Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksCite current pageBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== Les Douzes ====== ^Domicilebase = (The Tower of Les Douzes) [[Korth]], [[Karrnath]] founded = 1,500 years ago leader = The Committee of Twelve **Les Douzes** is an alliance of powerful [[magicien|wizards]] sponsored by the [[Maisons Marquées Du Dragon]]. They are the organization that accomplishes things beyond the capabilities of the houses, and where disputes between the houses are settled. ====== Histoire ====== The organization was formed after the [[Guerre des Marques]] in an alliance proposed by [[Hadran de Bombardier|Lord Hadran de Bombardier]] to unify the [[Maisons Marquées Du Dragon]] in pursuing magical research and profit. [[npc:galifar_i]] started the [[Congrès Ésotérique]] of [[Aundair]] many years later out of fear for the growing power of the [[Maisons Marquées Du Dragon]]. In 797 AR, [[npc:mordain_d_phiarlan]] was banished from Les Douzes and [[Écorché|Écorchéd]] from [[Maison Phiarlan]], following his experiments into the mysteries of the [[Daelkyr]]. As the power of individual [[Maisons Marquées Du Dragon]] and the [[Congrès Ésotérique]] has grown since the [[Dernière Guerre]], Les Douzes has fractured and diminished. ====== Organization ====== Members of Les Douzes belong to the [[Maisons Marquées Du Dragon]] of [[Khorvaire]]. Les Douzes serves as an institute to train members in [[magie|arcane magic]], and as a think tank for discoveries beyond the capabilities of individual houses. There are rumors of sinister cabals within the organization that seek to conquer [[Khorvaire]], as well as a secret conspiracy opposed to the [[Dragons]] of [[Argonnessen]]. The Committee of Twelve oversees the organization, although the exact number of members varies. THE TWE LVE Rather than working for one single house, your group could work for an organization that serves them all: the Twelve. This is a good option if you want to be involved in the intrigue among the Maisons Marquées Du Dragon while playing characters who come from different houses. C HAPTER 1 I CHARACTER CREATI O N Les Douzes facilitates communication and cooperation among the Maisons Marquées Du Dragon. As part of the agreements that ended La Guerre des Marques, the houses agreed to create an institute for the application of magic- a foundation that would study Marques du Dragon, along with more traditional forms of magic. Over the centuries, Les Douzes has been responsible for many magical advances, including the Aéronefs operated by Maison Lyrandar and the message stations of Maison Siri As an arm of the Maisons Marquées Du Dragon, Les Douzes attempted to remain neutral during La Dernière Guerre, but many of its wizards and Artificiers had national loyalties that were stronger than their ties to the institute. Now that Les Douzes has resumed normal operations, it seeks to replace its Perdu members and make sure that each house is represented. While Les Douzes provides a way for your group to work for multiple Maisons Marquées Du Dragon, its goals and benefits are similar to those of an individual house. Consider using the following details as a template if there's a particular Maison Marquée du Dragon you wish to serve. Patronage. As a patron, Les Douzes is functionally similar to a Maison Marquée du Dragon. Rather than advancing one house's interests, though, Les Douzes seeks to advance magical developments that have practical value to society as well as potential for profit. All the houses contribute to the operating budget of the institute, and in theory they all benefit from the results of its research. As agents of Les Douzes, you might undertake missions intended to help one house at a time or all of them at once, typically with a focus on magical research or problem-solving. Members of your group might have different status within their houses, but within Les Douzes you're held as equals. Les Douzes pay you (see "Patron Benefits"), and as their agents, you receive a 5 percent discount on services from all the Maisons Marquées Du Dragon (rather than a 10 percent discount from one house). Leadership. The Committee of Twelve oversees the institute. It currently has fifteen members, though its membership is a matter of significant disagreement within the council. There are of course only twelve Marques du Dragon, but the Marque de l'Ombre is represented by two different houses, and Maison Bombardier is currently fragmented into three branches, each of which has claimed a seat on the council. Les Douzes is headquartered in a many-spired keep that floats in the air above the city of Korth in Karrnath. Most researchers funded by Les Douzes operate within this structure, but the institute occasionally pays grants to researchers whose promising work can't easily (or safely) be relocated inside the keep. Allies. With a long record of providing benefit to society at large, Les Douzes is widely respected. Some of their closest allies include the following groups: Maisons Marquées Du Dragon. Above all, Les Douzes has the almost universal support of the Marqué par le Dragon houses, which provide the funding to support its continued operation. One of the few things that all the houses agree on is that Les Douzes should be allowed to do its work in peace. Agents of Les Douzes can count on at least a minimal level of assistance from the houses in case of dire need. King Kaius. Not every nation shares the same goodwill toward Les Douzes, but the institutes's location above the city of Korth makes its relationship with Karrnath particularly important. The kings of Karrnath have regularly sought council from Les Douzes, and Kaius has not abandoned this practice. Agents of Karrnath's government are inclined to trust agents of Les Douzes and side with them in times of trouble. Manifest Institute. In the city of Sharn, Les Douzes sponsors the research of a number of scholars who make a study of the Zone De Manifestation that links the city to the plane of Syranie. Loosely organized as the Manifest Institute, these researchers include representatives from Maison Bombardier, Maison Lyrandar, House Orléans, and others, as well as those who work directly for Les Douzes. The institute evaluates ways that the Zone De Manifestation might improve life in Sharn, seeks a deeper understanding of Zone De Manifestations in general, and plans contingencies in the event that the manifest zone ever evaporates. Enemies. Most enemies of Les Douzes are individuals with grudges against the institute, which often stem from hurt feelings over being excluded from it. Those noted here number among Les Douzes's fiercest foes: Congrès Ésotérique. Established by Roi Galifar I expressly to serve as a political answer to Les Douzes, the Congrès Ésotérique competes with Les Douzes over resources and students. Some would argue that the ongoing rivalry encourages both institutions toward more and better arcane discoveries, but the animosity sometimes escalates to sabotage and researchers taking excessive risks. Mordain le Tisseur de Chair. Not many personal grudges jeopardize Les Douzes, but when a powerful wizard feels slighted, the impact can be significant. The Elfee wizard Mordain was banished from Les Douzes more than two centuries ago because of his disturbing experiments related to the magic of the daelkyr. He dwells in Droaam now, focused on his research and plotting revenge. His reach isn't long, but agents of the Twelve avoid Droaam if at all possible. {{tag>["Organisations"]}}