White Robes

Roots
At the beginning of the first Book of Mages, The Great Mage is near death. All 6 Clan Leaders meet. The leaders of Great Sea and Burning Hill decide to help the old Great Mage by giving him mana. The leaders of Dark Wood, Poison Water, and Battlebeard choose to let him die.

After this, hoping to become the Great Mage, Battlebeard, and the Leader and Magic Master of Poison Water send assassins to kill the Great Mage. They are successful.