And there you have it - our purpose. In as clear a form as this (slightly-scatterbrained) mage can put it, for there are a great many reasons why individuals might see a need for this group, but few that are common to all of us, I suppose. You take from the fellowship whatever you put into it, and through that, you find whatever it is you are looking for in it. For those of you are still interested, then here is what we further propose:
Our Mission: To form a fellowship which provides for its members a place for study on magical theory and history, matrix/pattern experimentation, arcane research, and applied combat training and technique. In so doing, each member of the fellowship accepts upon themselves a responsibility to their fellow mages, to help guide them along the path of knowledge not just power, and also a responsibility to the realms, to act when called upon to aid and defend.
Welcome are any warrior mages who wish to ~play~ a ~role~ in Elanthian society, from all walks of life and all ranges of experience. As a collective, we will find a place for any who wish to contribute, taking not more from them than they wish to give, and offering in return whatever comes to pass that is in our power to give. Any who do not see in themselves a desire to aid, to grow, or to communicate with other mages, need not apply. This fellowship is not about gains, though we hope the work in itself will find its own rewards. It is about returning our guild to the reputation it once had, to enriching our study so that we can take greater responsibility with our power and aid a land that has fed us with its very essence and helped us to become the elemental mages we are today.
>>"Ancient feuds and wars were ignored, their old Clans forgotten, as each Mage came to realize they had found a new Clan, one filled with true brothers and sisters in magic."
-- The History of the Warrior Mage Guild, volume I, by Maegwynel Nel'far
Initiation: Each member will be asked to fulfill a test, which may be split into three or more parts consisting of an interview with a recruiting member, an academic assignment, and a quest across the lands. The tests will be designed to determine the applicant's personality, interests and motives. They will not be 'judged', however, on these aspects, but rather on their willingness to participate in fellowship affairs. We will take with utmost seriousness any who have a genuine desire to be a part of this fellowship, not turning anyone away lightly.
Hierarchy: The fellowship will begin in two most basic tiers, the first tier for initiates and the second for members. Initiates will be any who are below their 20th circle and/or who lack the basic knowledge of our history/profession as deemed appropriate by the fellowship. These initiates will have a sponsor from the second tier, one who will take them on very much like an apprentice and guide their study so that they may find all the information they need in order to progress in knowledge. Initiates may learn from any mage who has the inclination to teach them, but they will at least have a sponsor who they know they can go to for advice if they need it.
The second tier, for full-fledged members, will be divided among the different elemental clans. There they will be given the opportunity to research, if it is their desire, and to teach. Each clan will have a council member and meet to discuss any matters which pertain to their group. The overall council will also meet in order to discuss any issues which individuals or clans may feel need to be addressed by the fellowship. General meetings, where each clan may present their most interesting findings, will be held so that all mages may benefit from the research. Current events will also be discussed at these larger meetings, so that the fellowship as a whole may decide if actions should be taken with regard to particular events.
The Council: There will be one (or two, depending on the number of members) council member(s) per elemental clan within the guild. It will be the duty of each council member to oversee meetings, act as liason for their clan to the rest of the fellowship, and to distribute tasks as needed by the fellowship to the members within their clan. Each council member will need to know and speak personally with each member of their particular clan, facilitating its members when needs arise through networking with the fellowship. There will also be at least three council members to oversee the first tier, one to maintain basic academic study through curriculum and classes, and one to maintain basic practical training through combat and classes. The third council member of this tier will coordinate the assignment of initiates to sponsors, though it will be expected that most initiates will already have a sponsor in mind when coming to the fellowship for initiation. Last, there will be a Speaker and a Vice-Speaker for the fellowship that sit on the council and assist in the overall coordination of the fellowship.
Diplomats: Members who have an interest may act as diplomats for the fellowship during events or crises that arise in the lands. Further discussion on this role will be afforded at later meetings once the fellowship is more established.
Warriors: Members who have an interest may enlist to act as a special forces warrior for the fellowship, called to action during events or crises that arise in the lands. Likewise, further discussion on this role will be afforded at later meetings once the fellowship is more established.
Meeting location: At present, it is expected that general meetings will take place in the Warrior Mage Guildhall Library on Ratha. Suggestions for other meeting locations will be entertained in the future.
Aids to the fellowship: Non-warrior mages who wish to aid the fellowship - Empaths, Clerics, Bards, Landowners, Ship Captains, for example - may contact the speaker or vice-speaker to establish contact. Though the primary aspect of membership involves the study of elemental magic as experienced by Warrior Mages, Elanthian events may require that more people act on its behalf than just Warrior Mages alone.
Political Affiliation: The fellowship will not be affiliated with any governing body or political group. Assistance may be granted or taken from such groups depending on the circumstances, and the political affiliations of its members will be respected, but the fellowship as a whole will not be bound by such or act on behalf of any one area or political leader.
Penned this 17th day of the 9th month of Dolefaren the Brigantine, 382 AL.
~ Fayeza Alcalem, Spellsword of Elanthia, Prydaen Warrior Mage.
((OOC: Basically, it's a chance for us to roleplay and get involved. It is also a chance to pass on information IG to other mages, rather than relying on communication over the boards, which many do not bother to read anyways. If you feel you already have that elsewhere, by all means, carry on. If you feel there's already enough comradery in the guild to suffice, well then... carry on, unless you think you would like to offer a bit more. If you're looking for a group to get involved in, give us a try. As I said above, put in whatever you like, and take from it whatever you like. That's all we're asking for at present.))
"Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children." -- Kahlil Gibran
