Merlin had helped his friend become High King of all of Estrelia and so now decided it was time to achieve his own ambitions. He had always loved the idea of creating a faction of knowledge seekers, men and women who spent their entire energy on the sole purpose of exploring the world and the stars many mysteries.
He broached his dream to Aldwin, he emphatically supported his old friend in his dream and helped however he could. Merlin had taught a younger Aldwin a great many things, including how best to rule and even afterwards advised the High King as best he could bringing great peace and prosperity to the continent. So, with the support of his High King, Merlin established 'The Order of Resolve'. Here he studied the strange power that he and some others had access to. People had called the sorcerers or Wizards as they had mistaken what they could do for magic. However, Merlin was never satisfied with this answer as what he could do was not omnipotent like magic was described as being. He studied this for most his life in order to understand it and because of that he had risen to become what people considered the most powerful wizard of all time. Merlin sought out these other wielders of so called 'magic' and proposed his plans to create a network of likeminded and powered individuals to come together and help to create a better future. One such mind was Prince Damian, the younger brother of King Aldwin. He had shared Merlin's fascination with the power he, Merlin, Yelena and Aldwin could wield that had made them so powerful like small armies in their own rights!
When the Order was still young, Merlin and Damian had set out across the continent and met many magic wielders who shared their mindset of working together to build something better. Merlin had been fascinated in how these people had used their magic to further themselves. Some had increased their own strength beyond that of any normal man to become able to lift large boulders above their heads with a single hand! These people where from the mountainous terrain of the Northern Estrelia. Here the winds were cold and snow fell heavily. Mountains loomed over the deep valleys and most worked within the mines as they mad their home into the sides of the great mountains they lived and worked in. Because of this environment they had evolved to be shorter than the plains people and stockier too. Their hardened muscular physiques a by-product of generations of mining hard rock. The magic wielder that could lift entire large boulders had been heralded as a chieftain amongst their people and given many honours for his strength. Merlin had spent many years to study the way the young dwarfed man had used his magic to strengthen his body and many more years to replicate it. He found that he could move and hit harder than before and move larger and heavier objects too! This breakthrough astounded him and also helped him to gain more insight into what this power was truly capable of.
Next Merlin visited a marshland full of swamps where he had met many people along they way who, at the mere mention of that place, would vehemently warn him of going no further lest he lose his life! He soldiered on anyway despite the warnings as all they had done was to peak his already budding interest. Soon he came across the vast swamps that plagued the Western Estrelia. He boldly stepped forth into its muddy depths. Many days did Merlin spend struggling to survive as he got lost running in circles. He would start to see and hear great beasts roaring and chasing him along his path. Maybe this would have deterred a lesser man but Merlin's resolve only strengthened as he pushed ever onwards, if the journey forward was this perilous that could mean that the reward would only be the more sweeter in the end. Finally days later, he was not disappointed. The people of the swamps had been amazed by the mans resolve to search ever deeper despite their interference. They decided to see this man for themselves and so they allowed entry to their gates. Merlin saw this and was awed! He had searched for days and never found even a wisp of sapient life and yet suddenly he now saw an obvious path leading straight to a gate made from two old willow trees that had slumped to the side and entwined together forming a beautiful and natural arch. The beauty of this marshland hidden realm wasn't the same as the intricate craving of stonework and masonry which the Dwarfed men of the north prided themselves on. It was more natural and its allure. Spending his time here, Merlin discovered the techniques of their illusion projection to hide and scare off all that came here to seek out treasures.
Like this Merlin travelled all of Estrelia as he learnt the ancient techniques that each culture and people had cultivated. When he finally returned back to the capital he had brought with him many followers of his new 'Order of Resolve'! He soon made a name for himself as the Greatest Wizard, due to his accumulated knowledge and his own research he had made great progress down his path becoming an almost god-like entity to the normal citizens of Estrelia. With his at the forefront, The Order of Resolve became widespread and accepted by all as it became a pillar of hope and prosperity for all throughout King Aldwin's rule. Even when Merlin disappeared and they were chased by the 'Mad King' they still persevered in the shadows for the prophecy foretold their great resurgence!