Septern was the creator of the ultimate spell, Dawnthief. Born 350 years ago, Septern was nominally a Dordovan mage but had the unique ability to understand the lore of all four colleges. The ability made him rich but very difficult. Shunning any college and beholden to no one, he had the Manse built so he could research in peace. However, he did deign to train a few promising Dordovan students in return for funding and access to the vast Dordovan library archives.

Septern vanished during the first Wesmen wars three hundred years ago, presumed killed by the Wytch Lords (see Parve) who are believed to have destroyed the Manse as they searched for Dawnthief.

The Manse is now a ruin, visited by no one and standing as a monument to one man's folly and the defeat of the Wytch Lords whose desire to claim Dawnthief ultimately led to their downfall.

The events surrounding the creation of Dawnthief are written in the novella 'Light Stealer.'