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The James Richard Arthur Stanley Foundation for Arcane Research

  1. History
  2. Charter
  3. Be it resolved that:
  4. Membership

History

Soon after the birth of James Stanley (Harold and Judith's firstborn), he was abducted by the evil mage and local megalomaniac, Skarda. James was subsequently turned into a pig, and it seemed as though no one would be able to restore him. The knowledge of how to do this had long since been lost due to the numerous purges conducted throughout the realm over the years. Duke Harold was determined that this would never occur again. Toward that end, he created the Foundation for Arcane Research, named for the child who was then still a pig. The purpose of the Foundation was intentionally broad: to learn. Officially to learn whatever was needed to prevent a recurrence of this event, to learn how to counter or otherwise defend against the magics typically used the enemies of the Realm. Unofficially to learn how to restore Harold's son.

Sgacity, the famed Witch of Lethbridge, was given the charge of making this Foundation a success along with any resources possible. After the death of her husband, the Cardinal Titus Penworthy, Sgacity started to devote more and more time to the Foundation. She, along with her friend, Arnold Abernathy, and sister Kya have defined the Foundation and are just beginning to teach.

Charter

Anyone intelligent enough to make sense of the arcane is intelligent enough to find plenty of loopholes in any set of rules you would lay down. Therefore, the actual bylaws of the Foundation are intentionally sparse.

Be it resolved that:

* The purpose of the Foundation is to aid the Realm and the people thereof in the defense against those who would do us harm, either intentionally or unintentionally. Whereas, such people are notoriously unconstrained in the variety of magics and the degree to which they are used, be it resolved that the Researchers of the Foundation must be constrained in their pursuit of knowledge not by artificial means but solely by the conscience of the Researchers involved.

* Fully unconstrained use of the arcane is a truly dangerous thing, both to the Researcher and to those nearby. Be it resolved, therefore, that only people of good conscience and worthy intent should be permitted access to the resources of the Foundation and its Researchers. Determining the goodness of a person and the worthiness of their intent is a difficult task and not to be enterred into lightly. Therefore, let the determination of fitness to join the Foundation be determined by a majority of the members of the local group. Furthermore, let the Researchers of the Foundation be charged with the strict maintenance of and maximum possible assurance of safety in all research.

* Times change, but the need for knowledge and the need for strong people of good conscience does not. Therefore, let the Foundation be not governed by one person or even one group, lest that central authority become corrupt. Let not the Foundation be located entirely in one place, lest the knowledge gained be destroyed in one stroke. Let the Researchers of the Foundation be neither public in their membership (where such is avoidable), lest they, themselves, become the targets of those they seek to protect. Let, rather, the knowledge of the Foundation be gained quietly and maintained safely.

* Knowledge horded is knowledge wasted. Let, therefore, each Researcher of the Foundation be charged with the instruction through apprenticeship of not less than one other person. Further, let all Researchers be charged with sharing their knowledge one with the other that we may all benefit from what has been learned.

* Knowledge not put to use is waste. Let therefore, each Researcher be charged with not less than one public project per year. This may or may not involve use of the arcane, but must involve the betterment of the lives of some group of people large enough as to be considered a difficult accomplishment by the Researcher in question.

Added to this is a short note penned by Sgacity, "Go forth, my friends, an in all things let your conscience be your guide."

Membership

At present, there is only one chapter of the Foundation. It resides in Ambermoor an obscure barony in southern lethbridge of which Sgacity is the baroness.

Now, one might ask, "why ever would you want to join?" Simple, by joining, you get access to the Stanley library. A larger collection of spells and lab notes and other arcane materials just doesn't exist. You get access to teachers and to equipment needed in the research of new spells. And, you get these things without any actual monetary cost to you. Also, by being a member of the Foundation, you are allowed to practice magic most anywhere in Lethbridge (by order of the Duke) and in plenty of other places. (Let's face it, with that last item on the charter, any place that uses the McKitrick definition of Magic will consider you a "miracle worker".) Of course, certain local conditions may make this "right to bear spells" more difficult to press than others.

I'm not charging a "patron" cost for the Foundation because it is offset by the duties and such outlined above.

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