The Master Mage

Supreme Adept of the Arts Arcane, Great Wizard, Arch-Magister... the titles have varied over the eons, but the role and responsibilities of the Master Mage have remained largely the same. It is a fact of cosmic reality in the Freedom omniverse that each universe has a magician most in-tune with the flow of mystic forces in that universe, the Master Mage. Becoming Master Mage is primarily a matter of skill, power, and insight (often destiny as well). Being recognized as Master Mage is sometimes a separate matter, although the exercise of a Master Mage’s power is something difficult to deny. At some times, in some worlds, there have been contests to determine which adept can claim the title of Master Mage; in others, the choice is clear.
A portentous choice falls upon the shoulders of the Master Mage, perhaps the most important in the universe. Connected with the primal mystic forces of her reality, a Master Mage can choose to become the steward and guardian of the universe, safeguarding it from any and all threats, or the Master Mage can choose to grab hold of those forces, bending and shaping them to become the master of the universe, what has become known throughout the mystic dimensions as a Dark Lord. Many Master Mages in countless realities have fallen prey to the temptations of power and become Dark Lords, dimensional tyrants ruling their worlds with an iron fist. Some Dark Lords are deposed, replaced by either a guardian Master Mage or, more often, by another would-be Dark Lord, even if the rebel’s original intent is pure; power corrupts, and there are few temptations greater than the opportunity to rule a universe!
Thus, it’s no great surprise Master Mages like Eldrich have encountered more Dark Lords in the mystic realms than peers safeguarding their own realities. The Dark Lords claim this is because their way, the way of power and dominance, is truly natural, and it is the mewling and weakling guardians who are the aberrations. In terms of sheer numbers, they may well be right.

Benefits

The Secret Circle The service of a Master Mage does not end with mortal death. Although the soul passes on from the world of the living, past Master Mages are all part of the Secret Circle, the ranks of enlightened mystics since time immemorial. One of the rights and powers of the current Master Mage is the ability to call upon this spectral council of wise ones for insight and advice.
The Secret Circle is by no means omniscient, although they represent the greatest collection of arcane knowledge in Earth’s dimension and have considerable wisdom. Dark Lords, by their very nature, are solitary magicians and lack such spiritual allies for guidance. It is a fact Master Mages like Eldrich have used to their advantage in the past.

Notable Holders

Ios the Seer; ancient Atlantis Malador the Mystic; ancient Atlantis Naran the Wise; ancient Atlantis Hermes Trismegistus; ancient Egypt Simon Magus; circa 1st century AD Merlin the Magician; circa 7th century AD Broken Crow; mid-1800s to 1890 Lady Violet Pennyworth; 1890 to 1895 Adrian Eldrich; 1935 to 2013 Seven; 2013-2013

Type

Magical, Honorific

Alternative Naming

Supreme Adept of the Arts Arcane, Great Wizard, Arch-Magister

Past Holders

• Adrian Eldrich
• Broken Crow
• Malador the Mystic
• Seven