i'd like to incorporate something regarding this ancient precursor to the Mages Guild into one of our Questlines. posting the UESP article here for reference purposes:
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"There are layers to understanding all things,' said Sotha Sil. 'The common man looks at an object and fits it into a place in his way of thinking. Those skilled in the Old Ways, in the way of the Psijic, in Mysticism, can see an object and identify it by its proper role. But one more layer is needed to be peeled back to achieve understanding. You must identify the object by its role and its truth and interpret that meaning" — 2920, The Last Year of the First Era "In Mundus, conflict and disparity are what bring change, and change is the most sacred of the Eleven Forces. Change is the force without focus or origin." — The Monomyth, Oegnithr, Taheritae, Order of PSJJJJ
The Psijic Order or PSJJJJ is the oldest monastic group of Tamriel and makes its home at the Isle of Artaeum in the Summerset archipelago. The Order is first mentioned in the year 2E 20 by the Breton sage Voernet, who traveled to Artaeum to meet with the Psijic Rite Master, Iachesis. Psijics were counselors to royalty and teachers of the "Elder Way," a philosophy of meditation and study. The Elder Way differs from the usual magic in origin, but has similar effects.
The Psijics, along with their island, disappeared from Tamriel at the beginning of the second era, around the time of the founding of the Mages Guild by Vanus Galerion, a Psijic of Artaeum and student of Iachesis. The Psijics and their island reappeared 500 years later. No one has ever explained this disappearance or what happened to Iachesis and his council. The Psijics have been ruled by Lore Master Celarus for the last 250 years. The Council's influence in Tamrielan politics is tidal. The kings of Sumurset, particularly those of Moridunon, have often sought the Psijics' opinion. Emperor Uriel V was much influenced by the Council in the early, most glorious parts of his reign, before his disastrous attack on Akavir. According to legend, in 3E 110 the Psijic Order magically created a freak storm that led to the defeat of King Orgnum by Emperor Antiochus and the King of Summerset. The last four emperors, Uriel VI, Morihatha, Pelagius IV, and Uriel VII, have been suspicious of the Psijics enough to refuse ambassadors from the Isle of Artaeum within the Imperial City. Although the Psijics still counsel royalty, their presence is not as widespread as it once was.
The Psijic Order chooses its members "by a complex, ritualized method not understood by the common people." Even though the Psijics are extremely reclusive, members of the Order can be recognized by the gray cloaks they choose to wear. Members are even referred to by this distinctive garment. One of these members was at one point Sotha Sil.
As a member of the Psijic Order, it is important to remain "faithful" to the Old Ways. Members believe that the spiritual world is always watching our world, and a loyal graycloak will perform the Rites of Moawita on the 2nd of Hearth Fire and the Vigyld on the 1st of Second Seed in order to empower the salutary spirits and debilitate the unclean spirits.
It appears that the Psijics' training leaves no room for failure. For example, the trainee Psijic Welleg is cast out from the order by Sotha Sil for burning himself whilst training his ability to resist fire, despite the distraction caused by the goddess Almalexia's unexpected arrival just as the Nord steps into the flame.
It seems that the Psijic Order is increasingly popular among the young Altmer. Over the past thousand years, only seventeen new initiates were brought into the order. In the past two years, however, another thirty have joined.
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