It is said their use of the Weave grows more defined with each passing day, and their actions seek to bring an enlightenment to the Sword Coast, like no other arcane-inclined faction that currently exists within the Gate walls...
They also take great pride in educating the common person, through street theater and performances where sometimes ancient knowledge is woven into metaphor, accompanied by simple entertainments for the eye, ear and heart.
They often play the trickster, but have done no harm to any.
Who doesn't like a good mystery?
The Mirari
The MirariThe Classical Latin word mirari (admire, revere; wonder; be amazed, surprised, bewildered), derived from the Latin word mirus (wonderful, strange, remarkable)
Etymology of the Latin word: Mirari (http://www.myetymology.com/latin/mirari.html)
The Mirari is an organization based on the knowledge, power and interpretation of the wonderful unknown, unlocking mysteries, and focusing their skills in illusion, bewilderment and elements of surprise. The Mirari place a fundamental admiration for the mysteries of the universe—and of magic—at the core of their organization. Those that take the vow of the Mirari seek to unlock the power of wonder and amazement, as well as the tools to manipulate these same aspects via surprise and bewilderment.
What good are torches, light, or spectacles, to those who will not see?
-A Mirari motto
Most Mirari come from the vocations of the Mage...and especially those that have focused their minds to the school of Illusion. However, clerics of Leira, Shadowdancers, Bards and Assassins/Avengers have been known to take significant roles in the Mirari. The Mirari ranks are open to warriors that focus in the art of surprise and initiative—such as Dervishes, Whirling Dervishes and Divine Seekers—and use magically crafted weapons that enhance this method of combat. The Mirari keep their ranks closed to a few of the known races and callings—such as Gray Orcs, Warlocks (or known warlocks) and Thayans—as these types have proved either historically unreliable aor serve specific masters. However, many a tiefling, gnome, half-elf or outcast from destroyed lands have found a home within the Mirari.The Mirari are on the whole a neutral organization. Nevertheless, it is remarkable that many members vary in alignment across the spectrum—their sense of purpose in unlocking the wonderful & the strange that exists on Faerûn, binds them even when inner turmoil flares within the inner ranks.
Some history (guidelines to the growth of the guild):
The Mirari are said to have formed from a small group of bards, roguish theater-types and lesser-known mages. These initial members most likely arrived on the Sword Coast via traveling acting troupes, or felt guided to the Sword Coast by their spiritual beliefs, and also possibly lured here by the history of magical orders that currently or once existed around the city Baldur's Gate. At some moment in the Mirari's history, those of the first wave sought out adventure and gain in the acquiring of lost magics within many of the hidden dungeons and caves along the Sword Coast. As the young group of disorganized street performers and minor mages rose gained in power and knowledge,the name Mirari was discovered in an ancient text, to describe an lost sect of magic seekers and protectors of arcane knowledge, having disappeared without trace many hundreds, maybe thousands, of years in the past. This initial group in turn began to refer to themselves as Mirari —took on a greater role in organization of it's members with purpose, and began a guild-path of mentorship to any that would seek them out, or that seek out the art of wonder and amazement.
The Mirari keep a private library for learning...but it isn't a library built around books. This library is based upon an oral tradition, enhanced via plays and roleplaying games between members, many times fully illuminated via the magics of illusion and shadow images—it is said these events are amazing to behold. At certain times of the year, it is said the Mirari gather and put on great displays of shadow magic and illusion, creating whole theater sets and locations out of phantom images, so that they may tell their latest tales of adventure, and share whatever knowledge they have gained for the greater organization. Then, without a trace, such events vanish completely, only to be held in the memories of those that bared witness.
Roles:
The Mirari work for many institutions across the Sword Coast, in many roles: advisers on the strange occurrences; messengers when public channels are to be avoided; neutral traders in secrets; entertainment in the cultural arts. It is also known that the Mirari are fierce against any that would disguise themselves untruthfully as a Mirari and act on the organization's behalf falsely. The efficiency in which the Mirari have been able to see through the illusions of others helps elevate the Mirari's power status and respect amongst other organizations. It is also rumored that the Mirari have mastered the power of mental wiping, and the few that have been cast out of the Mirari are fully unaware that they have ever been members...although sometimes, true memory is near impossible to erase...
It is also known that some institutions of a more lawful nature are skeptical and wary of the Mirari, since their allegiance to others flows somewhat chaotically. However, the Mirari are not ones to begin nor end conflicts—the Mirari revere the the multitudinous possibilities of actions, and prefer to keep the turning of events in constant play, via both distinct and behind-the-scenes manipulations.
Ranks in the Mirari:
Initiate
Adept
Master
Arch-Mage
Active Roster:Initiate
Adept
Master
Arch-Mage
— Aetius Cento, Adept (leader-like position) - stevebarracuda
— Nikos Berenicous, Adept - mrm3ntalist
— Zud Mud'Fud, Adept - Mudslide
— Nemna Aldgeb, Adept - burbles
— Fjerdo Hill, Adept - stoned raider
— Mari, Adept - Eysenbeis
— Elery Firedance, Adept - Elestar
— Z'yenna Ann Ey'z, Initiate - Zyenna something
— Toman Mariin, Initiate - sicknthehead
— Amaer Kellern, Initiate - Amaer
HOW TO GET INVOLVED:
Here are the initial guidelines for entering into the Mirari:
1. Envision a character that fits the "Some History" part of this fledgling guild. Most likely, a Mirari is both an adventurer and some form of performer/intermediary/magic-focused lore-scholar. How do the shadow arts—and specifically classes that bestow forms of this magic upon your toon—fit into a desire for unlocking mysteries, and such. Also, please look at your character sheet and ability scores as something to be RP'd with gusto, not just to make your toon mechanically more awesome. That being said: make an arse-kicking cool build and character!
2. Preferably, begin a level 1 toon, and grow within the group organically. There is no cap on leveling effort or speed, however, your Mirari rank is determined by RP and time within the guild, not character level. Starting at level 1 means your toon "grows" into itself, and you spend time amongst all the levels of players as you develop over time. The Mirari is a guild organization, with plenty of role-play along learning things.
3. Make contact with a recognized Mirari, and be initiated. You will receive a symbolic brooch that you can wear upon your toon's person, displaying their existence as Mirari, and possibly their rank.
4. Build the guild together with your fellow Mirari players!
///PM if you're interested.
///big props to the artists of the images I did steal off the internet.