Silver Ladder

Atlantean Caste

Vox Draconis, the Voice of the Dragon.

Role

The Silver Ladder are often described as priest-kings, but they do not somehow hold a "religious" function for the Awakened. Like priest-kings, though, they mediate between the most ancient and sacred of traditions, conventions and laws, and the needs of those they serve. In this regards, they are the keepers of culture, upholding the Lex Magica and the traditions of Consilium, acting as judges of the proper way of doing things. As such, they often hold positions of leadership, but (at least in theory) it isn't because they crave the power - it's because they know the lore and society, and the Awakened come to them for it.

Philosophy: The Elemental Precepts

The philosophy of the Silver Ladder has long-ago been codified into the Elemental Precepts, an interlocking set of occult and social philosophies, using the symbolism of the "Supernal Elements" - pure and/or powerful versions of the Platonic elements.

Diamond

The Awakened are One Nation
The Precept of Supernal Earth. The Awakened are the inheritors to the legacy of Atlantis, and that legacy is not one of hubris, laziness and corruption - those are the stories the Awakened tell to justify their own failings. The legacy of Atlantis is Unity, first and foremost.

• Hierarconis: The seers and prophets of the Silver Ladder have foreseen the rise of Hieraconis. If Atlantis was the Awakened equivalent of early city-state civilization, Hieraconis will be a massive nation. It is the nation that will arrive when the Supernal and the Fallen are united once more, and when humanity takes on its rightful inheritance.
• Enemies of Unity: Those who stand against unity are traitors not just to the Awakened, but to all of humanity as well. These enemies must be fought at every turn, and include the Seers of the Throne (who utterly oppose the uplifting of humanity) and many Left-Handed Legacies.

Thunder

Imperium is the Right of Humanity
The Precept of Supernal Air. Humanity deserves the power of magic. Though Sleepers endanger the Mysteries, it is because of the broken world in which they live, not because of some inherent flaw or unworthiness in them. It is the duty of the Awakened to lead Sleepers to Awakening any and everywhere possible. Humanity is to be regarded with compassion, not contempt.

• The Stag, the Lion & the Sage: Human spirituality can be divided into three categories:
  • The Stag symbolizes the emphasis on restraint, humility, self-sacrifice and other similar "virtues." It abhors violence, but appreciates its pageantry. It is the moral vehicle most people identify with piety and enlightenment, wherein one avoids harming others in order to avoid behind harmed. It is a spirituality in which the postulant is unworthy, and is thankful for the tiny miracles he finds.
  • The Lion is the Stag's opposite. Fearless, strong, ruthless and taking prey as his right, the Lion symbolizes the human drive and willingness to use others to his benefit. It is selfish, although not always (necessarily) evil. Humanity tolerates predators in its midst - indeed, it elevates them to positions of leadership and governance, where they lay down the law for Stags and then indulge the very same desires they've denied others.
  • The Sage is a bodhisattva, a culture hero - the mage who loves power, because power will set the multitudes free. It is a balance between the power of the Lion and the compassion of the Stag. The Sage is what is best in humanity - friend to the world, neither master nor slave.
• Inspiring Power: It isn't enough for the thearch to believe in Thunder - he must encourage others to believe. This often results in a dangerous game, where the Silver Ladder uses bribery, blackmail, love and hate in order to inspire Imperium in humanity, or in those who can grant it to humanity.
  • Empowerment: Mages of the Silver Ladder believe in empowering others to do for themselves. They prefer not to fish for others, but to teach them to fish for themselves, as the saying goes. Thus, thearchs are often at the heart of programs and organizations looking to help and empower people, and much recognition in the Order is based on what the magus does to empower humanity around him.
• The Path of Thunder: Empowerment isn't just about others. Those with power may accomplish what those who have none may, and so the thearch seeks occult and temporal power hungrily. Yes, it means that the power-hungry blend in well in the Order, sometimes, but the thearchs are good at spotting those who use power and those who hoard it.

Star

The Silver Ladder is the Path to Victory.
The Precept of Supernal Fire. The Star is the flame at the top of each Watchtower, which guides the mortal soul to Awakening. In the same capacity, the Silver Ladder guides the Awakened ever onward to rejoining the Supernal and Fallen.

