» Wed Mar 30, 2011 2:57 am
All that I personally know thus far is that the Synod is religious (though how much so, I do not know).
However, we can infer a variety of things.
1. No "Mages Guild" and "Necromancers" this time - by going for lore-based names such as the Synod and the College of Whispers, Bethesda is declaring shades of grey with magic this time, rather than the blatant black and white contrast we saw in oblivion between the Necromancers and the Mages Guild.
2. The name "The College of Whispers" implies secrets - indicating a slightly darker themed guild than the Synod. However, it is possible that the two guilds are equally dark, just in different ways. The religious Synod may be more restricting, more controlling, and have a creepy cult type of thing going on. The College of Whispers on the other hand, may be like the Mages Guild flavored with a bit of the Dark Brotherhood's malice, and add a touch of the Thieves Guild's subtleties.
3. It has been heavily rumored that Necromancy is half of the Conjuration tree now - IF this is true, I see it as unlikely that even one of the guilds outright outlaws it's practices.