Under Structure: The Code that Defines the Magi
In the realm of the Magi, power isn’t the only currency; loyalty to Structure—their strict moral code and law—is paramount. The Structure is more than a set of rules; it’s a philosophy, a sacred guide to every Magus’ life, dictating not only the use of magic but the boundaries of morality. For those who live Under Structure, this code offers security and purpose, keeping them aligned with the Magi’s ancient values. But for those who stray from its path, Structure becomes an implacable judge, casting them Outside and into a world of chaos and inevitable doom.
Structure exists in layers, governed and guarded by a hierarchy of powerful entities who ensure its sanctity. At the very top are the Sorceri, revered figures whose rule transcends governance—they embody Structure itself, the guardians of its deepest mysteries and arbiters of absolute power. The Sorceri rarely intervene directly, but their presence looms over every Magus, an ever-watchful force that shapes the very fabric of Magi society.
Beneath them lies the Magisterium, the governing body responsible for administering Structure’s tenets and ensuring that every Magus adheres to its moral code. The Magisterium, made up of learned and powerful Magi, interprets the rules and dictates punishments for those who veer toward rebellion or reckless power. Though their power is substantial, they rule under the eye of the Sorceri and are bound to the limits of Structure themselves.
To enforce this code in the shadows and streets, the Justice Sect serves as Structure’s uncompromising fist. Loyal to both the Magisterium and the Sorceri, the Justice Sect is feared and respected, given the authority to carry out swift justice against those who challenge the order. Warlocks—once Magi who renounced their allegiance to Structure—are hunted relentlessly, their rebellion a stain that cannot be tolerated. Any who practice forbidden arts, the taboo Magicks that tamper with the essence of magic or endanger the secrecy of the Magi, are marked as Outside Structure and sentenced to immediate elimination, no trial required. To dabble in such magic is to commit the ultimate betrayal, an offense the Justice Sect does not forgive.
Witches and Wizards, outsiders who possess magic but live beyond the Magi’s Structure, are anomalies at best and dangers at worst. In rare cases, the Magisterium may offer them a place Under Structure, allowing them to be brought in. But most are eliminated, seen as threats who could disrupt the balance of the Magi’s secretive society. The Justice Sect hunts these outsiders as well, purging threats to protect Structure’s sanctity.
For the Magi, Structure is not just a moral code; it is a line in the sand, a guide to survival, and a shield from the forces that would tear their world apart. Those who defy it—whether Warlocks, taboo practitioners, or magic-wielding outsiders—are seen as existential threats, cast Outside Structure, their existence declared a menace to the very foundation of Magi society.
The world of the Magi is one where power and loyalty intersect, creating a tense balance. To be Under Structure is to be secure, trusted, and respected. But to fall Outside it is to be marked for death, the ultimate act of treason, punishable by forces that show no mercy. In this universe, the Magi walk a fine line, and their allegiance to Structure is the only thing that keeps them from the chaos of unchecked magic.