Weavers Conclave

## Synopsis

The Weavers Conclave is a cabal of powerful arcane mages and divine sages from throughout Materi, whose purpose is to advise the governing bodies of Materi on the use of magic. It is an independent body, separate from any government or ruling class, with members from throughout the Alviren Empire and beyond.

## History

The Weavers Conclave was formed at the end of the Age of Rest, as the use of magic began to grow throughout Materi after centuries of disuse. Its formation was later used to mark the beginning of the Age of Awakening. Although the Conclave was ostensibly intended to be independent from any state government, it was formed in the Alviren Empire, from which the majority of its founders were native. The Conclave headquarters were established in the imperial capitol city of Ossidia, and they worked closely the the imperial government in their early years.

Over the past two hundred years since its formation, the Weavers Conclave has come to be a widely trusted and well-regarded organization. Their advice is typically heeded seriously by the Alviren Empire, albeit at times less so by other governments.

## Spellcasting Regulation

Within the first year of the Weavers Conclave's formation, it worked in conjunction with the Alviren Empire to institute sweeping regulations regarding the use of magic. Under these regulations, the practice of magic required a permit issued by the Conclave. These permits required mages - arcane and divine alike - to demonstrate a basic understanding of the responsible use of magic, and also to swear a legally binding oath to never use magic to bring harm to their fellow mortal, except in self-defense. The regulations remain in place to date.

Although the principles represented by a spellcasting permit were indeed of importance to both the Alviren Empire and the Conclave, in truth, the primary reason for the regulation of magic was to arbitrarily limit its use. The Conclave and the Empire were in agreement that if magic were to return to Materi, it must be done in a gradual, metered, and deliberate fashion, which could be closely monitored by the Conclave. As such, a relatively high price was established for obtaining a permit. This price was less a matter of generating revenue for the state; but rather, a deliberate measure to limit the number of people who would be able to afford a permit. In this way, the spread of magic use could be kept in check.
The Alviren Empire requires all of its states to implement the Weavers Conclave's magic regulations. Outside of the Empire, the Conclave attempts to influence other nations to adopt similar regulatory measures, with varying degrees of success.

## Infrastructure

The Weavers Conclave maintains a headquarters in the Alviren Empire's capitol city, Ossidia. The primary purpose for this headquarters is the administration of the Conclave's magic regulations, and the distribution of spellcasting licenses. The Conclave itself occasionally meets at this location, but is also known to meet at many other locales throughout Materi.

## Current Members

The Weavers Conclave maintains nine members at all times, such that matters can be brought to a vote as needed. The Conclave has a Premier, who names their own successor at the end of their service. When a member retires or dies, a new member is invited by majority vote.

## Notable Former Members

### Immanuel Belder

Immanuel Belder was a former member of the Conclave, whose expertise was in transmutation magic and general arcana. He retired from the Conclave about twenty years ago, as he felt the organization had become too political, and wasn't doing enough to expand the role of magic in society. He was replaced by Kamm.

### Johann Conrad Dippel

Dr. Johann Conrad Dippel was a former member of the Conclave who served the role of an alchemist and medical doctor, and also dabbled in necromancy. He was ousted from the Conclave about thirty years ago, when it was discovered that he had been performing necromantic alchemical experiments on children that he abducted or purchased. He has since disappeared, and his whereabouts are unknown. He was replaced by Alvoril Shukura.

### Natalie Shaw

Natalie Shaw was a former member of the Conclave, whose expertise was in conjuration magic and planar travel. She died about ten years ago, and was replaced by Ruby Rainsong.

### August Chome

August Chome was one of the founding members of the Weavers' Conclave. It was at his behest that the Weavers' Conclave required all licensed spellcasters to swear an oath to never bring harm to a fellow mortal, except in self defense. This oath is still sworn by all licensed spellcasters, and is known as the August Oath, named for its creator.

## Spellcasting Licensing Process

In the Alviren Empire, it is illegal to practice magic without a spellcasting license issued by the Weavers Conclave.

