The Lolea

The Workplace Recommends Dexterity
Art from Bloodborne

Per The Twelve Laws, Artisans never stop learning. Their education is perpetual, a machine that winds around itself, fueled by wind, wine, and blood. Graduates from the Artisinal Schools move on to join the ranks of coordinators and warmages in the military arm of The Republic or return to their hometowns to serve as courtiers. Occasionally, however, a student will show some prestigious bout for talent early on in their studies, and their name will be called separate from their classmates. Rarely does this occur in a single graduating class, but all who witness the sight of well-dressed inquisitors fear what is to come.


Lolea are executioners. Plucked most often from the classrooms of the Artisinal Schools, Lolea are curated by inquisitors and other Artisans (particularly professors) for inordinate talent, selecting those in the top percentile of their classmates. A Lolea's purpose is to serve both as warden and executioner, defending the school's interests and the well-being of its students. Their hand is expected when intruders breach the walls, or when a mage's rituals go awry, and violent acts must be performed. They are killers, calculating and ever-watchful, and these young artisans' training regimen ensures that. If the training lacks impact, trauma eventually achieves the same result.


Not all Lolea are trained artisans, but all understand the danger of chaos left undivided. Numerous Lolea have been conscripted from the ranks of soldiers and guildsmen, seen by some of the former as a sign of honour and respect. Others are hired from less-pleasing backgrounds and then shipped off to the farthest corners of The Republic, serving as intermediaries. Occasionally a Lolea will retire from their services only to return to the job market touting their skills, a mage-slayer for hire. Demand is high among The Twin Provinces.

The Appearance Is Different But Ask An Artisan; The Vibe Is The Same
Art by Saeed Farhangian

The Lolea

Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, Insight
Tool Proficiencies: Any one set of Artisan's Tools
Equipment: A set of Artisan's Tools, a steel mirror, 10 feet of chain, a signet or badge of your corresponding patron, and a belt pouch containing 5 gp
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Optional Feat: Mage Slayer

Feature: Architect Slayer

You were brought upon the chambers of great constabularies and artisinal schools, serving as a last defence against the chaos. As someone who serves (or served) among the ranks of the Lolea, your title pulls immediate respect. Soldiers and academics will nod as you pass; your presence is welcome in positions headed by the military and anti-magical environments, and those in positions of power may grant you small benefits otherwise unfit for your station. Artisans will often spite you, and those who choose not to satisfy your ego will likely discredit you entirely. 


Call of Honor
The lifestyle of a Lolea begins with equal parts talent and image. No matter how qualified you may be, you cannot join the ranks of the mage slayers unless you are chosen to be one. When trying to figure out how your character's patronage came to be, consider the table below for ideas.

d6	Lore
1	I was assigned my position through hard work and rank-climbing. Those in my detachment chose me worthy.
2	I earned my role through nepotism: a bloodline of stalwart killers.
3	I was chosen by my artisinal school to ward against my classmates.
4	Inquisitors approached me sometime after graduation. In exchange for wealth and comfort, I must shadow other Artisans; my friends and my partners.
5	I earned this position by being unorthodox. My esoteric talents perpetrate my lifestyle, a trait others found compelling.
6	Another Lolea granted me his title as punishment for a deed I'd done.

Suggested Characteristics
Being a Lolea is not an easy task, nor is it explained away as one. Many cope with their occupation by finding other vices to confide in, while others take pride in their work. Not all executioners work on behalf of the Artisinal Schools either: plenty of dedicated individuals (with or without the proper education) are willing to perform the same tasks for coin. Whatever your background, your duties remain the same, and those who genuinely believe in protecting the greater populace will surely be rewarded.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I am cold and unflinching. Violence is a necessity; death must be dealt.
2	I am empathetic toward those I supervise.
3	I hate working alone and, if possible, perform all of my tasks in pairs.
4	Hypervigilance has kept my partners and me alive.
5	There has never been a moment where I have doubted what I've done.
6	I am a strict loyalist to the laws of man.
7	I carry an odd glibness in my words, fragments from another time.
8	I perform any task to the highest bidder.

