You know, I'm curious.
Pro-Templar this, pro-mage that, we spend so much time arguing the same points over and over for no reason other than because we can't afford to lose face after so many years but, end of the day, what do you support? What does it mean to be for either of these factions?
C'mon, get on that pulpit and tell us all what do you want, how to get it. What is your ideal world?
- Templars owned by the state as special forces. The new Constabulary would include spirit mages who specialize in neutralizing mages.
- The Circles owned by the state, with each government deciding how to deal with their mages.
- Seekers as a Chantry force to deal with both mages and Templars when necessary.
Ideal "state" law:
- Intensive training in resisting demons AND exorcism.
- Yearly Harrowings afford a mage freedom.
- Mages are still taken at early ages and family are allowed to visit, but not remain with, the mage (I imagine Circle Towns popping up around Circles that aren't in cities)
- A mage can choose between Tranquility or death if they are sentenced for the most severe crimes.
- Mages spell capability is registered with the state. Casting unregistered spells is subject to fines, then imprisonment, then death/tranquility.
- Combat magic training except under state supervision is illegal. Casting combat magic is considered premeditated action and subject to the appropriate punishment.
- All mages, as state wards (and then public servants), must serve the state in whatever job is best suited to their skillset.
- Mages, after ten years of service as a full fledged mage, are given the chance to be released of their obligation to the state and are free to pursue their own interests.
- Mages who pursue their own interests must pay yearly fees to continue training at the state funded Circles.
- All forbidden magics have programs of study devoted to them to ascertain their threat, determine their uses, and develop them for introduction as suitable Circle schools if deemed functional.
- Phylacteries will be kept for all apprentices. Afterward, a phylactery will only be kept on file for those mages who have committed ANY crime determined by the state.
- Any mage who accepts Tranquility will have their family awarded the lifetime stipend that would have otherwise been afforded the mage for service. The state recognizes that some mages who cannot perform any sort of real magic, but are susceptible to demons, may opt for Tranquility instead of death so said stipend can be taken advantage of.
- Any mage incapable of working magic properly and does not opt for Tranquility or death but is otherwise incapable of resisting demons will remain have a perennial apprenticeship, but be afforded no state stipend and will remain a ward of the state. All restrictions and freedoms awarded apprentices will continue to be awarded to such an apprentice.
- Any apprentice caught practicing forbidden magics will forfeit their chance for Harrowing and mage status.
- Anyone possessing the perennial apprentice status attempting forbidden magics will be sentenced to either death or Tranquility.