Raminus Polus wrote to all the Wizards in the Mages Guild inviting them to the Arcane University to elect a new Council and a new Arch Mage and to discuss the future of the Mages Guild and its direction. The Council chamber wasn’t big enough for such a gathering, so they used the lobby instead. All of the chapter heads were present but most of the university wizards declined to join the meeting, saying that they would abide by whatever new rules the re-instated Council would agree on.

The discussions started with Necromancy, continued with Necromancy and ended with Necromancy, also touching on Illusion and Conjuration a little. The one thing that all the mages agreed on, was restoration of the school of Necromancy – whether or not the Mages Guild would practice it within its ranks. Various spells could then be re-assigned to the actual schools where they originated, and that included spells forbidden by other laws, such as the Levitation Act – just because a spell was forbidden, it did not seize to exist. With this definition, much of the old pre-Traven order could be restored, with all spells that tap into the life energies or deal with the undead to be assigned to the school of Necromancy.

“Except of course where they are beneficial to the living, because that’s Restoration” – interjected Carahil.

“Like Absorb Health, perhaps?” – Caranya raised an eyebrow. “That’s hardly beneficial to the victim.”

“But it is even being taught by the chapel priests! It’s beneficial!” – Carahil retorted hotly. “As well as Turn Undead!”

“There’s a Necromancy spell if I ever saw one!” – Bothiel suddenly joined the discussion. As a curator of the Orrery, she didn’t affiliate herself with any one school of magic. “How is it Restoration?”

“It separates the Living from the Undead” – Carahil looked at her with disdain. “I would have thought it was obvious.”

“Life and death are one and the same” – Caranya defended her. “You cannot know one without knowing the other. Hannibal Traven knew that, which is why he switched to Restoration after he denounced his affiliation with Necromancy. And you know it too, Carahil.” Caranya fixed her with a steady gaze. “You studied and worked with Traven long enough to have figured him out. Don’t deny it now. He re-assigned Necromancy spells to other schools in order to be keep using them, but it backfired. You either accept they are Necromancy and include the school, or you exclude the school and give up the spells. You cannot have it both ways.”

“Yes, I know, and we all agree with that” – Carahil returned Caranya’s gaze. “Are you saying that I am trying to keep some spells under Restoration for the sake of keeping them?” – she sighed and sat down. “Yes, you are probably right. We should give up all of them.”

Several people turned to look at Carahil. She was going to vote against Necromancy.

Lunch time was rapidly approaching, which prompted the gathering to finalise their list of spells brought under Necromancy. It included Reanimate and Summon Skeleton, Zombie, Wraith and Lich from Conjuration; Detect Life, Soul Trap and Spell Absorption from Mysticism; and Turn Undead and Absorb Life Energy – health, magicka, fatigue, skills and attributes – from Restoration. Turn Undead was a bit of a contested point – the spell had recently been moved from Conjuration to Restoration, but many felt that it would have been better placed with Illusion because it resembled Demoralise spell. But since it was going to be moved to Necromancy anyway, that argument was closed before it even begun.

The mages also agreed that Conjuration should include research into long term binding and that Mysticism be allowed to resume their research into Levitation, Teleportation and Telepathy, regardless of political constraints. They were putting forward a vision for an ideal world.

“The Psijic order are proficient in it” – Tar-Meena from the Mystic Archives pointed out to everyone’s surprise. “And we have tomes and tomes on its theory and practice – it’s time someone actually read them. Because when – and I mean when, not if – when the Psijic Order makes contact with one of us, we should be able to at least recognise it for what it is and not think we are dreaming!”

“Yes, this will happen soon” – Dagail said in a surprisingly clear voice. “I have seen this. Soon, if not already.”

And with that, a kitchen aid came in to announce that lunch had been served in the dining hall, and everyone got up, eager to take care of the most important event of the day.

…

“Settle down, settle down!” – Raminus Polus called the gathering to order, waking up several mages who were snoozing after an opulent lunch. “We now have to elect the new Council, or perhaps should we vote on the use of Necromancy first?” – he looked around. “To ensure that we have like-minded people, and such.” Raminus was eager to avoid the dissolution of the new Council on its very first day.

“Vote first!” – several people cried. After all, every Wizard who was willing to meddle in Mages Guild politics, was in that room. A show of hands followed.

“Necromancy is out” – said Raminus, having tallied the count. “By a large margin, too.”

“I propose we vote on the other subjects too” – Irlav Jarol rose from his seat. “I imagine many of us will want to know whether their research will be welcome in the new Mages Guild.” He looked at Raminus with significance. “Such as long term binding in Conjuration or Telepathy in Mysticism.”

Noises of approval followed, and Raminus called a show of hands on each of the contested subjects.

“Sorry, Irlav, no long term binding studies, and sorry Dagail – no research on topics banned by the politicians” – he looked apologetic, realising that this was going to cost the Mages Guild its members. “And… sorry, Kud-Ei – but mind control spells are out too, upholding late Arch Mage’s ban.”

The assembly appeared to be intolerant to each other’s research interests, opting for a very conservative approach for the Mages Guild instead.

“What do you propose to do with the Archives that house the tomes on all those forbidden subjects?” – asked Tar-Meena, her eyes narrowing.

