Grand Council

The Grand Council of the empire of Skyla was founded in the second era in conjunction with the Skyla Academy when the need for an organised military force empowered with magic became apparent. The Council, as it commonly referred to, has absolute control over the Academy and answers only to the royal family elsewhere. The Council consists of thirty Thaumaturges. Requirements for joining include studying at the Academy, being recognised as a master of Thaumaturgical arts, and having the support of three current council members. Members serve for life unless expelled. They take a very personal interest in the Academy, as the council building is within Academy grounds and most members teach at the Academy. They host monthly meetings and set the laws regarding acceptable use of magic and regulating the licensing of mages. Controversy surrounds the council, with some claiming that they have too much influence over the queen while others pointing out the majority of members being male despite licensed mages consist of males and females equally. More dubious sources claim that the council practices human testing in a laboratory under the school, and that certain types of undead may even have originated there. Despite this, many great and powerful Thaumaturges have claimed a spot on the council and it has protected Caelum for centuries in times of crisis.