The Magisterium

"Never again!"
::- Magisterium's slogan (if they had one) adter the High Elves' exile
The Magisters are a group of Blood Elf mages and warlocks and one of three factions in the government of Silvermoon City and all of Quel'thalas. They are led by Grand Magister Rommath. Out of the three main factions within Silvermoon, the Magisters are probably the oldest, as the Highborne exiles who originally conceived the nation were mages, first and foremost, before they began to compose their ranks with those trained in archery and martial combat.www.wowwiki.com/Magisters
== History==
=== The Exile===
After the catastrophic events which resulted in the Sundering and Malfurion's ban on Arcane magic, its practice did not stop, but rather shift in the underground where it went on with almost the same intensity as before. It's face, however, changed a lot: while in times before Azshara as well as during her reign magic was something desired, public and respected, afterwards its practitioners dwelled in a state of constant fear. Whether squad of magic-hating savagekin tearing down the door and brutally murdering them, or an another arcanist, jealous of ones' progress, the world was suddenly ful of dangers. It was a time of every man for himself, with practices becoming individual and everyone cloistering themselves in metaphorical ivory towers, arming themselves to the teeth with all kinds of battle magic.
Organized pockets of arcanists still existed in Ashenvale, however, few and far between, focused on helping each other survive above all else, but they did. They achieved this goal mostly by creating and utilizing magical defences of all kinds, one more vicious than the other, to fend off every druid death squad or rival arcanist that could possibly come after them.
The turning point in this state of affairs was a magical storm that ravaged Ashenvale and caused the exile of the Arcane-using Highborne. It's cause remains unknown, but Kal'dorei propaganda claims that this event was a planned action by the Highborne, meant as a display of power and attempt to show superiority. On the other hand, Quel'dorei scholars generally agree that it was a chain reaction of too many defenses getting triggered at once, first by random incursions, then off each other, then the magic mutating into a great storm. It remains a fact that it was this event that made the druids finally realise just how many users of Arcane were still around.
The druids were unsure what to do with so many mages and their sympathisers (figures vary widely, from 10% to above 30% of the whole race), but after a long and heated debate they decided to exile them rather than just kill them off. It's widely agreed that it was Furion's wisdom and dislike for bloodshed that affected the outcome, but some point out that all he had to do was to snidely remark that murder on such a scale would likely strip all Night Elves of their druidic powers forever.
And so, the Highborne took off to the east to find a new home for themselves, a home that they would later call Quel'thalas.
=== The Foundation===
Sometime between the great storm over Ashenvale and the creation of the High Elven realm, the lesson that has been taught to the exiled Highborne bore fruit: they very well knew the reason of their state was magic. Unchecked power in the hands of desperate, paranoid, but still arrogant fools. They had went along with the foolishness, arming themselves to the teeth, assuming these magical weapons were never to be used. If they wanted an another chance, they had to learn from the past and prevent this sort of unchecked developement of power. Magic had to remain in the hands of people wise and prudent who could be trusted with it... and who could keep it subdued.
The result of this thinking was a proposition of forging an organization that would bring all elven mages under one banner, one that would stand for cooperation, growth, safety and prosperity rather than a mindless arms race. The arcanists, having survived a great disaster were ready for this and unanymously created what would later be called the Magisterium.
=== The Realm===
After its creation the Magisterium immediately pledged allegiance to King Dath'remar Sunstrider and gained a legal monopoly on all things arcane. The Magisterium pledged to ensure the future through the use of magic -- and the absolute control of elven magic. The Magisterium developed new arcane techniques, providing them freely to the young realm of Quel'thalas. Constructive spellwork and medical arts were the first order of the day, with communication systems and other quality of life issues following soon after.
Laws were passed and enforced that strictly limited the use of arcane magic to the Magisterium and Magisterium alone. This monopoly was required, not just because they enjoyed being phenomenally powerful, but because otherwise society would crumble and competing groups could wield the arcane arts against each other as they did after the Sundering.
