The Imperial Legion Mage Corps Manual

[Gossamer]

IMPERIAL LEGIONS MAGE CORPS MANUAL

Written by Motito Gil'dae (Imperial Guard, v0.2beta)

GM's Note: This is not cannon. It has never been accepted into the WF as an actual document to go into the compendium. But since this is the closest we have to a manual on the mage corps, this is what we are using for now.

The Imperial Guard is not specifically set up in garrison or regimental style, but more general based, and usually go where needed. There is a division of the Imperial Guard known as the Mage Corps, where the magi of the military serve as one body, going where ordered. As such, no single mage has a division, as they go where needed. Sometimes it’s a single mage going to support a division, or it can also be, when drastic situations call for it, several magi forming a sort of mini-coterie so that they can combine their magical power to overwhelm a foe.


PART 1: MARTIAL ASSETS

Magi are not the rough and tumble sort that their infantry counterparts play. Intelligent, wise, very mentally disciplined, and usually rather kindly, these war magi of sorts undergo extreme mental conditioning to last longer and cast better then most average magi.

Situations requiring diplomacy is usually not in the job description, because all the infantry soldiers will have attempted the route of peace. Due to their rarity, magi are usually only called in when needed, unless assigned semi-permanent detachment to a regiment or division.

A typical 15-hour workday for a soldier in ‘the Corps’ may go something like this:

0600 hrs - Assemble for duty, hear the orders of the day
0630 hrs - Combination mental and physical warm up
0715 hrs - Extended Clara session
0800 hrs - Breakfast
0900 hrs - Military skills practice (casting, any actual combat training, meditation)
1200 hrs - Lecture on some aspect of military history, leadership, arcanomechanics, etc.
1300 hrs - Lunch
1400-2000 hrs – Whatever duties the commanding officer deem giving to the mage.
2100 hrs - Debriefing and Dismissal

Magi do not have standard duties such as “run patrols” or “stand guard duty” like the infantry does. Magi duties vary widely, and may sometimes include running the “standard” jobs. They can range from providing a single patrolling squad with magic support during wartime, to standing guard with the archers in a gate guard tower so as to provide magic support for and against ballistics, to cleaning the magic training grounds, to spell research and creation, and the like.

It should be noted that, unlike the cultural norm, just like soldiers, war magi tend to eat three meals instead of two, mainly to stay in stride with the soldiers for respective meal times.

Also note that due to their rigorous time schedule, it is a requirement that soldiers are limited to only military jobs and staying within the Province, unless permission has been granted.

ORGANIZATIONAL DOCTRINE

The magi do not structure in the Legion system, as the infantry does. They are structured in Coteries.

Runner/Detached
A runner, or the ‘detached’ mage, is a single mage sent as support to a division or squad. All alone, they usually only take orders from the direct superior of the structure to which they are attached (i.e. Division, Squad, etc.). It can be any level of mage, but almost never are Masters or Archmagi considered for singular detachment.

Circle
A circle of magi are sometimes used for Divisions or Battalions when they need more then a single mage, but not quite a sub-coterie. Consisting of four magi, a circle represents each of the four compass directions (outdated, but still an efficient number), and is usually of different disciplines as well. Often a circle will consist of three initiates and an apprentice

Sub-Coterie
When a group of magi are required, usually only for Battalions or Regiments, they send a sub-coterie, which usually is about a third of a coterie, consisting of somewhere between a dozen to twenty magi. Usually the main force, which is between three and five Circles, is Initiates with the leaders of the Circles being the Apprentices, and then the single leader of the combined Circles is a Journeyman or sometimes a Master.

Full Coterie
Full Coteries of magi are usually only dispatched for Legions or Armies as, and often consist of around fifty magi, give or take ten on each side, dependant on the levels of magi within the coterie. A Full Coterie is usually led by an Archmage, but in times of duress can be lead by an extremely experienced Master.

