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[[Category:Title]][[Category:Urizen]]
The Warmage is an [[Imperial title]] bestowed on a [[Magical skills#Magician|magician]]. The Warmage is a member of the [[Military Council]].
<div style="float:left; width: 325px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Shove Army.jpg|caption=The Warmage ensures that the [[Military Council]] has specialist advice on tactical and strategic use of magic|align=right|width=325}}</div>
==Overview==
The Warmage is an [[Imperial title]] bestowed upon a citizen of [[Urizen]] by a majority vote of [[Magical skills#Magician|magicians]]. The Warmage used to be an Imperial position appointed by Declaration of Candidacy by the Imperial Conclave, before it was changed by the Imperial Senate during the [[386YE_Spring_Equinox_Senate_sessions#Amend_title_of_Warmage_I|Spring Equinox 386YE]]. The first Warmage was a [[Dawn|Dawnish]] warwitch named ''Jayne de Severnford'', and the witches of Dawn would often seek to emulate her by claiming this position and keeping it for as long as possible. Indeed, on several occasions, a [[Dawn culture and customs#Test of Mettle|test of mettle]] revolved around becoming Warmage.  


The first warmage was a [[Dawn|Dawnish]] warwitch named Jayne de Severnford, and the witches of Dawn often seek to emulate her; it is a rare duel for this position that does not include several witches. Indeed, on several occasions a [[Dawn culture and customs#Test of Mettle|test of mettle]] has revolved around becoming warmage.
When the position was appointed by the Conclave it was often hotly contested by members of the [[Rod and Shield]] [[Conclave order|order]]. On occasions when a Warmage that did not belong to that order was appointed, they often came under pressure to join the ranks of the Rod and Shield. A wise Warmage would often seek to cultivate good relations with the Order of the Rod and Shield, and many in the order are hopeful that such a relationship will continue with the title as an Urizen national position.
The Warmage ensures that the [[Military Council]] has specialist advice on tactical and strategic use of magic; is appraised of the availability and effect of magical resources; and to recognises opportunities to use magic on the battlefield or in pursuit of strategic aims.  


They often approach the [[Conclave order|orders]] of the [[Imperial Conclave]] to suggest [[Conclave session#Hearing the Gambits|gambits]] that will help the Empire's war effort (especially the [[Rod and Shield|Order of the Rod and Shield]], but also politically savvy elements of the [[Celestial Arch|Order of the Celestial Arch]]). They are also likely to offer advice about deploying and gathering magical resources, specific magical counters to known threats, and ways that additional magical support can be acquired or deployed.
==Responsibilities==
The Warmage is expected to ensure that the [[Military Council]] has specialist advice on tactical and strategic use of magic; is appraised of the availability and effect of magical resources; and recognises opportunities to use magic on the battlefield or in pursuit of strategic aims.
 
The holder of the title is also expected to use their powers to liaise between the Conclave and the Military Council, and to offer advice about deploying and gathering magical resources, specific magical counters to known threats, and ways that additional magical support can be acquired or deployed.


==Powers==
==Powers==
The Warmage has a seat on the [[Military Council]]. This grants them a vote, identical to that possessed by the Generals and while they do not directly control an Imperial army, they receive all other benefits and expectations of being an Imperial general such as being permitted to bring an aide to meetings of the council.
===Member of the Military Council===
The Warmage has a seat on the [[Military Council]]. This grants them a vote, identical to that possessed by an Imperial [[general]]. While they do not directly control an Imperial army, they receive all other benefits and expectations of being an Imperial general such as being permitted to speak freely.
<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=LastImperialWarmage.jpg|caption=Raficci "Rafe" Vicente Barossa served as the last Warmage before the position was amended to become an Urizen position.|align=right|width=500}}</div>
===Bearer of the Healing Rod===
Since 377YE, the Warmage has been entrusted with "Merel's Rod of Healing", an [[Ilium#Creating_Artefacts|artefact]] [[Ambergelt Baton]]. The rod was made by the [[Navarr]] [[Crafting skills#Artisan|artisan]] '''Merel Pathfinder''', with [[ilium]] garnered from the [[Imperial Conclave]]. The Warmage may wield the rod themselves, but the intention was that it could be allocated to a worthy individual each day to ensure it saved the most lives possible. If the Warmage loses their position, then the item must be given to the new Warmage with all appropriate haste. The Warmage is encouraged to take all appropriate precautions to keep this item safe.
 
