The wind catches the folds of your travel-worn cloak, pulling it away from your protective grasp against the bitter cold. Many thoughts spread through your mind: why you came to the Citadel, and what you hope on finding here. These thoughts fall away, however, as the full view of the Tower of Solinari comes into site.
Made of white and gray marble, the Tower of Solinari is a perfect match to the Tower of High Sorcery at Palanthus before the curse, before the life's blood of an evil mage claimed the beautiful and ornate Tower for it's own and twisted it into the hideous visage of today. The Tower is tall and straight, crafted through the use of the Magic. Window slits gape here and there, the soft glow of candle light shining within, casting a warm radiance that invites you further.
The gates are of the purest silver. Upon touching their warm surface, they swing open, inviting you to the strong wooden doors of the Tower's entrance. You walk swiftly through the awesome courtyard, now empty, to the doors that lead into the Tower proper. Without even knocking, the door swings open, a kindly and wizened old face stares out to you from the soft darkness beyond. The old man in snow-white robes beckons for you to come in, and you do so without hesitation.
The room that you enter into is plain and neat. The walls are white and gray, and the floor is covered in gray rugs. Two huge doorways lead into the main part of the Tower, and from slightly glancing in, you can see the ceiling a hundred feet above the crowd of white-robed magi.
The old man finally addresses you, "I am Starintal, aide to the Master of the Tower. We were notified of your arrival, and we welcome you with open arms. If there is anything we can do for you on your quest, please, just ask." Turning, he leaves the opening chamber into an adjoining passage off to the left, one that is reflected at the right.
A younger man approaches you from the Main Chamber of the Tower. "Welcome, traveler. I am Devair, apprentice here at the Tower of Solinari. I will be your guide today. If, at any time, you have a question, please ask."
The Brotherhood of Magic
Devair turns to the hall at the right, his hands disappearing into the folds of his deep white robe. He waits for you to catch up, and then continues on his slow and tedious walk down the hallway that twists slowly to the left, heading around the tower. Doorways to study and meditation rooms line the passageway, but the young man pays them no head. His eyes are concentrated at the white stone floor as he calmly considers what to tell you.
His shoulder-length black hair and pale complexion seem to fit the norm of a wizard, or as much as you've seen and heard of them. At the very hem and edges of his robe are sprawled silver runes, exquisitely rendered in an unknown tongue. This magi has apparently passed the Test, his robe showing that he was fit enough to enter the Order or High Sorcery.
He turns to you and says, softly at first, but with a strength borne of knowledge, "The origins of the Wizards of High Sorcery stretches to the Age of Dreams. The stars were not yet set in the sky, and the world was gifted by the presence of the three Gods of Magic. Solinari, Lunitari, and Nuitari. They all had great love for the new world forged by their parents, the magic, and the spirits called stars."
"The love for the spirits was held by all the pantheon, which eventually led to the All Saints' War. The three gods of magic chose not to engage themselves in the battles, but decided that they would instead orbit the planet as our three moons." After a side glance at your quizzical face, he smiles and says, "Yes, three moons."
"Their hearts were always turned to the stars and their fates during the war. During the Saints' battles, they each began to search Krynn for one mortal follower, one that would uphold their love for the Magic. Each of the three followers were given the keys to the Lost Citadel, a place of magic that exists beyond the circles of the universe. Here, the gods taught them the Foundations of Wizardry:"
1- All wizards are brothers in their order. All orders are brothers in power.
2- The places of High Sorcery are held in common among all the orders and no sorcery is to be used there in anger against fellow wizards.
3- The world beyond the walls of the towers may bring brother against brother and order against order, but such is the way of the universe.
"Once the apprentices returned to Krynn, they founded the Orders of High Sorcery, through the divine direction of the Gods of Magic. Our deity, Solinari, son of Paladine and Mishakal, founded the White Robes. The Order of magi devoted to the White Magic, a quiet and constructive magic. It is well known that the quickest and easiest path to power is through the Black Robes, under Nuitari," the young magi grimaces at the word, "but the ultimate power can only be attained through the slow and steady path of the light. The Red Robes stay neutral, not willing to choose sides...or believing that some equilibrium can be attained through complete passiveness." Devair seems to have corrected himself. You see that it must be hard for him to accept Red Robes for what they are.
But, not letting his own emotions effect his discussion with you, he continues. "Before the Cataclysm, there were five towers of High Sorcery. One in Palanthus, Istar, Daltigoth, Wayreth, and the Ruins. After the Lost Battles, only three remained standing; and after the Cataclysm, only two were kept upon the world of Krynn. The Tower of Palanthus, which this Tower replicates, was inhospitable, cursed by a Black Robe."
"The only Tower left was Wayreth, and it became the 'headquarters' for all wizards on Krynn. It is here that the Orders of High Sorcery are still ruled, the Conclave of Wizards presiding there. The Conclave consists of twenty one wizards, seven archmages of each order. One archmage from each order serves as the order's Master, and one of the twenty one members serves as the Master of the Conclave, the highest ranking position of any wizard on Krynn."
Devair stops, apparently arriving at the desired destination. You had both been walking for quite some time, and you are surprised at the expansiveness of the the Tower. He motions to room to the right, the door being a little larger than the rest, and one huge strange rune carved into the surface of the pine wood planks. "It is here I have been leading you," the young magi says, in a quiet anticipation that respects and marvels at the room and what lies beyond it.
The White Magic
The door opens easily, and you find yourself in a small library. There are shelves full of white, blue, and red leather bound books. Their are strange runes written on every one. "This is a small collection of the collected spells here at the Tower, a larger section is located towards the pinnacle and the Walk."
You walk in, eyeing the books curiously. Tall and narrow windows provide illumination on the entire seen. The mage takes a seat at one of the tables, and motions for you to do the same. You can see him preparing to continue his speech. After placing yourself in front of him, he continues. "Father Solinari founded the white magic, the good magic, a righteous order of magi. The light is a quiet and constructive magic, not the pompous and overzealous disastrous magic of our counterparts."
"As I have mentioned before, the greatest knowledge can be attained through the light. Remember that. The dark is alluring, pretending to present great power through destruction," he pauses, a line of worry etched on his brow. "Evil cannot create, it can only destroy. Destruction is simpler, easier, and faster than creation. They make themselves partake of the power by doing so...and not just the Black Robes...all Evil."
"Good shall prevail, but the trials we face can block the way. Use the trials as stepping stones not hindrances. I cannot let you look at these books, for fear you might loose your sanity, but I thought this room would set a calm setting for the message I have given to you. Wars may rage outside these walls, but here, we are always working to better ourselves, and others." He stands, smoothing his robe after he does so.
"I recommend that you visit the rest of the Citadel, if you have not done so already. There is a list of spells you may ponder over in the Library."
"May Paladine go with you..."
[Tower of Solinari - Temple of Paladine - The Great Library - History of the Citadel - Knights of the Realm - About Krynn - Chamber of Portals - Crystalline Gates]