Perhaps the most rigid of the major magical traditions of the Sixth World, the Path of the Wheel is rooted in the elven nation of Tír na nÓg. The tradition takes its name from the Draesis ti Heron, the Wheel of Life that describes five different paths souls take in their journey toward enlightenment and total understanding. These paths are: the Path of the Warrior, the Path of the Steward, the Path of the Bard, the Path of the Druid, and the Path of the Rígh. Travelers on the paths follow mentor spirits particular to their path, and the paths are also reflected in Tír na nÓg’s social order. In fact, more than one observer has claimed that the Path of the Wheel is at least as much about social control as it is about advancing magic.

The use of magic in the paths is very formalized; several tomes outlining these practices exist. Or at least that’s the claim, as very few people not part of the Paths have ever seen these volumes. The volumes describing the Path of the Rígh, which is reserved for the highest levels of Tír society, are said to contain rituals handed down from the Fourth World or earlier, which outstrip anything we think we know about magic.

The ostensible purpose for the Paths is to help individual souls develop, but most who are familiar with it know the true purpose: to protect Tír na nÓg and advance its interests. Those following the Path of the Warrior make for fierce defenders, as anyone who has attempted anything illicit in the Tír can tell you. The rituals and general formalism exist to keep practices in line and to make sure the Awakened of Tír na nÓg color within the lines when they practice magic.

As might be expected of anything within the magic- soaked Tír, the Path of the Wheel encompasses all sorts of Awakened. Residents of the Tír are particularly comfortable with spirits, as they seem to spend most of their time with one foot in the spirit realm. They generally are neither commanding nor deferential to spirits; they simply treat them as just another member of the team on which they function. In general, Tír Awakened are extremely skilled with whatever talent they might have, though their rigidity can be used against them.

Practitioners of the Path of the Wheel are strictly forbidden from sharing their knowledge with outsiders. There have occasionally been members who have gone rogue, but they can generally measure their life expectancy in weeks once they do so. If you are skilled at disguise and infiltration, though, you might be able to visit Brigid Mullen, who lives south of Dublin. She is an expert on the Path of the Bard, and students demonstrating excellent potential are often sent to her for polishing. Her sight is failing her, but she has extremely sharp hearing— and perfect pitch. Getting in to see her would be an accomplishment. Getting her to sing for you would be a thrill.