Imperial Circle

Introduction
The Circle is allowed to take any child (usually age 6 to 12) from their families as soon as they show signs of magical ability. Even a royal child would be taken by the Circle should they show magical ability. The Circle then raises the child until they are a young adult, at which time they must either undergo the Harrowing or be made Tranquil.

The main Imperial Circle is in Minrathous, but there are several others dotted around the country, the most prominent being in Vyrantium and Vol Dorma.

Per Circle there are:


 * One first enchanter, leader of a Circle.
 * 10 senior enchanters, a small council of the most experienced mages.
 * 20 enchanters, those mages who participate in teaching.
 * 100 mages, all residents who have passed their Harrowing.
 * 150 apprentices, all students training for their Harrowing.

The rank of magister existed above first enchanter as supreme authority in each Circle. After the mage Darinius claimed the title of Archon, the magisters became the only noble rank in Tevinter.

In the Circle of Minrathous the First Enchanter is the same rank as a Magister, there is no magister above him and he answers directly to the Archon. Some First Enchanters of Minrathous wield their power with guile and wisdom and have been known to elevate themselves above magisters, or at least, command the Circle to the extent that no magister can control their domain. These First Enchanter's often go on to become Archon, their political prowess undeniable.

Prominent Members


 * The Archon
 * Sorintus is the First Enchanter of the Minrathous Circle

Mandate

 * To produce mages who are superior to any other mages in the rest of Thedas
 * To infuse mages with their political views
 * To teach the most difficult of magic
 * To resurrect the ancient spells of the Ancient Magisters
 * To compete with the Qunari in regards to battle mages so they can defeat the powerful Saraabas
 * To wield magic to control those around them and have the talent and ambition to be magisters.

History
Before it became the Imperium, Tevinter was ruled by a dynasty of kings. And long before the Chantry there was a Circle of Magi: the society of mages in each city. The titles our modern Circles use—enchanter, senior enchanter, first enchanter—all originated here. But above the first enchanter, the Circles of Tevinter had another office: magister.

The magisters formed a council of the most powerful mages in the kingdom. They convened in Minrathous and held dominion over all magic in the land. When Darinius seized the throne in -1195 Ancient, the Court of the Magisters became the royal court, and "magister" was the only title of nobility recognized in Tevinter.

The Imperium today is a magocracy. Political power is solely in the hands of the magisters, who come only from the ranks of the Circle. Every young mage aspires to be a magister’s apprentice because it’s the best chance of ascending to the rank of magister themselves.

Other Notes

 * There are entrances to the Deep Roads in all Circle Towers in Tevinter. These doors can only be opened by the reigning First Enchanter.
 * All mages are brought to the Circle by Imperial Templars. This is a Tevinter Templars main job, other than that they are glorified house guards. Or so it seems on the surface. They do not guard the Circle of Minrathous, are not allowed in it. They serve the Chantry primarily.
 * The Archon is often chosen from the prominent list of First Enchanters.
 * First Enchanters are equal to magisters but do not wield the same political power of have the same resources or estates (except the First Enchanter of Minrathous who sometimes exceeds the power of magisters if he is clever and cunning as Sorintus is.)
 * Magisters can direct the the learning of a child of theirs or an apprentice (or merely someone of interest) but anyone below the rank of magister must petition the First Enchanter of the Circle in order to effect the child's magical education. A student is rarely refused, but the Circle has a great say in their development once they leave the Circle, especially in the case of non magister sponsored mages.
 * The Circles cannot be interfered with my the magisters, not even those close to the Archon. Only the Archon can influence the Circles.