Names and ideas for societies of wizards and sorcerers?

[Turanil]

Well, it appears that I am short on ideas for creating sorcerous socities that don't sound too dull or idiotic or complete cheese. I would be glad to hear your suggestions. Everyone knows about the "Order of High Sorcery" in Dragonlance, but I was thinking more cults or societies of neutral or evil wizards/sorcerers in a dark fantasy setting. Something like (this is drawn out from Conan):


-- The Black Seers of Yimsha

Mount Yimsha is one of the pre-eminent peaks in the Himelian Mountain region known as Ghulistan. It is the mountain stronghold of the Seers of the Black Circle, one of the oldest continuously existing groups of mages in the Hyborian Age world.

The Black Seers consist of a Master and several Adepts.


-- The White Hand of Hyperborea

Hyperborea is ruled by the White Hand, a coven of sorcerers not unlike the Black Ring of Stygia or the Scarlet Circle of Khitai. The White Hand "Witchmen" are the priests and priestesses of Louhi as well as accomplished sorcerers. Their magic focuses around the cold of their land and control of the dead. Hyperborean sorcerers are highly prized in the northern wilds, but they are little respected in Hyborian lands.

In addition to their sorcerous powers, the White Hand supports teams of assassins who travel for the Hand. These assassins wear black robes, capes and cowls and a white, flat mask which is transparent only to the wearer, giving them the appearance of having no face at all. They use a wooden baton tipped with two egg-sized metal spheres with which they strike nerve centers to immobilize, torment or kill their victims. These assassins are said to be extremely swift and skilled.

 

[IcyCool]

There was one in a past game of ours. One of the players was from the group.

The Pelarian Ladies:

On the surface, this organization is a finishing school of the highest regard. Gradutes from this school are highly sought after by various nobleman, to the extent that the Pelarian ladies have, at one point or another, been part of nearly every royal house or kingdom.

In the dark corridors and secret chambers of the school, however, the truth about the Ladies can be found. All of the Pelarian Ladies are wizards of no small measure of power. Through numerous enchantments and mind-control spells, they control, manipulate, and assassinate their way into political and ruling power. Through a special form of short range (100') telepathic communication they can communicate with each other, and are required to afford one another the highest respect. All Pelarian Ladies pay homage (and a tithe) to the grandmistress of the school, who, along with a small council of advisors, determines what direction the efforts of the Ladies takes.