Today I want to share one of the Warlock Lodges from my new book
The Warlock for Swords & Wizardry. Also, this is a good topic for this month's
RPG Blog Carnival topic Magic and The Occult, hosted by Sea of Stars RPG.
Warlock Lodges
The Lodge is a secret order that often only admits a few Warlocks at a time. Each Lodge has their methods of instruction for their potential Warlock, and these are a closely guarded secret. While a Witch may leave the lands where she learned her tradition from her sisters, Warlocks join a Lodge for life. The Lodge is also the physical meeting place, sanctuary, and library of the Warlock.
Masters of the Invisible College
This esoteric lodge believes they are the foundation for all arcane study, not just Warlocks, but Wizards and Witches as well. Their vaulted halls contain the wisdom of the ages and spells never before seen. Only those of the highest intelligence may be admitted and then a rigorous training program must begin. Only when the Warlock has proven himself (10th level) will he be allowed access to the Deeper Mysteries and Hidden Knowledge of the Akashic Records. The location of this great store of knowledge is one of the best-kept secrets in the world.
Warlocks of this Lodge believe that nothing is more important than the arcane pursuits. This lodge is unique among lodges in that it actively recruits warlocks, witches, magic-users and clerics of gods of magic and knowledge to join their ranks for the pursuit of arcane knowledge. Members of this lodge agree to put aside personal differences in terms of patrons, alignments, and racial differences so that they gain greater insight to magic. Masters of the Invisible College are the foremost expert on identifying magic items and researching spells. Prospective members must bring a new magic item to the lodge for study. The item need not be powerful, indeed, low power but unique items are more sought after. Items with history or created by famous spellcasters are also sought after.
The Lodge does not reveal what they do with these items outside of study.
While the Masters of the Invisible College has the overt makings of a Grand Lodge or a Grand Coven (a grouping of both Witches and Warlocks), it is actually neither.
Witches most likely to join the Secret Masters will belong to the Aquarian Tradition (from
the Witch). Wizards and Alchemists are also likely to join.
Witches in this Lodge will treat it as their Coven. They can learn Magic-User spells of the appropriate level to replace their Ritual Spells much like a
Hedge Witch or
Witches of the Aiséiligh Tradition. Such spells could also be unique or rare to the game world. (I suggest something like
+Dyson Logos'
Magical Theorems & Dark Pacts to add more spells.)
Joining the College
Potential entrants are brought in at 1st level. They must have Intelligence scores of 16 or better and bring in one new magic item. Entry must be done before 2nd level. Often the College seeks out gifted individuals and waives the normal entry fees (1000 gp). All
Probationers are required to have a
Sponsor who will eventually become their
Mentor. Entry is decided by the Deans of the College.
GM's are encouraged to make Lodges that fit their own game world.
Pick up a copy of the
Warlock for Swords & Wizardry.
