Magister

In theory, the only requirement that always has to be given to become a Magister, is to be a mage.   In practise though the matter is a lot more complicated, as connections and education matter just as much, if not more.

The position of Magister is inheritable in several ways:

• Passed down to one's own child (usually the firstborn, but exceptions are possible)
• Passed down to one's apprentice/prodigy, if they meet the requirements; this is the case when a Magister has no children AND it is explicitly stated in their testament; if the apprentice also isn't mentioned in the testament, then the title is lost and the position becomes vacant
• In the case of a High Priest: passed down to their favoured Acolyte serving the same god that has to be mentioned by name in their testament; if the Acolyte is not mentioned, the Archon appoints a new High Priest

  In some cases, when there is a vacant position within the Magisterium without a defined successor, the Archon may choose a successor themself that they deem worthy, be it because of their accomplishments, talents as a mage, or personal preferences, as long as they meet the minimum requirements.   Of a new Magister it is expected to host a grand celebration the night before their inaugruation (and it's not too uncommon that their rivals might attempt to murder them there). The inaugruation in the assembly of the Magisterium is half festive, half bureaucratic, with the Archon announcing the new Magister and their position within the Magisterium, granting them their rights, and them signing a variety of legal contracts and paperwork.

A Magister's duty is, first and foremost, to lead and to be an example of what an ideal mage should be like. They pledge allegiance to the Tevinter Imperium and the Archon and are bound to fulfill the duties the Archon puts upon them, for example the rule over a specific city or the control over a certain ministry within the Imperial Senate.

Depending on which office a Magister is in charge of, their duties may slightly vary. The Magister of a city like Vol Dorma will face entirely different tasks compared to the the Magister of the Ministry of War. The Magisters of the major mage orders as well as the High Priests don't rule over any cities or ministries at all, as they have their own organizations and followers to take care of.   A Magister ruling a capital city is the one to make decisions within that city and its associated jurisdiction. At their side stands the Preater of the respecitve city, an elected official who overlooks all administrative tasks and carries out the Magister's orders. The Magister is the face of the city, the one to give orders, sign contracts and trade agreements, usually with other Magisters of other cities throughout the Imperium. The Magister is also the one to order troup movements, and they are allowed to house a private army and trade with the Dwarven Kingdom. Only members of old, major families have the rule over the cities currently.   A Magister at the head of a ministry has similar duties as a Magister ruling a city, yet nationwide. The ministry positions are split between Laetan and Altus mages of old families. Some find them much less prestigious than the rule over a city, especially those Altus mages whose families once were the rulers over a city but fell from grace at a point in the past. On the other hand certain ministries like the Ministry of War come with great power and responsibility and work closely together with the Archon. All these ministries require a large amount of administrative work that the Magister and their employees need to carry out, as there are no Preaters associated with the ministires.   The Magisters of the Society of Mages represent the intellectual elite of the nation, and while most leadership duties are taken on by an order's First Enchanter, the Magister is often the mage considered most powerful. They teach less than the other Senior Enchanters but instead stand up for their order's and potential associated universities' interests in public and within the Magisterium. Considering that there are currently 35 such mage orders with 35 Magisters representing them, the Society of Mages is the strongest group within the Magisterium.   The High Priests, also known as Magisters Sindereal have fallen from their former glory a little with the general crisis of faith currently present in Tevinter. There are rumors that they are in some way involved in starting this Blight or betrayed the gods, which is why the gods have become silent, but nothing is confirmed or certainly known. Once the heart of the Magisterium and the Tevinter Imperium, the High Priests have now become its smallest internal group - but still they are considered seven of the most powerful mages of the Imperium.

Usually the title "Magister" is kept until the holder's death. But it is also possible for the Archon to remove a Magister for any of the following reasons from their duties:  

• A Magister is caught committing treason against one of their own or the Archon; this often not only means being stripped of their position and titles, but, depending on how severe the betrayal is, can also result in imprisonment or the death penalty; the Archon then chooses a successor
• A Magister is for a reason of mental or physical health deemed unfit to keep their position; if they are still able to and were loyal to the Archon and Imperium up until this point, they can suggest one or more potential successors of which the Archon chooses a successor for them

  Sometimes a vacant position doesn't need to be filled immediately (except for those of the High Priests), and the empty seat is saved for someone that personally impresses the Archon with their accomplishments or otherwise proves worthy of the title later on.   It is also possible but rare for a Magister to give up on their position on their own terms to pass it on to their preferred heir before they die. This needs to be allowed by the Archon though and the heir must fulfill all necessary requirements.

This is an incomplete list of currently ruling and known Magisters.   Magisters representing the old major families:  

 
• Adrialla Vortas - Vol Dorma
 

  Magisters in charge of government ministries:  

 
• Quinton Thrasea - Ministry of War
 

    Magisters of the Society of Mages:  

 
 

  The seven High Priests:  

 
 

  Other known Magisters whose role in the Magisterium is not clear to the group of adventurers currently:    

 
• Magister Malva - first name unknown, father of Aurora Malva
• Otho Hydrian - Junius Marten's employer