Archmage

"Archmage" is a title often used across Tyrrus to designate a powerful and high-ranking magic user, who usually holds authority over many other magic users. An Archmage is usually a Mage, but not always, and there have been a few Warlock, Priest or Sorcerer Archmages throughout the history of the term's usage.
Archmage is generally not a landed title, and Archmages will usually not directly rule sections of a population. More often, they will be in charge of a magical institution or academy. Archmage is a gender-neutral title.
The term Archmage originated in the Rune Kingdom, as "Archos Magos", meaning "chief of mages", and was a title exclusively granted to the King's court mage. The term was later adapted by the Zythan Dominion, and granted to clan leaders. Other cultures gradually adopted the term, and tended to use it to refer to the highest magical authority within their nation.
During the time of the Dragonvale Republic, the term became much more politically relevant, and Haven's Council of Archmages formed one half of the nation's political structure. During this time, the tradition of having each archmage being specialised in a different discipline of magic rose.
In the modern day, the term is primarily used in the Dominion of New Haven, where Archmages form the ruling elite. However, most other Tyrranean nations will have at least one Archmage, the political relevance of which varies.
== Modern Archmages ==
=== New Haven ===
In the Dominion of New Haven, the Archmages form the ruling elite, above the Senate and the Archonate. Each member of the Archmage's Council is specialised in a different discipline of magic, and is considered to be the best in the nation at it. This council is headed by the Grand Magus.
In the Dominion, Archmages will often hold other powerful titles, such as Archon or Warden.
=== Erdannian Empire ===
In the Erdannian Empire there is a single Archmage, who rules the Tower, Erradan's centre of magical authority. The Archmage also has a title with the Ministry, as the High Minister of Magic.
=== Kingdom of Whytehold ===
Within the Kingdom of Whytehold, the title of Archmage generally has less influence, and less political power. There are two places where it is used; 
Firstly the head of the Library of Thassalus is referred to as an Archmage. This gives them a lot of influence within Thassalus itself, and puts them on the Duke's council, but this rarely extends beyond Silvershire.
Secondly, Archmage is a secondary title of the Platinum Acolyte of the Abbey of Metallurgy, however this title is considered much less important than being the head of the Abbey.
== The International Archmage's Council ==
During the time of the Tyrranean Coalition, the Archmage's Council of Haven was an international authority who were considered to be the head mages across all of Tyrrus. During this time, the title of Archmage could only be granted by the authorities of Haven.
After Haven collapsed, so too did the International Archmage's Council, and nations returned to having their own autonomous magical authorities.