Magic Parliment

The Magical Parliament was established in 1750 in the aftermath of the "Council Crisis," a period of profound unrest stemming from accusations of unchecked power and corruption within the Magic Council. This crisis culminated in mass protests by the magical community, calling for greater transparency and accountability in magical governance.

The resolution was a compromise: while the Magic Council retained executive authority, a new legislative institution—the Magical Parliament—was created to oversee and check its power. Initially dismissed as a symbolic gesture, the Parliament quickly asserted itself by vetoing several controversial Council decrees in its early years, proving its ability to influence policy. Over time, it became a vital part of the magical political system.

The Magical Parliament wields significant control over the actions of the Magic Council. While it cannot propose new legislation, it has the authority to:

- Veto Council Decrees: By a simple majority vote, the Parliament can block any decree issued by the Magic Council.
- Budgetary Oversight: Approving or rejecting the allocation of resources for major magical initiatives, including funding for the Sentinels of the Veil.
- Review of Council Actions: Conducting hearings and inquiries into the Council’s decisions to ensure they align with the Codex of Magical Ethics and public interest.
- Public Advocacy: Serving as a forum for the greater magical community to voice concerns through its elected representatives.

The Magical Parliament consists of 100 seats, allocated to members known as Parliamentary Mages. Elections are held every 10 years, and no replacements are made for deceased members, leaving their seats vacant until the next election. Only Mages and Witches with the rank of "Greater Mage" are eligible to run for a seat.

The Magical Parliament occupies a critical role as the primary legislative and oversight body in the magical governance system. While it does not legislate, its veto power ensures that the Magic Council cannot act unilaterally. This creates a system of checks and balances where the Council’s executive decisions are subject to review and approval by the Parliament.

The Parliament’s influence extends to shaping public opinion, as its sessions are often open to the magical press. This transparency contrasts with the more secretive deliberations of the Magic Council, giving the Parliament a reputation as the voice of the magical community.

Elections are held every decade, with all mages eligible to vote but only Greater Mages allowed to run. Campaigns are often contentious, with candidates rallying support through demonstrations of magical prowess, promises of reform, or alignment with Council members’ visions.

Factionalism: Parliamentary members often align strictly with the interests of their supporting Council member, leading to gridlock in contentious situations.
Vacancies: The inability to replace deceased members sometimes skews the balance of power, reducing the Parliament’s effectiveness.
Limited Power: Critics argue that the lack of legislative initiative undermines the Parliament’s ability to drive meaningful change.

Despite its limitations, the Parliament is widely regarded as a necessary counterbalance to the Magic Council, providing a platform for diverse voices within the magical community. It is both revered as a safeguard of accountability and criticized for its inefficiencies and factional politics.