Rod and Shield
Motto
Might and Right
Symbol
A traditional symbol of this Order is a battlemage's rod and shield
The Manifesto
The Order of the Rod and Shield holds the following to be true:
- Magic can determine the outcome of battles and wars
- Magical power is essential in ensuring both the security, and necessary expansion of the Empire
- The Empire's enemies are capable of using magic, and the Empire must be able to counter them
The Order of the Rod and Shield therefore exists to:
- Promote the understanding and practical application of magic in military situations
- Encourage magicians to use their powers in defence of the Empire, even if they are not a warrior by calling
- Guide the use of Conclave resources for strategic and tactical use
Mage armour made by Winterforge Armouries
Membership of the Order
The Order of the Rod and Shield work hard to advance the use of martial magic. Many of their number are battle magicians, and it is common to see a Dawnish warwitch, an Imperial orc warcaster and a Varushkan Warden all rubbing shoulders during their meetings. They lobbied for the creation of the post of warmage, and they are the order who has provided the most magicians to that post. Indeed, a warmage from an order other than the Rod and Shield often comes under pressure to join their ranks.
There is occasionally some conflict within the order between magicians who are versed in offensive spells and rituals; those whose magic is better suited to battlefield support, such as healing; and those who focus on providing enchantments to strengthen military units, campaign armies or create fortifications. For the most part though they are united by their shared understanding of the importance of magicians fighting for the Empire.
They are often at odds with the Order of the Golden Pyramid because that order sees them as encouraging magicians to be the servants of the Empire rather than receiving appropriate recompense and recognition for their skills. They also compete with the magicians of the Unfettered Mind for the position of Dean of the Lyceum, recognising that by gaining that position they can help research and codify the many powerful battlefield and strategic rituals that will help the Empire triumph over it's foes.
Historically the order has lobbied to raise large numbers of gambits. They have a reputation for claiming that the gambits they propose are not only time sensitive - after all, there is no point enchanting a cadre of Navarr thorns after they have returned from a battlefield - but also vital to the safety and success of the Empire. Magicians of other orders who favour rival gambits are at pains to point out that the Empire has always been at war, one way or another... that it needs wealth, political stability, good spiritual health, innovation and reliable intelligence at least as much as it needs enchanted armies.
Conclave vault
Each summit, the Conclave vault of the Rod and Shield garners the following resources;
- 10 crystal mana from bequests.
- A pro-rata share of the Font based on the precedence of the orders at the previous summit.
- A portion of ilium based on their position among the orders as determined by precedence.
- 2 ingots of orichalcum, 2 measures of ambergelt, 3 ingots of green iron and 2 ingots of tempest jade as a result of existing bequests.