“We must keep the Archives!” – several mages exclaimed from their seats. “Never destroy the books!”

“There is your answer” – smiled Raminus.

Tar-Meena nodded and folded her arms defiantly, but didn’t say anything. Everyone knew she would not keep the Archives locked… and everyone felt that the Mages Guild was about to be split up.

“Are we ready to elect a new Council now?” – Raminus looked around him. There was no hostility among the mages, but most faces closed. “Please bring forward your candidacies.”

“Well, don’t look at me!” – Jeanne Frasoric said brightly as if she expected to be elected. “I’m with Necromancy, remember? We are out.”

“The Leyawiin chapter will leave the Mages Guild” – Dagail looked around. “There does not seem to be room for true Mystics within your ranks any longer.” Several people nodded – this wasn’t surprising. The previous voting had stripped the school of Mysticism of most of its spells.

“Illusion is not complete without ‘mind control’ spells as you call them” – Kud-Ei said softly, but without hesitation. “I refuse to close half of our research. We won’t stand with you.”

“If that’s what the Bravil chapter wants, then there won’t be a Mages Guild hall in Bravil – and it won’t be much of a loss” – Teekeeus glared at Kud-Ei. “You’ve always been too soft with your mages, Kud-Ei. Don’t think we don’t know about Henantier!” – he snorted. “The Chorrol chapter stays with the Mages Guild and we will not allow any research into long term binding!”

“Are you sure that all of your mages are behind you on this, Teekeeus?” – Irlav Jarol challenged him. “I know for a fact that Athragar has been working on long term binding. And what have you done with the book on the Finger of the Mountain? Stashed it in your private chest, no doubt?”

“You’ve got that book?” – Tar-Meena glared at Teekeeus. “And you didn’t say anything? It belongs here in the Archives!”

“I… well…” – Teekeeus didn’t expect that turn of events. “I had to keep it safe from Earana!”

“Earana at least could read it, and you cannot!” – Tar-Meena retorted. This caused a bit of a commotion in the assembly, with several people talking at once.

“I wonder if dishonesty can be tolerated among the heads of Mages Guild chapters” – Deetsan stood up, addressing everyone. “May I remind you of the events at our Hall when the previous head Falkar actually murdered an associate and attempted to murder another?” She too glared at Teekeeus. “I am not suggesting that Teekeeus would go as far as that, but concealing a rare and powerful artefact like the book on the Finger of the Mountain should not go unpunished!”

That met a round of applause and some noises of approval.

“Teekeeus no longer speaks for the Chorrol chapter” – announced Raminus Polus. “They will need to elect another leader, unless someone here would like to take it over?” – he looked at the mages before him.

“I would be honoured” – Irlav Jarol stood up. “Conjuration is my area of expertise, after all.”

“True” – Raminus inclined his head. “But considering that this assembly just voted to ban research into long term binding, you would also immediately take the Chorrol chapter out of the Mages Guild.” Raminus looked sad. “What’s left of it.”

“Yes, I would” – Irlav looked sad, too. “But do you have a choice?”

This was a difficult question and was put to the vote – a vote by the assembly of mages in the process of breaking up its own Guild. The vote put Irlav at the head of the Chorrol chapter, with all the consequences of that.

“Well… Is any of you still staying with the Mages Guild?” – Raminus looked dejected. “Mages Guild with a lot of prohibitions, as voted by this assembly.”

Everyone started talking at once. Some argued that the rules should be softened so that all the chapters could remain within the Guild; others were pointing out that it would only lead to conflicts as there would be many mages opposing one another; yet others were advocating exemptions for the Arcane University so that forbidden research could still be carried out there… People wanted the safety of the rules with the freedoms of the lack of rules, and it wasn’t possible – not even by magic.

After much criss-cross discussion, they decided to form two separate factions – one with strict rules that were voted for previously, and the other that allowed more freedoms. The teaching at the Arcane University would be undertaken by the conservative faction, but all research facilities would be open to both. If there ever was a compromise, this was it.

The conservative faction would not have an Arch Mage, but instead it would be ruled by its Council comprising the heads of its chapters and one or two prominent scholars from the University. It wasn’t a large faction, with only the Anvil, Cheydinhal and Skingrad chapters joining it. Because it decided against electing a head, it called itself The Synod.

“Well, they seem pleased with themselves” – Caranya said to Dagail in a low voice. “Of course, those are the least controversial schools of magic – it will be easy for them to follow the rules.”

“They didn’t have half of their research banned” – added Kud-Ei softly. “We couldn’t just throw out half of our spells!”

“And they didn’t get either Conjuration or Necromancy” – Irlav joined them, equally quietly. “We can combine our efforts again.”

Bothiel was standing with Raminus Polus on the other end of the room, watching the mages talk in groups that they’ve just formed.

“Will you keep the name of the Mages Guild?” – she looked at him with some sadness. “They are not enemies, these mages, the war is over. We now have The Arcane University, The Synod, and this… College of Whispers” – she pointed at the group of “quitters” talking quietly between themselves.

“What a brilliant idea!” – Jeanne Frasoric suddenly turned to her. “This is what we should be called!” – she beamed at everyone around. Like it or not, the name was going to stick.