International Guild of Mages

From Aetheros

The International Guild of Mages is a European professional organization publicly dedicated to the "expansion of human understanding of magike techne". For several centuries the Guild wielded vast influence over the economics and politics of the nations in which it operated.

History

Founded in 2365 CE during the Aeras War by an unlikely alliance of magically skilled pacifists and war opportunists, the Guild found leadership and clear direction under Karwe as the war entered its third decade in 2382. The Guild was formally incorporated as a charter member of the European Trade Authority in 2404.

Membership

Since its incorporation in 2404 CE, membership has been limited exclusively to humans of unmixed blood, although under the Peace of Paris, the Isle, the Duchies, and Gotan are alotted observers within certain circles of the Guild.

All Human Powers in Europe had legislation enforcing the practice of magike techne, the foremost recognizing the Guild as the sole authority that could certify (or decertify) practicing mages. Unsurprisingly, Guild membership became a requirement for certification. This arrangement was never popular with the lower classes, and treated with suspicion by the ruling classes, who accepted the Guild as an unavoidable check on their power. An extensive black market for magical training, appliances and services existed continually despite the frequent crushing reprisals delivered by the Guild. The last of these restrictions on magical practice was not repealed until the 2850s.

At the beginning of the 30th Century, membership stands at about 754,600. The genders are represented equally in the Guild, though at the height of its influence at the turn of the 29th Century, membership stood at about 98,500 members, 74% male, 26% female.