The Noaidi order is a spellcaster organisation on the Planet Rouktu, a sort of umbrella for a several magical, interplanetary guilds. It's main purpuse is to identify and develop magical talents in the Rouktu populations.
The Noaidi are responsible for the teaching and training in magic arts. They work under a strict mandate from their Conclave - where representatives from the Boares Rulers as well as from the factions The Atheneum, The Viridian Blades and the Ember Sanctum sit.
Their ulterior goal is to find, test, train and refine magic talents among the Rouktans of all races. The Noaidi are the backbone of the forces defending the Capitol City Narthos.
Training of magic talents.
Development of magic and spells.
Counselling and guidance to local rulers.
Silverhands or No-Hands is a powerful concept from the magical language Kanton II, practiced and spoken by akkadian spell casters. For humans and many other intelligent races this concept can best be translated as a stand-in for the Grimm Adventure “The Girl Without Hands”.
Practitioners of the Noaidi Order are often called Silverhands. The idea is, that they have given up on crafts and practical skills, figuratively cutting off their hands. Instead their magical training have given them a new set of "hands" - strange hands of “silver” that let them manipulate the world around them.
Noaidi Seekers looking for new talents and apprentices will paint their palms silver. All authorised Noaidi have a silver tattoo of a hand above their heart.
Typically casters level 1-2. Will roam the wilderness and seek challenges on Rouktu. Most hope to reach the rank of Noaidi Master but many will succumb to dangers of the wild - or discover that they have no more talent than shown in their youth.
About 1 in 1.000 will have a magic talent on Rouktu.
Former apprentices with little or limited magical talent. Some can only learn categories, not individual spells. Some command a single or just a few spells. Most leave the schools to take up other supplemental professions. They may become truthtellers, entertainers, or magicians. Some become teachers of magic theory or assist in looking for new talents.
4 out of 5 magic talents do not evolve into Giijas when growing up and most become Ranis.
Most combined classes or semi-spellcasters (with limited access to spell categories) are considered Ranis at the Red Towers.
Full spell caster with access to more than three spell categories. To achieve the rank of Giija the mage must pass the "Noaidi Trials". Standard requirement to start these trials is for the spell caster to hold 6 ranks (or a bonus of 30+) in at least 4 spell categories, and 6 ranks (or a bonus of 70+) in at least 8 different spells.
Giijas can work as teachers among the Noaidi, or can work independently. All are feared spell casters.
Most rulers on Rouktu keep a register of anyone of Giija rank and require them to follow a set of law or local rules.
Approximately 1 in 5.000 will have the talent to become a Giijas on Rouktu.
To become a master a Noaidi must show exceptional prowess in one or more Spell Categories and have a number of signature spells. Masters are much sought after as counsellors, teachers and as powerful members of armies. Noaidi Masters swear an oath to serve the Conclave in Narthos.
Approximately 1 in 500.000 will have the talent to become a Noaidi Master.
The Noaidi Conclave resides in Narthos and in the Satellite City Boares. The Conclave see themselves as enforcers of the laws of magic on Rouktu - and they will see to that renegades are hunted down.
The Conclave consists of nine members, 1 representative from the Boares Council, 1 representative from Narthos, 5 members of the interplanetary magic guilds, and 2 members of the local Noaidi Order.
Rouktu has a very high rate of spell casters and the saying goes that a super mage (potential) is born every 10 years.
For the youngest kids with magical talent the Red Towers will often be able to provide free housing and boarding until their Gietha Test. The talented kids are often sought out and brought to the Red Towers by the Silverhands.
Giethas will normally have to pay for their expensive education. Many spellcasters require special laboratories or other facilities - and some need expensive components to cast and develop their spells. If they have a promising talent they will often be granted a scholarship known as a "Silver Signature" that will require them to work for the Red Towers for a number of years after ended tutelage.
Spellcasters are feared and shunned in many parts of Rouktu. Their powers can be unsettling and frightening in themselves. And Silverhands often challenge or undermine other powers - but they are rarely stable and reliable leaders.
Local rivals are mainly the Bhappa Churches. There are very many internal struggles and rivalries in the Noaidi order. Not least between factions of the interplanetary guilds and orders represented here.
Noaidi schools - often referred to as Red Towers - are found in most larger towns (5.000-49.000 inhabitants). Typically there will be 2-3 teachers in such a school. Students will have access to the most essential schools for training mages.
Cities (+50.000 inhabitants) will almost always have a Noaidi School - Called Red Tower or sometimes a Red Parapet – with a full college of teachers and access to training in most types of magic (in game terms "spell categories").
Individual Silver Hands may be found in small villages and settlements and sometimes even in the wilderness.
Approximately 1 in 1.000 persons on rouktu will have magical skills.