Articles of Regulatory Arcane Governance
"Magisters are strictly governed by the Articles, and one must understand them. What they are, what they entail, what rules you must follow, if one is to survive, much less thrive, outside the walls of the Collegiate as a magister. So though many of you may find such legal lectures and learning dry, it is necessary to stay alive. So you'd best pay attention."
An unnamed Lector in the employ of a Collegiate campus to give lectures on the legal framework of the Articles.
An unnamed Lector in the employ of a Collegiate campus to give lectures on the legal framework of the Articles.
Purpose
The purpose of this ancient and simple twelve page bit of legislation was to put in place controls and limitations on magic and its practice, as magisters, even manipulating the elemental manna of the world, are handling energy from the Void, taint that spills from the Holes in the world into the manna of the world. This puts them at risk of mutation, of falling to the Ruinous Powers wills and manipulations, the whispers of madness. It was believed, rightfully by the estimations of many, that something needed to be done. And so the Collegiate of Magi was born, and has grown over time. Even during the Sundering, in Nightvale the laws of this treaty were upheld as best they could be.
It details all, how to deal with apostates, those discovered to have been born with talent, along with whom should be entrusted to enforce these codified laws. The Witch-Hunter orders, and the orders of the Exemplaris hold sacred right to enforce these laws. In recent times, the Crusader orders have been allowed by their churches to step into such roles as well, despite their less...investigative, and more heavy handed approach that many, even the Exemplaris and Witch-Hunters themselves, find distasteful.
It details all, how to deal with apostates, those discovered to have been born with talent, along with whom should be entrusted to enforce these codified laws. The Witch-Hunter orders, and the orders of the Exemplaris hold sacred right to enforce these laws. In recent times, the Crusader orders have been allowed by their churches to step into such roles as well, despite their less...investigative, and more heavy handed approach that many, even the Exemplaris and Witch-Hunters themselves, find distasteful.
Document Structure
Clauses
The clauses contain the various codified rules and policies governing legal magic use. Things like needing your guild license, or needing to be a student in presence of a licensed member whom has obtained permission for your activities from the local government. Collegiate grounds are exempt from this, having a permanent permission for students of course. It details what a license need be, also the rule that every mage knows. You may be a student of but one elemental lore, and that is it. Elves receive special treatment under this law, as they are a special exception, though in practice even elves need be wary of some who would claim to enforce these laws, as they conveniently forget that part. The reason for this is that elves are born of the elemental magicks, they are the first children of the world, and inherently tied to it in ways we cannot begin to understand.
Caveats
Geomancy is labeled as heresy, punishable by burning at the stake, though if a druid (referred to as a witch even though they aren't the same) gives themselves up willingly, they are to be spared the burning, and taken to the nearest Collegiate for attempted 're-education'. How often this is actually listened to or done.....well that is a different matter isn't it.
References
Directly not many, though each faith's holy texts are referenced in various sentences and the like.
Publication Status
This document is carefully and faithfully reproduced in many many copies across the land, church libraries, legal offices and more.
Legal status
This law encompasses the continent, and is considered a holy edict, enforced by the churches, and above and separate from any legislation and laws of each of the member nation-states.
Historical Details
Background
This document is in some ways archaic, as are some of its practices. You must remember the time, so soon after the Sundering, people were scared and weak minded. Trust was at an all time low, especially for such powerful individuals, folk who could wield powers such as the Arts. So the barbaric practices suggested to 'coax' witnesses or apostates to 'admit what they knew' or 'confess their sins' are looked on far less favorably today.
History
The Sundering was its birth, but its birth caused eleven hundred years of terror and fear. Burnings, tortured confessions drawn from innocent folk just to satisfy the public's need for someone to blame and for blood. It was a bloody and dark time, one that in hindsight, some scholars boldly suggest (though not to loudly, as you never know who could be listening) that the churches fed the very Powers they were trying to weaken with more strength than any magisters fallen to madness ever could have.
Public Reaction
At first the public was fully on board, the fear of the time thankful for such swift and strict 'protection' But over the decades and centuries, as the Valarian peoples clawed their lands back piece by piece....that perception changed. So too did the Witch-Hunter's tactics, for though legally they had the right to do as they were doing, most were wise enough to realize that means nothing if the masses decided to turn on you in violent protest. So they altered their methods. However some refused to change at all, and it is believed these extremists were the first of what would become the Crusader orders.
Legacy
A general distrust and wariness of magic from most people, along with a distrust and wariness of Witch-Hunters, something the orders, alongside the Exemplaris, have been working for the last two or three centuries to try and repair. The Exemplaris are trusted more, due to their more level headed approach, which they've had since the birth of such groups, and their role as elite national military troops, fighting for their countrymen.
Term
It has no expiry.
Type
Manuscript, Legal
Medium
Paper
Authoring Date
103 SuD
Ratification Date
103 SuD
Expiration Date
None
Location
Signatories (Organizations)
Comments