Avalon’s Curse

The curse that created the world we know today, where people don’t know about magic. Created by the tyrant King Harthenon of Avalon and activated by Ivan of Camelot when he opposed him*. Before the Curse, mages ruled the world and not humans. It caused mages to lose parts of their magic, particularly permanent spells, and become bound to protect humans. It also created Guardian love.

After the Curse, King Arthur’s rule sealed its effects, when he showed humanity better, more moral ways to live.

The world today is believed to be a better world than before the Curse.

* Note: Most people see Ivan as the hero who defeated the evil mage-king, but versions of the story exist which show Ivan in a less positive light, including a book he himself wrote, which Julie reads in Dark Flame.

Secrets of Camelot, Chapter 1:

To think that our world was completely different once. Long ago, it was ruled by mages. But Harthenon, the terrible king of Avalon, created a curse—that in the event of his death, mages would lose dominion of the earth. To produce such a terrible and powerful spell, he had to sacrifice mighty dragons and diminish the great fire of Avalon—so nobody could ever reverse it. The Curse scared most mages. They didn’t dare challenge him and his tyranny. Except for one mage, Ivan of Camelot. He stood up to Harthenon and won. But then, the Curse got triggered.

Merlin’s Creed, Chapter 17:

“The truth is that nobody should have too much power. It corrupts the mind. That is why we had to lose parts of our magic. And now, humans must forget that we exist. As long as they can get us to wave our hands and fix the things that they do, they will continue to be reckless and treat each other like animals. So we must step aside…”

Blue Diamond, Chapter 15:

Although changed, it was a good world, one where fate and love were what bound mages to humans. Ivan saw Guardians, destined to protect humans, but also able to experience immortal love, a love so strong and transcendent that it allowed a mage to bring a Charge back to life, shortly after their death… He saw a whole new future for mages, starting with the village of Camelot. A human king would build a great town on the ruins of Camelot, guided by a mage who was well-known and respected. They would build Camelot to a powerful city both for mages and for humans. He saw a round table and an order of knights where all members were equal, led by the First Knight of Camelot, the son of a mage who was born to both Earthly power and magic, one of Ivan’s own descendants.