Brotherhood of the Vizjerei

Concept art of a Vizjerei sorcerer.

The Vizjerei is one of the major mage clans of Kehjistan, primarily located in Caldeum. The clan is known for their strict discipline and ability to curb even the most wild of young magic wielders in to proper sorcerers.

Appearance

Vizjerei mages are well known for wearing brightly coloured turinash (spirit robes), which often tend to be red. While the Zann Esu clan only takes in women, the Vizjerei take in magic users of both sexes.

Background

On the eastern edge of the Twin Seas lie the emerald jungles of Kehjistan. Several thousand years ago, hunter-gatherers found themselves drawn to the lush, fertile rain forests and bountiful game inhabiting Kehjistan. But there was something else; Kehjistan's geography was rife with nodes of magical energies, and eventually those with innate, arcane abilities began to sense and recognize these forces, gathering in groups to settle these special areas. It was here that the original mage clans, the Vizjerei, the Ennead and the Ammuit, were founded. Other early mage clans include the Zann Esu and the Priests of Rathma (though, not a mage clan in it's truest form).

As civilization evolved, the mage clans found many different types of magical energies to manipulate. Magic teaching turned from tribal witchcraft (combining magic with physical effects such as herbs and volatile powders) to organised schools of magic including holy, nature, primal, elemental and the more devastating arcane & demonic magics.

At some unknown time, the use of arcane magic was outlawed due to it's unpredictable and vastly destructive nature, bending time itself.

The Vizjerei were particularly interested in demonic magic, summoning small demonic forms to do their bidding, and use its powerful destructive powers to do their biddings. Vast libraries were compiled with knowledge of demonic magic and demonic entities. At the time, two of the most powerful mages were the brothers Bartuc and Horazon of the Vizjerei.

Horazon perverted the clan to his own will through the knowledge in their libraries, and his ability to summon and bend demons to his will. He would later get the epithet The Summoner. Bartuc was eventually lured to the side of Darkness. He was granted exceptional strength and longevity, and fought alongside the legions of Hell against the Vizjerei, and eventually his own brother during the Sin War. Bartuc paid the price of his new powers with an insatiable lust for blood to the point where he was later called the Warlord of Blood. While the clan was not bent towards Hell's forces, Horazon had corrupted it.

Vizjerei in Diablo III.

Horazon tried to turn his brother from Hell, but failed. A great conflict between mages arose, quickly escalating to what we today call the Mage Clan Wars. Horazon and the majority of mages did all they could to stop Bartuc's rampage. Horazon also created a place for himself that was separated from the physical realm where he could escape the carnage called the Arcane Sanctuary.

Many atrocities were made during the Mage Clan Wars on both sides as they desperately tried to get the upper hand in the conflict. Non-mage citizen lived in terror for either side, and for the average person, there was no clear "good" or "bad" side, just war.

Among the victims of the war was the Umbaru, who up until this point had lived peaceful lives in the Torajan jungles. A few Vizjerei sorcerers turned members of one of the Umbaru tribes into grotesque goatmen, called the Khazra by the otherwise relatively peaceful tribes. They were turned this way to improve their physical prowess in the wars, but it all turned sour as the remaining members of the clans made their own deal with Hell.

The rest of the clan talked to a demon named Zagraal and were given the goatman shape as well, in order to bring revenge upon the mage clans. They did succeed in driving away the mages, but were left in their semi-demonic form with a demonic bloodlust - the price they paid for Hell's services. With mindless killers roaming the jungles, the remaining Umbaru clans gathered their fiercest warriors, the Witch Doctors who still practiced

One of the most known and powerful mages of the Vizjerei is Valthek. Other known Vizjerei mages are Quov Tsin, Horazon and his brother Bartuc.

This mystic clan studied the ways of demons and had catalogued their lore for generations.

Mage Clan Wars

During the Mage Clan Wars, the Vizjerei used clans of the Umbaru people of the Torajan jungles in the Teganze region to brutally turn them into goatmen beasts to fight their battles for them. The close Umbaru clans then started a war against the mage clan, resulting in decades of fighting. After many long years of warring, they captured a Vizjerei mage, helped them control their transformed brethren and turned into goatmen themselves.

Horazon perverted the clan to his own will through the knowledge in their libraries, and his ability to summon and bend demons to his will. Bartuc was eventually lured to the side of Darkness. He was granted exceptional strength and longevity, and fought alongside the legions of Hell against the cursed Vizjerei, and eventually his own brother during the Sin War. While the clan was not bent towards Hell's forces, Horazon had corrupted it.

Mage Slayers

Main article: Viz-Jaq'taar

The Order of Mage Slayers (also known as Assassins) was formed after the Vizjerei survived the tragedy brought on by Bartuc and Horazon. Their purpose was to watch for rogue magi that may become corrupted by the forces of Evil. To be effective at this task they were trained in abilities that were not conducive to Demonic corruption. Living as rumour and myth to the general population, even other magi knew very little about this mysterious order. Their reputation was shrouded in mystery and the simple fear of their retribution almost ensured steadfast vigilance against corruption amongst those who knew they were real.

Ranks & Customs

It's known that neonate is the term for a recently appointed sorcerer, or a sorcerer student.[1]

Acolyte seem to be the rank most fully trained sorcerers, or perhaps sorcerers in late training are called.[2]

The brotherhood is lead by the Innermost Circle, which is formed by High Initiates, who's titles read "Brother of the High Initiate".[3]

It's interesting to point out it seems the highest ranks of the Horadrim were also called initiates.

A rogue sorcerer can be called a 'wizard' as an insult.

Locations

On the perimeters of the Vizjerei quarters, an infamous set of chambers called the Bitter Depths is situated under their Sanctum. Not much information is available about the Bitter Depths, but only high ranked sorcerers are allowed to go there, and they could include either great dangers or greatly dangerous mystical spells.

Among the libraries of the Vizjerei, the Ancient Repositories is one of the most ancient ones, almost as infamous as the Bitter Depths, and filled with the most potential of arcane magics.

Known Members

• Bartuc
• Horazon
• Nor Tiraj
• Quov Tsin
• Valthek
• Vischar Orous (Chief Librarian of the Horadrim)

Possible Members

• Drognan
• Zorun Tzin

References

• Abd's entry on the Wizard
• Abd's entry on Witch Doctors
• Abd's entry on Fallen
• Abd's entry on Kahzrah
• Diablo I Manual
• Diablo II Manual
• The Sin War Tome
• Diablo: The Kingdom of Shadow
• Assassin

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