Golden Quill Lex version 1.2
Lex Magica of the Consilium of the Golden Quill
Charter Territory
The Consilium of the Golden Quill claims the territory, and responsibility for all territories South, and inclusive of the City of Wanneroo, West, and inclusive of the Shire of Mundaring, the Shire of Kalamunda, and the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale, and North and inclusive of the City of Mandurah. The Consilium reserves the Right to claim any Territory that a threat originates from to its Land, resources (both mundane and Magical) or people
Positions of Authority
"The Ruling Council" The Ruling Council contains The Hierarch and the Five Councillors.
Altered by 4/5 Vote on the 16 August 2014 by Pathmaster Headcase of Acanthus , Pathmaster Oboras of the Mastigos , Pathmaster Charles of the Thyrus , Pathmaster Artifax of the Moros . Non-attendance by Pathmaster Celestine of the Obrimos
Hierarch
The Leader of the Council. The Hierarch is the main authority to which other Councillors demure. The Hierarch is choosen by the Councillors but does not need be a Pathmaster and thus can be choosen from the Golden Quill Concillium membership .
Altered by 4/5 Vote on the 16 August 2014 by Pathmaster Headcase of Acanthus , Pathmaster Oboras of the Mastigos , Pathmaster Charles of the Thyrus , Pathmaster Artifax of the Moros . Non-attendance by Pathmaster Celestine of the Obrimos
Councillor
A member of the ruling council representing the Paths. There are fiveCouncillors, for a total of six officers including the Hierarch on the Ruling Council. Councillors are chosen with a Simple Majority Vote amongst all within the path
Altered by 4/5 Vote on the 16 August 2014 by Pathmaster Headcase of Acanthus , Pathmaster Oboras of the Mastigos , Pathmaster Charles of the Thyrus , Pathmaster Artifax of the Moros . Non-attendance by Pathmaster Celestine of the Obrimos
Sentinel Primus
An enforcer of Consillium Law, policing the Consilium’s sanctums or warring against the Consilium’s rivals. Is responsible for the Investigation and Protection of the (North or South) of the River
Sentinel Secundus
An enforcer of Consillium Law, policing the Consilium’s sanctums or warring against the Consilium’s rivals. Is responsible for the Investigation and Protection of the (North or South) of the River. Answers to the Sentinel Primus
Herald
Appointed by the Hierarch. A representative of the Consilium to its cabals or to foreign Consilii. Considered ‘The Voice’ of the Hierarch it is the Heralds duty to make announcements on behalf of the Hierarch. It is the Heralds duty to maintain the Status of the Consilium. It is also the Heralds duty to maintain a register of favours owed which can presented to the Council (as a whole) or the Hierarch upon request. In Conflicts with the Speaker you hold Precedence above the Speaker.
Speaker
Appointed by the Council as a whole. A representative of the Council to its cabals. Considered ‘The Voice’ of the People it is the Speakers duty to make announcements on behalf of the Council. It is the Speakers duty to maintain the Status of the Consilium. It is also the Speakers duty to maintain a register of favours owed which can presented to the Council (as a whole). In Conflicts with the Herald you cede Precedence to the Herald.
Provost
A mage tasked with ensuring that the council’s orders are carried out and to represent them in absence. The Provost assigned to each Councillor, is chosen by that Councillor, and one Provost who serves the Hierarch. The Hierarchs Provosts is not Considered his/her second and speaks for him/her in there absence.
