Society for the Control of Arcane Practice
Structure
The Yarru tries (with only mixed success) to control all magical instruction and practice in Rān society, especially in Khāgha. Due to their place in history, they are granted wide latitude by the governing authorities with regard to instruction, though their authority regarding practice is more tenuous.
They alone are authorized to grant licenses of apprenticeship, competency, and mastery with respect to arcane instruction and practice.
Junior Apprentices - Hūk Yādā
Those wishing to enter the apprenticeship, but who have not been accepted by a Būdī Yādā (Master), study magical theory only. They are not permitted to practice magic in any form (including any innate abilities) during this period. Instruction may be provided by the Yarru in one of its public classes (available by paying a stiff tuition) or by Kīdā Yāshāsār, but then only under the supervision of a Būdī Yādā. When their instructors deem the Hūk Yādā ready, usually after about three years of study, they undergo examination by a representative of the Yarru, but never by their own instructor. If the examiner is satisfied they have learned the necessary theory, they are made full apprentices (Kīdall Yādā) and assigned to a Būdī Yādā (or a Būdī Yādā may select them by name).
Full Apprentices - Kīdall Yādā
Once a student becomes a Kīdall Yādā, their formal instruction in arcana truly begins. They are usually expected to learn at least one additional language, usually with some connection to a particular school of magic. They are then expected to shadow their Būdī Yādā for a period of not less than five years. During this time, they are little more than an indentured servant, though the Būdī Yādā is obligated to train them in the basics of cantrip magic and instruct them in the practical application of arcane theory, spell transcription, ritual preparations, and so on. After their five years of apprenticeship, they are granted the opportunity to be examined by a representative of the Yarru in a similar fashion to when they advanced from Hūk Yādā to Kīdall Yādā. If they fail their examination, they have two more opportunities, each on the anniversary of their last failed examination. If, after three examinations, they are not deemed worthy to become Kīdā Yāshāsār, they are banned from practicing arcana for life. Few successfully complete their apprenticeships.
Competent Wizards - Kīdā Yāshāsār
Once a wizard has successfully completed their apprenticeship, they are granted the title of Kīdā Yāshāsār and licensed to practice the arcane arts. They are bound, however, to do so "in a matter that upholds a prosperous and well-ordered society." They also are authorized to teach magical theory to a Hūk Yādā, but only under the supervision of a Būdī Yādā.
A bare fraction of the Kīda Yāshāsār are ever considered for mastery. When they are, a Būdī Yādā will lay a labor upon them, that they must complete. The purpse of this labor is to force the Kīdā Yāshāsār out of their private practice of magic into the wider world, there to experience the fullness of their skills and abilities. Those who complete their assigned labor are then examined by the Tik Khāmi Fādā Iū. If they are found worthy, they are named Būdī Yādā.
Master Wizards - Būdī Yādā
The Būdī Yādā are the penultimate members of the Yarru, in terms of power. They have full rights to train apprentices and can generally act with autonomy. They are answerable only to the Tik Khāmi Fādā Iū, and are usually only called to account for extreme political reasons or for egregiously improper practice of the arcane arts.
The Arcane Collectors - Wib Kīrura Fādā
There are six Būdī Yādā, usually candidates for the Tik Khāmi Fādā Iū, who are called Wib Kīrura Fādā, or "Arcane Collectors." When the Tik Khāmi Fādā Iū needs a wizard brought in for judgment, one of these masters will be dispatched. In ancient times, these bounty hunters served to protect the common people. In the present day, however, they are used to rein in rivals or perform political favors for luminaries in wider Rān society.
The High Magical Court Tik Khāmi Fādā Iū
The most feared of all wizards in Rān culture are the three Būdī Yādā who sit on the High Magical Court. They operate with near impunity, ordering the capture and incarceration of wizards, then acting as judge and jury over their cases. Though the civil authorities technically can override them, this rarely happens in practice due to the historical importance of the Yarru.
History
During the Dragonwars, as the Rān people emerged as a distinct ethnicity, their innate aptitude with magic meant a significant fraction, perhaps as high as ten percent, were magically adept. Among the adept, a few accumulated substantial power and knowledge, often misusing that power to subjugate their brethren. Some aligned with the Tyrant Dragons, others aligned with this or that Elemental, and still others aligned with the Giants. The result was that the ninety percent without magical ability were often crushed under the feet of the wizards.
In 818 LE, a minargish wizard named Ūshū Khūh brought together an assembly of powerful wizards whose purpose was to regulate and restrain the use of magic. This assembly became Yarru ki shā Bīmīn Kūt Fādā, or the "Society for the Control of Arcane Practice in the Calpian" language.
The Yarru was effective but ruthless. By 826 LE, they had regulated arcana-users enough that Thāmmi Būdī was able to found Khāgha. Other settlements followed. At first, the Yarru was respected. In time, however, they became corrupt. Today, they are a cabal of power-mad mages, just like the wizards they were founded to control. They ruthlessly suppress rivals, and their favor or disfavor can be bought or sold to the highest bidder.
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