The Council of Magi [Mage Guild]
Dec 25, 2016 6:04:52 GMT
Post by Tytus on Dec 25, 2016 6:04:52 GMT
The Council of Magi
During the age of the Mepheri Empire, the Council of Magi was the head authority in managing and training would-be mages and wizards. Its authority quickly diminished with the Empire to become a shadow of what it once was before.
In the current age, the Council of Magi strives to protect what knowledge it still has from being lost. It hoards what magical knowledge it can within the Golden Tower while performing services for coin and goods to the nations of the continent.
SIZE AND LOCATION:
The Council of Magi used to have many towers and colleges throughout the continent. Now, only the Golden Tower south of Pakellan territory remains under the Council's control.
ECONOMY:
Within the tower, the mages are very communal and share resources on a as-needed basis. While personal luxuries are allowed, it is difficult for low-ranking mages to acquire them. Many mages reside in shared dormitories. Only the most senior of mages have their own room within the Golden Tower.
The Council of Magi performs work for the surviving nations of the continent. They contract Court Mages for leaders desiring the Council's magical expertise. They also have a group of battle-ready mages that serve as mercenaries for those with the gold. Healers are also available for hire through the Council. Scrolls that produced the same effects as spells are also sold by the Council. For mages that are not associated with the Golden Tower, the Council charges them for access to their vast library.
STABILITY:
Not backed by a government but with vast reserves of magical knowledge, the Council of Magi performs the perfect political balancing act to avoid destruction. The external threats are many. Yet luckily, besieging a tower of mages with knowledge of destructive spells is a very difficult task.
Internally, the Council of Magi meticulously maintains at least a year's food reserve in case of a siege. In addition, they have their own political factions that attempted to push the Council in the direction they believed was best:
- Isolationist Faction - They believe it is best for the Council of Magi to remain neutral in the world - merely serving as the stewards of magical progress on the continent. This faction is the majority.
- Imperialist Faction - They wish to restore the Empire to what it once was. Many of its members actively search for members of the Imperial Dynasty that would be willing - and able - to retake the continent.
- Independence Faction - They desire to see mages take an active role on the continent - yet not for the Empire's sake. They want a nation ruled by mages.
DANGER TO TRAVELERS:
Within the Golden Tower is considered to be one of the safest spots of the continent. While murder is not unheard of, it is very uncommon and the murderer was usually swiftly found and executed. Visitors of the Golden Tower are promised safety.
However, the Golden Tower is no place for refugees. Those that turn to the magi for asylum are turned away if they hold no value to the Golden Tower - either in magical ability or gold.
Fearing the chance of confronting a mage, bandits avoid attacking travelers within site of the Golden Tower.
FORM OF GOVERNMENT:
The Council of Magi is made of 9 Senior Mages. The Council made all rules governing the Golden Tower and the mages associated with it. Through unanimous vote, the Council elects one of their own to be the Archmage - who is supposed to be the wisest of all mages within the tower. The Archmage serves as the representative of the Council to the outside world.
When a seat on the Council was vacant, the Council votes on a Senior Mage to fill the seat. This is done via two-thirds approval.
Jobs and positions are assigned by the Archmage and his delegates.
FREEDOM AND OPPRESSION:
Seeking to be the foremost authority on magic, the Council of Magi has a liberal view on what types of magic were allowed to be researched. Independent research of magic is encouraged. One is even encouraged to engage in polite, scholarly debate with their seniors - yet it is expected that one swallowed their pride when they realize their ignorance or be ostracized.
However, there are exceptions to this as well as limitations. Apprentices and less experienced Mages are restricted from dangerous magics unless approval was given. The usage of certain magics, specifically large-scale destruction spells and mind control spells, are not allowed within the Golden Tower even though their research is.
The following types of magic are strictly forbidden by the Council:
The Council's historical records describe events where the use of such magic have lead to horrific, Empire-threatening cataclysms.
Research of the Forbidden Magics is not even permitted. All tomes related to Forbidden Magics are locked within the Archmage's vault inside the Golden Tower. Any mage - whether a member of the Golden Tower or not - found to be able to practice such magics are put to death.
COMMON SPECIES:
The Golden Tower is one of the most cosmopolitan places on the continent - sporting a representative of each sentient magic-wielding species. But that is starting to change. Within a couple generations, the Golden Tower will be nearly entirely human.
Before the Empire's collapse, the Council of Magi actively recruited young children of any species (that could be agreeable) with magical potential. Once the Empire collapsed, the number of young recruits dwindled. Most newcomers to the Golden Tower are either young human children from the nearby area or older people that could finally make the journey across the continent.
MILITARY FOCUS:
Filled to the brim with mages, the Golden Tower is a force to be reckon with if one wished to take it. The tower hires knights to guard the base of the tower.
Yet this force is only good for defending the Golden Tower. The Council of Magi has no military force prepared to exert its will on the continent - at least not yet. In addition if one could withstand a magical assault from the mages, it would be possible to besiege the Golden Tower.
TECHNOLOGY:
While the Golden Tower is ancient, few buildings made since its construction matched its structural integrity. It would take a force of nature to topple it - or at least some very large, advanced, and motivated army.
Within the Golden Tower, many tools once used within the Empire's academia are still in use. The Council frequently traded for new ink, pens, and parchment.
One attractive field of study for mages, especially the younger generations, is the field of "magitek" - combining magic with technology that did not rely on magic beforehand in order to create more advanced version.
PLAYER CONTROLLED: Yes, but willing to let others take Council and high ranking positions.