Tetragrammaton
The tetragrammaton is the list of traditional punishments that a Consilium can mete out against those judged to have committed a crime. These are ordered from least to most severe. The limits prescribed by the tetragrammaton are typically only seen to apply to recognized Mages. Outsiders and enemies have no such protections. A minor or major reprimand are the least punishments under the tetragrammaton. The amount to little more than a formal acknowledgement of wrongdoing. A payment of debt requires the Mage accused of a crime to extend a favour under the rite of requite to those they wronged. A minor or major penance is a simpler or greater service, one demanded directly by and benefiting the Consilium. A severe reprimand bars any Mage recognized by the Consilium from aiding the offender for a time, and often bans them from using magic. Incarceration is a punishment for severe infractions. Given the difficulty of keeping a Mage prisoner, this is typically only used for Mages considered redeemable. Banishment is used when a Consilium wishes to wash its hands of an offender entirely. They are ordered to depart the Consilium’s territory, either forever or for a fixed time, and may be considered unrecognized outsiders. Spiritual scourging is a rare punishment, pronounced only for the most severe crimes. The offender’s soul is removed and locked in a soul jar for a time before being restored. Spiritual oblivion is for the Consilium faced with an unrepentant offender, a heinous crime, and no other option. The criminal’s soul is removed and destroyed, eliminating any potential for reincarnation or further offense.
The Fourfold Sceptre – The Laws of Gold
Great Rights (Silver Ladder, P71, Sanctum & Sigil pp26 – 32)
The Right of Crossing:
Let no borders stop an Awakened with a clear heart. Guarantees safe passage through their claimed territory to other Mages, provided that those Mages follow clearly-marked safe paths and refrain from offensive action against the Cabal. Few Cabals deny this right, as doing so both inconveniences other Mages – who then need to travel out of their way to avoid the Cabal’s territory – and is considered indicative of suspicious activity. Heralds often rely on Crossing to enter a Cabal’s territory to deliver news or speak to its members.
The Right of Emeritus:
Those who have earned respect must be treated with respect. The Hierarch, the Councillors and the Herald maintain the levels of respect and status, ensuring that the members of the Consillium are kept informed. Apprentices are kept under the umbrella of respect that there Master has earned and in return there Master is responsible for their actions.
The Right of Hospitality:
Those who request hospitality must be granted it. The Right of Hospitality protects a mage for a visit approximately over a week in length. During this time, the mage is to be protected from threats (both internal and external), given a roof over his head and fed at least the bare minimum to keep a human adult alive. Serious, life-threatening wounds are to be treated, but only to the extent that the mage’s health is stabilized, not necessarily cured. The Host has the right to insist upon conditions before committing to Hospitality.
The Right of Nemesis:
When vengeance is declared, let none stand in its way. It allows two Mages or Cabals to sort out their differences without interference from third parties – interference that could potentially escalate a feud into a cataclysm of revenge. This includes the Consilium, a Mage’s superiors in their Order, or any other outside authority. Nemesis may only be invoked against another Cabal that recognizes Nemesis or against a Mage that explicitly agrees to place themselves under its authority. A declaration of Nemesis will typically include the parameters of the feud; any action outside of these parameters is a violation of the Right of Nemesis. This renders the whole declaration null and void, potentially opening one or both Mages up to accusations of crimes under the Lex Magica. Note: all mages, even those whose cabals do not declare the right of Nemesis, respect the conceit that they do not interfere. Upholding the right only means that the cabal proclaims its right to declare Nemesis and have the right declared against them in turn.
The Right of Sanctuary:
Protect your home, and let no action cause it harm. It holds a sanctum to be sacrosanct – Consillium members or those enjoying the Right of Hospitality must do nothing that might invite or admit harm from outside.
Right of Mages to challenge another to legally binding duel on neutral ground
Duel Arcane
There are Mages who prefer to settle disputes with others formally. Sometimes there’s a disagreement that’s so deep that simply talking can’t resolve it. A gnostic revelation that ties your soul to eternal icons of the truth of magic gives most people a flair for the dramatic. Not every problem between individuals is criminal, and Mages, being independent sorts, rarely want a Consilium or Hierarch weighing in on every little dispute. Awakened society, then, assumes the following: • All Mages are Enlightened. Thus, the Most Enlightened One is usually right. • Thus, civil disputes can be resolved with a show of magical skill, assuming all the usual ways of dealing with someone are resolved. • This show of magical skill should be something that doesn’t unduly harm the participants or risk collateral damage: the Duel Arcane. Duelling someone is the socially acceptable civil remedy; It’s the Awakened version of suing someone in civil court. If you can’t deal with them privately or peacefully, then you take them to court. Only Mage court is a squared circle, and the ‘judge’ is magical power itself, the will of the supernal. Everyone respects the right of Mages to settle disputes this way, and considers the matter between the duelling parties resolved and the outcome binding. The alternative is escalation under the Right of Nemesis or precept of war, above, which everyone would usually prefer to avoid.
