Magocracy: Difference between revisions
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''Not to be confused with the system of government centralized entirely around [[Magnus the Red]].'' | |||
Note that this is different to the ultimate ''ruler'' | |||
A '''magocracy''' is a form of civil leadership only present in fantasy settings; derived from the Greek word '''''"Μάγος"''''' (''literally "wise man", but more commonly known as "mage" or "wizard"'') and Greek word '''''"Κράτος"''''' (''"Power"''), it is a government in which magic-users rule and the ability to perform magic is essential to be a member of the leadership caste. | |||
Note that this is different to the ultimate ''ruler'' just happening to be a magic-user; to be a magocracy, ''every'' true authority figure must be some sort of magic-user, and preferably there is an explicit rule saying spellcasting ability is a prerequisite to being allowed into any position of power. | |||
Most settings will specify magocracies as being led by ''arcane'' spellcasters; because of the usual relationship between a god and a wielder of divine magic, divine magocracies tend to be indistinguishable in many practical ways from the common [[theocracy]]. Magocracies dominated by [[psionics]]-users are sometimes referred to as ''psiocracies'' instead. | Most settings will specify magocracies as being led by ''arcane'' spellcasters; because of the usual relationship between a god and a wielder of divine magic, divine magocracies tend to be indistinguishable in many practical ways from the common [[theocracy]]. Magocracies dominated by [[psionics]]-users are sometimes referred to as ''psiocracies'' instead. | ||
For obvious reasons, this sort of government is particularly common in high-fantasy settings like [[Dungeons & Dragons]]. Canonical magocracies include Alphatia on [[Mystara]] and | For obvious reasons, this sort of government is particularly common in high-fantasy settings like [[Dungeons & Dragons]]. Canonical magocracies include [[Halruaa]], [[Thay]], [[Netheril]], and [[Imaskar]] in the [[Forgotten Realms]], Alphatia on [[Mystara]], Aundair in [[Eberron]] and the [[New Kingdom]] in the [[Warhammer 40,000]]'s galaxy. | ||
[[Category: Gamer Slang]] | [[Category: Gamer Slang]] | ||
Latest revision as of 12:28, 21 June 2023
Not to be confused with the system of government centralized entirely around Magnus the Red.
A magocracy is a form of civil leadership only present in fantasy settings; derived from the Greek word "Μάγος" (literally "wise man", but more commonly known as "mage" or "wizard") and Greek word "Κράτος" ("Power"), it is a government in which magic-users rule and the ability to perform magic is essential to be a member of the leadership caste.
Note that this is different to the ultimate ruler just happening to be a magic-user; to be a magocracy, every true authority figure must be some sort of magic-user, and preferably there is an explicit rule saying spellcasting ability is a prerequisite to being allowed into any position of power.
Most settings will specify magocracies as being led by arcane spellcasters; because of the usual relationship between a god and a wielder of divine magic, divine magocracies tend to be indistinguishable in many practical ways from the common theocracy. Magocracies dominated by psionics-users are sometimes referred to as psiocracies instead.
For obvious reasons, this sort of government is particularly common in high-fantasy settings like Dungeons & Dragons. Canonical magocracies include Halruaa, Thay, Netheril, and Imaskar in the Forgotten Realms, Alphatia on Mystara, Aundair in Eberron and the New Kingdom in the Warhammer 40,000's galaxy.