Wizards of the White Tower
Wizards of the White Tower
| |
---|---|
Headquarters | The White Tower, northern Obrith |
Membership |
1,320 |
Membership Criteria |
Magical knowledge or sorcerous talent |
Organization |
Centralized, regimented |
Leader |
Grand Magus Oliphar Tiber |
Religion | Church of the One |
Alignment |
Lawful good |
Tenure |
1,065 years |
The Wizards of the White Tower are an organization of magical practitioners and scholars. Their purpose is to consolidate the study and practice of magic in all the lands of Man; in practice, their influence is largely confined to the lands of those who follow the Church of the One.
The Tower bases their ways on a solid moral foundation: in particular, they hold that magic is a powerful force that can corrupt easily, and that any magicks that can harm or grant power over another man must be avoided entirely, or used in the most sparing fashion only by an elite few, and only for moral purposes (as defined by the Tower).
Wizards of the Tower primarily occupy their time in study, or in maintainence of the Ghostwall and other efforts to combat Monsters throughout the realms. However, their most visible presence is amongst the Magi Steward, who attend the lords of the realm--their purpose is to counsel the lords, especially in affairs magical, and to protect the realm against magical threats, but some allege their true purpose is to extend the Tower's eyes and ears throughout the realms.
Organization
Ranks
Upon induction into the order, all members attain the rank of Learner, and such is their only calling and purpose.
There comes a time, typically after a decade or so of learning, when a Learner is ready to undergo the Divination of Purpose. This is a battery of tests, both mundane and magical, culminating in a spiritual vision of sorts known as a Sojourn. This test will inform the council as to the learner's purpose, and thereafter, he becomes an Apprentice.
An apprentice must be assigned a Stole and a master. Thereafter, his instruction is in the hands of his master, and it is the master who decides when the apprentice is ready--if ever--to attempt to attain the rank of Wizard. In some cases, this decision is made by the High Council.
To become a Wizard, one must pass Five Trials: those of Fire, Blood, Mind, Knowledge, and Soul. This difficult battery of tests weeds out the unworthy, and is often fatal to the unprepared. The tests need not be completed all at once--indeed, some spend years or decades in their completion. Once all are complete, the High Council frocks the new Wizard, and awards a stole to signify his triumph in the tests.
There are few ranks beyond Wizard, which are largely optional and rarely attained. Most wizards gain honors by attaining Stoles and by appointment to the High Council or other positions of note. It is possible, however, to attain higher rank by passing ancient trials of surpassing peril and difficulty:
- Magus: an ancient rank, granted to one who has solved the Nine Enigmas.
- Blessed Magus: granted to one who has learned the Five Hundred Names of God.
- Grand Magus: granted to one who has mastered the Thirteen Spheres.
Forms of Address
Rank | Reference | Title | Salutation | Address |
---|---|---|---|---|
Any |
(name) of the White Tower |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Learner |
(name), the Learner1 |
none |
none |
none |
Apprentice |
(name), Apprentice to (master) |
Seeker2 |
none |
none |
Wizard |
Wizard (name) |
Wizard |
Master (name) |
none |
Magus |
Less common: Magus (name) More common: Wizard (name), Knower of the Nine Truths
|
Magus |
Wise Master (name) |
Your/His Excellency |
Blessed Magus |
Less common: Blessed Magus (name) More common: Wizard (name), Blessed by God, Keeper of the Holy Names
|
Blessed Magus |
Blessed Master |
Your/His Eminence |
Grand Magus |
Grand Magus (name) |
Grand Magus |
Grand Master |
Your/His Grace |
Stoles
Stoles are, literally, cloth garments worn with a wizard's full academic regalia. They represent membership in academic orders, or specific achievements, and are an important indicator of the honors granted to a wizard.
There are Stoles of Order, Stoles of Office, and Stoles of Merit.
Stoles of Order
The term "stole", in this sense, can refer to the literal fabric, but most commonly refers to a subdivision of the organization itself, or to one's membership within it.
Order | Stole | Purpose | Relative Size |
---|---|---|---|
The Mages Steward |
White and purple stripes |
To guide the lords of the realm, and protect the lords from magical threat |
10% |
The Mages Warden |
Steel grey on red |
To guard the Ghostwall; to do battle with those who violate the Laws of Magic |
15% |
The Mages Scholar |
Yellow and white stripes |
To expand the study of magic; to tend and copy the sacred texts. |
40% |
The Mages Maker |
Silver thread on blue |
To make the crafts of magic; to maintain the magic of the Ghostwall and other magical wards |
15% |
The Mages Mender |
Green and brown |
To heal the sick, to mind the health of the lands |
20% |
Stoles of Merit
Title | Stole | Accomplishment |
---|---|---|
Medicus |
Solid green |
Mastery of the healing arts |
Lorekeeper |
Solid gold |
Read every tome in the Tower; contributed many new arts to the library. |