Masks of the Circle

Mask of the Circle is a title bestowed upon members of the Masked Circle in Rosewick. These council members are the highest authority in the city and the country of Balihr as a whole. They have absolute power and may pass laws as they see fit.

Appointment

Each Mask of the Circle appoints their successor before retiring. This appointment can happen in a variety of ways, at the discretion of the Mask in question but with the approval of the rest of the Circle. This is intended to allow each Mask the freedom to dictate what qualities their successor will possess, while still requiring a unified decision from the Circle, preventing one individual from having too much power.

The only universal requirement for appointment to the Circle is a demonstrated level of magical prowess and general intelligence, which are seen as marks of a good leader. Typically, Masks of the Circle are wizards because of this requirement, although other magic users have occasionally been appointed as well.

Generally, Masks are appointed by a few common methods. The first is a simple matter of succession. Some Masks of the Circle have high regard for the idea of unbroken, "pure" bloodlines. These members tend to seek marriages to other strong wizards with the idea that together they might have offspring which are even more talented, making them ideal candidates to succeed their parent as a member of the Masked Circle. There are currently seven known Masks in the Circle that have been passed down in this way.

Another way that a wizard can become a successor to a Mask is by a demonstration of extraordinary magical or tactical prowess. Every year in Rosewick at the end of the Feast of Iva, a tournament is held for magic users of all kinds, and the Masked Circle supervises the competition. If one demonstrates enough prowess and talent, it is possible to catch the eye of the Circle and be invited to their candidacy tests. Likewise, in times of war, those who are exceptionally good in combat or in tactics may find themselves with an invitation to further tests.

The approval process is quite thorough, as should be expected when involving a position of such power. Candidates, once identified, are put through a series of tests meant to evaluate their physical, mental, and magical skill. There is also an interview process by three members of the Circle who did not select the candidate under questioning, in order to determine whether the candidate is suited for the social and power dynamics of the position. Once a candidate completes all of these tests, they will be presented by their sponsor - whom they will succeed - to the entire Circle, at which point a discussion and vote take place. To win the appointment, the candidate must have approval of at least three quarters of the Circle.

Duties

As a Mask of the Circle, one has many important duties. On a typical day, members of the Circle meet early in the morning and begin their day by holding audiences with any number of petitioners who wish to bring requests before the Circle. After a short break for lunch, the Circle reconvenes to discuss the current issues and work towards creating effective solutions. Any actions that the Circle wishes to take must be approved by at least two thirds of its members, and debates over some issues may take several days to complete. Members of the Circle may leave after sundown, or may elect to stay later to work on writing laws or reading through petitions. Once the first member leaves, all discussion is tabled until the next day. In the absence of a member due to sickness or extenuating circumstances, the missing member is expected to go over the minutes from the previous meeting and be up to date on all the Circle's decisions, although none can be made without a full Circle except under emergency conditions.

In times of war or states of emergency in Balihr, the routine of the Circle changes dramatically. No Mask is permitted to leave the council chamber unless ordered to attend to the situation directly, while correspondents and other delegates are sent in an out, to keep the Masks up to date at all times. This allows the Circle to make decisions as circumstances change. Sometimes, a Mask must be sent to where the current emergency is unfolding, in order to use their skills to help mitigate any disasters. This is especially common in times of war, where several members skilled in war magic or in tactics may be sent to the command center for the armed forces to take charge and help lead Balihr to victory.

Honors and Benefits

As a member of the Masked Circle, each mask is entitled to high honors and benefits. Each Mask is given a security detail to keep themselves and their families safe from would-be assassins or attackers. Additionally, they may choose to live anywhere in Rosewick, and are given an appropriate housing allowance to offset any costs. Many Masks live in large estates or mansions, although some choose to live in quite modest dwellings, side by side with their citizens. They are also given a sizable living allowance, so that they may eat however they choose.

Of course, as members of the highest-ranking authoritative body in Balihr, they are also accorded much honor from those that they serve. Masks seen in public in their uniforms are met with bowing and other gestures of respect. Some Masks choose to leverage this position in order to gain any material possessions they could want, or be given special treatment at establishments like restaurants or theatres.

Related Military Formations

• Knights of the Mask