you, and to those who do not know who we are, listen well. We are the first protectors, though by no means the last. We stood proudly as true lords of magic, never yielding to the evil that constantly threatens existence. We serve Ewen and bear the responsibility of countering the evil known as the Ilsher. However, we have a significant advantage over the Ilsher: where their powers come from their mother and father, ours are gifted. We have access to the plane of magic, and only the strongest magic wielders and those of the purest heart are allowed to join our ranks. We can replace our fallen, which the Ilsher can never do. However, it is a given that no mortal is equal to a demi-overgod, and to stand against such creatures, we often appear in quartets to be on par with our enemy. The first of us, however, could stand on equal footing with Daikia's children.

Etiquette

First and foremost, there is etiquette. When one meets someone familiar with the Grandmasters' council, the proper greeting is: Magus fallum niet, which means “Magic never fades.” The person of the lowest rank should initiate the greeting, and the person of the highest rank should respond. The proper reply is: Ewen traf u nah, which translates to “Ewen watches over you.”

One will often find that a Grandmaster does not wish to reveal themselves.

The Council of Grandmasters

The Council of Grandmasters was created by Ewen Uwle while he was still mortal. Ewen started the council in what is now known as the lost kingdom of Leltho. Initially, the Council of Grandmasters was an advisory body to Ewen while he ruled Leltho, and when Ewen was elevated to godhood and granted authority over the plane of magic, he gave his advisors access to it. I was elevated to help create balance between the Ilsher and the Grandmasters, as it was Ewen’s original intention for the Grandmasters to counterbalance the Ilsher, thus creating harmony in Kalish.

Dranos the Strong

Dranos was the first Grandmaster and Ewen’s own son. He was elevated to Grandmaster before anyone else, and during his lifetime, he gave form and categories to magic, which is why we now have different schools of magic, such as necromancy and mentalism.

Some claim that Ewen did this job or some other entity, but based on current records, Dranos did this.

Dranos the Strong is known for his sacrifice during the Fall of Leltho. When the traitor among us fell, Dranos created a ritual that would bind him to his master. Dranos sacrificed his life, but the ritual succeeded, and Dranos’ soul was lost. In anger and sorrow, Ewen forced Dranos from the maelstrom of souls into the realm of spirits and later into the plane of Magic. This makes Dranos the strongest among us. His blood is that of a god, and he has almost as much control over spirits as Orlek. However, he has relinquished his physical form, though his few followers say he often manifests as a white raven. Dranos is the only Grandmaster to have fought an Ilsher alone—and won. However, this was shortly after the Ilsher was summoned and when it was most vulnerable.

Warning! I have found many inconsistencies in the claims made by the ancient records. While I would never dispute the words of one of our most glorious leaders, some claim that Dranos is still alive and resides in the human lands. However, I have been barred from the lands of Kelllwan, and cannot determine this for myself. Furthermore, I have found records claiming that many magical schools had been categorised before Dranos existed. It also seems unlike Ewen to have an emotional response to even his own son's death.

I suggest that you take this story with a grain of salt, but do not doubt it, or you will bring shame to our order.

Shilfe the Land-Tamer or Shilfe the Good

Many believe that orcs possess no magical abilities, but this is untrue. Shilfe is a female orc who earned her place. She is known for her ability to tame and control the world around her, and she alone is responsible for turning the Endless Plains into a barren desert. She achieved this with what appeared to be a simple ritual and a measure of physical strength. She altered the course of all rivers flowing through the Endless Plains to stop the traitor’s army. She also created the island in the Infinite Sea, where Frantengrim lies. Shilfe had the kindest-heart of all the Grandmasters. Her lifelong battle against prejudice led her always to see the best in all races. This also led her to sacrifice herself and her magic when a magma rift threatened to destroy Life’s End, which we later learned the dwarves themselves were responsible for. Ewen has tried many times to resurrect her but without success. Shilfe is lost forever.

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The Inventor Zyxiflox

Zyxiflox became known for his skill in combining items with magic, creating talismans and, later, curses. He strongly influenced the dwarven runes, though they will never admit it. Zyxiflox is a dwarf and quickly became one of Ewen’s closest friends. Their friendship blossomed rapidly, but when Ewen chose to keep magic to himself, Zyxiflox decided to share his knowledge with the world. This incited Ewen’s anger, and in an attempt to limit the damage, the god tried to erase all knowledge of Zyxiflox, but this was not possible. This is still why new talismans and curses are discovered. Nevertheless, Zyxiflox’s defiance was not taken lightly, and it is rumoured that Ewen saw it as the end of their friendship. But even so, Ewen listens when Zyxiflox speaks.

Flexo the Mad

The goblin Flexo is known to many as mad, though to a smaller group, he is seen as a genius. Flexo is easily distracted by anything, which is believed to be an instinct of his goblin nature, but no one can deny Flexo’s skill with weapons. He is the only person I know who can pick up an unknown metal and forge it into an exceptional weapon. Flexo was Ewen’s personal smith, and although goblins are not known for their forging ability, the way he combined magic and metal was unique and impossible to replicate. I am still searching for Flexo’s secret, as it is said he was on the brink of a breakthrough that would make rune magic look like coloured chalk. The only problem Flexo encountered was with the energy lines in the weapons, which I have also tried to study but without success.

Maltis the Evil

Maltis is a cursed name among the Grandmasters. He is the fallen one among us. He was said to be Ewen’s pupil, though he always showed an interest in demon magic. When Maltis was elevated to Grandmaster, he was very interested in Dranos’ work on categorizing magic. Little is known about Maltis’ downfall, but the scriptures show that he was lured by Raffael Moordet after Maltis discovered a new form of demon magic that he called demonology. Maltis was elevated after Dranos but is respected by few due to his betrayal. With demon power in one hand and the plane of magic in the other, many saw him as unstoppable. Only Dranos was strong enough to stop Maltis’ rampage, but this also caused the fall of Leltho, as two unstoppable forces clashed. This is why Leltho remains in its current state, which the Grandmasters still mourn.

Warning! Once again, I need to highlight that the scriptures are full of inconsistencies. Why would Ewen elevate Maltis to Grandmaster if he had already betrayed Ewen before the ascension? Ewen teaches us to ask questions of whatever we read, but I speak from experience and tell you that you should not voice these questions. You will be shunned by the order, and I fear that a greater conspiracy lies here.

Lydos the Cursed

The half-elf Lydos is not considered a Grandmaster by many, as his abilities are limited due to his inability to cast magic. His magic was taken from him by the Demon of Hatred when Lydos tried to collapse the demon’s realm with the weight of the plane of magic. He did this in an attempt to defeat Maltis and prevent his return. Nonetheless, Lydos mastered the plane of magic and was only surpassed by Dranos in this discipline.

Jamir the Young

There is not much to say about myself, especially as I am the author. I know that my days are numbered, but fear not—I have gathered enough knowledge to guide all who seek my light. I suppose I should share a little about myself. I am the most hated of the Grandmasters, save for the traitor in our midst. Ewen despises me with all his being, and he has cursed me with mortal form. The reason for Ewen’s hatred is simple. I am the one who formalised the somatic components of spells and gave them to the people of Kalish. This allows all, even those not gifted with magic, to cast spells. It is I who have ensured that magic does not belong solely to Ewen. I have bitten the hand who granted me power, and I will pay with my life. So, I write this here. Good luck on your journey.