Master of the School of Exorcism
Overview
The Master of the School of Exorcism is an Imperial title created by the Highguard Civilian Commissioner in Spring 380YE in order to supervise the School of Exorcism on the outskirts of Tabernacle in Reikos.
There was some controversy around the title when it was created. The civilian commissioner had intended that the Master of the School of Exorcism be appointed by judgement of the Highborn national assembly. Unfortunately, this is in breach of the restriction that "The new title is a national appointment by the Senate." A Senator may raise a motion to amend the appointment method of the title.
Responsibilities
The Master of the School of Exorcism oversees donations of liao to the School, authorising its use in the training of the next generation of exorcists. The Master is also likely to be responsible for overseeing the accommodation and support of visiting tutors such as inquisitors or archivists. They are expected to deal with any threats to the School of Exorcism, and to help improve the facilities and encourage the study, and control, of unquiet spirits.
Powers
Donations
The Master of the School of Exorcism receives 6 liao each season. In part due to limitations placed on the office of the Civilian Commissioners, this title does not provide any votes in the Imperial Synod.
Gift of the Leaden Toll
A small group of scholars and retired Stewards of the Dead associated with the Litharge have expressed strong support for the Tabernacle School of Exorcism. Known as the Leaden Toll, they have pledged to provide the Master of the School with a Silent Bell each Summer Solstice, to do with as they see fit.
Appointment
The Master of the School of Exorcism is appointed by unanimous decision of the Highborn senators. If a unanimous decision cannot be reached, the title may be appointed by the Imperial Senate instead.
The title can be held by a Highborn citizen. The Master has tenure, and serves until they die or step down. They can be revoked by the General Assembly, the Highborn National Assembly, and by the Assembly of the Nine.
The School of Exorcism
Commissioned during the Spring Equinox 380YE by the first Civilian Commissioner for Highguard, Rhesa of the Scions of Ravensfell, construction of the School of Exorcism was finished shortly before the Summer Solstice 380YE.
The work on building the school began at roughly the same time as the wave of Spring magic was transforming Reikos. The regenerative forces unleashed by that magic made work on the school tricky, but prompt action by Highborn citizens helpes to secure the site and prevent any of the agents of the eternal Llofir from taking any more than a passing interest in the site.
Indeed, those servants of the Rotlord who did approach appeared to be more interested in watching the construction from a safe distance than in attempting to interfere, and on more than one occasion brought small parcels of mushrooms and fresh water to leave as obvious gifts for the labourers. This unsettling behaviour apparently sprang from an appreciation for "building something new rather than drowning in the past" - according to one of the heralds who brought these gifts.
Built on the outskirts of ruined Tabernacle, in southern Riverwatch, the School of Exorcism is a set of solid no-nonsense Highborn structures surrounded by a white granite wall. In addition to the central library, there are several classrooms, a scriptorum where new copies of important books and scrolls can be made, two dormitories, and a three-storey stone tower that serves as the quarters for the Master. Following the rejuvenation of Reikos, it is now surrounded by a ring of young trees that hide all save the upper stories of the tower from view.
Several ox-wagons loaded with copies of useful texts donated by the Litharge arrived shortly before the Summer Solstice, helping to lay the groundwork for the collection that is eventually intended to be one of the definitive libraries on the arts of exorcism, and the nature of unquiet spirits, in the entire Empire.
| Summit | Elected |
|---|---|
| Spring Equinox 386YE | Elkiah |
| Autumn Equinox 380YE | Naomi |
Recent Elections
This title is vacant and will be reelected at the next summit. The table to the right shows the citizens who have been elected to hold this title in the years since Empress Britta died.