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The Society of the Morning Sunrise is a part philisophical society, part political party, part communal movement in Brevoy led by the famous philosopher Arcuso. Although Arcuso very much dissents from the duelling culture of the Swordlords he is tolerated becasue they judge his philosophical ideals are too lofty ever to attain mainstream political support. Nevertheless his campaigns have influenced the culture of Brevoy and he is on the brink of successfully pressurising the authorities in Restov to build a hospital. Arcuso is also noted as an eminent historian and he frequently makes reference to ancient civilisations in his public lectures, most notably those in East Sudland and surrounding the Sapphire Ocean. His knowledge of the history of the Nubian Empire has led some to suspect that he may be in possession of some of the magical secrets and artefacts associated in popular stories with that region. This has led the Restov Thieves Guild to make several unsuccessful attempts to penetrate the security of his mansion, with many of its operatives disappearing as a result. Theories related to these disappearances postulate that Arcuso can summon the strange beasts associated with the Dark Continent. Arcuso is known to have had a professional and romantic relationship with another philosopher, Lyrisa, who now leads her own movement, the Society of the Breaking Dawn. The two fell out, it is said, over whether to support the Second Crusade to Sarkoris and are now regarded as rivals. Arcuso is known to have influenced the thinking of the new leader of Iredar, Wren, and is in the process of moving his base of operations to that nascent kingdom with several of his followers. He has promised, however, to continue his series of public lectures in Restov. |