===Bearer of the Staff of Judgement===
At the Spring Solstice of 380YE, the incumbent Warmage was entrusted with "The Staff of Judgement" an [[Ilium#Creating_Artefacts|artefact]] [[Staff of Imperial Mastery]] made by a [[Marches|Marcher]] [[Crafting skills#Artisan|artisan]] as an item befitting the role of Imperial Warmage. This item is now part of the [[New_Imperial_titles#Regalia|regalia]] of the Warmage. The staff judges every action that the wielder takes so that those who take on the role will be aware of the great responsibility they have been entrusted with.


==Selection==
===The Bounty of the Heavens===
Each candidate presents themselves to the civil service, and pays one crystal of mana to declare themselves candidate. At an arranged time all candidates gather together in a designated area and fight until only one candidate remains upright. The Warmage serves for one year.
Major deposits of [[ilium]] in the Empire are regulated and disposed of through the Bourse for the benefit of everyone. However minor deposits - a few rings - of the kind associated with minor star falls can be claimed by any who find them. Often such bounties end up in the public auction - the best way for the lucky finder to turn their trove into rings. The Arch of the Sky in Zenith has enriched themselves considerably by this means - having developed the ability to accurately plot the passage of stars as they fall. In 332YE, the stargazers elected to provide a small bounty of ilium taken from their finds for use by the Warmage. The practice ended in 367YE after a long period without star falls left the Arch low on supplies but they have now indicated that they are in a position to resume supporting the Warmage.


It is assumed that the magicians who take part will use their magic to win, but there are plenty of candidates who arrive in full harness with shield and sword or rod as there are those in mage armour with a staff. It is not uncommon for candidates to form temporary alliances in this duel, or even to form a bloc and challenge other magicians with the victors kneeling to one of their number to indicate they wish them to take the position. This latter is considered a little unsporting, but is well within the bounds of the selection process - especially on those occasions where the chosen victor is a healer or a practitioner of ritual [[enchantment]].
The Arch has committed to provide 3 rings of ilium for the Warmage each summit for the foreseeable future. This wealth is intended to be used by the Warmage in their negotiations with other magicians as they coordinate and corral the efforts of magicians to support the Military Council. Aiding the Warmage fits perfectly with the [[Net of the Heavens]] philosophy of Arch of the Sky. Their goal is to aid the Empire and they see the Warmage as the pivotal node through which to achieve that end. <!--<label type="important"> UPDATE THIS TEXT </label>-->


The position is often hotly contested by members of the [[Rod and Shield]] [[Conclave order|order]]. On occasions where a warmage that does not belong to that order is appointed, they often come under pressure to join the ranks of the Rod and Shield.
==Appointment==
The Warmage is appointed during the Spring Equinox each year. They are elected by vote of the [[Magical skills#Magician|magicians]] of [[Urizen]]. They serve for a year, or until they die, step down, or are revoked.


==Removal==
The title can only be held by an Urizen citizen. They can be [[revocation|revoked]] by the Urizen [[national assembly]], the [[Assembly#General_Assembly|general assembly]], or the [[Assembly of the Nine]].
The Warmage can be [[General Assembly#revocation of office|revoked]] by the [[Imperial Synod]]; however only the [[General Assembly]] or the [[Assembly of Nine]] have the ability to do so. The [[National Assembly]] cannot revoke a warmage as the law considers them to be an officer of the [[Imperial Military Council]], not their nation.
<!--{{CaptionedImage|file=Andronikos8735.png|caption=Andronikos of the Lighthouse at Nikephoros, Warmage|align=left|width=450}}-->
{{RecentElections|Warmage}}


[[Category:Military Council]]
==History==
[[Category:Imperial Titles]]
The Warmage was originally responsible for "''helping to arrange magical assistance for the armies of the Empire''". During the Summer Solstice 384YE, however, the Imperial Senate [[384YE_Summer_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Amend_Warmage|amended the title]] to remove this responsibility. At the same time they [[384YE_Summer_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Create_Imperial_Warcaster|created the title]] of [[Imperial Warcaster]] to oversee such rituals.
{{Military Council Further Reading}}

Latest revision as of 17:19, 6 July 2024

Shove Army.jpg
The Warmage ensures that the Military Council has specialist advice on tactical and strategic use of magic

Overview

The Warmage is an Imperial title bestowed upon a citizen of Urizen by a majority vote of magicians. The Warmage used to be an Imperial position appointed by Declaration of Candidacy by the Imperial Conclave, before it was changed by the Imperial Senate during the Spring Equinox 386YE. The first Warmage was a Dawnish warwitch named Jayne de Severnford, and the witches of Dawn would often seek to emulate her by claiming this position and keeping it for as long as possible. Indeed, on several occasions, a test of mettle revolved around becoming Warmage.

