The Cerberus Assembly is a group of extremely powerful mages in the Dwendalian Empire centered in Rexxentrum[4] with others scattered through the continent.
Fan art of the Cerberus Assembly symbol, by @JustHustina.[art 2]
History
The name "Cerberus Assembly" is a reference to a group of powerful mages that existed during the Age of Arcanum.[5] However, the current faction took the name as inspiration and is unaffiliated with the group.
Around 570 PD,[2] there was a war of Mage Houses within the Dwendalian Empire that nearly destroyed part of Rexxentrum, in an event subsequently known as "The Eve of Crimson Midnight".[1] As part of the ceasefire, as opposed to being imprisoned, the Mage Houses agreed to bind themselves to the Empire. The Cerberus Assembly was established as a power under rule of the king. It has since flourished, helping the Empire rise to power by conquering the Julous Dominion.[6]
The Assembly
Those not allied with the Assembly are wary of their growing power.[7] Those allied with the Assembly, such as Pumat Sol, claim that they keep the Crown in check and prevent abuses of power. The Assembly has promoted learning in the middle to lower classes in Zadash.[8]
The mages of the Cerberus Assembly are involved in virtually all aspects of governance of the Dwendalian Empire, including spying and the Volstrucker, protecting it against foreign invasions, the supervision of the Soltryce Academy and the Hall of Erudition, foreign relations, and discovery of powerful artifacts of the Age of Arcanum.
The Assembly and the Cobalt Soul are often at odds with each other.[9] They have worked in an antagonistic lockstep for the better part of a century, since the inception of the Assembly. They do not outwardly show aggression towards each other, but have maintained a series of checks and balances. Both sides have done what they can to curb the influence of the other and prevent the other from achieving internal goals that went against the needs and wants of their own faction. They also work together at times out of necessity, both publicly and behind the scenes. Sometimes they maintain a relationship of frustrated convenience, and at other times, a subversive antagonism.[10]
Symbols
The symbol of the Cerberus Assembly consists of three diamond-like shapes pointed inward toward themselves representing the three heads of the Assembly, and underneath, eight spires that curl up around it representing The Candles, the eight towers that encircle the stronghold where the King sits.[11]
Members and Operations
Archmages
- Martinet Ludinus Da'leth: Archmage of Domestic Protections - Oldest of the original assembly that still lives and considered the leader of the assembly.[12] He is the master of warfare and conflict.[13]
- Master Astrid Becke: Archmage of Civil Influence - One of Trent Ikithon's most esteemed Volstuckers, Astrid was promoted to his position after his imprisonment at the hands of the Mighty Nein.[14]
- Baroness Jenna Iresor:[15] Archmage of Industry - One of the youngest members of the Assembly.[12] Described as "unique but a bit distracted" by Yussa Errenis.[16] Appears to be human but is actually a doppelganger.[13]
- Master Doolan Tversky: Archmage of Dysology[12] - In charge of the study and understanding of abnormal creatures and deviants of arcane creation that might threaten the empire's way of life.[13]
- Lord Athesias Uludan: Archmage of Diplomatic Union[12] - Described as "a buffoon" by Yussa Errenis.[17] His duty is to foster a positive relationship with people of power both within and beyond the borders of the empire.[13]
- Headmaster Zivan Margolin: Archmage of Conscription[12] - He is the Headmaster of the Soltryce Academy in Rexxentrum in charge of the curriculum and watching for any latent powers that may be worth grooming as future allies of the Assembly, dangers to be monitored, or prospective minds for Ikithon to conscribe into the Volstrucker.[18]
- Headmaster Oremid Hass: Archmage of Cultivation[12] - Headmaster of the Hall of Erudition in Zadash tasked with watching and grooming the next generation of mages and arcane specialists outside Rexxentrum.[18]
- (Unknown): Archmage of Antiquity. Occupied by Vess DeRogna[12] prior to her death in Brussendar 836 PD. Unclear if the role is filled in the next month before Trent Ikithon's vacancy.[19]
The Annexes
Directly beneath the eight chief mages of the Assembly are their deputies and assistants, known as annexes.[20]
- Vence Nuthaleus: Former Annex to Ludinus Da'leth[21]
- Zana Deelio: Annex to Ludinus Da'leth[22]
- Pumat Sol: Owner of The Invulnerable Vagrant,[23] a shop selling magical items and spell scrolls in Zadash. Pumat described himself as an annex to the Cerberus Assembly,[24] and was put through the wringer by Vess DeRogna when she found out he was holding up some urgent business.[25]
Former Members
- Trent Ikithon: Archmage of Civil Influence - The propagandist and constructor of the face of the Empire in upper echelon circles.[12] He was also entrusted with selecting and training students for the Volstrucker.[18] Eventually, his abuses of his students were exposed to King Bertrand Dwendal by the Mighty Nein and the Cobalt Soul, and Ikithon was stripped of his position on the Assembly and imprisoned.
