Lex Magica

Magical law is not a set of carefully worded instructions shared by all Consilii everywhere. Nor is magical law a list of rules that can be deconstructed and semantically debated. The law is a series of judgments handed down by a city’s Ruling Council based what has happened before. The law is as much a social framework as a legal document. There is no massive moldering tome containing a set of pronouncements that can be obeyed to the letter. The law is more like a language, a dialogue of every transgression that has been acknowledged and punished.

Textbooks of law do exist, although, typically, they are more compilations of history, precedent, opinion and perspective than books of rules. The writings of history’s luminaries are cited and referenced by scholarly mages during trials, but these writings serve only as examples.

The Hierarch of the local Consilium may decide to write down, transmit, proclaim or discuss what he sees as the law, but he cannot force all of his Councilors to agree with him. Of course, a Consilium would be wise to simplify its instructions into a set of guidelines, but most Consilii prefer not to limit their authority by strictly following a set of rules.

A city’s Ruling Council serves as the judge and jury of the Lex Magica. The main purpose of this Ruling Council is to adjudicate issues that come up in mage society, including disputes between cabals. A mage or a cabal can petition the Consilium for mediation if they can’t resolve the conflict on their own — the discussion that results is a preliminary hearing. If that’s not enough, particularly when they believe traditions

have been compromised, the Consilium invokes the Lex Magica. Conducting trials, passing judgments and entering the precedents into the Lex Magica is the Consilium’s formal application of its role as a governing body. The Consilium doesn’t need to invoke the Lex every time that others consult them, but when a conflict is not easily resolved, or the Consilium believes the transgression breaks with tradition, it is formally debated and entered as precedent.

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Common Precepts

While minor transgressions can lead to lengthy discussion in Consilium chambers, there are a few points the Lex always emphasizes. The Ruling Council is not bound by these precepts, of course, since they are more advice than law. They function more as guidelines for initiate mages, who tend to stray if principles aren’t detailed for them. Each order has its own additional precepts (varying from one master to the next), but a few of them are nearly universal: the precepts of Secrecy, Recognition, Protectorate, Hubris and War.

The Precept of Secrecy

The Precept of Recognition

The Precept of Protectorate

The Precept of Hubris

The Precept of War

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Hierarchy of Judgements

The Ruling Council can (at any time) pass judgment on the actions of a mage within its city. Whether the mage actually accepts that judgment is another matter, of course, but if he wants to continue benefiting from the aid and advice of Mentors and masters, he would be wise to take his lumps. Repeatedly defying the Consilium can force the Councilors to change a minor punishment to a major one.

1.Minor Reprimand

2.Major Reprimand

3.Payment of Debt

4.Minor Penance

5.Major Penance

6.Severe Reprimand

7.Incarceration

8.Banishment

9.Spiritual Scourging

10.Spiritual Oblivion

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See also

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