The Philosophy of Andrinor

• Published by the Academy of Mortal Magic, an Entity of Andrinor's Trust. Information within this book may not be used without the permission of the High Mage Council of Avlis*

PHILOSOPHY OF ANDRINOR

• • • Foreword

Journal Entry: May 9 th, 2110.***

While sleeping in my quarters at the academy, suddenly, I was awakened by the trembling of the earth beneath me. I sat up on my bed, started to reach for my staff, when a flash of light suddenly appeared before me. I felt a strange pull away from where I was, I looked down and saw that Andrinor¡¦s Splendor was further and further away from my grasp.

In the next few seconds, I was brought to a place full of large gorges, and long canyons. Further ahead, I saw a castle on top of an island, surrounded by water. Immediately, I recognized this place, I have been brought to Ysgaard. Knowing who resides here, I stop resisting the pull, and let him take wherever he wishes to take me.

I was brought before his throne, bowing, I showed my humility toward him. He did not speak, yet, I could hear him clearly. He blessed me with the account of his ascension long ago, which I was told to share with the Trust. (This later on became one of the volumes of the History of Mortal Magic which I wrote.)

After he has shared the truth about his ascension, I was also told to do one other thing. He wants his name to be known through out Avlis, not only to the mages of the Trust, but also the ordinary people of Avlis.

• • • End of Journal Entry***

With that in mind, I started to write this book. For the responsibility is solely up to me to share his mind with the mortals, what he thinks, what he wishes for his followers, and what he wish for us to accomplish in Avlis.

• • • Chapter One ¡V Known Actions of Andrinor***

First - a quote from History of Mortal Magic, Volume IV ¡§During the battle with Valok, the group was chased by an army of Lemurs. This group started to run away from this army, thousands of Lemur chased after this group of mortals. However, at that time, Andrinor and Vanoviel stopped and looked at each other with a grin on their faces. They turned around a unleashed fury. Fire, Lightning and awesome magics erupting form Andrinor's fingers tearing rifts into the Lemur Army. After this fury of great powers of Mortal Magic, Vanoviel jumped into the middle of the Army and Cleaved a hole in the middle of the army. All was left were the corpses of burnt Lemur.¡¨

Second - Outplayed Angadar at his own game. Tricking the god of deceit and trickery to obtain the power of the Vortex of Mortal Magic.

Third ¡V Alienating the original Fold of Nine after he obtained the power of Vortex of Mortal Magic.

Fourth ¡V Using the Vortex of Chaos to re-establish the mage orders of Avlis.

Fifth ¡V Blessing the mage who follow his will with the Mark of the Trust.

These are the major known actions of Andrinor.

• • • Chapter Two ¡V Deriving Andrinor¡¦s Philosophy***

One of the proudest moments that Andrinor felt in his mortal lifetime was one, the time when he wiped out a whole army of lemurs, and two, when he dared to trick Angadar at his own game, and succeeding!

One can then derive from these two actions that there¡¦s an innate desire to be powerful. Andrinor is someone who will risk his life in order to show others that he is powerful. I believe that his upbringing as a tiefling, being an offspring of a mortal and a cambion, may have caused some trouble early in his lifetime. He was probably neglected in many levels In his mortal days, during his adventuring times, he may have been the outsider of the party. Lady Vanoviel was a follower of O¡¦Ma, it is very likely that she did not liken this offspring of a cambion until they have spent more time together.

By making his home in Ysgaard, one can derive the mentality of Andrinor. Flashes of good may appear out of the chaotic nature of his actions. To an outsider, Andrinor will be seen by them as someone who is insane, and keep their distance away from them. But to an insider, someone who know him, he will be seen as having potential to do what is moral and right when needed to.

Thus, it is very likely that Andrinor, seeing that others having pre-judged him for who he is physically, may have developed a desire to be the most powerful sorcerer of his time. Combined with his reckless nature, to some, he may be seen to be seeking power he without cost or tact.

However, from his other known actions, one can also deduct that he is NOT without tact. An outsider may question why he alienated the original Fold of Nine soon after his ascension into his godhood. Some may think that is an unwise action. However, if one think about it closely, it is actually a smart thing to do.

It is wide knowledge that Dru¡¦El took Andrinor under his wings to show him the way of the gods. Andrinor, seeing that he had offended not only Valok, but also Angadar not too long ago, would be smart to ¡§be¡¨ with Dru¡¦El for as long as he could. Until the dust settled, it is best for him to remain low. (One must remember that to the gods, time is of no essence).

But during this time, Andrinor did not forget that he must gain followers in order to increase his power. Thus, in this time of ¡§rest,¡¨ he devised a plan to reclaim his followers, thus, the Vortex of Chaos appeared, and his plan was an ultimate success. He not only re-established the orders of magic, but he went a step further by blessing his chosen with the Mark of his blessing. His influence in the mortal realm is stronger now than before. And his power in the god realm is increasing as we speak.

The philosophy of Andrinor is that one must gain power through whatever is necessary and a tactful way. But most importantly, one gain power through knowledge. Andrinor knows this because it was the knowledge of the Negerai tome that ultimately achieved godhood for him, and it was he who instructed the Trust to establish the Academy of Mortal Magic in order that his followers in the Trust may achieve power through knowledge.

• • • Chapter Three ¡V Common Misconceptions of the Philosophy of Andrinor***

One of the most common misconceptions of the philosophy of Andrinor¡¦s actions is that he is reckless in his quest for power. However, this is utterly wrong. He may go after power without any concern for due process, or go after power with disregard of the risk involved ¡V which may seem chaotic to some, but not reckless ¡V but his actions are all backed with the knowledge that he carefully gathered before his action. This is a lesson to all of us, carefully gather knowledge necessary to achieve power before you actually go after it.

Second misconception of the philosophy of Andrinor is that these actions to achieve whatever we wish to achieve can be taken at anytime. This is also wrong. In the account of his ascension, it was the timing that made all the difference. Without the power of the gods that were present, there will be no way for him to do what he did. This is a lesson for us to not to act all the time, but to see when is a good time to act, and when is not.

Third misconception of the philosophy of Andrinor that I¡¦ve come across is one that is all too common within the Trust. I catch myself doing this a few times as well. As Andrinor¡¦s Trust, we need NOT to meddle with the ongoing mortal affairs of everyday Avlis. Instead, concentrate on how we can be better Wizards or Sorcerers in Avlis, thus, giving glory to the one who gives us the power necessary to be who we are. Andrinor was an outsider to most of the affairs of his adventuring party. He went along, yet, he always remember what his purpose was. To become more than what others think he can only become. As said before, this is done through knowledge. Thus, we are of the world of Avlis, but if we get too involved into the affairs of Avlis, we will forget our place as the blessed Trust, and forgetting our purpose to become more than what other think we can become.

• • • Chapter Four - Conclusions***

Andrinor is a relatively new god. Next to Cha¡¦reth, he is the newest god in Avlis. It is an ongoing process to find out exactly what Andrinor wants for his followers, but I hope this is a start in that direction. Let us all remember our purpose in this world as the member of the Trust, and let us not forget to increase our knowledge of the world, thus benefiting and increasing the power possessed by Andrinor.

By Melonius Mennallin