Ygwer Code

The Ygwer Code was a universal code of conduct among the magic academies that forbade certain acts. The idea was put forth and heavily pushed by the Cleric's Guild, who had been using the code since the inception of the Ygwer School of Clerics. The Guild also had a more vested interest in maintaining a moral standard with regards to magic. They had a tremendous amount of power, being involved in some of the most influential organizations. So they wished to impose some of their own ethical standards, which were codified into the Ygwer School rules, into the other schools. This code would see several updates as, naturally, some unscrupulous people would find ways to circumvent the code. One such example would be the rise of vormongers. After the code became widely accepted as the ethical standard among all the magic schools, it was actually the Eari who would push the code the most, using it to advance the "good" image they wanted to portray.

Forbidden Actions

The code outlawed a number of acts, which came to be known as the Illitions. One of the preeminent was the killing of living creatures (or poaching certain parts) for the purpose of harvesting magical energy, with the exception of certain plants. The Draol and some other minor orders got around this in use of battlefield mages who harvested energy from slain soldiers killed by non-magical combatants.

• killing living creatures or people for the purpose of harvesting vorsys or fex
• killing living creatures to poach certain magical parts (such as a horn)
• poaching non-regenerative magical parts from creatures (such as a horn); using any part from a living creature was only allowed in cases like milk, eggs, shed skin, etc.
• summoning an individual without their consent
• using vorsys or fex that was contained within a living creature (only applicable to soulpiercers)
• reanimating the dead
• resurrecting the dead
• using magic for the purpose of enthralling a subject against its will
• using magic to make somebody suffer or increase their suffering

Punishment

In the most extreme cases, such as those involving killing, an illition was punishable by death. In lesser cases, imprisonment was the sentence. The only case that was punishable before a crime was committed was regarding soulpiercers; they were often killed whenever their abilities could be substantiated.

Investigation and Justice

Investigating violations of the Ygwer Code was tricky, so a special multi-discipline sect called the Joint Illition Directorate was formed to investigate crimes and present evidence to a tribunal court which consisted of five mages, one from each of the largest five schools: (Cleric's Guild, Draol, Eari, I'dunal, Runesworn). The Directorate was headed by an Archwitness from the I'dunal. Typically, the sect would investigate reports or look at cases thought to involve illicit acts. Much of this involved the use of perciperation; any personnel chosen to be a member of this sect was required to have some training in perciperation, so they could view evidence found by the sect's Archwitness. If at least three people corroborated that a crime had been committed, the culprit would be apprehended and brought before the tribunal. Official testimony would be presented, and any judges on the tribunal would have opportunity to verify the claims (through perciperation). Should the accused be found guilty.