The Shardcircle is something that always will exist, mages will always gather to ponder the world, its purpose and their place within it. Something about the power to pull energy from the Mortal Sphere and bend it to your will is conducive to extrospection. However to truly make themselves known and their voices heard, the largest Mage conclave of the region, a society known as The Shardcircle has joined the Concord as its arcane council, overseeing matters of magic, the Spheres and the world they are affected by.
Function
The function of the Shardcircle is generally speaking twofold.
Firstly, they act as an arcane advisory and control organisation. By drawing all the mages of the Concord together in a single fraternity, they can better spend resources towards research, control and combat of magic. As such the Shardcircle is often called upon to research and contain magical threats. In addition the Schools of Magic throughout The Concord are responsible for the research into new ceremonies, magical items and potions.
Secondly, the Shardcircle controls a portal within its chambers known as The Precipice. This portal, combined with the chamber's unique nature allows it to act as a crossing point between the Spheres. This causes the Shardcircle to often be the first point of contact between The Concord and any Heralds or Eternals that might arrive. The Shardcircle can also align the portal with a certain sphere for increased power and attention from the spheres denizens.
Beyond this the Shardcircle is often used for a variety of other methods, such as storing magical items outside of Passage, but still close to hand. In this new government it remains to be seen what the Shardcircle will become.
Powers
Passel
The Shardcircle is capable of producing in-depth research known as ‘Passels’. The Shardcircle, supported by the civil service and mages of The Concord creates only one per season and it is limited to the fields of magic (in all its forms), alchemy, the cosmos, the history of magic and mages, and similar fields.
Passels are organised by committee, with those who want to lead a Passel group stepping forward during the first session of The Shardcircle. There is no limit to the number of Passel groups, but only one will be successful. Following the presentation of leaders, each Passel leader shall have mages assigned to them, creating the Passel group. This group will then decide on its Passel proposal, and will have until the next Shardcircle meeting to convince others of the importance and veracity of their proposal, and to gather what information they can.
At the final Shardcircle meeting the Passel proposals will be presented and one chosen by popular vote. At the following Summit, the Passel’s results will be present within the Shardcircle for all to study.
Election
Any positions that the Shardcircle has within it are open to election. When a position comes up for election, they are generally actioned at the next available meeting of the Shardcircle. All positions are currently voted, with the individual receiving the most votes taking the position. Nominations for these positions must be members of the Shardcircle who are present in that moment.
Current positions of the Shardcircle
Keepers of the Shards
The Shardcircle maintains and operates powerful magical equipment from history that grants it considerable magical power. As it stands there are three in use:
Each piece of equipment is uniquely powerful and has particular procedures around it, which can be studied on their particular pages.
Members
Membership within the Shardcircle is quite easy to attain. A Concordian citizen simply needs to get to the Shardcircle itself and be present for a vote. Beyond this point they may call themselves a member of the Shardcircle. This is no simple feat, since it requires the ability to Channel the waystone inside Passage, something largely impossible for non-mages. Beyond this there are no other requirements, at least for now.
Chambers
The Chamber of the Shardcircle may be its most unique aspect. Somewhere between the Mortal Sphere and the Abyss, the Shardcircle maintains a magically enchanted chamber that both falls through magical space and remains constant. Linked to the true Mortal Sphere by a waystone in Passage, the Shardcircle is only accessible by the Channel Waystone spell. Within the Shardcircle chambers, mages can find places to rest, discuss and study, away from the bustling streets of the capital. In addition, the Precipice looms, the greatest tool and responsibility of the Shardcircle.
Meetings
The Shardcircle meets officially twice a Summit at 6pm. Throughout the remainder of the Summit the Shardcircle remains open and many smaller, more specialised meetings occur. Any individual may attend the Shardcircle meetings and participate within the meeting rules, provided they can make it into The Shardcircle.
Shardcircle meetings take the following procedure:
Introduction
The Augry is given a chance to open the meeting, explain procedure regarding speaking and voting, as well as make any other notable remarks. The Augry also indicates Shardcircle titleholders who are present, ensuring they are known to all attendees.
Shardcircle Business - Elections
During this period the Augry and the Civil Service will conduct any pending elections. An individual wishing to stand for a title will indicate themselves, will be brought forward and will each be given two minutes to speak and take questions. There is no additional time. Following all chances to speak, voting will begin through written forms distributed by the Civil Service. Normally elections the Shardcircle will move onto the next piece of business while votes are tallied.
Shardcircle Business - Artifacts
During this period the Augry will guide the Shardcircle through relevant votes for the various artifacts maintained by the Shardcircle. Notably; Usage of any of The Arcline’s Obliterations, the Alignment of the Precipice, and entombing within any Vaults. Each individual vote is not a chance for discussion, but rather a vote. Discussion is expected to occur elsewhere.
Shardcircle Business - Passels
During this period, the Augry will request Passel Group Leaders (if it is the first meeting of the Summit) or votes will be placed in support of a Passel (if it is the second meeting). Each Passel will have two minutes to speak on their Passel and take questions before voting begins. There is no option for additional time.
Shardcircle Business - Other
During this period the Augury will bring forth any other business relevant to The Shardcircle not originating from individual members.
Open Business
During this period individuals who approached the Augry with a written request to speak may do so for two minutes. They may extend their speaking time at the cost of 1 Crystal Mana per minute, added to the Arcline following the end of the Shardcircle meeting. This value may be paid in advance or during speaking time.
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A note on voting:
In the past, Mages who were also priests in the Shardcircle were granted less votes that mages who were not. This is no longer the case. Any attendee to a Shardcircle who casts a vote does so with a weighting of one.