MILITARY DISPOSITION

Because it's a highly populated area; Prime has very little need of Cavalry and other more conventional units. It is about 90% infantry based, but there would be about 5% dedicated to Elite unites such as the Royal Guard, Mages and the like; hardcore units that can hold their own against superior numbers. These last guys are basically the equivalent of the Velder Elite and Midpoints Allyssans.

The Magi work for a supreme goal, working outside of Regimental assignments. The magi go where they’re told and do what they’re told. If a mage expects to be respected amongst the other magi, he must respect them. They view the infantry and their tendency toward mindless violence savage and unruly, and prefer to spend more of their time practicing their craft then associating with the barbaric. It gives them, oftentimes, an air of smugness and superiority when dealing with other soldiers. When aimed at a true opponent, it’s nothing short of deadly.


MAGIC IN THE MILITARY

With the discovery of magic, a whole new dimension of warfare was created. It signaled a paradigm shift not seen since the horse was first used to pull a chariot. There are many military strategists who disagree on the optimal use of magic in the field of battle, but they generally fall into one of two camps. The first believe that magi should be gathered together to provide massive amounts of firepower to destroy enemy forces. They hold the position that such a 'Magi Fist' can tear huge holes in the enemy lines, which would then be exploited by the infantry. The other camp believes that magi should be dispersed among the other units. This 'Magic Support' position contends that this way prevents all the magi from getting killed with one lucky fireball and also provides close in, immediate support for troops. Opponents say that it spreads out the magi and makes them less effective in cracking enemy lines. One use of magic that seems common in both camps is the non-combat use of magic. This would include healing, intelligence gathering, and so forth. Spellcasters of these disciplines are almost always in short supply and vigorously recruited.

The ‘Magic Support’ tends to be the main angle of the Prime Garrison in times of peace, but should a gathering be needed for a larger scale battle, they can combine to formulate the ‘Magi Fist’ approach, should the superiors deem it necessary.

PART 2: TRAINING

Corporals and below are only able to train in the following weapons should it be deemed necessary:

Longsword
Broadsword
Shortsword
Longknife
Dagger
Spear
Most One-Handed Axes
Most Longbows
Most Shortbows
Crossbows
Unarmed Combat

Only Sergeants and above can request training in other weapons. Please note that the course of how to make arrows and bows will not be held anymore. However, the fighting of a weapon with a shield, the wielding of two swords and for those of small stature will still be held. Prime only teaches to Intermediate unless an xGM proposes to teach them the later levels.

It is highly recommended that a mage be trained in at LEAST one form of basic non-magical combat so that one can defend oneself in a magicless environment for some reason. Many magi made the mistake of not doing so before the Aetherfracture, and many magi died soon after, because they couldn’t defend themselves in critical situations. The military wishes to cover all possible situations for maximum chances of survival.

For magic training, special circumstances are possible for virtually any sphere, but as a general, the only offered spheres and their varying levels at the Military Academy of Enlightenment are as follows; and ONLY with approval:

Initiate
Song
Druidism
Elementalism
Sorcery
Mysticism
Thaumaturgy

Apprentice
Sorcery
Mysticism
Song

Journeyman
Sorcery

Master
Sorcery

PART 3: MARTIAL AESTHETICS

RANK WITHIN THE MAGE CORPS

As a general rule, Rank exists within the Mage Corps solely because it is needed within a military hierarchy, else it wouldn’t work. When interacting with soldiers from outside the Corps, they refer and are referred to by rank. However, when interacting within, they are referred to by their magical skill ranking, which falls in this order, in descending order.

Archmage
Master
Journeyman/Adept
Apprentice
Initiate

The Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs)
The Initiates and several Apprentices, and those training in those levels, make up the primary core of the NCOs. Privates and Corporals are usually transfers from infantry who are still learning the basics of magic, and are often times promoted when they finish initiate training.