• Propriety in Rule: Thearchs teach that if a Consilium does not have a Silver Ladder either in the position of leadership or in a position to advise the leader, that Consilium is not guided by the Diamond and Thunder precepts. It becomes nothing more than a conspiracy of selfish mages who contribute nothing to the world's liberation. The Silver Ladder is the glue that holds Awakened society together.
• Spirituality: While the Ladder will use any means possible to accomplish their lofty goals, they prefer cooperation and unity in purpose to blackmail and political maneuvering. Other Awakened must understand the importance of the Elemental Precepts; as such, many Silver Ladders tend to be somewhat evangelistic.
  • Succor: Part of the thearch's method is an understanding that many of the Awakened fall into deep melancholy after their Awakening. They sometimes need someone to care for them, to provide comfort and safety while the magus finds his feet, all the while preparing him to pursue the loftiest of goals: the uplifting of humanity.
• Law & Justice: When a people know what to expect from one another, customs develop. When customs become the proper way of interacting, so that failure to adhere to them becomes punishable within that culture, customs become law. The laws of the Awakened are in place to maintain peace and to allow the heirs of Atlantis to work together powerfully and in unity.
  • Arbitrators & Mediators: The Silver Ladder takes it upon itself to know and defend the Laws of the Awakened, and so rise to positions of leadership, whose natural purpose is to defend law. They arbitrate and mediate between the magi of their Consilium, and discuss such efforts with one another, adhering closely to the Lex Magica.
• Government: As arbitrators of law, the Silver Ladder are also the source of governmental traditions among the Awakened. This is part of unity, and ultimately supports the eventual goal of Hieraconis. Thearchs will use whatever it takes to accomplish their goals of unity: blackmail, underhanded influence peddling, stirring speeches and every means that mortal governments over the centuries have used.

Blood

The Sleepers Follow.
The Precept of Supernal Water. Sorcerers must respect, help and protect Sleepers. Each of them is a potential apprentice, or one of the ones who will find magic when the Lie falls. Thearchs - indeed, all mages, if the Silver Ladder has its way - should cultivate relationships with Sleepers, to the benefit of both, working towards enlightenment.

• Religion: Sleepers are the ministry of the Silver Ladder. Mages need to inspire hope, belief in miracles and a desire to test the limits of the world. Thearchs seek to lead mortals out of Stag and Lion tendencies, and many seek to use religion to empower mortals to find their own Sages within.
• Politics: For the Ladder, the ideal political system is the gnostocracy - the rule of the wise, or by wisdom. Thearchs are philosopher-rulers who direct an intermediate caste of warriors, scholars and police. Mages foster idealism and big dreams in those they support and nurture. The Silver Ladder is not above using their connections in this sphere to make their lives easier, as the goal is for humanity and the Awakened to nurture one another.
• Secret Societies: Secret societies allow men to question their place in the world - by taking on secret affiliations, rituals and philosophies, they reveal to Sleepers the possibility that there is more to the world than what it might seem. This weakens the Lie, and aids Sleepers in escaping from the prison of the Fallen World.
  • Cryptopoly: Thearchs often foster fifth columns and secret brotherhoods within powerful organizations that support the Lie. These groups often foster ideological counterweights to the Lie, teaching in the inherent divinity of mankind and setting up situations to lend aid to mages.

Praxis: When the Dragon Speaks

The praxis of the Silver Ladder is simple - it is the Elemental Precepts put into action, the force of their philosophy given form. Their magic is power - not simply occult power, but in the exercise of mundane power, they often shape their sorcery as well. Thearchs seize all the power they can acquire, because the Fallen World will not release its hold on Sleepers and the Lie by begging; it will have to happen by force, and the Silver Ladder intends to have that force to do the job. Rote Specialties: Expression, Persuasion, Subterfuge.

Convocation

The Silver Ladder often gathers in Convocation, a grand assembly that finds deacons from each participating Consilium, as well as other thearchs and delegates from other Orders. These are formal affairs, with plenty of pomp and ritual.

