Initiates
Overview
Initiates is the term the Yzmir use to refer to themselves, particularly those who have been accepted as mages practicing The Naali. The title reflects their status as individuals initiated into the hidden mysteries of Aether and the occult forces underlying reality.
Becoming an Initiate
To become a Yzmir mage and earn the title of Initiate, an individual must undergo a rigorous selection process:
Requirements
- Particular affinity for occult disciplines
- Confirmed receptivity to Alteration
- Proximity to one or more Spheres of magic
Selection Process
After initial assessment, wizards gauge the aspirant’s:
- Potential
- Likely learning curve
- Morality
These evaluations occur through tests and trials that are sometimes the most bizarre and enigmatic in nature.
Acceptance Rate
Each year, only a few dozen chosen ones out of thousands of aspirants manage to secure a place within the Occult College (The Kadigir) to eventually become an Initiate.
The Initiation Ceremony
The rare chosen ones who attain this position are allowed access to The Well of Tears, the heart of the Bastion. There, they:
- Descend to the underground lake with floating Megalith
- Take a small hammer and chisel
- Carve out a Megalith Fragment
- Have it set into a jewel to keep on them at all times
This Fragment acts as a catalyst for their magical power.
Non-Mage Members
The Lodges also have many assistants who are part of the Yzmir but not full mages. These members are tasked with:
- Preparing spell components
- Crafting elixirs
- Maintaining The Kadigir
Thus, not all Yzmir are Initiates in the full magical sense, though all contribute to the faction’s mission.
Responsibilities
As Initiates, Yzmir mages must:
- Adhere to The Mandates
- Never use their gifts for personal gain
- Always act for a cause or ideal in which they believe
- Study the secret arcana of the world
- Protect Asgartha from hidden threats
- Exercise restraint with their accumulated power