Articles of Magic

The Articles of Magic is a constitutional document written by the The Mages' Guild in the year 1000AA. It describes the organization of the guild and outlines the powers and rights of the guild and of all users of magic in Aasha.

Purpose

The purpose of the document was to officially set up The Mages' Guild governing bodies as well as decree the Guilds' inherent right and power to regulate magic throughout all of Aasha. It is the backbone of Mage society, and the Mages' Creed which is the first article of the document is memorized by all Mages during their time at the Arcane Academy of Adara.

Document Structure

Clauses

The document is organized into Articles. Each Article is the foundation of a particular aspect of the guild as follows:

1. Mages' Creed - The basic ethical and moral code that governs members of the guild
2. Mission and Creed of the Mages' Guild
3. The Powers and Responsibility of the Circle - The Governing Body of the Guild and City
4. The Powers and Responsibility of the Hall of Mages - The Legislative Body of the Guild and City
5. The Arcane Proclamation

Publication Status

The original stone tablets on which the Articles are written are held at the Hall of Law in the city of Adara. By law, this building is open to the public at all times.

Legal status

The Articles of Magic and its Arcane Proclamation is recognized by the majority of Nations in Aasha. It is rejected by the Allied Dukedoms of Camdyn  and also by Gnomastra.

Historical Details

Background

Following the conclusion of the Blood Wars in 840AA, the Mages' Guild recognized that it was their policies and actions that lead to the conflict and the wanton destruction of so many lives and property during the War. The Guild decided that it must re-organize and re-commit itself to prevent another conflict again. Prior to the writing of the Articles, the Guild was primarily governed according to tradition, and there was great consternation of throwing away a thousand years of tradition and starting anew.

History

While the Guild and its members all agreed that something should be done to control and prevent magical atrocities, there was no consensus on how a thing would be accomplished. It took more than 80 years of infighting, backlash, politicking, and compromise to write the Articles of Magic, but once they were adopted, the Guild had unanimous acceptance.
The Arcane Proclamation, the fourth article of the document, was sent to every kingdom declaring that the Mages' Guild would be the sole keeper and regulator of all things arcane. Many nations accepted the proclamation and made it easier for the Guild to operate within their borders - many of these nations were the war-torn countries of the Blood War.
Other nations rejected the idea of giving up some sovereignty - even if it was only limited to the arcane - to some foreign power. The Dukedoms of Camdyn , in particular, ravaged by the Blood War blamed the Guild for its cause and decided bar the Guild from operating in its borders.
The Arcane Proclamation also initiated a conflict with the Circle of Sages who at the same time maintained their own arcane library which, after threats from the Guild, was forced to relinquish.
The bards of Aasha also fought back against the Proclamation. After intense negotiations with the Mages' Guild and with the backing of very powerful world leaders, the largest bards' guilds and schools were able to make a deal. In 1106AA bardic schools that taught arcane magics had to be accredited by the Mages' Guild. All bards' guilds had to accept oversight by the guild and every bard had to have a license issued to them by the Guild in order to use magic.

Legacy

There has been no universal sentiment towards the Articles of Magic. Mages in Adara universally praise the document and consider them the backbone of Mage society. The document is revered by all who dwell or have dwelled in Adara and is a point of pride and achievement among members of the Mages' Guild.
To others, however, the Articles give the Mages' Guild a moral mandate to do meddle in the affairs of others. Many questionable or morally grey policies of the Guild have been done with the Articles as its mandate. For example, the Articles have been used as the basis for the Education Doctrine - the policy that all magic-adept children be sent (or captured against their will) to the Arcane Academy for proper training. It has also been the justification for various "cleansings" where the Guild actively hunted for sorcerers and warlocks labeling both as dangerous to society.

Read the Document

Articles of Magic

Article I

A member of the Mages' Guild with all of the rights, powers, and privileges there of shall comport his or herself in a manner fitting of his or her station. As such, any member of the guild to be found not in accordance of the following values may find him or herself of reprimanded accordingly by the Guild.
A Mage protects the Guild and its fraternity.
A Mage causes no harm and prevents harm to come to others.
A Mage protects the arcane and seeks out new knowledge.
A Mage rejects the occult and respects the divine
A Mage remembers the dead, but doesn't not raise them.
A Mage's power comes is innate and not from another living thing.
Magic is the path to mortal salvation.

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Type

Decree, Governmental

Medium

Stone

Authoring Date

1000 AA

Location

Adara

Signatories (Organizations)

• The Mages' Guild