Greetings from Manny filling in for PH again. I dug up an old article written by my brother, Brotherd, who is a mage of great skill and knowledge. After all, he’s the head of the Mage Guild and an instructor to students of all levels who come to the guild for training from all over the world. This piece was written as an introduction of magical history in our world of Hemmethin. I thought you might find the information useful for your reading:
Magic is quite a common element in the world of Hemmethin in which we live, some would say an essential element given its pervasive quality throughout nature. While most civilized nations have moved beyond the more primitive uses of magic. History is rife with its presence wherever academic interest points its attention. Few can argue that the nature of magic is inherent in all things whether it is approved in society and can actively be channeled by anyone or remain untapped.
Academics have well-established the more violent history of magic. In ages past, magic was used in many ways where the adept found it easy to control a community with fear, manipulation, and outright tyranny in the pursuit of self-interest. Ancient and current cultures with less sensibility often allow for magic to be used as one sees fit, without constraint or care of others. Indeed, the mere ability to cast magic in any form has often meant the user was, and is, the sole judge of what the greater needs are. The foremost of these concerns have been to prevail against other practitioners and protect personal interests. These ideals are often deeply entrenched within society ranging from the smallest village to the largest of regions. Fear, in such societies, is endemic.
But, while those users have existed in the past, and still do in some areas of the world, most now agree that magic is not something upon which abject, tyrannical control should be based. Such foundations often weaken societies to the extent that normal everyday activities are crushed beneath fear and brute force. Instead, the more modern outlook is one of wise use for the greater good wherever possible while policing cruelty in all its forms. Broad advances are of greater good than short-sighted ventures in an endless quest for personal gains.
Magic must be viewed as a tool for society rather than a whip of fear for control and greed. Such is the history of magic in summary, but advancements are the future of magic. Recognizing the value of society as a benefactor, the Empire, and the city, in partnership with the Guild have enacted a series of laws, regulations, and guidelines for the practice of magic which protect and benefit the larger society. That other countries want their mages trained in this Guild is a further benefit to the larger international community, bringing stability with reasonable constraints where nations refrain from degrading behavior toward their people, improving trade, and encouraging an environment of peace.
Unless practiced in the distant hinterlands, gone are the days when magically driven cults and orders reign with threat, coercion, and terror. No longer do mages act with impunity and operate with a second set of laws. Gallantea’s Guild strides foremost in Hemmethin as a beacon of freedom from the dark terrors of unbridled avarice born of the notions of supremacy via means of the spell.
I hope you found this introduction informative regarding a brief history and background of Gallantea’s outlook toward magic and society. More to come on the subject next month, which is a continuation of Brotherd’s shortened lecture to new students of the Mage Guild.
Manny