Guild Arcanum
The Guild Arcanum (or simply The Guild) is possibly the single most powerful organization below the The Crown. While in theory a rung below The House, in terms of actual power and influence in Court, they are effectively equal.
While the Guild's stated goal is to promote and advance the knowledge of spellcraft, the true goal is much closer to maintaining the status quo. They actively work to prevent any individual spellcaster or group (outside of direct Guild influence) from rediscovering the mysteries that led to the Mages of Power.
Organization
The Guild is overseen by the Dean, who is assisted by eight Advisors (one for each school of magic), and various other advisors either appointed (as the Court Advisor appointed by the King) or accepted (such as the artisan's and merchant's advisors). Each Advisor oversees a College, which is generally located within the Kingdom. The Court Advisor oversees the College of War Magic (located adjacent to Miskatonic University in the Capitol). The merchant's advisor (called the Chief Librarian) oversees the Arcanum's interests at the Library of Candlehar (which maintains, procures, and produces many of the Spell manuals available throughout Ardrigh). The Artisan's advisor (called the Principa) does not oversee a physical school as such, but does oversee what is called the College of Scribes, who produce most of the non-magical texts for the Arcanum. The various schools and locations are listed below:
The War College is notable as the primary school of instruction for the Proctors. All proctors of Thaumaturge grade or above are expected to sit for their Board and be certified by before the Court Advisor, the advisor of their school (if other than the War College), and the Chief Proctor.
In addition to the major colleges listed above, numerous smaller schools of instruction exist throughout Ardrigh. These schools exist for basic instruction, and teaching of the lesser wizards (such as bards, Eldritch Knights, occasionally rangers, and even warlocks if they so choose to gain formal instruction). These schools, while more or less independent of the Arcanum, do by law and custom fall under the overseership of The Dean. Most of these schools are headed by someone either personally chosen by The Dean, or have been given his approval. It is a rare circumstance indeed that one of these schools will be run by someone not approved by The Dean.
A partial list of mystic colleges and schools is listed below:Education and instruction of mundane subjects is taught (and overseen) by the Arcanum as well, giving the Guild even greater influence. Some of the schools are actually better known for their mundane academics than for their arcane programs. A brief listing of mundane subjects, and the school(s) they are noted for, are listed below:
Academy Arcane
while not an official part of the Guild, various Academies Arcane exist throughout the Realm. These small institutions are independent organizations, typically organized by the local Baron, and overseen by the Court Wizard (and sometimes the High Priest). In cities that have a school of magical learning, the Academy is administered by that school.
The purpose of an Academy Arcane is to seek out those with magical potential (whether mage, priest, or innate), and to assist those individuals in developing whatever potential they might have. Those with priestly power are commonly directed towards The House (and less commonly to druidic circles). Individuals with the potential to become a mage are tested and encouraged to seek additional local instruction (if such exists). Those with innate magic are generally encouraged to put their magic to profitable use (if such is possible).
All Academies Arcane fall under the jurisdiction of the Guild Arcanum, but are largely free to operate as local leaders see fit. Some Barons view the Academy as a means to refine an arcane army, while others view it as an unnecessary drain on the royal coffers. Some nobles view a robust functioning academy as a source of pride, while others view it with suspicion, producing a group of potential adversaries that cannot be understood or controlled.
Membership
The Guild does oversee all users of magic (excepting those who fall under the province of the Church, such as clerics, druids, paladins, and rangers), and passes down laws pertaining to it's use. All official magic use (magic-for-hire, such as a Court Wizard, or someone hired to cast specific spells, or to cause a stated goal) is required to be performed by a certified & licensed mage. Licensure is controlled by the Guild, and (except in certain rare and unusual circumstances) is only granted to those who are members of the Guild Arcanum. Magic done for personal benefit (as would apply to most adventurers) is not considered magic for hire. Although magic use for treasure seeking is considered by the Guild as for-hire, it is often difficult to prove, and they seldom attempt to enforce it. Magical instruction IS strongly enforced, and is prosecuted when it can be reasonably proven (A written magical apprenticeship contract is considered proof under most circumstances, and is why such contracts are often well guarded and generally hidden).
