The Karpani were Persian witch-poets active prior to and during the Hellenistic period.[1] Following Alexander's conquest, they were forced to take the position formerly occupied by the Zoroastrian priests (the magi from whom willworkers would eventually take their common name of "mage").[1] They made up one of the four great cults of the time period.[1]
Overview[]
Initially content to simply study their magic and provide more result-based services than the actual magi of Persia, when Alexander ravaged the Zoroastrian institution, a number of Karpani devoted themselves to the preservation of their culture. Others, of course, were uninterested in anything but continuing their study of sorcery.[2]
The metaphysical views of the Karpani hold that magic is derived from the creative powers of Ahura Mazda or the evils of Angra Mainyu.[3] The clash of the two make up seven spheres of influence, five of which correspond to the Paths and two of which correspond to divine and to worldly power.
In essence, magic necessarily will represent moral truth or sin.[3]
As time passed, the majority of Karpani began traveling to other cultures, adopting customs from those they met. A small contingent remained isolationist, becoming their own dominant group in parts of Persia and India.[3]
Organization[]
As a general rule, for the sake of study and mutual protection, Karpani tend to gather in small groups, in which the most knowledgeable lead; a given leader, called a Mede, will settle disputes via superior scholarship and convincing argumentation.[3]
Legacies[3][]
- Celestial Masters
- Clavicularius (also known as Binders of Daevas)
- Singers in Silence
- Subtle Ones
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 CofD: Chronicles of Darkness: Dark Eras, p. 70
- ↑ CofD: Chronicles of Darkness: Dark Eras, p. 92
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 CofD: Chronicles of Darkness: Dark Eras, p. 93