The Order of Hermes

Ars Magica Primer
Game Setting
Mythic Europe
The Order of Hermes
The Order of Hermes The Code of Hermes The Peripheral Code Hermetic Book Cycle

Let us work together as one and grow hale and strong.

—The Hermetic Oath

The Order of Hermes (also Enigmatic Order of Hermes or, informally, the Order) is the fictional organization to which magi in Ars Magica belong. All wizards in the Order of Hermes know a special kind of defensive magic called Parma Magica and nearly all can use a powerful, flexible form of magic called Hermetic Magic. Most of them speak Latin as a common language, enabling magi from across Mythic Europe to share magical books and spells.

For an outsider's perspective, read Dialect on the Wizards of Hermes by Father Reginald, a priest who spent time observing the Order as a guest of a covenant.

Houses of Hermes

Main Article: Houses of Hermes

Secondary Articles: Order of Hermes Naming Convention

Every magus of the Order belongs to one of twelve Houses of Hermes. Most magi also hold other political positions (such as a quaesitor) and/or associate with other Hermetic socities, cults, cabals, or so on. Hermetic Society is a complex thing.

According to Fifth Edition, there are about 1200 magi in the Order (page 9, first paragraph). Most magi in the Order live in groups called covenants but some prefer a solitary existence. The latter type of magus are sometimes called eremite magi.

Law and Politics

The Order has its own legal system. Hermetic Law is based on the Code of Hermes and the Peripheral Code. The Order is governed by regional councils of magi known as Tribunals. The Tribunals operate as courts of law, with the aid of Quaesitors.

• The Code of Hermes, with commentary. This is the Hermetic Oath and an overview of what each of its provisions entails.
• The Peripheral Code are rulings by the Grand Tribunal and the regional Tribunals. Grand Tribunal rulings are applicable to the entire Order while regional Tribunal rulings apply only to that region.
• Tribunal Procedures of a typical meeting. Individual Tribunals will have variations, but this outlines common threads in all Tribunals.
• Archmagi are a class of magi who have ascended the heights of Hermetic power. Only a few magi ever reach their levels due to the requirements of the rank.

History

The Order was founded in 767 A.D. by the tweleve Founders under the leadership of Bonisagus and Trianoma. Its magic and traditions are loosely based on the ancient Roman Cult of Mercury.

It has since known many political turmoils and upheavals, including the Tytalus Corruption and the Schism War. A brief depiction of the Order's history is given in ArM5 9-10. The Houses of Hermes series of supplements further provides details on each House's history.