Laws of the Land: Education, Magic and Rank

In the Empire, the Emperor stands above all. Below him are his Ministers, and below them are his vassal lords, who in turn employ their own Ministers for provincial affairs.

In the Meshket Clans, the scholars determine the laws through fiq, or reasoning. The warriors and knights in turn enforce the law.

The Empire

Imperial schooling is rigorous and educational. Emphasis is placed on primarily on mathematics and writing, with special secondary training in morality and philosophy. The best administrators are able in their morals and decision making, using time-tested methods of analyzation to make the best decisions. Those who do not pass the philosophical tests for the Bureaucracy fulfill notable posts as clerks, scribes and messengers.

Imperial schooling is expensive, but the Empire is willing to make scholarships for promising children. Teachers are encouraged to mentor and sponsor potential candidates. Most teachers are employed by the Census, many being failed or retired bureaucrats. Bureaucrats often take apprentices, though those from noble or extensive families often take their own kin.

Every ten years there is a Census. In addition to other Bureaucratic duties, the Census test children and others for magical aptitude. Those displaying magical aptitude are registered, and children showing aptitude are encouraged to enroll into Magister (Wu Jen, as they are known colloqually) academies, with full scholorships bankrolled by the Empire. In many cases, this encouragement is done with a sword.

Magister academies for the young allow for boarding and children to live at home. Parents are discouraged from interfering with studies.

The training of Wu Jen is as rigorous as the bureaucrat, with emphasis placed on the formulaic side of math and writing rather than practical. To become a fully fledged Imperial Magister, one must past an even more rigorous philosophical test based on the principles of civic duty. The test is harsh, involving trials of illusion and faith in addition to pure skill. Those who fail may retake the test in ten years. Some of those who fail more completely are not allowed to live. Magic is deemed too dangerous to leave in the hands of those who would use it for evil.

An Imperial Magister is afforded the status of a Minister, and has duties specific to whatever station the Emperor has placed him into.

Tracking magic-users is one of the many duties of the Ministry of Arcanics. Divine Magic-users are also tracked, but are managed by their respective temples. The Ministry keeps a tight eye on magic-users of higher then 10th level, and for the most part knows where they are at all times via a system of spies and scrying. A high-level magic user is required to allow the Ministry to monitor his activities while within the Empire. For dealing with miscreants, the Ministry often employs the aid of the Emperor's Guardians in addition to it's own agents. The Ministry often outsources martial endeavors to the Jade Tower and certain guilds within the Well of Souls.

The Clans

The Laws of Shar'ia are run and determined by religious scholars. Not all are wizards and clerics, but many are. Both practitioners are considered the same for the purpose of religious authority. Wizards serve the mind, Clerics serve the heart.

Educational schools are sponsored for young children by the Shar'ia from tithe. All children are expected to go, however many fail or leave before they can pass the rigorous tests to become a fully fledged scholar. The primary schools teach all the requisite life skills such as farming and basic reading and writing. Most are in cities, so they are inaccessible to most nomads.

After primary schools, children are shuffled into one of three schools the Mind, Heart and Body. Respectively, these are for Wizards, Clerics and scholars of Jurisprudence. Socially the most powerful is the Body, who compose the majority of the scholars and are educated in matters of law and administration. Wizards and Clerics serve the purpose of magic and discovery.

Enrollment into one of the three schools entails a series of religious obligations. All scholars are expected to serve as examples to the community and to serve the people. While wandering, adventurous scholars are allowed, they are looked down upon. Those who violate the terms of Sharia and or turn against the community are considered renegades. Wizards who continue study or arise without the Sharia and refuse to take the tests are also renegades. All renegades are considered to be apostisizers. They are put to death. Once one joins the Shar'ia, by birth or bond, they cannot leave.

The Higher Order is a specially commissioned group of scholars that deals with renegade and troublemaking magic-users. They specialize in anti-magic and quick utilitarian killing.

The role of non-learned Magic-Users

In the Empire, bards, sorcerors and warlocks are discovered at early age. When it is determined they are not suitable to be Magisters, they are failed out and expected to find
their own paths. The Jade Tower, the Tiger Armies and other martial groups often welcome and train these blooded casters and include them in artillery companies. Bards and those who wish not a military path must seek out hermits atop mountains, private guilds and others like them. All are tracked by the Ministry of Arcanics. Most consider them rabble and commoners, unless they have other accomplishments of note.

In the Clans, spontaneous casters that fail out of the academies are left to their own devices. Most expect them to be warriors and treat them with respect. Many of the more superstitious clans regard them with fear. If proven that their powers result from the trafficking with demonic influences, warlocks are immediately put to death.