Archimagus
The rank of Archimagus is an unofficial part of the Order of Hermes, and there are only a handful of them alive. The title recognises a magi as one of the foremost masters of the Art: only the best can be granted it and only by the approval of an existing Archimagus. Further, an Archimagus can only grant the title to eight others within their lifetime. The Archimagus decides the specific criteria by which they award the title, so long as it requires the candidate to demonstrate their mastery of the Art and their dedication to furthering their understanding of it. This usually takes the form of a challenge, or a series of them, which a candidate may approach an Archimagus and ask to undertake. The Archimagus sets a time limit to complete the tasks, almost always a year, and ensures that the magi does not receive outside help - one can only become an Archimagus by their own work. The title cannot be acquired in any other way, even a Grand Tribunal cannot award it.
The nature of challenges set tend to be fairly simple sounding tasks that are extremely hard to actually accomplish, and all require magic to undertake. An Archimagus usually sets challenges according to their own specialities, so a candidate may seek out an Archimagus whose talents match their field for the best chance of success. The great Archimagus Licinius has granted the title six times, and each time has sent the candidate out after some creature or group of creatures deemed a threat to the Order. In contrast, the Archimagus Adelus ex Bonisagus, a recluse, has only awarded the title once, and his challenge was to bring him "an object of perfection".
The title only carries any actual authority in Rilea, where an Archimagus receives three votes at Tribunal (and a Magister, the rank below, receives two). In other Tribunals, it is a prestigious title but no more, in terms of rights and priveleges granted by the Tribunal. However, the Archimagi form their own, insular community which transcends Tribunals, and are often willing to lend one another a hand, or to support each other in disputes. Such is the respect they receive from other magi that their opinions are often given extra weight, so even when they do not have additional votes the Archimagi very quickly gather powerful voting blocs around themselves at Tribunals, and it can be very hard to oppose a cause that has an Archimagus backing it.
No Archimagus has ever been expelled from the Order. They would likely tell you that this is because such a wise and experienced magi as would receive the title would not think to betray their sodales... but also no sane magi wants to fight them in the ensuing March. Thus, it is an unacknowledged but open secret that the title exempts you from that ultimate sanction for anything short of outright diabolism or causing an especially egregious threat to the Order itself.
The nature of challenges set tend to be fairly simple sounding tasks that are extremely hard to actually accomplish, and all require magic to undertake. An Archimagus usually sets challenges according to their own specialities, so a candidate may seek out an Archimagus whose talents match their field for the best chance of success. The great Archimagus Licinius has granted the title six times, and each time has sent the candidate out after some creature or group of creatures deemed a threat to the Order. In contrast, the Archimagus Adelus ex Bonisagus, a recluse, has only awarded the title once, and his challenge was to bring him "an object of perfection".
The title only carries any actual authority in Rilea, where an Archimagus receives three votes at Tribunal (and a Magister, the rank below, receives two). In other Tribunals, it is a prestigious title but no more, in terms of rights and priveleges granted by the Tribunal. However, the Archimagi form their own, insular community which transcends Tribunals, and are often willing to lend one another a hand, or to support each other in disputes. Such is the respect they receive from other magi that their opinions are often given extra weight, so even when they do not have additional votes the Archimagi very quickly gather powerful voting blocs around themselves at Tribunals, and it can be very hard to oppose a cause that has an Archimagus backing it.
No Archimagus has ever been expelled from the Order. They would likely tell you that this is because such a wise and experienced magi as would receive the title would not think to betray their sodales... but also no sane magi wants to fight them in the ensuing March. Thus, it is an unacknowledged but open secret that the title exempts you from that ultimate sanction for anything short of outright diabolism or causing an especially egregious threat to the Order itself.
Type
Magical, Honorific
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