• The Secret Charter: This 12th Century document is the origins of the Convocation, appearing as some sort of treaty (signed by Atlantean sigils) to hold Convocations under the terms of the charter, "Until the Ende of Tyme."
• Convocation Schedules & Size: Ordinary Convocations are usually held on an equinox of the Magisterium's choice within a given year, while Extraordinary Convocations are called when the Magisterium feels there is need. There are four varieties of these:
  • Least Convocation: Least Convocations unite members of at least two Consilii who are generally established allies or at least neighbors. These occur annually.
  • Lesser Convocation: Lesser Convocations gather members of at least three Consilii (usually more) that share a large region or an important history. These occur every three years.
  • Great Convocations: Great Convocations gather all the members of an entire continent - or at least, they do in theory. There hasn't been a true Great Convocation since 1900, though they're supposed to be held every five years.
  • Grand Convocation: A Grand Convocation has never happened, insofar as anyone knows or can remember, though the Secret Charter states they're to be held every seven years, and gather mages from the world over.
• Magisterium: The Magisterium is the supreme Council of the Convocation. Their meetings are informal, usually one-to-one affairs, between peers who hold the title of Magister in the Silver Ladder. They are also responsible for convening the Convocations. A rare few Magisters are given the title of Great or Grand Magisters - in theory a title reserved for those who gather the Great and Grand Convocations, though it has become more a note of respect than a duty.
  • Authority: Technically, the Magisterium assumes total authority in a Consilium where a Convocation is hosted, though in reality they tend to avoid impinging too much. Some Consilii are uncomfortable with this state of affairs, though, and usually host Convocations in neutral areas. The Magisterium technically has the last call on whether or not this is acceptable, but most accept it.
  • Decision-Making: The Magisterium is required to make its decisions by vote, and there must be a two-thirds agreement (meaning consensus in the case of Least Convocations). Magisters often appeal to delegates to back them.
• Other Convocation Offices: Magisters may appoint other delegates to serve in a variety of capacities.
  • Pages: Junior thearchs given the responsibility for tending to the needs of delegates and other important guests, including seeing to their lodgings.
  • Chancellor: In charge of the pages, announcing the agenda and calling for order when things get out of hand, the position of chancellor is usually offered to a member of the Mysterium.
  • Harlequin: According to the Secret Charter, the position of harlequin is the last one that can be eliminated due to low attendance. The harlequin oversees entertainment for the Convocation, but also is responsible for speaking out of turn, heckling the Magisterium and other Lord of Misrule interactions. Though once often held by a Guardian, the harlequin's role seems a natural fit for the Free Council these days.
  • Orichalcum Stick:' A sort of sergeant-at-arms, the Orichalcum Stick holds a ceremonial mace of office, and acts as the Magisterium's bodyguard and security chief for the whole Convocation. This position has the authority to enact violence when it is called for, and to expel rude or violent delegates. Frequently filled by an Adamantine Arrow, who may be given deputies.
  • Scribe: Responsible for recording what happens at the Convocation, the scribe is usually a mystagogue. By tradition, they are forbidden from omitting or adding any detail, but can be asked to make corrections by a Magister or chancellor. The scribe is obligated to provide copies of the official record to all attending Consilium Heralds.
  • Talionist: Often a role for an Interfector from the Guardians of the Veil, the talionist metes out any punishments called for by judicial proceedings at the Convocation. They are permitted to perform these punishments without fear of personal retaliation.

Organization

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Status

X o Neophyte (–): Unknown, o Neophyte (•): Known to a small part of Order; considered to have "taken the mantle" as a full member of the Order; may be made Acolyte. o Famulus (••): Known to majority of Order in region; assumed to have taken positions of personal or administrative leadership in community; expected to mentor at least a single neophyte; may be made Lictor. o Famulus Superior (•••): Known to majority of Order in nearby regions; assumed to have taken positions of public leadership in Consilium; may be made Claviger. o Magister (••••): Known to majority of Order in country; assumed to have positions of influence and leadership over large areas; may be made Deacon. o Greater or Grand Magister (•••••): Exemplar of Order ideals; assumed to be the masters of the Order.

The Caucus

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Archetypes

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