Mage's Code of Honor - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Mage's Code of Honor

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
rumblebelly
Mar 26, 2005 0:40:45 I'm looking for suggestions for a Mage's Code of Honor, for guild wizards in the Aerdi tradition such as GH City, Rel Astra, Rel Mord, etc.

For example, what expectations would wizards have of each other should they confront each other in a civilized place like Greyhawk City?

How would they handle duels?

HOw do they expect non-wizards to behave toward them?

Etc.

any ideas would be useful.

Thanks.
#2
Monteblanco
Mar 26, 2005 8:32:49 Does they ever develop one? Wizards are often portraited as mischievous, why Oerthian ones will be more civilized. Also, chivalry code is all about keeping the current status quo. Wizards, being somewhere apart of the medieval society has little incentive to maintain it.

Dueling codes can only arise where duels are frequent, to minimize the overall damage to the society. Considering the low number of mages, I'm not sure they would eve develop, especially considering the variety of techniques magic would allow. I think that full scale war would be far more frequent.

However, considering that magic is learned under a tutorial system, it is probable that a master & apprentice code system would be developed.

Years ago, one my character offer his word as a mage to a NPC. He answered that, being himself a wizard, he knew it was worthless. Pretty amusing.
#3
rumblebelly
Mar 27, 2005 12:32:23
Also, chivalry code is all about keeping the current status quo.

You don't think wizards are interested in maintaining the status quo, i.e., their place of power in society? You don't think they want to keep muggles out (to borrow a term from Harry Potter). That strikes me as odd. In my real world experience, even groups as repugnant as Skinheads and seemingly mischievious as punk rockers have their own codes of acceptable behavior, which are designed to establish a pecking order and exclude the other. Every group does, no matter how at odds they may be with mainstream society.

Dueling codes can only arise where duels are frequent, to minimize the overall damage to the society. Considering the low number of mages, I'm not sure they would eve develop, especially considering the variety of techniques magic would allow. I think that full scale war would be far more frequent.

Again I disagree, the potential power that mages possess would necessitate a code of order "to minimize overall damage to society," but also to protect themselves from the general public who might grow angry with dueling wizards wrecking their environment and lynch them if the problem got out of hand.

However, considering that magic is learned under a tutorial system, it is probable that a master & apprentice code system would be developed.

I quite agree that a code of honor might develop between master and student, particularly if the master makes it a point to pass on such a code to his student.

Anyone else have any suggestions for a Magician's Code of Honor.
#4
OleOneEye
Mar 28, 2005 21:33:39 It seems there are a number of Magical Colleges throughout the Flaneass. Perhaps more wizards are products of formal academies than the traditional master/apprentice approach. Formal academies would likely establish accepted practices in the use of magic. That being said, here are some random musings.

Abjurations, being personal protection, are probably well accepted anywhere a wizard may tread.

Enchantment/Charm is likely to only be allowed on willing subjects, given the whole loss of self determination associated with the school.

Illusions could be allowed for recreation and home decor, but unacceptable in greater society.

Divinations are widespread and fully expected of the wizard community.

Necromancy is strictly prohibited in any form.

Evocation/Invocation is regarded for its military uses, and is prohibited outside of military operations.

Conjuration/Summoning is widely accepted and a common labor source.

Transmutation is also widely accepted and expected of wizards.
#5
zombiegleemax
Mar 29, 2005 3:26:24 For whom will this code will be effective? I mean, is it fo a good order, a neutral one, an evil one, a battle mage order, a protective order, or anything else?

I use many organisation in my campaigns. So I also use many codes of conduct / organisation's rules. For a code like you want to design, the morality or goal behind it are what will give you (or other helpers like me) much of the orientation such a code will have.

Hope this help, and I'll check this board to help you more...

Fearghal
#6
crag
Mar 29, 2005 8:59:45 Actually if you read Ivid the Undying, the legal system does deal with magic.

I would guess any organized state would have judicial rules govening the use of magic, even tribal ones would have sanctioned taboos so the mages and priests don't get out of line.

