Magic can be a powerful tool in fantasy settings, it can be an equalizer between humanity and paranormal entities if humans can master it. The White Council of wizards is an organization dedicated to not just protecting humanity from any creatures of the night and beyond who threaten them, it also protects them from any spellcasters who would seek humanity harm by breaking the laws of magic. Who are the White Council and what are the laws of magic? Let’s find out!
The life energy of all things empowers magic, if one can perceive this energy, then it’s easier to learn to control it. This was how the first wizards began and learned to codify magic for future generations to better learn. Wizards have always been a rare skillset for humans to attain but it was only a matter of time before they would find others like themselves. The White Council, before it was even called that got its start in Rome, realizing that wizards, still being very much human, had a desire to get involved in matters not related to magic or the supernatural. This could lead to wizard kings, some were benevolent rulers but many would be corrupted by their duties to their people.
This was the discovery of the laws of magic, seven laws that no wizard could break or face swift death. The laws were fairly simple, first, you cannot kill human beings with magic. Second, you cannot transform another human being into another creature, making a human mind into an animal mind is too complex and is effectively murder. Third, you cannot invade the minds of others, again, the mind is too complex to tamper with magic and when you open the mind of another, you must also open yours. Fourth, similar to the third, you cannot alter the minds of others, this means mind magic of any kind is forbidden even if it could help someone, the risk is too high. Fifth, necromancy of human remains is strictly forbidden. Sixth, do not use time travel, the butterfly effect is real and messy. Finally, seventh, do not reach beyond the Outer Gates, reality has a beyond point, that is where the Outer Gates lie, passing them the Outsiders reign, powerful beings out of our comprehension dwell and seek entry into our realm. Magic requires the caster to truly believe in what they are doing, to break one of the laws means you truly believe this to be a fundamental truth, so you are twisted to believe breaking the laws of magic is more and more just.
Realizing that wizards couldn’t meddle in mortal politics or break these laws of magic, Merlin of legend helped found the White Council to ensure that wizards were kept in check by one another. They formed a testing method to make sure they could get the most capable spellcasters as council members. Only the top two percent of all magical practitioners in the world are able to make for White Council status, all others are still kept under as close a watch as the council can give.
Speaking of the White Council’s watchful eye, the Order of the Grey Cloak, or Wardens, are the military/police force of the council. Magic is mainly split into two major categories, evocation and thaumaturgy. Evocation is the power a spellcaster can pull up at a moment’s notice, this ranges from spells of light, fireballs, invisibility veils, force fields, and all manner of combat magic. Thaumaturgy is for magic that takes any time more than a few seconds to cast, from tracking spells, warding a home, summoning, conjuration, potions, enchanting objects, and any other rituals. Most wizards prefer to focus on Thaumaturgy, staying in their laboratories and libraries. Wardens are masters of combat in many forms, often as master evokers, and use this to fight anyone who breaks the laws of magics, called warlocks, or any other threat to the council or the rest of humanity. Wardens rank from simply Warden of their given city, to regional commanders who Wardens report to in a certain location, say the west coast of the United States. Finally, there is the captain of the Wardens who controls the entire force for the White Council.
The problem with the Wardens and the White Council is that since the laws of magic aren’t just legal but fundamental aspects of reality, they are likely to go straight to a death sentence regardless of what the warlock has done to break the laws. A teenager gifted with magic but unaware of the laws or even the council, may try to use their magic to heal someone’s mind of horrible nightmares. This still counts as breaking the third and fourth laws so it would mean death for the youth unless another wizard is willing to also put their life on the line by standing up for them and willing to prove for however long a probationary period lasts, that the warlock is not entirely corrupted. Though the young warlock will be tempted to use their powers again even if they never act on them, as is the danger of breaking any law of magic.
Governing body of the White Council, is the Senior Council, wizards can live longer than most humans due to magic infusing them with better, though not faster, healing. This allows wizards to live anywhere between three hundred to four hundred years on average, some even up to five hundred. Thus, the Senior Council is often comprised of the seven eldest and most powerful wizards, when a member of the Senior Council dies, the roster of next eldest is offered the position and may be turned down for whatever reason. Often times wizards are doing all manner of magical experimentation and exploration to find politics too much more work to take on. The leader of the Senior Council and thus all of the White Council is given the title of the Merlin and is often the most powerful wizard in the world, if not in magic, then in having the full resources of the White Council backing them up.
When the White Council commences gatherings, all wizards are expected to wear robes, black for members, brown for apprentices. Silk stoles of varying colors convey rank, blue for members, red for anyone over a century old, and purple for Senior Council members. These stoles will often have markings stitched in or further adornments added to them to denote exceptional skill in magic or academics. Magical healing isn’t much more advanced than modern medical treatments so many master healers have medical doctorates and return to medical school every few decades to keep up with all advancements made. When speaking during formal meetings, wizards are expected to speak in Latin, this both hides most conversation from anyone who may attempt listening and also makes it more difficult for apprentices to speak up as they are still learning the language.
Along with the Merlin, there are other titles the council has, such as the Gatekeeper and the Blackstaff. The Gatekeeper is also a Senior Council position and is a member whose main job is to stand watch over the Outer Gates to note any activities and stop any dangerous events from occurring as best they can. The Blackstaff is a position held by one wizard, often one quite capable of combat, they are granted a black staff of unknown material, this artefact allows the Blackstaff to break any of the laws of magic as seen fit by its wielder without having to fall to the corruption of lawbreaking magic. They just have to live with what they have done. Effectively, the Blackstaff is the Senior Council’s assassin and fixer. The position is kept secret to the majority of the White Council, mainly known to the Senior Council and precious few others.
Not being the only supernatural force in the world, the Unseelie Accords were signed by many of the ruling bodies of the world of the paranormal world, the White Council included. This means that while one may think purposely botching the test for wizard status so as to not deal with council responsibilities that may be called upon, the council also provides protection from other monstrous forces. The other magical factions must follow protocol if they get entangled with one another, a wizard who is threatened by a vampire could get both factions involved to settle it out. Though doing this could lead to even bigger troubles so it is preferred if both parties keep to Accord laws. War is the last thing most Accord signatories want.
In the last few decades, the world appears to be getting darker in paranormal threats. The White Council had a war with the Red Court of vampires that lasted several years, destroying many of the eldest Wardens in the process. A Warden draft had to be called in for any combat capable wizards, young and old alike to deal with both the war and other dangers cropping up. When the war was over, a power vacuum appeared and new threats from ancient enemies appeared to take over, leaving the already over-taxed council and Wardens no time to recover as they dealt with all these problems. Wizards were never in high numbers but with recent events, they’re at their lowest population with more dangers than ever before.
There you have it! While the White Council started in the Dresden Files series of novels by Jim Butcher, the characters and their world have spread to original comics that are also still canon to the series. The White Council is represented by one of their most controversial members, Harry Dresden, former warlock turned Warden. The stories are often through his eyes and dealing with the headache that is the White Council, the Senior Council, and the Wardens. His story is ongoing so only the other knows what happens next. See you next time!
Suggested Reading
The Dresden Files
Welcome to the Jungle
War Cry
Ghoul Goblin
Down Town
Dog Men
Dr. Bustos
drbustos@comicattack.net
