Phyridian Battle Mages

The Phyridian battle-mages are a martial order of wizards dedicated to the service of the Phyridian Emperor. They are often simply called the imperial battle-mages or the emperor's battle-mages. The headquarters of their order is its massive, many-spired citadel in Amran. The battle-mages have been instrumental in many of the empire's greatest military victories over the centuries, and have remained a pillar of strength as other aspects of Phyridian power have slipped into slow decline.
The origins of the order stretch back to the founding of the Phyridian Empire itself, or perhaps before. Some say that it was formed shortly after the Great Cataclysm by a handful of surviving acolytes who had studied under the mages the Qossite Sorcerer-Kings, and that they were offered official protection and patronage by the empire’s founder, XXXXXXXX, in exchange for their services (others say XXXXXX was subservient to the mages from the beginning, subject to their 'guidance' if not an outright puppet). Certainly it is true that those associated with Qoss would be hated by the common people of lands around the Sarpic Seas after Alborak’s destruction, although it is questionable whether magicians of the type who could found an order like the battle-mages would need outside protection. 
Over the Phyridian Empire's long history, the battle-mages have not just lent their power to wars against external enemies; they have sometimes acted almost as bodyguards to the emperor and protectors of his palaces and household in Amran, a role which has occasionally given them undue influence over imperial politics. At times they have been able to depose or install emperors at their pleasure, or have kept emperors as virtual prisoners in their palaces while dictating policy on their behalf. At other times, strong imperial dynasties (or the power of other institutions, such as the Vanir-Vaati priesthoods) have pushed back against the mages and limited their influence over the Phyridian state.