Arch Mage Cedric Bjorn

• Arch mage, Filonian Academy of Thaumaturgy, 1173-???

Simply known as “The Arch Mage”, he is the head of the Filonian Academy of Thaumaturgy. By the time of the Alpha and Omega campaign he was close to holding the record for the longest time spent in the position (at 80 years), and was expected to break the record. Cedric was an odd leader of the Academy in that he continued to teach after he became the Arch Mage. As he grew older he began teaching only soothing and spiritual classes.

Born Cedric Bjorn he became known only as the Arch Mage due to his prestigious position. His studies of magic began with spiritual magic when he was very very young. He first saw it is a way to cause random happenings for the sake of fun. He then moved on to using it has a valuable source of income with enchanting. This required him to move into other schools of magic. He began to learn more and more about each type and, therefore, decided to go to the academy. After mastering all schools of known magic and teaching for several years the position of Arch Mage was offered to him. He gladly accepted.

At the time of the Alpha and Omega campaign Arch Mage Cedric was 143 years of age. His extraordinarily long life is due to both his and his students' expertise in the soothing magics (to keep his life force strong) and spiritual magics (to keep his soul strong and tied to his body.) Though he is healthy and his spirit is strong, Cedric is not strong in body. He becomes tired when walking from his chambers to a class room. He is usually accompanied by 3rd year students for his safety. This is not to say he needs body guards, his magic is strong enough to level entire cities. These students are simply tasked to make sure that he does not stumble or have any other similar problems. On longer trips he has hired assistants to manage a sedan chair.

The Arch Mage took an early liking to Hubert Canon mainly due to his tenacity. Once Hubert defined his studies to minute forces of alteration Cedric took a a special interest in him. He knew that he was getting older and would lose his strength and that Hubert's studies could hold a solution. He poured money into Hubert's research in hopes that success would be found before he became a drooling old fool of a man. This is not only due to personal interests but in those of his Academy. He had seen too many good men and women who could have revolutionized magic lose their physical capabilities before their time and, due to that, lose their prospects. With the combination of Soothing, Spiritual and, hopefully, Alteration magics the Academy could perform a true miracle and prolong life to two or even three times its natural length without the embarrassing and sad outcome of a working mind without a working body.