Magocracy: Difference between revisions
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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]] | For obvious reasons, this sort of government is particularly common in high-fantasy settings like [[Dungeons & Dragons]]. Canonical magocracies include Alphatia on [[Mystara]], Halruaa in the [[Forgotten Realms]] and Aundair in [[Eberron]]. | ||
[[Category: Gamer Slang]] | [[Category: Gamer Slang]] | ||
Revision as of 18:47, 2 July 2019
A magocracy is a form of civil leadership only present in fantasy settings; derived from the Latin word "Magos" (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 being a magic-user; to be a magocracy, every true authority figure must be some sort of magic-user.
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, Halruaa in the Forgotten Realms and Aundair in Eberron.