Prior to the Chaos Wars, when technology and magic were merged in a virtual harmony, art was in line to take advantage of that. ONe particular order of Mages called themselves the Hallwardian Order after the founder Ba’vel Hallward. Through an almost religious fanaticism, Hallward developed a technique of painting that he claimed “magically captured the soul and essence” of the subject. This technique involved a headset, a series of robotic painting spheres and specially enchanted paint. Hallward felt that a being’s hands were untrustworthy because so much is lost between the mind and the neural pathways to the hands. The only way to get true art was directly through the mind.
Hallward’s craft soon drew a following and out of that grew an Order. The Hallwardian Order soon grew in popularity as well as influence. Apprentices from all over joined his Order to learn the craft. As more and more mages invested energies into the craft, the more powerful the enchanting became. Perhaps too powerful for Hallward’s liking. As the Order grew, many believed the enchanting granted good health, long life and some even say it brings them closer to their god. More and more high profile figures were paying big money for the service. A board of directors had to be formed to handle the business side of the Order, while Hallward remained lead mage.
The business side of it disgusted Hallward and soon the Order grew bigger than man that founded it. Hallward was ousted and faded into obscurity, exiled by the Order’s board. In truth, Hallward started his own monastery for an off-shoot version of his Order, calling it simply the Canvas Mages. They continued with their work in secret for the sake of the art and no one’s personal gain.
Unfortunately, like all things created by sentients (men or otherwise), the Order drew darker and more sinister attention. Artisans from the Order began to explore darker uses of this art – spying on the subjects, reading their minds and attempting to control them.