Mages are referred to as shek p'vars (to a lesser degree, the schools are also referred to as shek p'vars). The shek p'vars are enormously clichish. Each shek p'var has it's own by-laws and code of ethics. Selling guild secrets or spells to a non-member can be a death sentence. Some sorcerers' guilds limit membership to only their specialist shek p'var (like Jenzig & J'morvi), some require knowledge of the tenent enchanments (Fyvorian & Lyahvi), some are rigid it their structures (Pealahn), some are cloaked in secrecy (Odivshe), while still others have open membership (like the Tazmut).
Each shek p'var (school) has it's niche. Find Familiar and Enchant an Item are a large portion of the Fyvorian existance. They are the chief creator of scrolls on the plate. Many nobles pay handsomely for their spells.
The Jenzig are brazen and forward and are recruited in the frontier cities as war contingencies. A select group of Jenzig are on the payroll to come to the town wall and hurl destructive spells down upon the enemy in times of conflict. These shek p'var do nothing but collect the pay every month, but should a situation erupt and the shek p'var cannot cast the agreed upon spells he can be put to death. Some people feel that the general knowledge of this tactic helps deter the zun, even though they employ spell-casters themselves.
J'morvi lust after what the Jenzig have carved for themselves. They are the Jenzigs chief rival in nearly everything. Many do not trust J'morvi because they seem to value to lives of others very little. A few are known to be attempting to break this stereotype.
Lyahvi are a secretive bunch and often belong to other chantries as well. For if they are known to be "illusionists" then their spells are not to be feared as much as others. Many are stage performers or con-men. Their following does not appear to be large, but who can say for sure.
Little is known for sure of the Odivshe. The practice of necromancy has been outlawed in New Melderyn for nearly a century now.
Peleahns are nearly all under militaristic rule of the monarchy. Substancial monies are devoted to the study of new protective spells to secure both royal buildings and personas. These shek p'var often have less "freedom", but are well taken care of.
Divination has proven to be a lucrid business on the plate. This is perhaps the only shek p'var that it actually turning a profit. This shek p'var is the only one tied directly to a major deity (Save K'nor). All information is tightly controlled by this chantry. A shek p'var with loose lips will very quickly be cut off from his brethen.
The Tazmut are the catch-all guild. They can do much of what the other guilds can do (maybe not to the same level of performance). The other guilds view a title from this shek p'var as little more than a community college degree, while a lesser rank Savoryan or Jenzig is often viewed with respect.
The shek-p'var (sorcerers' guild) is a branch of the Guild of Arcane Lore. Sometimes referred to as secret societies, each of the eight convocations of the shek-p'var is a separate school and maintains its own chantries. Members may also reside or study in chantries of Arcane Lore, especially where chantries of their own school are not available. The shek-p'var schools are listed below:
| Fyvorian (Enchantment/Charm) |
Most open of the secret societies, it does not require that the prospective member be an enchanter, but merely know some enchantment/charm spell. Typical members are pretty, sensitive, and many help the weak. | (Up) |
| J
enzig (Invocation/Evocation) |
This powerful secret sect has strange requirements for membership and does not allow their members to belong to other sects. Jenzig see their sect as the most powerful, thus most are fearless, awe inspiring, intense, and determined. | (Up) |
| J
'morvi (Conjuration/Summoning) |
This sect see Jenzig as their only potential rivals in strength. This society does not disallow membership to other sects, but all others are viewed as lacking and a waste of time. Membership is limited to those who specialize or have a great desire in like spells. J'morvi are confident, but with a smug and arrogant air. | (Up) |
| L
yahvi (Illusion/Phantasm) |
Many often wonder if they are a sect at all. Membership is given if a new twist is given for the same old tricks. Many times classes appear to be nothing but pure exhibitionism. Lyahvi are flamboyant, outgoing, artistic, and love poetry and music. | (Up) |
| O
divshe (Necromancy) |
This sect and all of its teachings have been banned by the guild of arcane lore. If any societies are still active they are among the most secret. Most Odivshe of old tended to be brooding, humorless, and withdrawn. | (Up) |
| P
eleahn (Abjuration) |
Study in protections of all sorts. The largest subsect of Peleahn are the Order of the Gentle White Hand based out of Caer Cherifar, whose duty it is to find fraud and to protect the royalty. Peleahn have the widest variety of personality traits next to the Fyvorians. | (Up) |
| S
avoryan (Divination/Psionic) |
This sect is without a doubt the wisest of all the secret societies. They look for the workings of peoples minds through study, contemplation, and divine insight. Membership is restricted to those who possess a mental talent or any who can contribute knowledge of the mind to the sect. | (Up) |
| T
azmut (Alteration) |
This is the largest of the eight sects. Membership is allowed to those who can pay dues. Many Tazmut are advisors and many are mildly eccentric. Tazmut have been out of favor with the royal line for the last several centuries for purportedly causing the magic dead areas on New Melderyn. These chantries of arcane lore are often the standard chantries of small towns. | (Up) |
| The following shek p'var are recognized as specialty fields, but do not necessarily maintain separate chantries (and are therefore, smaller secret societies): | ||
|
Bal'cri (Fire) |
This secret society most often belongs to Jenzig chantries. Jenzig view the Bal'cri as a sub-sect of the Jenzig. This sect is a very small as closed secret society, even more than its parent sect. | (Up) |
| Gul'ren (Water) |
The Gul'ren find the standard chantries of arcane lore meet all their needs, and have little desire to limit themselves by becoming a member of a specific sect. Very rare is the Gul'ren who joins any other shek p'var. | (Up) |
|
Kemen'ren (Earth) |
Most members of this sect study at the Tazmut chantry. Many also work closely with the druids and live a monastic existance. | (Up) |
|
K'tykas (Wild) |
This sect is not associated with any other specific shek p'var, but can be found as members of most any chantry. Named for the most notable mage of this field, the study of wild magic is very limited. | (Up) |
|
Sul'cri (Air) |
If this sect even still exists is a mystery. It's membership has always been very limited and has seemed to nearly die out in recent years. Few specific facts can be found, due to the sketchy nature of their history records. | (Up) |
There are also numerous still smaller sects whose members number less than 100, which do not merit individual entries. These tiny orders often die out in favor of the larger more organized (and more powerful(?)) shek p'var. The difficulty in spell research, lack of funding, lack of public support, and the inability to receive recognition (even from the Master of Esoteric Arts) often insure failure to all but the most fanatical chantries.