d6	Ideal
1	Order. My actions are for the greater good, to protect the world from the whims of chaos. (Lawful)
2	Utilitarianism. The needs of the many outweigh the fears of the few. (Neutral)
3	Pride. The occult disgusts and terrifies me, so I must stand in their way for posterity's sake. (Evil)
4	Pleasure. The acts I perform grant me untold satisfaction. I will do it again and again until the earth is dry. (Chaotic)
5	Service. I will perform my duties with the utmost respect. There will be no victims while I serve. (Good)
6	Avarice. No man has ever word a job for free, not of their own accord. (Neutral)

d6	Bond
1	This is the blade of the colossus, which strikes down the architect and all its crafts.
2	My sigils are in the eyes of a thousand dead men. My armour is the vessel for a messenger of death.
3	Those who share my craft are more than siblings; they are the roots which hold me taut.
4	I am a soldier first and a Lolea second. My allegiances are to The Republic and its many suzerains.
5	Magic is a gateway to things beyond the veil of understanding. By perfecting it, I become truly superior to those I supervise.
6	The Artisans think themselves slick, devoid of imperfection or rot. I am living proof of their foretold annihilation.

d6	Flaw
1	The last time I faltered, people died. Never again.
2	Artisans are simply frogs who have yet to realize they are in the pot.
3	This job is a chore; these tasks are a farce. I wish I was at home in my underwear.
4	I am sensitive to the sight and smell of blood.
5	Work has desensitized me to social situations. I find it difficult to converse about things besides my occupation.
6	I am suspicious of everyone and everything related to the supernatural, even my closest friends.

The Twelve Laws

 The Twelve Laws are a collection of rules, warnings, and regulations designed for the Artisans of The Republic to abide by. First written by a solely Roussili council (and co-written by Gisele De Roy), The Twelve Laws have gone through several revisions, though not significantly altered in the last 300 years. 

All Artisans are taught The Twelve Laws within their Artisinal Schools. These laws are seen as paramount to their education and are beaten metaphorically and literally into their mindset by their educators, to the point that most Artisans call them by another name; Des Vérités Évidentes, Self-Evident Truths.

These Laws are briefly explained below, in the order in which they are currently written:

1) Matter cannot be created or destroyed, only manipulated.

It is known that there are forces in this world which create universal constants, as well as those which abuse them. The concept of True Annihilation is heavily debated, albeit less so studied, as is the concept of Ur-Fabrication. To Artisans who devote their lives to manipulating some fragment of the waking world, these are the barriers by which we may begin charting limits and capabilities. Without these limits, Man may have deemed their work impossible from the beginning.

2) You must give before you are willing to take.

An Artisan's Five Tenets are Cumulation, Acumen, Ambition, Intuition, and Sacrifice. Through these tenets, Artisans focus on their fields and sharpen their minds. As a consequence of the magic of the Imps and kindred in The Occult Artform, nothing can be made from nothing. Decisions must be made with every casting; rocks, plants, or flesh must be transmuted in exchange for magic. Sacrifice is one of the first lessons an Artisan learns in their studies, at times with dire consequences. 

3) Sacrifice is the greatest act of all. 

As with The Second Law, the idea of giving oneself to a greater power is a concept analogue to martyrdom among Artisans. The ability to freely throw yourself into harm's way mentally and physically is a trait often pounded into their brains, so much so that it's been tediously studied. The Gisele Phenomenon shows a clear-cut psychological change between Artisans and their non-trained partners: An Artisan is twice as likely to put themselves in danger and just as likely to be dismembered for it.

4) All knowledge is related to some sort of higher truth.

The collection and subsequent archivization of information is a fiery social passion amongst the ranks of the Roussili and, by extension, the antediluvian systems put in place by The Republic. Information is seen as borderline sacrosanct to all but the most insipid folk, constantly changing and growing with the rapidly increasing pace of time in pursuit of greater belief. Artisans live by the truth that "everything happens for a reason."

5) Wise spades outdo dull hands.

Despite numerous idioms regarding the value of diversity and surface knowledge, it is common doctrine amongst Artisans that, in fact, it is far better to actually be specialized in a craft. There is little softening behind the actual emotion within the phrase, seeing how heavily Artisinal Schools prioritize making students experts in their traditional field far before they graduate. A specialist can handle just as much juggling as their jack contemporaries, arguably equally, while excelling over even the moderately educated in a particular field. 

