The Masters Council

Overview:

The Masters Council is an ancient international order, established approximately 2,000 years ago. The council's primary mission is to oversee and investigate folklore creatures—both benevolent and malevolent—that inhabit the Earth. The council is dedicated to maintaining balance by training and rehabilitating troublesome creatures, integrating them into human society.

The headquarters of the Masters Council is situated in the enigmatic town of Widdlington, a place known for its mystical aura and hidden history. The council's grounds resemble a sprawling university campus, complete with various departments that handle different aspects of the council’s work, including creature management, lore research, and defense against the dark arts.

Structure and Leadership

The Head Council:

The Masters Council is governed by a head council comprising 20 esteemed members, each a master in their respective field of folklore and mystical creatures. Notable members of the head council include:

• Master Roger Wyndam-Pryce: A senior member with vast knowledge in ancient lore and diplomacy.

• Master Steven Devlin: A skilled and experienced master known for his work with particularly troublesome creatures, including the infamous goblin Widdle Frunkut. Master Devlin is the grandson to famous Master Alexander Devlin.

The Elders:

The council also includes a group of elders who serve as honorary members. Despite their advanced age and occasional senility, these elders have a wealth of knowledge from centuries past. However, due to their mental decline, they are not permitted to hold any positions of authority. The current elders include:

• Master Ron

• Master Don

• Master Robert

• Master Jack

• Master Dick

These elders are often manipulated by more cunning individuals, such as Widdle Frunkut and Harris Travers, due to their diminished capacity for judgment.

Other Notable Masters:

• Wesley Wyndam-Pryce: Chief Lore-Master
• Dr Linda Shawn: Psychologist
• Dr Beverly Crusher: Chief medical officer
• Prof. Josiah Trelawny: Chief Science officer

Campus and Departments

The Masters Council grounds are designed like a university, complete with departments dedicated to various aspects of the council's mission:

• Creature Management Department: Focuses on training and integrating folklore creatures into society.
• Lore Research Department: Responsible for studying ancient texts and uncovering hidden knowledge about creatures and magic.
• Defense Department: Tasked with protecting the council and the world from dangerous entities and dark forces.

Each department is led by a senior master, with a curriculum that spans from practical training to theoretical knowledge, ensuring that all members are well-prepared to handle the council’s complex duties.

Pupils:

One of the primary functions of the Council is to assign a Master to mentor and discipline some of the more troublesome individuals. These are called 'pupils". Some of the more notable pupils include:

• Widdle Frunkut: Widdle Frunkut is one of the most notoriously troublesome pupils ever to be taken under the Masters Council’s wing. This goblin has been a thorn in the side of the council since his induction in 1861. Despite being expelled numerous times, Widdle Frunkut remains under the reluctant mentorship of Master Steven Devlin. Frunkut’s mischievous nature and repeated offenses have made him a legend within the council’s ranks, often causing chaos and upending the order’s efforts to maintain harmony.
• Harris Travers: Harris Travers is a delusional figure who once sought to join the Masters Council. Despite failing his interview, Travers deluded himself into believing he was the rightful head of the council and claimed to be Master Devlin’s superior. His persistence and manipulative nature allowed him to deceive the council's elders, convincing them of his false authority. Although his claims were baseless, Travers managed to create significant disruptions within the council before his deceit was uncovered.

Legacy and Influence

For two millennia, the Masters Council has played a crucial role in safeguarding the world from the chaos of unchecked mystical forces. Their work, often unseen by the general populace, has ensured the integration of creatures into society, allowing for a balance between the human and the mystical. Despite internal challenges, such as dealing with troublesome pupils like Widdle Frunkut and deceptive figures like Harris Travers, the council continues to uphold its mission of Imperium et Vigilantia—authority and vigilance.