When the position was appointed by the Conclave it was often hotly contested by members of the Rod and Shield order. On occasions when a Warmage that did not belong to that order was appointed, they often came under pressure to join the ranks of the Rod and Shield. A wise Warmage would often seek to cultivate good relations with the Order of the Rod and Shield, and many in the order are hopeful that such a relationship will continue with the title as an Urizen national position.

Responsibilities

The Warmage is expected to ensure that the Military Council has specialist advice on tactical and strategic use of magic; is appraised of the availability and effect of magical resources; and recognises opportunities to use magic on the battlefield or in pursuit of strategic aims.

The holder of the title is also expected to use their powers to liaise between the Conclave and the Military Council, and to offer advice about deploying and gathering magical resources, specific magical counters to known threats, and ways that additional magical support can be acquired or deployed.

Powers

Member of the Military Council

The Warmage has a seat on the Military Council. This grants them a vote, identical to that possessed by an Imperial general. While they do not directly control an Imperial army, they receive all other benefits and expectations of being an Imperial general such as being permitted to speak freely.

LastImperialWarmage.jpg
Raficci "Rafe" Vicente Barossa served as the last Warmage before the position was amended to become an Urizen position.

Bearer of the Healing Rod

Since 377YE, the Warmage has been entrusted with "Merel's Rod of Healing", an artefact Ambergelt Baton. The rod was made by the Navarr artisan Merel Pathfinder, with ilium garnered from the Imperial Conclave. The Warmage may wield the rod themselves, but the intention was that it could be allocated to a worthy individual each day to ensure it saved the most lives possible. If the Warmage loses their position, then the item must be given to the new Warmage with all appropriate haste. The Warmage is encouraged to take all appropriate precautions to keep this item safe.

Bearer of the Staff of Judgement

At the Spring Solstice of 380YE, the incumbent Warmage was entrusted with "The Staff of Judgement" an artefact Staff of Imperial Mastery made by a Marcher artisan as an item befitting the role of Imperial Warmage. This item is now part of the regalia of the Warmage. The staff judges every action that the wielder takes so that those who take on the role will be aware of the great responsibility they have been entrusted with.

The Bounty of the Heavens

Major deposits of ilium in the Empire are regulated and disposed of through the Bourse for the benefit of everyone. However minor deposits - a few rings - of the kind associated with minor star falls can be claimed by any who find them. Often such bounties end up in the public auction - the best way for the lucky finder to turn their trove into rings. The Arch of the Sky in Zenith has enriched themselves considerably by this means - having developed the ability to accurately plot the passage of stars as they fall. In 332YE, the stargazers elected to provide a small bounty of ilium taken from their finds for use by the Warmage. The practice ended in 367YE after a long period without star falls left the Arch low on supplies but they have now indicated that they are in a position to resume supporting the Warmage.

The Arch has committed to provide 3 rings of ilium for the Warmage each summit for the foreseeable future. This wealth is intended to be used by the Warmage in their negotiations with other magicians as they coordinate and corral the efforts of magicians to support the Military Council. Aiding the Warmage fits perfectly with the Net of the Heavens philosophy of Arch of the Sky. Their goal is to aid the Empire and they see the Warmage as the pivotal node through which to achieve that end.

Appointment

The Warmage is appointed during the Spring Equinox each year. They are elected by vote of the magicians of Urizen. They serve for a year, or until they die, step down, or are revoked.

The title can only be held by an Urizen citizen. They can be revoked by the Urizen national assembly, the general assembly, or the Assembly of the Nine.

SummitNationElected
Spring Equinox 386YEThe LeagueRaficci Vicente Barossa
Winter Solstice 384YEUrizenAndronikos of the Lighthouse at Nikephoros
Summer Solstice 383YEUrizenEmilia Ankarien
Spring Equinox 381YENavarrHeilyn Bronwens Rest
Summer Solstice 380YEDawnBarthol de Rondell
Winter Solstice 377YEUrizenVaan of Auric Horizon
Spring Equinox 377YEUrizenSeptima of Shatterspire

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.

History

The Warmage was originally responsible for "helping to arrange magical assistance for the armies of the Empire". During the Summer Solstice 384YE, however, the Imperial Senate amended the title to remove this responsibility. At the same time they created the title of Imperial Warcaster to oversee such rituals.

Further Reading

Core Brief

Additional Information