To The Republic, Artisans are scholars first and magicians second, something even it is subject to forget.

6) That which is not lost is found.

Also, per The Republic's concentric ideology, Artisan students are commonly taught the importance of the mere act of study, not just what becomes of it. It is of great importance to The Republic and the institutions it has developed to pursue new threads wherever they lie. Knowledge not actively being pursued might as well not exist, and only inches closer to that harrowing point of being lost forever. With a conscious pursuit of historical fact becoming increasingly popular in recent years, the discovery of new threads has become remarkably alluring, in a way that promotes dropping all else to pursue it.

7) Education is dynamic, do not believe your studies will ever end.

Artisans continue their studies after graduation. In essence, it is a part of their very purpose: a perpetual struggle to teach and master. Some never leave the Artisinal Schools at all, assigned either to the crawling libraries of Archivists or the chopping blocks which suit Lolea. It is rarely in the interest of a well-groomed Artisan to ever stop committing to memory.

8) Some forces, no matter how appealing to the greater good, must never be legitimized.

It is common knowledge, enough to be noticeable, that the supernatural is wildly dangerous. Even in the stubbornest grumbling of ignorant men, there lies a twinge of caution, wholly aware of the dangers that await them in their most profound minds. The Republic has done its best to procure a respectful coterie of "acceptable" magic, but even that list shifts with the political shades that permeate The Committee. Within The Occult Artform, some feats dance along the knife's edge (coincidentally called Forbiddances by the Artisinal Schools), never mind the sly chicanery of Yr Drannas and the eldritch horror of The Primeval Forces.

The Republic is fully aware of its own hypocrisy. In its own twisted view, complacency and legitimacy are not the same, hence why some factions freely engage in workings with the Crourwrought or the dead.

9) You are special, not unique.

Anyone can learn magic. This is true of The Occult Artform, and always has been, to the dismay of few and joy of many. Artisans are oft picked from the breadbaskets of humanity, those who have shown either remarkable talent or a particular drive to learn. Nepotism is, of course, an issue (to some) within certain circles. Regardless, it is in the best interests of students to remember that they are as vulnerable as anyone else, physically or otherwise. Misbehaviour can cause tension in a classroom or potentially kill dozens in the field. You are replaceable, even when schools struggle to fill classes up to standard. Never forget that. 

10) Take any advantage you can find, for your enemies were born with them.

There are numerous explanations for why humanity jumped upon the idea of The Occult so feverously, and most of them would be correct, but none as important as the desire for self-governance. Historical records among the Roussili share a common sentiment of mankind being somewhat downtrodden by nature, in a way where humanity has always suffered and yet persevered under those who were "born better." They do not have claws, wings, or intrinsically miraculous properties. Humanity has survived because of its wit; It has taken every opportunity the universe has granted it, so the Imp's gifts should be no different.

11) Do not forget yourself.

It can be easy to forget one's place in the universe, especially when overwhelmed by the prospect of incredible supernatural potential. Artisans can sometimes forget that they are not immune to the forces of nature nor the inscrutable chaos of man. It is essential to eschew this arrogance throughout the term of education, instead applying great lessons on self-awareness to minimize misdemeanours. There will be pompous Artisans regardless, moments of pride in even the most stoic wizard, but it does not hurt The Republic's bottom line to at least attempt to address the issue.

The phrase "absolute power corrupts absolutely," while true, at times forgets a simpler truth:

The power required to corrupt a man is far less than one would desire.

12) The death of an Artisan is never the end.

Artisans are scholars first and magicians second. This has always been true among the Artisinal Schools and only tightened in the years since their founding. Even minor breakthroughs are archived should their findings be made public, and are torn from their hiding places otherwise. Every Artisan's advancement in their studies is seen as an advancement for mankind. Burial rites are designed in specific accordance with deceased Artisans. Shelves are isolated for dissertations within The Glass House as a sign of most profound respect. 

Despite many an individual's personal beliefs, The Republic's core ideology is inherently humble to the workings of the Artisan. Perhaps that is why the sting of betrayal burns so hot when Mages emerge on the sides of the enemy.