The Berythian Ethos and Legal Code

It is generally understood by Berythians that magic is to be used for the greater good. Mages seek to deepen their power only if it leads to a more profound understanding of the world, but this in turn gives them access to practical abilities which help them to protect others and make the world a better place.
Local Chapterhouses grant a place to study and practice their art subtly away from mundanes. It is frowned upon to use powers for personal gain (which includes showing off), so demonstrations of magical might in public areas are rare. Berythians wear robes to show both their affiliation and status, and as an honest signal to the population, to let them know they are a mage. It is considered dishonest to veil this. The tradition is quite old so most understand the function of such a person, and accord them a measure of both respect and distance. The title Reshai is often used by mundanes when addressing a mage of any rank. The robes have traditionally been plain, hooded for travel, and styled without being showy, although Proving Champions of Sabellis don custom tailored finery, often of ostentatious design. Masters may wear the higher symbols of their Column, and Grandmasters tend to carry staves (unenchanted), again as a sign of office.
Rules around dress are relaxed in regions where the tradition is less dominant.
When to use magic, not just how, is very much a part of a mage's education, and the Order has many guidelines and strictures to temper the most impulsive young talent's sensibilities. The Order requires Apprentices to swear that they will abide by the code their Master provides them, and Masters in turn are sworn to teach their pupils the ins and outs of the Order. Harsh penalties await those that defy its regulations. Some key rules of the Order:

A Berythian mage cannot lie.

One mage may not produce dangerous magic, especially to battle another mage of the Order, where innocents may be deprived of life or property. Formal duels within the tradition are the norm. The Order is typically responsible to remunerate any such loss of life, limb, or property.

Mages agree to live by decisions made by the head of their Order

Mages agree to be called on to defend the territory of the liege lord, so long as their cause be just (the Council has outlined a fairly stringent set of rules about what this means).

They also agree to abide by the laws of the land, also should they be just.

The Council of Landezon agrees to work with local magistrates to ensure that the laws of the land are carried out – but Mages have the Council as an intermediary if they are found culpable.

Mages agree not to behave in a way that will violate the intent of the pact to preserve the general peace.

Masters must ensure that potential Apprentices are free from legal charges or familial obligations before taking them on. The latter may be negotiated with the family directly. This is to protect both the Order and the common folk from unwanted issues.

Further, a Master is culpable for the behaviour of any Apprentice still under his tutelage, and may be culpable for certain types of crimes until the Apprentice obtains the grade of Master.

Mages agree to serve the Order and not to act against it.

A mage of Beryth will not seek to charm or influence the mind of another, be they arcane or mundane.

The secrets of magic are not to be shared with the Uninitiated, under any circumstances.

Mages are forbidden to selling magic for personal gain, and forbidden from selling magic of any kind to the peasantry. All magic sold to nobles or higher must be of a perishable kind.

  There is also a deeper Law – The Law of Fair Return – that in a nutshell says: “What goes around, comes around”. Mages are very aware that their magic draws in consequences beyond those of mundane action, and choose to use their Gifts accordingly. Killing is disparaged because the loss of life is thought to bring about a like subtraction in the mage's own circle, but sometimes it is unavoidable. Even snuffing out an "evil" being is a weighty matter, but ultimately less consequential than doing so to an innocent life.