Hermetic society

Hermetic society in the canonic setting is complex and nuanced. While the Order of Hermes is limited in size (ArM5 9) and a Tribunal probably holds less than ten score magi, these come from long and disparate magical lineages and traditions and further ameliorate themselves into various societies and organizations. Different customs and traditions have developed in each of the regional Tribunals, covenants, and various cults and societies of the Order, and individual magi and traditions can be very idiosyncratic. Nevertheless, Hermetic society can be described in broad strokes.

Tribunal Foundations

The social foundation of the Order is its democratic system of Tribunals. As each magus has one vote this creates a ground-base of equality among magi. The most general description of the Order may be that it is a democractic society where magi conduct great debates at Tribunals and cast their equal votes to decide how to conduct themselves. Of course, not everyone is equally equal.

Imposing some semblance of order to a Tribunal session requires a person to be in charge, and this role is served by the Praeco. The Praeco has extensive procedural authority over the conduction of the Tribunal session (see ArM5 14) and is appointed for life. This makes him perhaps the most politically influential person in the Tribunal. The different political factions in the Tribunal will usually try to remain in the Praeco's good graces, as an antagonistic Praeco can have a devastating affect on their interests in Tribunal. Perhaps due to the importance of this role, in most Tribunals the Praeco is simply the oldest member of the Tribunal, which serves to eliminate political tensions over the appointment.

Overseeing the legality of the Tribunal session is the Presiding Quaesitor. The presiding quaesitor is the highest legal authority in the Tribunal, with the authority to veto Tribunal rulings or decisions, and even void the entire Tribunal session (see ArM5 14, Houses of Hermes: True Lineages 64). Unlike the Praeco, this position is filled through a periodic vote (see HoHTL 64). The Presiding Quaesitor thus has great legal authority and commensurate political clout, but his position is more precarious than that of the Praeco and his reign may be brief.

A typical Tribunal has perhaps a dozen Quaesitors serving as the Order's legal system in the Tribunal in between sessions. Quaesitors enjoy a considerable respect in canonic Hermetic society, and are accorded exceptional rights under the Code of Hermetic law (see HoHTL 61-64). All Quaesitors enjoy Hermetic Prestige, and the Presiding Quaesitor, his advisers, and any Quaesitor serving in the Magvillus Council (see HoHTL 44) are further appreciated.

Providing muscle for the Quaesitors and generally enforcing the Order's laws are Hoplites. This is an unofficial and often self-titled position, however being recognized as and serving as a hoplite is something many magi aspire to. See HoHTL 67, 70, and Houses of Hermes: Societates 18.

Social Status and Leadership

While the Code ensures that all magi have equal vote, political leaders of course arise.

Political clout in Hermetic circles is often related to the magus' magical prowess and reputation. Powerful magi are known as Archmagi, and are accorded great respect. (Their position is especially formalized in the Rhine Tribunal, see GotF 24.) A way to gain respect among many magi is to win one of the many Flambeau Tournaments or the Hermetic Tourney of the Normandy Tribunal, or to (possibly inadvertently) win an Eristic Moot; these methods are more limited, however, as they tend to impress only specific groups of magi. Specific magical, political, and other achievements can also gradually build one's Reputation and status in Hermetic society.

Hermetic society respects age. Young magi are generally seen as upstart if they bring note to themselves, and are expected to show respect to their elders. In the Rhine Tribunal this has been formalized into the position of Journeyman and Master magi, with the latter recognizing a degree of competence and age worthy of being respected.

While most magi belong to covenants, some choose to lead a life of solitude, living as hermits without the company of their sodales. These are known as eremites. If he maintains an air of distance from the political squabbles of the Tribunal, an eremite can command much respect on those rare occasions when does emerge from his solitude to take a stand.

There are, of course, also unpopular magi that will find few if any that are eager to follow their lead.

Many Tribunals have strict requirements for the formation of new covenants. The Code affords relatively few measures to prohibit the establishment of unrecognized covenants, however. Magi belonging to such covenants, known as cenobites in the Normandy Tribunal (see The Lion and the Lily 30), are invariably in poor repute and the Tribunal typically employs various measures through its Peripheral Code to discourage such communities.

Joining the cenobites in the bottom of the social order are probably the Magi Orbi, expelled from their House and forced to join House Ex Miscellanea, and various hedge wizards and the other social misfits of the Tribunal.

There are frequently magi in the tribunal with no voting rights. These include Tremere magi who have yet to earn their Sigil. Young Tremere magi usually bear little if any political importance, their power invested in their Exarch or parens.

Conflicting Loyalties

Beyond their general Hermetic status and position, magi belong to specific organizations and groups. Perhaps the most important in actual play is their covenant. In addition to sheer size (and hence voting power), a covenants' political status is often determined through various relationships with other covenants, organizations, and individual magi. In the Normandy Tribunal, a formal system of vassal and liege covenants has developed, influenced by Feudal structures (see The Lion and the Lily 28). In the Greater Alps and Rhine Tribunals, a tradition of chapter houses has developed, along the lines of monastic orders; these likewise create ties between the mother-house and the chapter-houses which are similar to the liege-vassal relationship. In other Tribunals the relations are perhaps less formal, but a complex web of favors, obligations, and conflicting interests typically defines inter-covenenat relations in every Tribunal.

