Archmage of Summer
Overview
Archmage is an Imperial title bestowed upon a magician by the members of the Imperial Conclave. There are six archmages; one for each of the magical realms. They serve as a focal point for ritualists of that realm, as well as helping to guide the use of the Conclave's resources. The six archmages match the six realms into which magic is divided. Where the influence of a grandmaster is primarily political, the archmages are responsible for attending to the magical business of the Conclave. They are assumed by the Senate, the Military Council, foreign dignitaries and eternals alike to be well-versed in the capabilities and lore of their Realm. The archmages are often seen as the public faces of the Conclave; they are the individuals most likely to be consulted by other Imperial bodies when they wish to know what magical possibilities exist.
Each archmage is addressed by their title and the name of the Realm of magic they stand for - commonly in the form Luke, Archmage of Summer or Archmage Corvus of Summer. The title archmage comes originally from Urizen, a development of the title mage.
Responsibilities
The Archmage of Summer is responsible for attending to the magical business of the Conclave, and bears powerful tools to help them do so. They represent the Empire to the eternals of the Summer realm, and vice versa. They also work with magicians versed in the lore of Summer magic to expand the Empire's understanding and power in that realm, and employ it to the advantage of Imperial citizens.
Powers
Each archmage position is an Imperial title in the Conclave.
Archmage of Summer
The Archmage of Summer has the legal powers common to the archmages. They can address the Conclave; accept a formal parley with Summer eternals; and advise the magistrates as the recognised master of Summer magic;
Regalia of Summer
In common with the other archmages, the Archmage of Summer has legal ownership of three powerful magic items that make up the regalia of the archmage. These include the Staff of Summer which greatly enhances the bearer's prowess with Summer ritual magic; the Crimson Chain of Aesh that can reduce the magnitude of a Summer ritual; and the Belt of the Oak which can allow multiple covens from the same nation to cooperate in the performance of a single Summer ritual.
Appointment
The appointment, replacement, or removal of the Archmage of Summer is made by declaration of candidacy as part of a Conclave session. A candidate can be presented for the post of archmage only once a season, and the title can be held by any Imperial citizen.
The Archmage of Summer serves until they are replaced by another magician using the Declaration of Candidacy. As a title in the Conclave, an archmage cannot be revoked.
| Summer Eternal | Concerns |
|---|---|
| Adamant | Stone, beauty, treasure, construction |
| Barien | Challenges, worth, tests |
| Cathan Canae | Might, winter, durability |
| Eleonaris | Majesty, nobility, victory |
| Hayaak | Wrath, vengeance, ferocity |
| Jaheris | Rivalry, betrayal, power |
| Meraud | Magic, enchantment, splendour |
| Rhianos | Adventure, the sea, seafarers |
The Eternals of Summer
The Archmage of Summer is the Empire's formal representative to the inhabitants of the Summer realm, and often serves as a go-between when those eternals wish to communicate with the Empire. Most eternals will treat the archmage as a peer - although that can mean very different things for different eternals. One of the most potent abilities the Archmage of Summer possesses is the power of plenipotentiary, allowing them to communicate with eternals from their realm and potentially arranging a parley. A list of previous plenipotentiary results can be found here
Of all the archmages, the Archmage of Summer may be said to have the most difficult job when dealing with the eternals. The Summer eternals style themselves as powerful monarchs, ruling over shifting domains, and their character is such that they regularly clash with one another. For example, Eleonaris and Cathan Canae are bitter rivals, and gaining the support of one can sometimes risk worsening relations with the other. A wise Summer archmage either seeks to avoid being drawn into their conflicts and rivalries, or else commits entirely to one or two of the eternals without caring about the opinions of the others.
The Archmage of Summer is often in a good position to present declarations of amity and enmity to the Imperial conclave when relations between the Empire and an eternal need to be formalised. Indeed, more than any other Imperial title, the archmage benefits from staying abreast of the relationships between the inhabitants of the Summer realm and Imperial citizens. The current status of the Summer eternals with an interest in the Empire can be found here.
Recent Elections
The table to the right shows the citizens who have been elected to hold this title in the years since Empress Britta died.