Warmage
Overview
The Warmage is an Imperial title in the Conclave bestowed on a magician.
A wise Warmage cultivates good relations with the Order of the Rod and Shield, as their goals are often in alignment.
The first Warmage was a Dawnish warwitch named Jayne de Severnford, and the witches of Dawn often seek to emulate her by claiming this position and keeping for as long as possible. Indeed, on several occasions a test of mettle has revolved around becoming Warmage.
Responsibilities
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. The holder of the title is also expected to use their powers to liaise between the Conclave and the Council, helping to arrange magical assistance for the armies of the Empire. 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.
Powers
The Warmage is an Imperial title in the Conclave.
Membership of the Imperial 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.
Addressing the Conclave
Once per summit, the Warmage can raise an address to the agenda of a conclave session for free. This power is intended to be used to let the Warmage appraise the Conclave of developments in the Military Council, but the Warmage is free to address the Conclave however they wish.
Proxy
The Warmage is entitled to appoint a proxy who may exercise the legal powers of their office in their name.
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 [[Crafting sartificer 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 (such as arranging for someone with access to the Reading the Weave ritual to bond the item to them).
Bearer of the Staff of Judgement
At the Spring Solstice of 380, the incumbent warmage was entrusted with "The Staff of Judgement" an artefact Staff of Imperial Mastery made by the Marches artificer Thomas of Upwold as an item befitting the role of Imperial Warmage. This item is now part of the regalia of office for 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 title of Warmage is gained by declaration of candidacy before the Conclave. The position is often hotly contested by members of the Rod and Shield 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.
Removal
The Warmage serves until they are replaced by another magician using the Declaration of Candidacy. As with other Conclave titles, the Warmage cannot be revoked by the Imperial Synod.
Further Reading
Core Brief
- Military Council Overview
- Muster
- Council Session
- Powers of the Imperial Military Council
- General
- Imperial army
- Imperial navy
Additional Information
- War
- Council Address
- Appointments to the Military Council
- Imperial Roll of Honour
- Appointments by the Military Council
- OOC Design