Membership is open (at least in theory) to anyone who gains their magical casting ability through study of the arcane. This includes: artificers, bards, rangers (some), eldritch knights, arcane tricksters, sorcerers, warlocks, witches, and (of course) wizards. Membership in the Guild Arcanum requires that the person first be certified. Certification requires that a person present themselves to one of the official colleges for both a written and a practical examination. The written exams commonly take at least one hour per caster level. A Practical exam will only be given once the written portion is taken and passed successfully. Upon acceptable completion of both parts of the exam, the applicant must stand before a board of instructors for an oral examination, who may ask the applicant any number of questions before either approving the certification, or giving just cause as to why the applicant is refused. If an applicant feels the Board gave an unjust refusal, or were not fairly examined, an appeal to a supervisory instructor, an Advisor, or the Dean, are possible, but are seldom granted.
Once an applicant has been properly certified, they may enroll at one of the various Arcanum Colleges, take an apprenticeship (called a Practurn) with a wizard of proper level, or they may request a prompt membership. Applicants are often told by their oral Board whether or not they should take a Practurn, and requests for a Prompt Membership when applicants are recommended to join a college or to seek a Practurn are often declined. Enrollment in an approved school (except in truly exceptional circumstances) grants the applicant automatic admission to the Guild. Indeed, several of the schools (Miskatonic and Templar Universities for example) require their students to join the Guild as a condition of admission (Individuals without magical ability may join the Guild as informal members only).
Candidates for Membership (after completion of a course of study or Practurn) commonly have to stand for another Board, at which they often submit proofs of magical proficiency (spellbooks and/or magical journals, potions, scrolls, and magical items created by the candidate) and letters of recommendation. The Board may include written and practical elements, or the candidate may only be asked a few questions. Upon successful completion of the board, the candidate must pay his dues for the first year, and is then accepted as a full member. The cost of dues is based on the caster's grade, and is commonly 100 gp per year, per grade (half grades are not considered). If a candidate is not accepted, they may request a Bull of Contention, which is a written document composed by the board, listing the perceived deficiencies, recommendations on how to correct said deficiencies, and the date after which the candidate may again apply for Membership (or promotion).
Attendance in a Guild course of instruction commonly includes the costs of any mandated examination fees.
Guild Arcanum Binding
Upon officially being admitted to the ranks of The Guild, the applicant must swear an Oath of Binding to the Arcanum. The oath requires the following commitments:
Membership Perks
Being a member of the Arcanum allows free or reduced-cost use of grade-appropriate materials at any of the College Libraries (a mage can generally gain access to any number of well-known spells (up to their grade level) for transcription for 25 gp per spell level) (excepting special and restricted materials, and materials held for safekeeping (some wizards keep copies of their spellbooks in the Library archives)), special rates on some spell components, use of most College facilities, use of the Guild Grade on royal and official documents, access to grade-appropriate Guild research, and the legal right to be addressed by grade. It also allows preferential treatment in Arcanum legal proceedings. Membership also allows the guild to collect fees for transcription of spells or spell formulae that the member has created or discovered. This of course only applies to new or unique spells and items, and excludes novel spells and items that are substantively identical to known spells.
instructors
Mages of Prentice grade (3rd level spells) and above may request permission to become Guild Instructors. Membership in the Guild as an instructor involves standing for an Instructors Board. Proofs of Proficiency are required to be submitted, and must include at minimum: the prospective instructor's personal spellbooks (or complete copies), publication in journals or research materials, a sample manual of instruction, and an example Magical Apprenticeship Agreement. The candidate must pass both written and practical exams, and must often teach a class. The class may be neophytes, members of a class already enrolled at a College, or (in rare cases) the Review Board itself. Those requesting an Adept Grade (7th level spells) or above instructor license often have at least one Advisor, and even the Dean, as members of the Board. The cost for requesting an Instructor Board can be up to 250 gp per grade level (ie: the cost for being able to teach fireball and dispel magic could cost 750 gp; while being able to teach the disintegrate and magic jar spells could cost 1,500 gold). Instructor Membership dues are 150 gp per year per grade, but allows the wizard to teach magic to others (either paid or unpaid).
High level mages who teach only low level spells do not get a break on their dues. The cost of dues in such a case would be the normal dues (100 gp per year, per grade), plus 100 gp per spell level that can be taught.
