Sheesh... this thread grows quickly.
Xilizhra wrote...
There's a small problem in that only female mages could attain any real power here. Again, this could be an area where the theory of the Imperial Chantry is superior, assuming that they have priests of both genders rather than only male ones (I actually am not sure). This would also require a change in applied doctrine and removal of the notion that magic is some kind of curse, in addition to the reforms I mentioned prior about removing Annulment, nonconsensual Tranquility and the creation of villages around the Circles so as to ensure that families wouldn't have to be separated. If we can get this done on the Chantry's dime, it'll be an acceptable step upwards.
Of course, once the elves get their civilization back, they'll definitely have a different system, which'll create interesting scenarios depending on how the races work themselves out in the new societies...
Incorporating the mages further into the Chantry won't be trivial, there'll be so much resistance to the idea that a lot would have to be given up. But as you say, the Chantry would have to do it's share as well. I doubt the teachings can be allowed to change much, but emphasis. Mages being cursed could be pitched as them being specifically challenged by the maker and thus to be treated with respect, since he clearly expects great things from them.
I don't think the Imperial Chantry is the right model to look at though, since only mages may be higher ranked priests (I think it allows both genders though), instead I'd suggest that Grand Clerics and First Enchanters have parity. Both assembling to vote for the Divine. Have the FE's make up a third of the vote and they'd have enough influence to make a difference.
As for annulment, tranquility and villages. I'm not sure about either. Annulment is warranted when a tower is, as far as anyone can tell, is completely overrun. But never as a punishment.
As for tranquility, are we really sure we want to present the idea to templars and the world that the only way out of magic is death. Tranquility, for all it's faults, presents the idea at the very least that there's an alternative to death for those that cannot handle the gift. Flawed as all hell, I agree. But on a psychological front, is that line of thinking not warranted?
Yeah, tranquility is hardly a mercy... I get that. If used at all, a really robust safety measure would have to prevent it's misuse. But do we really want templars going around thinking "behave or die"? Isn't that part of the problem the current circles have? Except now it'd be worse?
Villages... hmmm... well the circles would take on the guise as monasteries rather than prisons so I suppose it'd work... but I'm not sure in how much danger these villages would be. Lake Calenhad wasn't a very safe lake due to all the magical experiments after all.
Sylvius the Mad wrote...
This
actually makes for an interesting free market solution. Let each
nation deal with mages as it sees fit, and let the mages choose freely
among those national options.
And then it's only a matter of time
before some nation weaponizes its mages. The mages might even trade
such abilities for more freedom.
But in this premodern world travel is dangerous and slow and even in our modern one, noone tolerates free travel across borders. This is one of those ideas that assumes everyone will go along with it. Whereas the first one that doesn't will immediately have an advantage over all others.