The other major claimant for loyalty for most magi is their House. Most magi follow the lead of their Primus, whether due to respect, traditions of House authority, or - when push comes to shove - the direct threat of being declared Orbus and expelled from the House. A magus may thus find himself torn between loyalty to his close friends in the covenant and a distant House leadership. The extent of control different Houses exert varies, from the complete domination of all votes in the Tribunal by the Tremere Exarch to the complete irrelevance of the Ex Miscellanea Primus. In most Houses, however, the Primus serves as an effective leader on a few key issues, able to persuade much of the House to follow his lead.

In the Rhine Tribunal magi associate with overt political parties known as Gilds (see GotF 27). This is extraordinary, but in all tribunals magi belong to organizations more specific than their House. Some belong to semi-independent inner-societies within their House; these include several Societas of House Flambeau (see HoHS) and Mercere (HoHTL), Bjornaer Septs (HoHMC 11), Verditius Confratenties (HoHMC 121), Tytalus cabals (HoHS), Merinitia schools ?? (HoHMC), and more. Others harness themselves to the service of Esoteric mystery cults or non-House-specific Societas such as the Jerbiton Leagues (HoHS53). All these structures provide social and/or mystical bonds that further stretch a magus' loyalties.

Personal Relations

Amici (see HoHTL 47) are magi tied by bonds of friendship into a comradeship like that of family. Although not an official designation, a magus would do well to consider his opponents' Amici before attacking them, in the field of politics or battle.

In House Tytalus a tradition of Beloved Rivals has developed (see Houses of Hermes: Societates 80). It is somewhat similar to the concept of a Vendetta in House Verditius (Houses of Hermes: Mystery Cults 115). In both cases, while great enmity exists between the two sides a third party would be wise to distance himself from the dispute. These are often love-hate relationships, with the participants just as likely to join forces against anyone threatening either one.

Social Events

The chief Hermetic social event is without a doubt the Tribunal session, including the periodic regional Tribunals and the magnificent Grand Tribunal session. A second ritual common in nearly all covenants is the yearly casting of the Aegis of the Hearth, traditionally at the winter solstice. Hermetic society knows other social events, however, although these are often more limited in scope.

Members of House Flambeau often field Flambeau Tournaments for various occasions (see HoHS 20), with any magus welcome to join in the celebrations. Tytalus magi occasionally arrange an Eristic Moot (HoHS 81), to which magi of other Houses are often invited as spectators. Other, smaller societies may hold similar events (for example, the Great Play of The Shadow-Masters).

In most Tribunals, Mercurian traditions are held in high esteem, even if the actual Cult of Mercury is not (often the traditions are maintained for tradition's sake). Mercurian priests officiate at various Hermetic events, including the formal blessing of a Tribunal session, leading Hermetic naming ceremonies, witnessing oaths, and conducting funeral rites. They organize festivals on important days from the Roman calendar, including the Saturnalia (the winter solstice, whose traditional Mercurian celebration includes the casting of the Aegis of the Hearth) (see HoHS 16).

Several Houses have traditions of regular gatherings. These include the Gathering of Twelve Years of House Bjornaer (HoHMC 15), the great Contest of House Verditius (HoHMC 116), the great Flambeau Tournament at its domus magna (HoHS 20), and the decennial meeting of House Tremere (HoHTL 116, 123-125).

Some Houses also meet to elect a new Primus. These include House Criamon (HoHMC 55), Jerbiton (HoHS 51), and Tytalus(HoHS 81).

Tribunals also may develop regional customs. In the Normandy Tribunal an Hermetic Tourney is used to distribute raw vis (see The Lion and the Lily 31). Many tribunals have Ceremonies of Welcome to introduce new Magi.

Other Social Elements

Redcaps form a critical layer of Hermitic society, serving as the Order's trade and communication network, but only the rare Redcap reaches a position of political significance. Examples include ??, whose excellent memory made him a valued witness in Tribunal, and the leaders of Mercer Houses or Harco itself.

Not magi yet not mundanes, apprentices and familiars are accorded a respect similar to family members in mundane society. A magus' apprentice is often treated as a young son, and a familiar is accorded respect similar to that of a spouse.

Magi visiting from other Tribunals are generlally of no political importance. Most tribunals develop traditions of hospitality towards magi visitng from other covenants or Tribunals, however. Such magi, known as Peregrinatores (see GotF 20), are expected to be treated well, and mistreatment may lead to loss of face. Their votes belong with their home covenant and Tribunal, but prergrinatores from distant tribunals can often attend and at times join the discussions of a Tribunal.

Custos are valued mundanes, and as such treasured by magi. They do not, however, have special status under Hermetic law or customs.

Hermetic Timeline

• Hermetic Timeline A link to an old discussion thread on the Atlas Games Ars Magica forums about the timeline of events for Hermetic society.

Legacy Page

The history of this page before August 6, 2010 is archived at Legacy:hermetic_society