To obtain a spellcasting license from the Weavers' Conclave, an applicant must first find a patron - a sponsor who will vouch for the applicant and administer the required tests. A patron must be a licensed spellcaster, and must have maintained good standing with the Weavers' Conclave for at least a year. Most often, a patron is a teacher or mentor in the use of magic. However, some spellcasters will provide patronship for a fee - a practice that is somewhat frowned upon by the Conclave, but not expressly disallowed.

Once the patron feels that an applicant is ready to receive their license, they submit an application to the Weavers Conclave, along with an application fee of 25 GP. This fee is generally paid by the applicant, but some philanthropic patrons pay for their applicants' licenses.

After receiving the application, the Conclave send back a written test, as well as instructions for a practical test to be administered by the patron. The tests vary based on the type of magic being performed (arcane, divine, or natural), but generally require a demonstration of aptitude with casting at least first level spells, a basic knowledge of arcana, and an understanding of the safe and lawful use of magic. The written test also contains questions from history, related to the Gods' Warand the Age of Arcana - meant to reinforce the potential dangers of magic.

Notably, there is no test or licensing procedure for warlocks. The Weavers Conclave deems pact magic to be inherently dangerous, and its practitioners to be susceptible to the whims of self-interested extraplanar powers. As such, pact magic is not endorsed by the Conclave.

The patron administers the tests to the applicant. Once testing is complete, the applicant is required to swear the August Oath - a vow to never bring harm to their fellow mortal, unless in self defense. The applicant verbally swears the oath, as well as signing a corresponding document, which is also signed and witnessed by the patron.

If the patron feels that the applicant is deserving of their license based on their performance in the tests, they return the tests to the Conclave along with a letter of recommendation. Often, the applicant also includes their own cover letter, but this is not required.

The Conclave reviews the tests and the letter of recommendation, and then makes a determination to approve or deny the application, by majority vote. If the application is approved, a license is send back to the patron to be given to the applicant. If the application is denied, the applicant's fee is returned.

A spellcasting license expires annually, and must be renewed at a cost of 10 GP. Licenses are also subject to revocation at the discretion of the Conclave - generally for criminal behavior, behavior not in keeping with the Conclave's code, or failures to uphold the August Oath.

## Magic Item Regulation

Within the Alviren Empire, all magical items are required to be registered with the Weavers Conclave. The magic item registration system is intended as a tracking and cataloguing mechanism; less for the purpose of controlling the use of magic items, and more for the purpose of recording the locations and owners of magic items.

Per the Empire's laws, an individual that comes into possession of a magic item must register that item with the Weavers Conclave within 30 days. The magic item registration process is fairly straightforward, involving a simple form that describes the magic item's effects, where it was obtained, and the name and location of the person in possession of the item. These forms can be obtained and filled out with local representatives of the Weavers Conclave or the Alviren Empire, who forward them to the Conclave.

A one-time registration fee must be paid to register any magic item with the Weavers Conclave. The fee varies based on the power level of the item, as shown on the Magic Item Registration Fees table below. Notably, "rarity" is a gameplay mechanic, but not a known in-world classification. The person who accepts the registration form evaluates the power level of the item on a five-point scale, and assesses the appropriate fee. This evaluation is made using an *identify* spell. Assessors without access to this spell generally have access to a *wand of identify* to accomplish the task. Items of legendary rarity or artifacts cannot be registered through a liason, and require an in-person interview and evaluation by the Weavers Conclave.

Magic Item Registrations Fees
 Uncommon (2)
 Rare (3)
 Very Rare (4)
 Legendary (5)
 Artifact

If an individual is unable to pay the registration fee for a magic item, imperial law requires the item to be surrendered to the Weavers Conclave. The Weavers Conclave retains the item until the registration fee is paid.

Notably, there are some exceptions to the magic item registration requirements. The Weavers Conclave reserves the right to confiscate a magic item that is suspected to be cursed or sentient, or that otherwise poses a public threat. Some common, minor, and/or consumable magic items do not require registration with the Weavers Conclave. Examples are given below, but this list is not exhaustive.

* Most Common Items
* Potions of Healing (any rarity)
* Spell Scrolls (6th level and below, after cross-referencing against Weavers Conclave's spell collection)
* Bags of Holding