The Arcanium
The Arcanium is an ancient mages guild and education body acting as the most prestigious academy of magic on the content. However, despite it's history as the place to learn magic since the The First Edren Empire, may believe the Arcanium is falling behind in magical research and its refusal to respect its most bleeding edge science, artificers, could put their legacy in danger.
Structure
The Arcanium once entirely independent and more prestigious in the first empire, has become a managed part of the greater Imperial Church of Myrrine, as the Arcanium is often subtly blamed for the The Second Calamity.
The Arcanium is structured in three major components. At it's basest level it is the advanced magical college for graduates of the College of Lore whom sought out to become wizards. Here one can select a field of magical study and continue to practice until given the title of Imperial Mage. An official vote of confidence in your particular field of magical study.
The second body, it's professors and researchers primarily focus on expanding magical knowledge of the empire for the empire. Made of official graduates, teachers, and elite mages, the mentors focus on how to advance their science. Though still expanding it's knowledge, many believe the church's oversight, especially in the three regulated fields of Conjuration, Enchantment, and Necromancy, all of which are considered Church Magics. Within the research wing competition is incredibly fierce. Stealing and sabotaging research is not unheard of and politics is considered key for a long career.
The final body is the Governing Council, a technocracy of mages, the best of each of the official schools. All of these teach at the Arcanium and perform full time research. The chairs of this body has its own selecting mechanism, but the focus has remained largely on capability. Though officially equal some chairs are considered more prestigious. The Grand Evoker is considered a greater position than say the Grand Conjurer. These positions are fiercely fought over as the privileges and access to knowledge and lack of oversight is leagues above love tiers. They also enforce judgement, place funding, and officiate structural changes. This council however is also plagued with politics. This had lead to inconsistencies such as the Grand Transmuter having been from the same family for the last 3 human generations, or the refusal of the Council to grant a chair to a Grand Artificer. This political mindset is also likely why Dunimancy is not considered a school of Magic in the Arcanium, putting the body as a whole behind on the newest field of magical research.
The current members of the Governing Council are as follows:
History
The Arcanium was formed officially some time in -500 during the first Edren Empire. These mages were famously more advanced in their research hand more independent. Folk tale suggest these Imperial Mages were much more politically powerful than the modern day. Often acting as chief advisors to the Emperor, or taking the seat itself. Official records mention imperial mages as senators and legates and the heights of magical science of the empire suggest wizardry as a more celebrated and sought after profession than even today.
However folk lore tells us it was the Arcanium that suggested the empire invade the Banehold to push hell back and grand tiefling slaves for the empire. As well as the Arcanium whom built the warforge that made up the empire's powerful legions. This would lead to the Hells invasion of the material plane, and the failure of the warforge to the crumbling of the first empire.
However during the reformation of the second empire after the battle of five emperors, the Arcanium was temporarily disbanded. It would be reformed under grater authority of the church and The Imperial Guide, regulated by the church. Since then the Arcanium has slowly rebuilt it's legacy, bank of knowledge, and history as an institution.
Founding Date
Around -500
Type
Guild, Mages
Demonym
Imperial Mages
Leader
Government System
Technocracy
Official State Religion
Parent Organization
Location
Comments