Amity and enmity
Overview
The three declarations of amity, enmity, and neutrality are similar in nature. They are a critical tool used by the Imperial Conclave to interact with the eternals, the supernatural denizens that inhabit the six magical realms. They allow the Conclave to declare that a specific eternal (or a defined group of eternals) is an ally or enemy of the Empire, or remove one of those designations and restore the eternal to neutrality.
More than political and legal tools, these declarations have a known magical effect. Eternals who are subject to one of these declarations find their ability to interact with the empire changes to reflect the Conclave's decision. An eternal that has amity for example finds it easier to dispatch heralds and wield its supernatural power within the bounds of the Empire, while one that has enmity finds it significantly harder to perform these actions.
The archmage power of plenipotentiary circumvents declarations of amity and enmity to a small degree. An eternal formally invited to the Hall of Worlds for a parley may manifest itself or its servants regardless of its status with regard to these declarations.
Amity or enmity towards an eternal is considered to apply to all that eternal's heralds. In recent years, the Conclave has extended amity or enmity towards a specific herald without rather than the patron eternal. Recent investigation by scholars associated with the Lyceum has suggested that this practice may have unexpected consequences.
During 381YE, a group of arcane scholars associated with the Lyceum undertook a number of experiments and investigations with the assistance of the eternal Lashonar and its herald Ut'Ka. The outcome of these experiments demonstrated something that had long been suspected; when a herald is given amity the supernatural effects apply also to the eternal. As far as the hearth magic that underpins amity (and presumably enmity) is concerned, there is no difference between an eternal and its heralds.
The legal status of amity and enmity still differentiates between the two, but by giving amity to Baxshula, Uk'ta and the rest the Conclave inadvertently gave amity to the eternals Arhallogen, Irra Harah, Lashonar, and Llofir as well.Declaration
In each case, the declaration names a single eternal or known group of eternals such as the Whisper Gallery, the Lictors, or the Thrice-cursed Court.
Resolution
If the declaration passes, the result comes into effect a the end of the Conclave session as normal. The precise effects differ depending on which of the three declarations has been passed.
Declaration of Amity
The Conclave may declare a specific eternal, and any associated heralds, an ally of the Conclave. Members of the Conclave are encouraged to demonstrate courtesy and even aid these eternals, or their Heralds, where it is possible for them to do so. This declaration automatically overturns a declaration of enmity.
An eternal (and associated heralds) under declaration of amity gains the following legal rights, enforced by the magistrates.
- They receive protection under Imperial Law
- They can attend conclave meetings
- They may be nominated to speak before the conclave by a grandmaster, although they cannot vote. The usual payment of crystal mana must still be made.
- They can place an address or declaration onto the conclave agenda under the normal rules as if they were Imperial citizens (the civil service does not accept realm-specific mana as payment).
- They can make bequests to the vault of a specific order or to the Conclave as a whole. Bequests made to the Conclave as a whole are generally dealt with using a declaration of endowment.
The declaration of amity also has a significant magical effect. Eternals and their heralds find it easier to manifest in the Hall of Worlds and to move into Anvil. Eternals with amity also find it easier to wield their powers within the Empire; in many cases eternals require amity to be able to use their most powerful abilities.
In some cases, the Empire has attracted the attention of an eternal they wished to initiate contact with through this declaration. The declaration of amity or declaration of concord have occasionally been used with some success, but the most effective way to get the attention of an eternal who is not currently interested in the Empire is through the use of an Archmage's plenipotentiary.
Current Amity
| Eternal | Declared By | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Surut | Wilen of Navarr | 382YE Spring Equinox |
| Zakalwe | Gabriel Barossa | 381YE Winter Solstice |
| Barien | Corvus, Archmage of Summer | |
| Phaleron, the Celestial Library | Archmage Mari Linkforge | 379YE Summer Solstice |
| Rhianos | Solomon | 381YE Summer Solstice |
| Roshanwe | Gancius della notte di Sarvos | |
| Tharim | Sirius Skybreaker | 381YE Summer Solstice |
| Herald | Declared By | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Uk'ta the Messenger, Herald of Lashonar | Pavel, Archmage of Night |
Declaration of Enmity
The Conclave may declare a specific eternal to be an enemy of the Empire. If this declaration is made, it becomes dangerous for anyone to consort with the eternal named in this declaration, or with their Heralds. It is not illegal to talk to an eternal with enmity (as is often incorrectly assumed) but the offender risks being declared a sorcerer, and can face investigation by a magistrate for treason. A declaration of enmity automatically overturns and replaces a declaration of amity.
An eternal (and associated heralds) under declaration of enmity suffers the following penalties:
- Eternals and heralds under enmity are considered to be barbarians for legal purposes.
- Trading or dealing with an eternal under enmity is illegal and will be investigated as treason.
- Any ritual that deals directly with an eternal subject to the declaration of enmity (Ephisis' Scale for Ephisis, Clarion Call of Ivory and Dust for Kaela or Missive for Sadogua for Sadogua, for example) is automatically considered to be interdicted; magistrates may seek the assistance of the archmagi to clarify which rituals this effects, unless there is a separate declaration of interdiction against specific rituals.
As with the declaration of amity, this declaration also has significant magical effects. Eternals find it much harder to enter the Hall of Worlds. Heralds cannot use the portal in the Hall of Worlds to travel to Anvil without ritual assistance from an Imperial citizen. There is significant evidence that heralds associated with an eternal under enmity find it extremely difficult or impossible to enter the Empire through any regio without ritual assistance.
Current Enmity
| Eternal | Declared By | Date | Prohibited Rituals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ira Harrah | Lord Severin de Rondell | 382YE Spring Equinox | - |
| Ylenrith | Skywise Gralka | 381YE Winter Solstice | - |
| Siakha | Rosamund Holt | 381YE Spring Equinox | - |
| Wendigo | Beloslava Velkovitch. | 306 YE Winter Solstice | - |
| Whisper Gallery | Gregore | 379YE Autumn Equinox | Whispering Shadow Courtiers |
| Yaw'nagrah | Allegra Foundhome | 380YE Winter Solstice | - |
Declaration of Neutrality
This declaration removes either amity or enmity from the named eternal, returning them to a neutral legal status. Any benefits gained from, or penalties imposed by, the previous status are lost at the end of the conclave session.
Any eternal not listed as having either amity or enmity is neutral.
Heralds of neutral eternals are not protected by Imperial law - it is legal for them to be slain by Imperial citizens. They are however expected to abide by Imperial law while they are within the confines of the Empire.
Further Reading
Core Brief
Additional Information
- Conclave vault
- Key Appointments to the Imperial Conclave