Duel Thanatos
The Duel Thanatos is frowned upon and can only be used if both Parties agree that it is necessary
The Duels Mundane
Sometimes Consilium members may not want to bring Arcana into the issue or want some other form or Duel to take place. In this case nature of the duel is decided on by the Defender after the Challenge is made. Many conditions can be imposed but both parties have to agree.
The Precepts (Silver Ladder, P71)
The Precept of Secrecy
Sleepers should not learn of the existence of magic. Casting obvious spells before witnesses, leaving behind evidence of magic’s existence, or even speaking of magical truths to Sleepers or other supernatural beings are commonly seen as violations of this precept.
The Precept of Recognition
The attention of the Consilium is important. Even if no punishment is meted out, the fact that the Consilium opted to mention and discuss a crime is precedent that the crime merited attention. This is the traditional basis by which Mages are formally recognized and given Status by the Consilium. This recognition comes with the presumption that the Mage will abide by the Consilium’s decisions. Consider this as it regards the section on dealing with other mages, below – under the precept of recognition, those who deny the authority of the consilium are not part of civilized society nor do they receive its full protections.
The Precept of Protectorate
Attacks or trespass against recognized sanctums, territories or even influence over Sleeper society can be cause for punishment under this precept. The “property rights” of Mage society come from recognition of precedent and principles of this precept.
The Precept of Hubris
The chief principle by which a Mage’s actions are judged. It says that magic use should be governed by strict notions of morality. What, exactly, these morals are varies from Order to Order, but all agree that magic should be used in a moral manner. Many actions against the Pentacle’s enemies are justified using this precept, with service to the Exarchs or Abyss or Left-handed practice often seen as inherently hubristic acts.
The Precept of War
Allows the justification of active, magical warfare. The precedent of this precept mostly covers war between recognized Cabals, or between Cabals and outsiders who aren’t inherently hubristic. It is an escalated – and one-sided – version of the Right of Nemesis. Sometimes Consilia require that assaults on their enemies be justified and approved under this precept… Though such assaults usually have ample precedent.
The right of a Guardian of the Veil Interfector to murder (Silver Ladder P72, Guardians of the Veil, pp59 – 60)
The Interfector is the Consilium’s headsman and interrogator. The Guardians of the Veil permit her to kill or torture any mage selected by both the Hierarch and a simple majority of attending Councillors. The Interfector will even hunt other Guardians. The Consilium may employ the Interfector secretly or refuse to justify the decision to other mages. Furthermore, the Interfector is immune to normal rules against killing or offending the persons of other mages and may ignore challenges to duel.
The Laws of Silver
The Right to a Fair Trial with representation. You have the right to request a fair trial when being accused of a crime within the Consillium. You may not represent yourself but you may make a request for any Consillium Member to represent you with the Exception of the Hierarch who stands as Judge and the Herald who represents the Consillium.
Hallows
All Hallows within the Greater Perth Area belong to the Consillium with its Mana to be distributed by the Hierarch. Theft of this Mana is a Major Crime against the Consillium and its Officers. Access to these is keyed through the Swan Tarot an enchanted Tarot deck.
The Herald and Speaker
The Herald will be appointed by the Hierarch alone. A Second Herald named the ‘Speaker’ shall be represent the People and be the mouth of the Council. In a dispute of duties the ‘Speaker’ shall give precedence to the Herald. The Speaker shall be appointed by the Council as a Whole.