Archpoet

There's no end of aspiring poets wanting to become archpoets. We get a hundred of them in their first year of training. Then fifty in the second. You want to know how many make it to the seventh? One.

Qualifications

In order to become an archpoet, an individual must first go through typical spellwriting training. After the initial period of 4 to 6 years, the prospective archpoet must then be identified as having exceptional spellwriting talent. What this actually means is often up for debate - often those who performed exceptionally well in their studies are selected, but it can also be that a particular spellwriter has gained favour with a member of the guild of spellwriters. No matter the method of selection, there can only ever be one hundred spellwriters admitted to the program of training an archpoet. The training of an archpoet takes seven years of constant study. During this time, the pool of 100 students is whittled down by competitive exam, until in the final year only one candidate remains. It is possible that this archpoet fails the final year of their training, meaning that there is no archpoet produced from the batch of trainees. Indeed, this is more common than the actual selection of an archpoet.
The final year of the archpoet's training requires the trainee to prepare an original, widely-usable spellwrit. Examples include Lilies on the River, as well as many widely-used Ailmentwrits and Preservewrits.

Requirements

There are no requirements to become an archpoet other than the training period and an innate spellwriting ability in poetry. Prosweavers cannot become archpoets.

Appointment

After succeeding in their final year of training, an archpoet is conferred their rank at a public ceremony. After the Treaty of the Common Ruler was put into place, the ruler of Mythia has been in attendance each time an archpoet has been appointed. At this ceremony, the archpoet typically receives a gift of some kind, often a staff or fine pen, before being formally announced as having completed their training. The ceremony is presided over by the mentor that the archpoet has engaged with during their training, who defers to those of higher rank as ceremony demands.

Duties

An archpoet is expected to dedicate their life to the pursuit of spellwrits that will further the cause of Mythia. They often work in seclusion, releasing spellwrits every so often that improve the livelihoods of people. They are expected to produce on average one useful spellwrit every two years, but this is variable depending on the conditions and inspiration content of the year.

Benefits

An Archpoet gains many benefits from their rank. Firstly, they are afforded accommodation and food for free wherever they choose to base themselves. They are also given all the materials they require to pursue their craft, including the finest quality Ink and paper, and also pens from Pencrafter lane in Sanine. The Archpoet also gains a significant amount of influence in Mythian politics. They are allowed to call on the common ruler three times a year, and during these meetings they can discuss what they believe should be done about various issues in Mythia. The common ruler is not necessarily bound by their advice, but more often than not they are able to get their way in various matters.

Grounds for Removal/Dismissal

An archpoet has never been removed from office. However, should they cease to work in the pursuit of improving Mythian society through spellwrits, they can theoretically be dismissed. The guild of spellwriters must meet with the common ruler of Mythia to dismiss them from their role.

Type

Magical, Honorific

Form of Address

Archpoet

Source of Authority

The Guild of Spellwriters, The common ruler of Mythia

Length of Term

Life

Related Organizations

• The Guild of Spellwriters