Archmage

An archmage is a member of the elite upper echelon of wizards, adept in both theoretical and field practice of learnéd magic. Besides greater nobles and true prophets, archmagi are among the most highly respected members of modern society.

Qualifications

To be considered an archmage, one must prove mastery over at least one school of magic, preferably more, with mastery being defined as the ability to safely and consistently interpret and cast seventh-level spells. This is a process that usually takes at least a decade for a dedicated student, barring exceptional cases. A wizard who seeks archmage status must also either significantly alter or improve an extant spell, or invent a new one. This is known as a signature spell, and its efficacy, novelty, and replicability are examined carefully by the Convocation of Wands before they can officially bestow the title on an aspiring archmage.

Requirements

One is typically not referred to as an archmage unless they have been working in a magical profession for several decades, and discovered a major new magical species or property or invented at least a handful of widely used spells.
An archmage who has made demonstrably significant advancement in their primary field of study with the help of their auxiliary studies (including the invention of additional signature spells) may be declared a mystromancer, though this generic title is never used directly. Instead, it is specialized to reflect one's primary school of magic. Traditional titles for the masters of the seven major schools are as follows:

• Thyrenomancer, a high archmage of abjuration
• Xenomancer, a high archmage of conjuration
• Proquisiomancer, a high archmage of divination
• Hypnomancer, a high archmage of enchantment
• Stoichiomancer, a high archmage of evocation
• Palliomancer, a high archmage of illusion
• Stygiomancer, a high archmage of necromancy
• Synthiomancer, a high archmage of transmutation

Occasionally, these titles are made even more specific to denote a sub-field of expertise; for instance, a necromantic archmage who specializes in rot and disease could be a pathiomancer, or a conjurative archmage who draws mainly from the realms of the dead could be a spectromancer.
The highest eschelon of mystromancers are called mystrogogues—though, again, more specific titles like the above are nearly always used (e.g. Synthiogogue Tenser). Except in extreme circumstances, these titles are reserved for active and retired members of the Convocation of Wands.

Appointment

Archmages are expected to formally register themselves with the Convocation of Wands by submitting notarized proof of their degrees and triplicate scroll copies of their signature spell. Upon verification (which can take anywhere from a handful of days to upwards of a month), they receive a signet ring of purple hematite, and their rank is permanently recorded in the annals of the August Spire.
To protect the identity of mages who work in secretive or dangerous fields, the records that identify archmages are sealed to all outside the Convocation of Wands and warded from all divination magic. Of course, this leads some unscrupulous or braggadocious wizards to falsely claim the title, and other wizards to falsely accuse one another of not having earned archmage status. This is a relatively common incitement of wizard duels.

Type

Magical, Honorific

Source of Authority

Approval of the Convocation of Wands

Length of Term

life

Past Holders

• Tenser

Related Locations

• August Spire

Related Organizations

• Convocation of Wands

Related Professions

• Abjurer
• Conjurer
• Evoker
• Transmuter
• Wizard