History of Man -- Book 1: Westrun Part 14

At the start of the 50th century, Dane the Hale was still the High King of Westrun and had been for twenty years. Like all of the monarchs of Saklan, he was long-lived and rumored to have some elf blood in his veins. He was already an elder statesman when he was sentenced the throne which he held for a total of thirty years before stepping aside. A third of the way through Dane's reign, Brocius the Barbarian King had stirred his people to bloodlust and attacked the City of Bolden by sea, sacking and burning it before marching over land to attempt to do the same to Menea. While these depredations were occurring in the east, a separate band of barbarians lay seige to Wanderhalt in the west. Dane's war against the Barbarians lasted until 5007 and was decisively ended by the use of Battle Mages against his foes. Later in his reign as High King, Dane also prosecuted a war against the Goblins of Rakag.

In 5010 Gelder V of Bolden succeeded Dane. Protracted negotiations with Balduren over the issue of shield money inspired him to build a wall in the South to complement the one in the North. The Southern wall was considerably less ambitious than the northern wall, and was only intended as a fail safe should Balduren be overrun.

5030 saw Alacan II of Menea sentenced to the High Throne.

In 5036 Gregory of Rath succeeded Alacan and under pressure from the High Priesthood managed to extract the first three articles of the Censure from the Archmage Balakarde of the Dweomersecte. In 5048 Alfrend of Saklan took the High Throne and negotiated the next six articles of the Censure. Then saw to their agreement by the Grand Temple, and the Continuum. 

During the last years of his life, Archmage Balakarde struggled to keep the Dweomersecte together. Its status as a body was in serious question after the imposition of the Censure. During this time, the Circle of Eight was formed, including Magisters Mordenkainen, Bigby, Drawmij, Rary, Otiluke, Nystul, Leomund and Otto. Like many of their peers, the Circle of Eight did not agree with the decision of Balakarde, but they formed their alliance to work together should the Dweomersecte be dissolved over the matter.

In 5058 Magister Vecna was elected to replace Balakarde and he rose to that position largely on the promise to keep the Dweomersecte together. Bucknard did not agree to the rise of Vecna and made no secret of his opposition to the Archmage. When Bucknard disappeared in 5065 he was replaced by Tenser, who was chosen over Tasha, despite the "gifts" she gave to each of the Magisters of the Dweomersecte -- gifts they did not return and still use to this day.

In 5070 Alfrend was succeeded by Edwar of Menea and in 5088 by Leltward of Talir.

The Censure

THE CENSURE OF 5046

In the year 5046ey in solemn assembly before the Throne of the Eight Kingdoms and the Conclave of the Dweomersecte, let it be proclaimed and set forth, that order may be restored to the practice of magic within the realms of Westrun.

Article the First:

By right of sovereignty and ancient compact, let it be recognized that His Majesty Gregory of Rath, High King of Westrun, and his lawful heirs shall hold dominion over the Eight Kingdoms, and that the Archmage Balakarde, First Among the Dweomersecte, and his duly appointed successors shall preside over the governance of the Arcane Arts within these lands. Each shall have the undisputed right to name and ordain their successors according to the laws and customs of their respective offices, and no claim to either throne or title shall be made but through these lawful means.

Article the Second:

In the name of peace and the preservation of wisdom, let there be a binding and perpetual accord between the Crown and the Archmage, that neither shall take up arms against the other nor seek to diminish the station or authority of their counterpart. Furthermore, should any force, known or unknown, seek to unseat or imperil either institution, the other shall stand in defense, that harmony and stability may endure in Westrun.

Article the Third:

That the work of governance and order is never finished, let it be agreed that in due time and at proper intervals, the Crown and the Dweomersecte shall meet again in council, to deliberate upon matters of magic, governance, and the welfare of the Eight Kingdoms, so that this accord may be strengthened and adapted to the needs of the age.

Thus is the Censure ordained, in the sight of all Lords Temporal and Arcane, to be held inviolate from this day forward.

THE CENSURE OF 5048

In the year 5048ey, in the court of High King Alfrend of Saklan, before the assembled lords and masters of the Eight Kingdoms, let it be known and recorded that the previous agreement between the Crown and the Dweomersecte, to establish rightful order in the governance of magic, is held in force and hereby expanded.

Article the Fourth:

The Archmage of the Dweomersecte shall maintain a permanent representative in the court of the High King of Westrun, who shall speak with the voice of the Dweomersecte in matters concerning the practice and governance of magic throughout the Eight Kingdoms. This representative shall be accorded all due honors and protections as befits an emissary of so great an office. He shall be called the Chancellor Mage.

Article the Fifth:

The vassal kings of the Eight Kingdoms shall henceforth admit only those Masters of the Arcane Arts into their courts who are sworn members of the Dweomersecte, and whose appointment has been given with the advice and consent of the Archmage. No other shall bear the title or dignity of Magister or Court Wizard, nor shall any outside the Dweomersecte wield arcane authority within the councils of the Eight Kingdoms.