- Lady Vess DeRogna: Archmage of Antiquity[12] - Served as the expert historian for the Assembly. She replaced her criminal predecessor Delilah Briarwood in the position[18], before being assassinated by Lucien in her suite in Balenpost.[26]
- Delilah Briarwood: Archmage of Antiquity - Ousted from the Assembly for illegal necromantic experimentation through an investigation led by the Cobalt Soul.[27]
- Lord Symon Vergesson: Founder and namesake of the Vergesson Sanatorium, now deceased.
The Wind of Aeons
The Assembly maintains a small sailing ship, the Wind of Aeons. It is built of redwood in a style very visibly different to most other ships, and carries the Cerberus Assembly flag.[28] Rarely used, it is nonetheless beautifully made with golden inlays along the edge of the deck and handles, designed to create an impression when the Assembly does go to sea.[29]
Trivia
- Some recent members of the Cerberus Assembly hold political and/or nobiliary titles (like Baroness Jenna Iresor or Lady Vess DeRogna). It is unknown if they have those titles in their own right, like nobles of the original Assembly did, or if they obtained said titles for their services to the Crown.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 41.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, pp. 16–The Eve of Crimson midnight occurred around a quarter of a century after the Marrow War ended in 545 PD.
- ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, pp. 42-43–Alignments of the Archmages. Only one out of eight is considered "Good".
- ↑ See "Whispers of War" (2x18) at 1:30:51.
- ↑ See "Whispers of War" (2x18) at 3:39:13.
- ↑ See "Whispers of War" (2x18) at 3:39:53.
- ↑ See "Steam and Conversation" (2x09) at 1:04:19. Members of the Knights of Requital complain about the Cerberus Assembly.
- ↑ See "Zemnian Nights" (2x11) at 00:52:10.
- ↑ See "Unwanted Reunions" (2x88) at 4:06:16.
- ↑ See "Unwanted Reunions" (2x88) at 4:06:16.
- ↑ See "A Tangled Web" (2x77) at 3:11:49.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7 12.8 See "Whispers of War" (2x18) from 3:40:00 through 3:41:43. Caleb reads about the Cerberus Assembly at the Cobalt Soul
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 42.
- ↑ See "Fond Farewells" (2x141) at 5:44:14.
- ↑ See "A Tangled Web" (2x77) at 2:32:00. "Marquis" was a temporary title.
- ↑ See "Titles and Tattoos" (2x84) at 0:39:33.
- ↑ See "Titles and Tattoos" (2x84) at 0:39:38.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 43.
- ↑ Lunidus only mentions "a vacancy" rather than multiple vacancies. Weeks later, Astrid is noted to be joining "the eight". See "Fond Farewells" (2x141) at 5:44:14.
- ↑ See "A Tangled Web" (2x77) at 2:16:28.
- ↑ See "A Tangled Web" (2x77) at 3:04:26.
- ↑ See "Solace Between the Secrets" (2x118) at 3:17:23.
- ↑ See "The Gates of Zadash" (2x08) at 3:14:46.
- ↑ See "Zemnian Nights" (2x11) at 0:41:51.
- ↑ See "The Chase Begins" (2x112) from 1:57:48 through 2:04:30.
- ↑ See "An Open Window" (2x114) at 2:24:27.
- ↑ See "Unwanted Reunions" (2x88) at 4:07:55.
- ↑ See "The Fancy and the Fooled" (2x97) at 0:26:31.
- ↑ See "The Fancy and the Fooled" (2x97) at 0:41:47.
Art:
- ↑ Official art of the Cerberus Assembly symbol, by Claudio Pozas (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of the Cerberus Assembly symbol, by @JustHustina (source). Used with permission.
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