Mages are respected in Cormyr, viewed not as freaks but as individuals who have gone through difficult training to learn the ways of the magician. They are, in a way, fine craftsmen, but the material they sculpt is magical energy.

The War Wizards

From the founding of the kingdom, mages have been important to Cormyr, in warfare and other matters as well. mages most loyal to the crown sign an agreement with the king and make a secret oath that involves a geas spell, thus becoming War Wizards. These mages are an integral part of Cormyr's army, and they are respected and feared across the land.

Only Vangerdahast, Royal Magician and Chairman Emeritus of the College of War Wizards, knows how many they are. As their leader, he chairs War Wizards meetings. In his absence, Laspeera (NG hf W?) stands in.

Beside these two, the most well-know War Wizard is Maxer (NG hm W(In) ?), who defeated four dragons attacking Suzail, earning the honorary title "Defender of Suzail" from King Azoun.

Widely known is Valantha Shimmerstar (CG hf W?), who has gained both famed and notoriety, not through military exploits, but with her beautiful singing and her propensity for mischief at festivals and other gatherings.

Also widely known is Arwendur Do´Urden, local lord of Hultail and Chancellor of the Academy of Magic.

Vangerdahast Is Watching

Vangerdahast carefully monitors the activities of all mages in Cormyr. Everey mage from Thaumaturgist (5th level) up must register with the crown.

Registartion means reporting your name, sigil, abode, and whereabouts to Vangerdahast. He keeps an enormous library of names of mages residing in Cormyr and is diligent about keeping those lists current, even when the mages might forget to update their registrations. Vangerdahast has an information network of spies, both magical and not, to keep tabs on the most powerful wizards.

To check the accuracy of his information, Vangerdahast makes surprise visits on powerful mages. This sometimes come as a chock to senior magicians who have retired to a reclusive life and had no intention of trying to keep secrets from the royal magician.

The possibility of such visits has proven to be an effective deterent to wizards who might put their own interests ahead of Cormyr's.

The Council of Mages

Vangerdahast heads the famous Council of Mages, a group that advices the king on matters pertaining to magic and magical threats within the kingdom. The king also sometimes calls on the council to research a particular question and find information the king need to make a decision.

History

The Council of Mages had its start in the beginning of Cormyr itself. When Suzail and nearby communities were establishing themselves as a cohesive group, they were hampered by continual attacks from all manner of creatures that would come outm of what's now known as the King's Forest.

Men-at-arms were not sufficient protection. The nascent Cormyr needed the help of magic to combat these beasts.

All known mages were then assembled, and they devised a plan of attack using magic only, no foot soldiers at all. Their effort were successful, and the group of mages became known as the War Wizards, a permanent component of Cormyr.

The War Wizards were called upon to perform more duties for Cormyr. These included creating magical items for the king, conducting research, and assisting with various healing spells. There were also frequently combat duties.

Therefore, the collection of mages was split into two groups, the Council of Mages and the War Wizards.

Today the two are essentially known as one group, but Vangerdahast and his aides are known as the Council of Mages because they rarely fight anything directly other than rogue mages or supremely powerful monsters or threats.

War Wizard is a term used for the mages who fight alongside the Purple Dragons, defending the interests of the crown on a daily basis.

Attitudes about Mages and Magic

Because of their important role in the defence of Cormyr, mages command great respect and admiration among the populace. But because of their great power and its mysteriousness to the commoner, the War Wizards and other magicians also inspire considerable fear across the land.

If the Council of Mages can police their own War Wizards and rogue mages and turn the tides of battle, what are the limits of their powers?

Even though the Council of Mages is watching everyone else, who is watching the council? And what is to prevent a more powerful group of mages from coming to Cormyr and destroying the council?

These scenarios breed the fear that mages might become the next rulers of Cormyr. Some fear that mages will grow discontented with their advisory and support roles and decide to take a more direct hand in leadership.

Also, if there is anything that draws out powerful adversaries, it's a mage. Woe to the community that harbors a mage who is attacked by an eldritch power.

A final fear is mages´ tendency to apparently preserve their bodies. "Have you ever noticed that some of them don't seem to age at all?" is a common remark. Some people fear that the use of magic upsets the natural balance in a person's body and mind.