Sergeants within the Mage Corps, unless special dispensation has been granted by a Commander or above, MUST have at least Initiate training. Leaders within the NCOs of the Mage Corps, Sergeants who have achieved Apprentice often are assigned leadership of Circles.

The Officers
Magi who achieve Lieutenant, as a standard, MUST be trained up to Apprentice in their respective sphere. No exceptions. Commanders are required to obtain a rank of at least Journeyman. Journeyman and Master Commanders are often given command of a Sub-Coterie when conditions arise for the need for them.

General positions are only given to Masters or Archmagi, and are usually leaders of Full Coteries.

MILITARY RANK STRUCTURE

The chain of command is as follows (in descending order):

General
Major
Commander
Lieutenant-Commander
Captain
Lieutenant
Sergeant
Corporal
Private

Note that the rank of Acting Corporal has not been included in the structure. This is due to the fact that Acting Corporals are simply Privates who hold the rank of Corporal during patrols (whereby other senior officers are absent).

UNIFORMS

Field Uniforms
Standard Garrison Uniforms, identical to their local garrison, save for a small addendum tag on the rank that also identify rank in the Mage Corps.

Formal Dress Uniforms
Identical to Standard Dress Uniforms, save for a small addendum tag on the rank that also identify rank in the Mage Corps.

Mage Robes
Robes matching in color to their given circle of magic, with the appropriate number of stripes on the wrists for their rank in the Mage Corps.

DECORATIONS AND AWARDS

Silver Wave
A small wave, similar to one of the several manifestations of magic, that symbolizes using magic in an unexpected manner to better the Mage Corps.

Gold Burst
Similar to how one would envision a starburst, this medal signifies the use magic in extreme duress, resulting in an uncharacteristic rescue of lives or uncharacteristic bravery.

Platinum Star
A six-pointed star that signifies a truely magnificent magical achievement, one that could alter the understanding of the arcane. Rare.

FORMALITIES

Exterior Courtesy
When dealing with soldiers from outside the Mage Corps, it is a common courtesy to salute a superior officer, thought it isn't necessary for them to salute back.

When speaking to a superior officer, NCOs (Corporals and Sergeants) are to be addressed by their rank, unless stated otherwise. Officers (Lieutenants and above) are to be addressed by Sir or Ma'am accordingly. NCOs are never to be addressed as Sir or Ma'am.

Always knock before entering a room. Failure to do so as a lower ranking officer may be taken as insubordination.

Interior Courtesy
Magi refer to each other by their rank within the magical skill structure, and ALL Masters or Archmagi are simply referred to by Master or Mistress. Inclusion of a last name is permissible.

Magi often do not salute each other, nor do they stand at attention often. If they do not show respect for superior Magi, though, they are often times harshly punished.

Knocking before entering a room is still considered appropriate, and failure to do so by a lower ranking officer may be taken as insubordination.

General Courtesy
Upon leaving the military, whether due to dismissal or resignation, properties of the military (uniforms, equipments, etc.) are to be returned. Resignations must be formally applied for. Failure to do so will result in being classified as a deserter.

Magi may not hold external (non-military) jobs without the express permission of the Coterie Leader. However, acting as clerks and assistants for a military building is acceptable.

PAY

Private: 70 gc
Corporal: 140 gc
Sergeant: 210 gc
Lieutenant: 280 gc
Captain: 350 gc
Lieutenant Commander: 420 gc
Commander: 490 gc
Major: 560 gc
General: 630 gc

Weapon Master: 200 gc
Clerk: 45 gc

Royal Guard: 105 gc
Captain of the Royal Guard: 210 gc

Executive Officer(XO): 500 gc, regardless of rank if Commander or under.

These are NOT standard pay rates, but only for specialty organizations of which the Mage Corps is included. Additional jobs receive normal pay rates, but pay by rank is double standard.

Pay for board, meals, health care and the like are taken into account; think of them something like taxes.