SerpentHead: The Story of SerpentHead

	Story

The Royal Mages

The Royal Mage is the Kingdom's leading magician -- the highest-ranking wizard in the land. A Royal Mage has duties in many areas, including research in the field of magic, the drafting of magical legislation, and defense--specifically overseeing the use of enchanted weaponry in the Royal Guard and the security of the King within the Castle. Beyond these duties, however, lies a Royal Mage's most important role -- friend and advisor to the King.

After what happened with Andrache, all Royal Mages are required to practice only White Magic -- Black Magic and Dragon Magic are forbidden to them, as they are to all mages. White Magic consists of those spells, potions, and incantations which are only used for good purposes. This contrasts sharply with Black Magic, which can produce desirable results, but will also produce an evil outcome in return. However, Black Magic can be very tempting because the evil it produces often seems quite insignificant when compared to its desired effects. This often incites a user to continue practicing Black Magic. Unfortunately, Black Magic tends to have a cumulative negative effect on a user's soul -- the more one uses Black Magic, the more permissive of evil one becomes. Soon,users develop a complete disregard for others and live only for themselves. The effect is just the opposite with White Magic. Dragon Magic is a form of intensely powerful magic that can only be wielded safely by dragons. For them, it is neutral -- it can be used for good or for evil with no effect on the dragon's soul. However, when a human uses Dragon Magic, it has an increased Black Magic effect. This is why Dragon Magic has been forbidden.

Here, in order, is the complete list of Royal Mages to date:

The Sharim: During the years of battle between the Charian Empire and the nation of SerpentHead, a mysterious woman approached the Charian Emperor and offered to use her vast magical powers for the good of his subjects. Unfortunately, the Emperor tricked the woman into using her powers for evil. The woman, who eventually became known as simply "The Sharim" (which in the Charian Imperial language means "The Mage"), later discovered the Emperor's scheme. She soon realized that the Charia were not benevolent leaders, but in reality ruled as oppressive dictators. To correct her mistakes, she presented Lord Ethor of SerpentHead with some highly powerful, enchanted weapons of her own design. With these weapons, SerpentHead finally defeated the Charia. As a tribute to the Sharim, Ethor gave her the title of "The First Royal Mage," although she in fact never served as one. Following this, the Sharim left Xanaria and traveled to another continent where she unified its quarreling inhabitants into a peaceful, powerful nation. It is only conjecture, but by all available accounts, the Sharim is still alive. It is unknown how she has achieved such a long life span without the use of Black Magic.

Tolidus: One day in the time before the Charian Expansion, Lord Ethor was traveling on horseback when out from the shadows jumped three knights from a rival estate. Their sudden movement startled Ethor's horse, which reared back, throwing Ethor hard to the ground. One knight quickly unsheathed his sword, planning to run it though the stunned Ethor. But before he could act, a man leapt upon him and ran his sword through the knight instead. Immediately, the man turned and faced the other two knights, who quickly drew their weapons and engaged him in battle. The loud clamor of sword striking sword awakened the dazed Ethor, who then witnessed a most amazing battle. Somehow, the lone stranger was able to dispatch both knights without receiving so much as a scratch. After the battle, the stranger helped Ethor to his feet. The man said his name was Tolidus, and he had just happened to be nearby when he heard the commotion caused by Ethor's horse. Ethor rewarded Tolidus' heroism by appointing him to a general's post in his army. Eventually, Tolidus became supreme commander of all of SerpentHead's armed forces. Ethor and Tolidus became the closest of friends, each man always looking out for the other. Once, Ethor observed Tolidus using magic in battle against the Charia. This, coupled with the pair's close friendship, prompted Ethor's decision to name Tolidus as the second Royal Mage, although in truth Tolidus was not a very skilled magician. Tolidus was a good man, however. He died of natural causes shortly after the birth of Ethor's first son.