Court Wizards
While not all Court Wizards are actual wizards (virtually any tokken of sufficent grade can become a Court Wizard), many are, and all have the authority of both the Guild and the Crown. Court Wizards serve as advisors and protectors to a ruler, and act as an intermediary between that ruler and any local mystic organizations.
The duties of a Court Wizard vary from ruler to ruler, but generally include:
Court Wizards are expected to be provided proper recompense by their liege. This compensation generally includes (but is not necessarily limited to):
Guild Proctors
The Crown (through the overseership of the Guild Arcanum) maintains a group of investigators who are charged with investigating violations of the law whenever magic is involved. These investigators are called proctors, and they have full authority of the Crown. Indeed, some proctors have royal blood, and are allowed to use their title as a part of their official title.
While the majority of prospective proctors attend the War College, a significant percentage of wizards are trained at the University of Inverdoon in Cuenar. When a council of proctors is sent to investigate a ruling noble, they will often send one war mage, an abjurer, and either a diviner or enchanter.
The Guild and the Council
While the Guild Arcanum holds royal charters to teach, regulate, and discipline those who practice the arcane arts within Ardrigh, Sandalwrin, and the North Country; members of the Council of Jesuits are exempt from at least some of the Guild's authority. As Candlehar (where the seat of the Council of Jesuits resides) is a free and independant city, the Arcanum has no official legal standing. Jesuits are free to teach one another, whether paid or free, without being required to hold a Guild Arcanum Instructor's license. Even when an instructor is a member of both orders, a mage may teach any number of students or spells, so long as the teaching does not rise to the level of a school. While the Council maintains completely independent schools in Candlehar, any arcane school outside of that city would immediately come under the scrutiny of the Guild and it's proctors.
In general, Jesuits enjoy a level of autonomy from the Guild's authority beyond that of non-aligned mages. That is not to say that they will not be subject to even more scrutiny, as is often the case. Guild proctors have vast authority and discretion in investigating violations of magic law, and often exercise that power to the limit (and even beyond).
The Arcane & the Divine
By and large, the Arcanum and the House coexist without conflict. That is not to say there is no anamosity between the two. Some mages still distrust the organization that (as they see it) persecuted wizards and other mages during the Reformation.
Current Dean: Azarro Carthon
Being a mage is never easy. If you thought the weft and warp of Magic were complex, then you've never experienced the intrigues surrounding a Court Wizard!
Arcanum Grades
The term High (and occasionally Upper, but only for the Traditional grades) is sometimes used to denote a "half grade". The High designation is not an official designation for the purposes of membership, benefits, or the like, but is generally used on diplomas, certificates, etc. Not all mages use the designation, although it is not incorrect to do so.
Robe Colors
Each of the different schools commonly wear a robe of a distinct color to denote their affiliation to that school, and the traditions that they hold. These robes are typically worn during training, and for official business, although they are not strictly required to do so. The wearing of a wizard's robe other than the one that by tradition and training one is "supposed" to wear is commonly considered either a social faus pax or outright insult, depending on the situation. Exceptions to this stricture do exist, and most deal with serving in a role other than the one the wearer would typically be expected (such as an evoker teaching at the War College).
A cloak/cape is also worn on special occasions, and is of the same color and material as the robe. Most robes are made from wool, although silk robes are occasionally worn. The wearing of silk robes is considered ostentatious for anyone below Adept Grade, although some Barons insist their Court Wizards wear them.
All wizards wear a tan or lighter brown leather belt, excepting proctors (and certain rare others) who wear a black one. These black belts are often given to the individual personally by the King, and may be worn whether or not the individual is still employed as a proctor. Court Wizards sometimes add a belt tip that incorporates their town or city's seal. Additionally, the Dean, Advisors, and certain others who serve the Guild Arcanum in an official capacity may wear a white belt. A white belt is generally not worn with the white or grey robes, and will only be worn while the individual is operating in an official capacity on behalf of the Guild.
Mages that join the Guild who do not belong to (or never attended) one of the colleges will generally choose to wear the colors of whichever college they most closely align with, or else wear a tan or brown robe. Indeed, the Brown Robes of the Arcanum are a small sect of members who take pride in the fact that they are solely self-taught.
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