With Dragon Age 4 taking its fans to the lands of Tevinter, it is worth reading up on the lore of the region. While players have never gone to Tevinter, they certainly have heard a lot about it in the books and games. It is a magocracy, where only those with magical abilities can have any real power. Much is built upon magic and slave labor. Dragons used to be worshipped and many believe it is the ancient magisters who committed the major sin of breaking into the Golden City and creating the darkspawn.
Currently though, the Magisterium serves almost like a congress to their people. There is much to learn that is not outright said in the games.
10 It Is A Legislative Body Of Noble Mages
To start with the basics, the Magisterium is a legislative body. They have the authority to make laws within Tevinter. Also, they are all high class nobles. So, unfortunately, most of the laws are created just through the perspective of the higher classes.
There are various ways to become a magister, but the routes are limited and often require wealth, influence, magic, and well-known family names.
9 The Archon Oversees The Magisterium
The balance of Tevinter’s power is in the Archons favor in all matters. Even if all in the Magisterium passionately agree about a law, the Archon has the power to shoot it down. Archons can put whoever they want in the seats of the Magisterium and often groom a heir that becomes a magister and is promoted to Archon once the Archon dies.
If the Archon does not have an heir, the Magisterium can choose who the next Archon will be.
8 Magisterium Seats Can Be Inherited
One of the obvious routes towards becoming a magister is to have a family member already in the Magisterium. This is how Dorian got a seat at the end of Inquisition. It is likely the only way a man like Dorian could have gotten a seat, as his progressive ideas are against a lot of Tevinter’s old ways.
7 Every Imperial Chantry Grand Cleric And The Imperial Divine Have A Seat
Not to be confused with the Chantry of Andraste, the Imperial Chantry is a different denomination that exists in Tevinter. The Imperial Chantry believe mages should have authority, as their magic is to serve the greater good through the deeds of magisters.
According to The World Of Thedas books, those with high rank in the Imperial Chantry, such as its Grand Clerics and Divine, have their own seats within the magisterium. So their religion is interwoven from their government.
6 Most Magisters Come From Atlus Families
There are four distinct social classes in Tevinter: the Altus, Laetans, Soporati, and slaves. The Altus are believed to have descended from the Tevinter magisters who could communicate with the Old Gods. They are the highest ranking of nobility.
Due to these connections, most magisters are from Atlus families. They were maligned only for a short time when it was believed they created the first Blight. As they are today, they restored their social standing within Tevinter.
5 First Enchanters Cannot Be Magisters
Tevinter has mage circles, but they are quite different from the circles players are familiar with in the Free Marches, Orlais, and Ferelden. They are entirely governed by the magisters and are seen as a privilege rather than an obligation. Templars exist, but they are leashed by magisters.
It is not stated why, but The World of Thedas dictated that First Enchanters are ineligible to become magisters.
4 Magisters Used To Elect The Archon
Archons used to be elected by the Magisterium, but that has not been so since the Black Age. Currently, no member of the Magisterium or Imperial Chantry can become Archon unless the Archon does not have a heir.
The only way to become Archon is to be related to the current Archon as a son, nephew, brother, cousin, or apprentice.
3 A Magister Can Be Chosen By The Seven Circles Of Magi
Tevinter has seven circles in all. While First Enchanters cannot become magisters, Senior Enchanters can have a hand in choosing magisters (as long as the Archon agrees with their choices).
Of course this is part of what limits Tevinter to a magocracy, as Senior Enchanters will most likely choose those with the most magical talent.
2 The Magisterium Was Founded By Archon Darinius
Not to be confused with Fenris’ master, Danarius, Darinius was the first Archon and founder of the Tevinter Imperium, thus he founded the Magisterium as well. He is in many legends and is rumored to be able to charm animals to do his bidding.
He was a worshipper of the Old Gods and created the Magisterium with the Old God priests has the first members. Thus began the trend of Altus becoming magisters.
1 There Are Many Known Magisters
Magisters are kind of a big deal, even in a series that has not taken its players to the heart of Tevinter yet. Known magisters met in the video games include Corypheus, Alexius, Danarius, Erasthenes, Erimond, Hadriana, and Dorian (after his father dies).
That is just scratching the surface though. There are also magisters from the comic books such as Maevaris, Aurelian Titus, and Nenealeus. Beyond that, there are those mentioned that have not been yet seen. Perhaps many more will be met in Dragon Age 4? In fact, that is probably guaranteed.
NEXT: Dragon Age: 10 Things In The Video Games Only Fans Of The Books Understand