Andrache: Shortly after Tolidus' death, Ethor summoned the greatest mages from throughout the land to Castle SerpentHead to find who would be the next Royal Mage. One of the candidates was named Andrache, and his adeptness at various forms of magic greatly impressed Ethor, who was accustomed to the meager magical ability of Tolidus. Thus, Andrache was proclaimed the third Royal Mage, despite his somewhat questionable character. Ethor did not realize, unfortunately, that Andrache's magical ability was greatly augmented by his use of Black Magic. In actuality, Andrache planned to use his position as Royal Mage to gain control of the kingdom. To this end, he began to magically manipulate the mind of Ethor's young son. Andrache knew that the boy would one day become king, and if the king was Andrache's puppet, he would in fact have the power. Andrache continued his corrupt actions for several years. As time wore on, Ethor's health began to fail. As a result, Ethor's son began to take on more and more of the leadership responsibilities his ailing father could no longer handle. Andrache, whose control was still in place, used his influence to have his friends appointed to important governmental positions. The stage was set for Andrache to assume control of the Kingdom. Finally, Ethor's health failed completely and he died, whereupon his son assumed the throne and took the name Ethor II. Andrache nearly realized his goal, but for a young magician who had come to the castle to attend Ethor's funeral. The magician's name was Ophiuchus, and he somehow managed to detect Andrache's use of Black Magic when no one else had been able. When Ophiuchus confronted Andrache, the Black Royal Mage attacked him. The two mages fought a bitter battle, during which Ethor II, who had broken free of Andrache's control, sacrificed himself to save Ophiuchus. Ophiuchus then vanquished Andrache.

Ophiuchus: After defeating Andrache, Ophiuchus explained to the new king, Ethor III, exactly what Andrache had been plotting. Ethor III was wise enough to realize that Andrache's corruption had likely spread throughout the government. Consequently, he ordered a full-scale investigation to be launched and named Ophiuchus head investigator. Ophiuchus uncovered most of the corruption that had festered within, and advised the new king on how to deal with it. Ophiuchus, who also possessed uncanny leadership skills, also advised Ethor III on how to assuage feelings of civil unrest that arose when knowledge of the corruption became public. With the combined leadership abilities of Ophiuchus and Ethor III, a civil war was averted. Ethor soon named Ophiuchus as the next Royal Mage, restoring the people's faith in that position after Andrache's treachery. Unfortunately, Ophiuchus' ascension angered his jealous brother Salorann, who had always envied Ophiuchus' superior magical ability. To prove his own might, Salorann began practicing Black Magic. Eventually, he even chose to learn Dragon Magic, which thoroughly corrupted his soul, but made him the most powerful mage ever known. To combat his brother, Ophiuchus assembled the SerpentScepter, the most potent magical weapon ever created. Ophiuchus defeated Salorann during the Nine Days War, but the evil mage escaped, vowing to one day avenge himself. This is only one example of the many great deeds of Ophiuchus, whose exploits have become legend. Ophiuchus eventually died of natural causes because there is no known magic, White or otherwise, capable of warding off death permanently. Salorann has achieved a long life span through some unknown spell of his own design, although one can rest assured that this spell reeks of Black Magic. The Sharim has also lived an inordinately long time, but no one can be sure how she accomplished this.

Imeri: After the death of Ophiuchus, Imeri was chosen as the next Royal Mage. An accomplished magician, Imeri is best remembered for the scientific methodology he applied to magical research that had not received much use beforehand. As a result of his persistent research, Imeri made numerous discoveries in the field of magic, greatly expanding the number and variety of available White Magic spells. Imeri's other major accomplishment is the institution of Royal Mage Apprenticeship, which involves the education of a magically inclined child in the ways of magic by the Royal Mage. An apprentice would eventually go on to become Royal Mage. Not only would this practice ensure competent Royal Mages, but also reduce the likelihood of a second Andrache receiving the title. Imeri's time as Royal Mage was a time of peace. He died of natural causes.

Cendric: Imeri chose Ophiuchus' grandson, Cendric, as his apprentice. So, after Imeri's death, Cendric became the Royal Mage. Cendric's time was essentially peaceful until he learned, in a dream, that Salorann was planning to attack. Cendric quested to retrieve the SerpentScepter, but before he could use it, Salorann slew him. Cendric's final action was to hide the SerpentScepter in order to keep it away from Salorann. The Scepter must be found if Salorann is to be defeated.

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