The Oath-Taking

You Who Stand before the Source, take heed; You have only just begun your journey to walk the path of those who would use Magic for the betterment of their brethren.
You who have stared into the depths of temptation itself and walked away unscathed have proven yourselves worthy of the gift that the Creator has bestowed upon you. Take this Flame, and with it be a light to those who stumble in the darkness.
Send your light forth, that you may see the stumbling blocks our ancestors have left behind, that they may be removed to make the path easier for those who follow us, that one day the true gift of Magic may be restored to the Children of the Creator, His greatest gift, untainted and pure, shared with all who know his love.

History

The Oath-Taking is a more recent addition to the tradition of Mages and their duty to the Mortal Lands, but it is considered the culmination of everything a Mage stands for. First established almost two hundred and fifty years ago when a fresh deposit of Mystm's Bane was discovered near Oblivion Mine. At that point in history Poartlind University had just finished constructing their newest building, a facility dedicated to the instruction of Mage Magic and research into the stability of External Magic. The The Keepers of The Oath  took advantage of these two facts and, after much debate from the mage community, created the Ceremony to fully induct their members and confer upon them the title of Mage.
The Oath-Taking has changed little since it was first formed, although with the recent expansion of operations across the Mortal Lands certain adjustments have had to be made. There are certain members that are not able to make the journey to Poartlind for their official ceremony, a plight that was common in the days following the Night of Falling Crowns.

Execution

The Oath-Taking is conducted around Poartlind's Source, which floats in the center of Poartlind University's plaza. The ceremony is held at twilight, letting both Magelights and the glow of the Source light the ceremony. The potential mages stand on one side of the Source, in a semi-circle, while the Council of the Oath stands on the other half. Family, friends, and other supporters stand in a ring several meters back from the innner circle. Just behind the potential mages, to their right-hand side, are their mentors who have overseen their training as potential mages.
The Oath-Taking officially begins when the sun crests below the horizon, the last rays of light striking the Source. It is one of the few times Mage magic interacts with the natural wellsprings that are Sources. In the part of the ceremony known as "Touching", The Council lifts their hands and send a tendril of magic to the Source, while taking no magic in return. This move is a symbolic reminder that their own internal wellsprings are a reflection of the greater Sources that dot the Mortal Lands. A large book floats in front of the Grand Councilor, ready to bear the names of the new Mages. One by one, each mage is called forward to face the Source.
The Second part of the ceremony is 'The Opening'. The potential mage reaches out their own tendril of magic to the Source, creating a connection between themselves, the Source, and the Council. In the pathway that forms magic flows, and the Potential mage faces a final test of Character. The Opening is a reminder of the terrible and corruptive nature of avarice, temptation, and desire for power, and how it felled the greatest of men into Foul Wizards who influence still scars the land. A mage who can Touch the Source without taking Magic from it passes this test of character.
After each Mage passes or fails this test of character, The Ceremony moves on to 'The Kindling'. Each Mage who passed their test of character remains in the circle, while those who failed are quietly led away, to await the next ceremony and further training. The remaining potential mages join hands, usually with varying states of nervousness. Their Mentors place their hand on the right shoulder of the Potential mage, holding the left above their head, palm facing the Source. The Council reaches out and joins hands with the first student in the Link, sending a stream of power around the circle. As magic flows through each mage, a spark of flame appears above their head, cupped by their mentor's hand. The final speech, and the Oath that the new Mages take, are recited as the Mentors slowly step away, and the flame descends onto the newly incumbent mages, giving their bodies a warm glow before fading.
The Oath

“Never Cruel, Never Cowardly.
Never turn your back on a man in need. Seek truth in all things and temper your curiosity with experience and wisdom. Let not the ways of Darkness and Demon tempt you; reject that which itself rejects the sanctity of life.
Be Wise, Be Just.
Share that which you have learned with your brethren so that all may celebrate the fruits of your toil. And above all, remember; Your value is not measure by strength, skill, or intelligence, but by that which you give, with all your heart, to help those who would otherwise be lost to darkness.
Always kind. Always brave.”

The Ceremony is completed when the Source sends a stream of magic into the air, filling the plaza with sparkling light. Small metal boxes float into the hands of the new Mages, along with a scroll held together with a metal ring. These are the testaments of their completion of training and their Oath, to stand as a bastion of good magic and rid the world of the evil influence of Wizards.

Components and tools

There are several components to the Ceremony, not the least of which being the Source. Its main role is to be a final test of Character for the potential Mages, to ensure they will not abuse Natural magic in the way the Wizards did.
The Book of Names is the other critical element, as it holds not only the name of every Mage to have walked the mortal lands, but also the Creed of the mages and the various speeches and instructions for the ceremony.
There are also gifts for each Mage upon completion of the Ceremony: The Certificate of Maturity, the Signet Ring, and the Little Grey Box. It is the box that is the most key of these three items, as it is able to contain Wizard artifacts without their influence seeping into the mage. It is lined with Mystm's Bane, a rare metal that repells magic.

Participants

There are three key roles in the Ceremony: The Council of the Oath, the Mentors, and the Potential Mages. The Council is the main governing body of the Keepers of the Oath, who oversee the Oaths, expeditions relating to Wizard artifacts and research into magic in general.
The Mentors are people specially selected at the start of a Mage's formal training, to guide them not only in the ways of magic, but of using that magic responsibly. The Mentor is never an immediate family member, but can often be a close friend of the family.
Then there are the young Potential Mages themselves, having reached the age of Adulthood and therefore, the age of responsibility. Although many mages successfully complete the test of Character on the first try, there are a few who must wait until the next Ceremony due to a lack of willpower.

Observance

The Ceremony is held twice a year: Once in the Spring, and once in the Fall. The exact date changes with the year, but the Spring ceremony is usually held a few weeks before the end of the school year, and the Fall is held just before the Festival of Sparks. The council, in recent years, has worked with Mechanicals who have access to Celestia to track the weather in the weeks preceeding to ensure that the Ceremony will not be rained out, although there are usually enough Mages present that getting wet is a non-issue.

Important Locations

• Poartlind

Related Organizations

• The Keepers of The Oath