Article the Sixth:

The protections and privileges afforded to the Archmage and his order by the Crown shall extend only to those who are licensed to practice magic by the Archmage or his duly appointed lieutenants. Those who wield the Art without such sanction shall find neither refuge nor amnesty in the lands of the Eight Kingdoms, nor shall they claim the rights and dignities of the Dweomersecte.

Thus is the Censure established, in the name of order and wisdom, that the practice of magic may be safeguarded and that the realm may know peace.

THE CENSURE OF 5050

In the Year 5050ey, before the High Throne of Westrun and the Conclave of the Dweomersecte, and in the presence of Saric, Grand Hierophant of the Continuum, let it be proclaimed that a solemn and binding agreement has been set forth, strengthening the compact between Crown, Mage, and Priesthood, that order may be preserved and the distinctions of divine and arcane authority be made clear to all.

Article the Seventh:

Let it be known that Saric, Grand Hierophant of the Continuum, does now stand as signatory to the Censure, and that from this day forward, the sacred authority of the Ancient Priesthood shall be recognized alongside the Crown of Westrun and the Dweomersecte in matters of governance, ensuring harmony between the divine and the arcane within the Eight Kingdoms.

Article the Eighth:

To prevent confusion between those who wield the Arcane Arts and those who bear the mantle of the Priesthood, all licensed wizards shall don vestments of distinction as decreed by the Magisters of the Great Schools of the Dweomersecte. No practitioner of the Art shall go unmarked, and their garb shall stand as testament to their station and sanction, setting them apart from the servants of the Continuum and from those who would wield magic without rightful authority.

Article the Ninth:

As the Great Schools are the wellspring of learning and order among those who practice the Art, so too shall their Magisters bear responsibility for those who wear their robes. Should any wizard, clad in the garments of a Great School, transgress the bounds of law and propriety, the Magister of his house shall answer for the deeds of his wayward charge. Thus, shall discipline and accountability be upheld among the learned, and thus shall the schools guard against folly within their ranks.

By this accord, let the peace endure between the Crown, the Dweomersecte, and the Continuum, that the realms of men may know wisdom, and that the practice of magic may remain bound by order and tradition.

THE CENSURE OF 5058

In the Year 5058ey, in the court of High King Alfrend of Saklan, on the occasion of the election of Vecna, Archmage of the Dweomersecte, before the assembled lords and masters of the Eight Kingdoms, let it be known and recorded that the previous agreement between the Crown, the Dweomersecte, and the Continuum; to establish rightful order in the governance of magic, is held in force both now and forever more.

THE CENSURE OF 5068

In the Year 5068ey, in the court of High King Edwar of Menea, before the assembled lords and masters of the Eight Kingdoms, let it be known and recorded that the previous agreement between the Crown, the Dweomersecte, and the Continuum; to establish rightful order in the governance of magic, is held in force both now and forever more.

THE CENSURE OF 5088

In the Year 5088ey, in the court of High King Leltward of Talir, before the assembled lords and masters of the Eight Kingdoms, let it be known and recorded that the previous agreement between the Crown, the Dweomersecte, and the Continuum; to establish rightful order in the governance of magic, is held in force both now and forever more.

THE CENSURE OF 5101

In the Year 5101ey, in the court of High King Thelstan of Treft, before the assembled lords and masters of the Eight Kingdoms, let it be known and recorded that the previous agreement between the Crown, the Dweomersecte, and the Continuum; to establish rightful order in the governance of magic, is held in force both now and forever more.

THE CENSURE OF 5108

In the Year 5108ey, in the court of High King Thelstan of Treft, on the occasion of the victory of Grand Heirophant Pernar over Saric the Continuous, and in the presence of Gamasiel, Patriarch of the Church of Westrun, before the assembled lords and masters of the Eight Kingdoms, let it be known and recorded that the previous agreement between the Crown, the Dweomersecte, and the Continuum; to establish rightful order in the governance of magic, is held in force and expanded as follows.

Article the Tenth:

The Church of Westrun, through the person of the Patriarch, does affirm the sacred compact between Crown, Mage, and Priesthood, and pledges its unwavering support in the enforcement of the Censure. No wizard shall practice the Arcane Arts within the Eight Kingdoms save by lawful sanction, and none shall defy the ordinance without incurring the full measure of divine and temporal justice.

Thus is the mandate established -- that the Faith, the Throne, and the Arcane shall stand as one in the governance of magic, and that none shall defy them without consequence and that the Censure shall stand in perpetuity in all ten articles.

Histories of the High Kings of All Westrun: V - High Throne Expanding

Era of the High Throne Expanding

4901 Favian III of Bolden

4921 Timaldus I the Sage

4930 Gelder I the Paver (Bolden)

4946 Gelder II the Less (Bolden)

4950 Larcus IV the Liberator (Rath)

4980 Dane I the Unnoticed

5010 Gelder V the Wise (Bolden)

5030 Alacan II of Menea

5036 Gregory of Rath

5048 Alfrend of Saklan

5070 Edwar of Menea

5088 Leltward of Talir