No one wants mages flinging fireballs around town, summoning demons to terrorize the peasants, a mage to charm person your teenage daughter or a pervert to sleep your kids.

If there weren't some societial safeguards, the flanaess would be full of mobs of irate people tired of being the next "plaything" for those wierdos in the funny hats or so scared to poke their noses outside the front door either way no grain or goods are being produced so the ruling elite have a vested interest in reassuring the themselves and the people the priests and mages are not going to violate their person, property or livelihood.
#7
rumblebelly
Mar 29, 2005 14:12:18 Great posts all of you. Thank you. Right now the two most immediate organizations I'm dealing with are the graduates of Greyhawk college of magic and the Aerdi Battle Wizard (which could be from any of the Aerdi states: Great Kingdom, Nyrond, Furyondy, Rel Astra, etc., and remember my campaign is pre-war).

I am also interested in developing a code of honor for elementalists that deal with entities on the elemental planes, such as Sha'iirs and others who have elemental allies, patrons, or enemies. There must be some established Code of Conduct that allows mages to interact with Gen, Genies, and other elemental powers without overstepping their bounds.

These are just some of the things I have been considering. Also keep in mind that I use GURPS rules, so these are written as the Code of Honor disadvantage for that system.

Mage’s Code of Honor (Guild Trained)

1.Never violate your mana threshold. (In house rules terms this would cause a calamity. IMC, a magician violating his threshold resulted in such things as the Rift Canyon and the Twisted Forest
2.Abjure the use of crude protections such as armor; trust in magic to protect you.
3.Never duel in public or within civilized walls.
4.Never accept an insult from a muggle.
5.Never perform a spell for free; always take some form of payment, even if it’s just promise of payment (so as not to devalue a mage's services).

Elementalist’s Code of Honor

1.Never reveal an elemental’s true name outside the Brotherhood.
2.Do not call on an elemental spirit to perform a deed contrary to its nature.
3.Never interfere unnecessarily in the natural workings of your element.

