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The '''Circle of Thorns''', also known as the '''Circle''', is an | The '''Circle of Thorns''', also known simply as the '''Circle''', is an old organization of [[Nobility|Nobles]] in Northern Izril that is intended to serve as check and balance against the power of the [[Five Families]], and also to uphold the cause of Noble supremacy over [[Izril]]. | ||
== Overview == | == Overview == | ||
The Circle of Thorns has been organized very differently in its millennia-old history, and has seen periods of activity and power as well as the opposite - mostly adapted to the needs of its contemporary political climate.<ref name="7.24" /> | |||
Six years ago, it was simply a social gathering of nobles that would eat good food and complain about the Five Families.<ref name="7.24" /> In its current form, the Circle of Thorns emerged as a secret warmongering cabal with the explicit goal of prolonging the conflict between [[Humans]] and [[Drakes]] at all costs. To this end, they seek the elimination of [[Magnolia Reinhart]], and support the cause of [[Tyrion Veltras]] even as the latter isn't involved in their affairs and would likely condemn their methods.<ref name="7.24" /> | |||
== Background == | == Background == | ||
The Circle of Thorns is as old as the Five Families | The Circle of Thorns is as old as the Five Families and their conquest of Northern Izril. It was founded as a reaction to the power of the Five Families which others felt needed to be curbed so the Five Families' power wouldn't become absolute. The secret society of the Circle consists of individuals with many talents. Some are deemed worthy due to their involvement in politics. Others are important or influential enough to be used as pawns, financiers, or messengers. Still more can be included if they are able to exert some other kind of influence.<ref name="7.24" /> | ||
The Circle of Thorns is mostly comprised of 'lesser' nobility, and rarely involves members of the Five Families. At least a quarter of Izril’s nobility occasionally attended sessions of the Circle of Thorns, but this attending apparently doesn't amount to much more than a show of support for a largely mysterious organization. There are several levels of commitment.<ref name="7.24" /> | The Circle of Thorns is mostly comprised of 'lesser' nobility, and rarely involves members of the Five Families. At least a quarter of Izril’s nobility occasionally attended sessions of the Circle of Thorns, but this attending apparently doesn't amount to much more than a show of support for a largely mysterious organization. There are several levels of commitment.<ref name="7.24" /> | ||
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Despite what the following history section implies, however, the Circle of Thorns wanes and grows in power as the era demands. Some points in time they are particularly powerful and in others they have been nearly useless.<ref name="7.24" /> | Despite what the following history section implies, however, the Circle of Thorns wanes and grows in power as the era demands. Some points in time they are particularly powerful and in others they have been nearly useless.<ref name="7.24" /> | ||
[[Regis Reinhart]] had founded the Circle, and included a ritual spanning half the continent that collects the blood of the members, from ceremonially shed blood as part of their entrance into and promotion within the Circle, or from their death. When activated, it would force agents to return to their headquarters and have their body changed in a basin of blood, making them stronger while also enforcing their loyalty to the Circle, making them part of the true Circle of Thorns.<ref name=":2" /> Each noble of Izril who dies empowers the ritual.<ref name=":1">[https://wanderinginn.com/2023/07/12/9-53/ Chapter 9.53]</ref> | Secretly, [[Regis Reinhart]] had founded the Circle, and included a ritual spanning half the continent that collects the blood of the members, from ceremonially shed blood as part of their entrance into and promotion within the Circle, or from their death. When activated, it would force agents to return to their headquarters and have their body changed in a basin of blood, making them stronger while also enforcing their loyalty to the Circle, making them part of the true Circle of Thorns.<ref name=":2" /> Each noble of Izril who dies empowers the ritual.<ref name=":1">[https://wanderinginn.com/2023/07/12/9-53/ Chapter 9.53]</ref> | ||
==History == | ==History == | ||
The first Circle of Thorns was founded by Regis Reinhart, as a method of | The first Circle of Thorns was founded by Regis Reinhart, as a method of channeling Izril's nobility into something useful.<ref name=":2">[[Interlude – Paradigm Shift (Pt. 1)|Interlude - Paradigm Shift (Pt.1)]]</ref> | ||
At some point in the distant past, [[Khelt]] tried to invade Izril, but was humbled by the Circle of Thorns.<ref name="7.24" /> | At some point in the distant past, [[Khelt]] tried to invade Izril, but was humbled by the Circle of Thorns.<ref name="7.24" /> | ||
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The real leaders of the Circle. Only a select few can obtain this position, as entry to the Petals isn’t based on sheer power, but about loyalty and commitment to the Circle. There are currently seven of them.<ref name="7.24" /> | The real leaders of the Circle. Only a select few can obtain this position, as entry to the Petals isn’t based on sheer power, but about loyalty and commitment to the Circle. There are currently seven of them.<ref name="7.24" /> | ||
In the end it would be revealed that at least three of them were imposters who were secretly sabotaging the Circle, that they were not from Izril, and also not Humans either.<ref name=":7.60">[https://wanderinginn.com/2020/11/22/7-60/ Chapter 7.60]</ref> | |||
*Melisaw (''Imposter'')<ref name=":7.60" /> | *Melisaw (''Imposter'')<ref name=":7.60" /> | ||
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==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
*The Name of the Cabal itself is part of a | *The Name of the Cabal itself is part of a flowery theme with Izril's nobles: Magnolia is the "Deadly Flower of the North" and possesses a [[Crown of Flowers]]; Bethal is a [Lady of Thorns] and commands the [[Knights of the Petal]]; the Nobility has code communications with Roses, etc... | ||
*The Circle of Thorns was | *The first mention of the Circle of Thorns was already in [[Volume 2]].<ref name="2.41" /> | ||
*Tyrion Veltras has repeatedly stated that he is not interested in the affairs of the Circle of Thorns, as he is adverse to assassinations and diplomatic intrigue.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2018/01/27/4-06-km/ Chapter 4.06 KM]</ref> | *Tyrion Veltras has repeatedly stated that he is not interested in the affairs of the Circle of Thorns, as he is adverse to assassinations and diplomatic intrigue.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2018/01/27/4-06-km/ Chapter 4.06 KM]</ref> | ||
*[[Bethal Walchaís]] suspected the Circle's spies were in Riverfarm during her first visit.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2018/08/14/5-11-e/ Chapter 5.11 E]</ref> | *[[Bethal Walchaís]] suspected the Circle's spies were in Riverfarm during her first visit.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2018/08/14/5-11-e/ Chapter 5.11 E]</ref> | ||
*Ieka Imarris' involvement with the Circle of Thorns was | *Ieka Imarris' involvement with the Circle of Thorns was known to the reader since [[Volume 5]].<ref name="I5" /> | ||
*2000 years ago, [[Belavierr]] | *2000 years ago, [[Belavierr]] used to be a member of the Circle.<ref name=":0">[https://wanderinginn.com/2020/11/15/7-58/ Chapter 7.58]</ref> | ||
*[[Az’kerash]] has agents as part of the Circle, but they are not in the upper echelons of it.<ref name=":0" /> | *[[Az’kerash]] has agents as part of the Circle, but they are not in the upper echelons of it.<ref name=":0" /> | ||