The Great Mage of the Circle, the White Mage

The The Great Circle is made up of selected mages, chosen by the Circle from among the grey mage applicants, who nearly-ubiquitously progress through the Circle's ranks in a linear fashion. The Black Mage will advance to Indigo when the rank opens, and so on. While it has happened that a mage has been promoted beyond a single level or around a senior mage, it is rare.
The exception to this is the White Mage, the head of the Great Circle, who must serve simultaneously as bureaucratic leader, military commander, and figurehead to reassure the public. This position is elected by the Circle from their own number. While officially the White Mage can be recalled if the Circle chooses or replaced if the mage retires, in practice the appointment is generally for life. This is due less to any grip on power by the White Mages and more to the dangerous nature of the role, leading the resistance to the marauding magical Ryuven.

Colored stones waiting for election.

The election is done with colored stones. First, nominations are made, and at least three mages of the fifteen must nominate a candidate for the candidacy to be valid. Mages are free to nominate more than one candidate.
With candidates selected, the voting takes place. A bag is passed, and each mage places a stone within, corresponding to their choice for the demanding position. Because trust and confidence are vital within the Circle, a two-thirds majority must declare the winner.
The new White Mage must represent the Circle to the king and his council, must command the Circle's military efforts, and must organize the Circle's magical research during periods of peace. It is a demanding role and a venerated one.
Any rumor that Mage Elysia Parma manipulated election results to scuttle her probable appointment as White Mage is wholly unsupported by evidence.

Type

Civic, Military, Not Commissioned

Form of Address

my lord/lady mage

Source of Authority

both royal and the Circle itself

Current Holders

• Mage Ewan Hazelrig

Related Locations

• The Wheel

Related Organizations

• The Great Circle