The Circle of Magi
Mage Training
The ponies of Thedastria long ago recognized those with magical potential are both incredibly useful and terribly dangerous. Trained mages can provide many worthwhile services, but every mage is also a potential target for demonic possession, a possible abomination and threat to everyone.
Structure
The Circle is broken down into numerous smaller circles, each an enclave of mages. Circles are typically isolated from the rest of the populace, their towers and strongholds located on islands, lonely shorelines, the far reaches of dense forests, and so forth. This protects people from mishaps and discourages casual visitors. A Circle is inevitably accompanied by a garrison of templars and various support staff, the latter often former mages who have undergone the Rite of Tranquility. The Tranquil are the Circle members most likely to venture into cities on a regular basis.
The hierarchy of a local Circle is simple. The Chantry (through its templars) oversees the organization. Within each Circle a first enchanter leads a council of senior enchanters, the highest-ranking mages. While ideally those with proven ability and merit hold these posts, they often fall to the mages with the strongest knack and appetite for politics, as well as those in favor with the Chantry and the Circle’s most influential fraternities.
Below the council of senior enchanters are the enchanters, responsible for teaching and training within the circle. Below them are the rank-and-file mages, those who have passed their Harrowing. Finally, there are the apprentices, those in various stages of magical training who have not yet passed their Harrowing. Apprentices are typically organized into classes based on age and experience.
Officially, the Circle of Magi remains neutral in all outside matters. A given Circle is not supposed to become involved in the politics or internal affairs of even the realm where it is located. Circle mages acknowledge the authority of their organization and the Chantry and little else. In practice, mages do become involved in conflicts from time to time, and minor infractions tend to be overlooked.
Culture
Fraternities
A well-educated and generally thoughtful lot, mages tend to form their own opinions and naturally gravitate towards discussion and debate. This has led to the formation of distinct factions, known as fraternities, within the Circle of Magi, based on the opinions and teachings (some heretical) of great mage thinkers and philosophers. The fraternities are informal alliances. The Chantry does not officially recognize them, and does its best to discourage mages from any allegiances other than to the Circle itself. Still, the fraternities exert considerable cultural and political influence within the Circle, a bit like political parties. A local Circle must often have alliances or coalitions between different fraternities in order to function smoothly. Sometimes only the authority of the Chantry—and the threat of the templars—can get different fraternities to cooperate. Ironically, it is at a conclave of the Fraternities where the Circle eventually decides to severe themselves from the Chantry, thus beginning the Mage-Templar War. This decision was not made lightly, and its effects are felt throughout Thedastria. See the fraternities section for a list of the Circle’s largest fraternities.Public Agenda
Only the members of the Circle may legally practice magic. So the Chantry created and governs the Circle of Magi to oversee the training of those with magical talents. The Circle has the right and responsibility to seek out those with magical potential, which typically manifests in late childhood or early adolescence. Such latent mages are taken from their families and raised by the Circle. No one is exempt; even children of noble blood must be surrendered to the Circle’s custody if they display magical promise. Only those raised beyond the reach of the Circle and Chantry, or who are deliberately concealed, have a chance of going unnoticed. The Circle and templars are sworn to hunt down all apostates.
Assets
While there are still Chantry templars stationed in every Circle tower, it is the mages who police those with magical power.
History
During the Second Blight, the mages proved their worth and helped save humanity. This allowed them to gain a measure of autonomy, and thus was born the first Circle of Magi.
Technological Level
Education
While the Circles of Magi are centers of learning, they are focused on magic. Apprentices to the Circle are taught to control their abilities and are eventually subjected to the Harrowing, in which apprentice mages are sent into the Fade to confront a demon. During this test, mages will either succeed, or die. Those deemed unfit to take this test become Tranquil. Survivors of the Harrowing attain the rank of mage and full membership in the Circle.
Type
Education, Magic
Alternative Names
The Circle
Official State Religion
Parent Organization
Subsidiary Organizations
Location
Official Languages
Related Ranks & Titles
Related Professions
Related Ethnicities
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