Order of Cyphers

Order of Cyphers
Cyphermages

(Organization)

Type

Scholarly

Leader

Elias Tammerhawk

Alignment

Neutral

Headquarters

Cypher Lodge, Riddleport, Varisia

Goals

Defend Varisia from Thassilonian threats, infiltrate New Thassilon, learn magical traditions of Varisia, understand ancient monument of Varisia

Scope

Regional (Varisia and New Thassilon)

Members

Adventurers, explorers, historians, magic scholars, spellcasters

Images of Order of Cyphers

Source: Second Darkness Player's Guide, pg(s). 19 (1E)
NPC Core, pg(s). 222–223 (2E)

Alignment details sourced from Second Darkness Player's Guide.

See also: Cyphermage (prestige class)

The Order of Cyphers, also known as the Cyphermages, is an organisation of wizards and scholars who have dedicated themselves to the secrets of Varisia's ancient monuments. They set out to explore areas of interest throughout Varisia.

Background

Cyphermages are students of ancient history and runic lore, with a focus on the monuments and magic of Thassilon. They are respected for their depth of knowledge about the history of Varisia. Though bound by their common interest in Thassilonian culture, individual Cyphermages pursue a diverse range of study.

Their headquarters is the Cypher Lodge in Riddleport. Room and board, as well as an extensive library, is open to both Cyphermages (for 1 gp a night) and non-members (for 20 gp a night). The guest rooms are frequently full, despite these prices.

Several years prior to 4717 AR, the Cyphermages became more aggressive in controlling the knowledge they had gathered, and had begun to consider themselves to be the last line of defense against an ancient era's madness. They also try to educate the public about their studies.

As of 4717 AR, the Order of Cyphers had begun to establish small bases elsewhere throughout Varisia, whether in large cities like Magnimar, small towns like Galduria, or rural areas like the fringes of Churlwood and the foothills of the Fenwall Mountains. By 4725 AR they had also formed thriving groups in Korvosa and Kaer Maga, and were tentatively expanding into (or secretly infiltrating) New Thassilon.

Membership

See also: Category:Order of Cyphers/Members and Category:Cyphermages

The Order is led by the mage Elias Tammerhawk, who as of 4708 AR was rumored to be competing with the city's crimelords for the position of city overlord. Other notable members include Eilowyn Summitor and Fiaro Belagrossi.

Cyphermages often require the services of adventurers. Though some Cyphermages are able explorers, most are arcane scholars who lack adventuring skills.

References

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.