This would've been a prime opportunity for the Magisterium to take over Quel'thalas, holding dominion over all peoples. But they didn't want to rule - at least, not directly - and were content to simply become the central lynchpin alongside the King around which the realm spun. They didn't even set phenomenal to put magical goods out of the hands of the peasant folk; why bother? Of course, certain special spells could be reserved for the highest bidders... but they didn't need the bad PR, so they could handle practically giving away much of their magics to the lower classes as well.
By acting benevolent dictator in all but name, the Magisterium prospered, the people prospered, Quel'thalas as a whole prospered. Trolls were no longer a problem, their weak magics nothing compared to the Magisterium's arcane arts. Elves could finally focus on making a living, not struggling to live. And so, all was well.
===The Free Wizards===
As in all cases of legal monopolies on certain thigs, one can rest assured that much sooner than later malcontents will show up that will question the state of affairs. Only one thousand years after the foundation of Quel'thalas, the nation was struggling to shake off this yoke of magic practically belonging to the Magisterium.
People could only use magics approved by it, those wishing to further their arcane talents were taught only in Magisterium-controlled schools by Magister teachers and with an automatic admission after graduation. Researchers were discontent, because they were only allowed to work on magics they were allowed to by ones higher in the pecking order. Due to King Orshalas Sunstrider's disposition that all problems could be solved by mind controlling citizens, wizards on all tiers often needed to perform acts that they found abhorrent (like the famous example of a hedge mage who was ordered to mind control his own wife). All seemed that very soon a revolution would spark.
And spark it did, but from a direction no one could possibly imagine: in year 1278 after the founding of the realm, Grand Magister Vyjios Ilaelath protested against King Orshalas' order to mind control yet an another group of citizens and stepped down from his post, proclaiming the need for an order of magicians that would not be bound by the King's orders and the Magisterium's internal rules. Soon, new laws were created and a compromise reached, with the Magisterium becoming the magical arm of the government and the Free Wizards finally able to work the magics they truly desired, hindered only by wise and reasonable new regulations.
=== After the Third War===
The fall of Quel'thalas saw most Free Wizards joining the Magisterium of all kinds of reasons like desperation and the need of mutual protection, rebuilding the shattered realm not being the least important. Appointing the new Grand Magister, Rommath, and finding a way to feed the Sin'direi magic addiction bolstered the morale and loyalty to the realm to the point of near fanaticism. Strange times provoke strange reactions, however, and Rommath soon changed the Magisterium from an all-purpose organization devoted to well-being of Quel'thalas into an oppressive state police, a change most members didn't really mind as long as there was a supply of magical energy and a degree of power over other citizens.
Rommath's rule also shaped the classical archetype of a Sin'dorei mage - or magister. Excessively proud, aloof, often boisterous and rude, seeming to believe that they make their own law, these "new magisters" are widely disliked, even among their own kin and other magisters who prefer to stay amiable. They don't seem to bother, though.
=== The new Sunwell===
The times are changing, and the Magisterium might be undergoing an another heel face turn. The Sunwell reborn, Rommath losing popularity, arcane addiction and the fel haze fading, it might be probable that the Magisters who did not join Kael'thas Sunstrider's forces in Outland or leave to become Free Wizards will regain their status as peacekeepers, defenders of the realm and purveyors of all things magical.
==Ranks within the Magisterium (from wowwiki)==
There are several ranks within the Magisters, each one a title that showcases their mastery of the arcane, as well as their importance within the order.
* Grand Magister - Leader and overseer
* Magister / Magistrix - A position similar to a Magistrate.
* Arcanist - A middle-ranked mage, with a slight amount of authority.
* Apprentice - A newly inducted member into the order.
== Notable Magisters of the Sha'tar==
Keesha Soulshire
Rhéa Soulshire
Category:Blood Elf
Category:Horde
Category:Mage