Any suggestions for adding to these list or other Codes for different groups would be appreciated.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 rumblebelly Mar 26, 2005 0:40:45	I'm looking for suggestions for a Mage's Code of Honor, for guild wizards in the Aerdi tradition such as GH City, Rel Astra, Rel Mord, etc. For example, what expectations would wizards have of each other should they confront each other in a civilized place like Greyhawk City? How would they handle duels? HOw do they expect non-wizards to behave toward them? Etc. any ideas would be useful. Thanks.
#2 Monteblanco Mar 26, 2005 8:32:49	Does they ever develop one? Wizards are often portraited as mischievous, why Oerthian ones will be more civilized. Also, chivalry code is all about keeping the current status quo. Wizards, being somewhere apart of the medieval society has little incentive to maintain it. Dueling codes can only arise where duels are frequent, to minimize the overall damage to the society. Considering the low number of mages, I'm not sure they would eve develop, especially considering the variety of techniques magic would allow. I think that full scale war would be far more frequent. However, considering that magic is learned under a tutorial system, it is probable that a master & apprentice code system would be developed. Years ago, one my character offer his word as a mage to a NPC. He answered that, being himself a wizard, he knew it was worthless. Pretty amusing.
#3 rumblebelly Mar 27, 2005 12:32:23	Also, chivalry code is all about keeping the current status quo. You don't think wizards are interested in maintaining the status quo, i.e., their place of power in society? You don't think they want to keep muggles out (to borrow a term from Harry Potter). That strikes me as odd. In my real world experience, even groups as repugnant as Skinheads and seemingly mischievious as punk rockers have their own codes of acceptable behavior, which are designed to establish a pecking order and exclude the other. Every group does, no matter how at odds they may be with mainstream society. Dueling codes can only arise where duels are frequent, to minimize the overall damage to the society. Considering the low number of mages, I'm not sure they would eve develop, especially considering the variety of techniques magic would allow. I think that full scale war would be far more frequent. Again I disagree, the potential power that mages possess would necessitate a code of order "to minimize overall damage to society," but also to protect themselves from the general public who might grow angry with dueling wizards wrecking their environment and lynch them if the problem got out of hand. However, considering that magic is learned under a tutorial system, it is probable that a master & apprentice code system would be developed. I quite agree that a code of honor might develop between master and student, particularly if the master makes it a point to pass on such a code to his student. Anyone else have any suggestions for a Magician's Code of Honor.
#4 OleOneEye Mar 28, 2005 21:33:39	It seems there are a number of Magical Colleges throughout the Flaneass. Perhaps more wizards are products of formal academies than the traditional master/apprentice approach. Formal academies would likely establish accepted practices in the use of magic. That being said, here are some random musings. Abjurations, being personal protection, are probably well accepted anywhere a wizard may tread. Enchantment/Charm is likely to only be allowed on willing subjects, given the whole loss of self determination associated with the school. Illusions could be allowed for recreation and home decor, but unacceptable in greater society. Divinations are widespread and fully expected of the wizard community. Necromancy is strictly prohibited in any form. Evocation/Invocation is regarded for its military uses, and is prohibited outside of military operations. Conjuration/Summoning is widely accepted and a common labor source. Transmutation is also widely accepted and expected of wizards.
#5 zombiegleemax Mar 29, 2005 3:26:24	For whom will this code will be effective? I mean, is it fo a good order, a neutral one, an evil one, a battle mage order, a protective order, or anything else? I use many organisation in my campaigns. So I also use many codes of conduct / organisation's rules. For a code like you want to design, the morality or goal behind it are what will give you (or other helpers like me) much of the orientation such a code will have. Hope this help, and I'll check this board to help you more... Fearghal
#6 crag Mar 29, 2005 8:59:45	Actually if you read Ivid the Undying, the legal system does deal with magic. I would guess any organized state would have judicial rules govening the use of magic, even tribal ones would have sanctioned taboos so the mages and priests don't get out of line. No one wants mages flinging fireballs around town, summoning demons to terrorize the peasants, a mage to charm person your teenage daughter or a pervert to sleep your kids. If there weren't some societial safeguards, the flanaess would be full of mobs of irate people tired of being the next "plaything" for those wierdos in the funny hats or so scared to poke their noses outside the front door either way no grain or goods are being produced so the ruling elite have a vested interest in reassuring the themselves and the people the priests and mages are not going to violate their person, property or livelihood.
#7 rumblebelly Mar 29, 2005 14:12:18	Great posts all of you. Thank you. Right now the two most immediate organizations I'm dealing with are the graduates of Greyhawk college of magic and the Aerdi Battle Wizard (which could be from any of the Aerdi states: Great Kingdom, Nyrond, Furyondy, Rel Astra, etc., and remember my campaign is pre-war). I am also interested in developing a code of honor for elementalists that deal with entities on the elemental planes, such as Sha'iirs and others who have elemental allies, patrons, or enemies. There must be some established Code of Conduct that allows mages to interact with Gen, Genies, and other elemental powers without overstepping their bounds. These are just some of the things I have been considering. Also keep in mind that I use GURPS rules, so these are written as the Code of Honor disadvantage for that system. Mage’s Code of Honor (Guild Trained) 1.Never violate your mana threshold. (In house rules terms this would cause a calamity. IMC, a magician violating his threshold resulted in such things as the Rift Canyon and the Twisted Forest 2.Abjure the use of crude protections such as armor; trust in magic to protect you. 3.Never duel in public or within civilized walls. 4.Never accept an insult from a muggle. 5.Never perform a spell for free; always take some form of payment, even if it’s just promise of payment (so as not to devalue a mage's services). Elementalist’s Code of Honor 1.Never reveal an elemental’s true name outside the Brotherhood. 2.Do not call on an elemental spirit to perform a deed contrary to its nature. 3.Never interfere unnecessarily in the natural workings of your element. Any suggestions for adding to these list or other Codes for different groups would be appreciated.