ANDERS MAGE PAGE 2.0

This powerful paradox spirit is rarely seen, but greatly feared by those few mages who know of its existence. The Judge is generally believed to be connected to the Sphere of Prime, but can appear from the misuse of just about any type of true magick. Only the most powerful offenses against the laws of reality are enough to warrant his attention. In fact, some mages believe that the Judge will only punish "evil" uses of magick, though the definition of "evil" seems to be based off of the common consensus of morality rather than some absolute standard. It is said the Judge sometimes notices horrific non-magickal violations of moral laws as well, either those of man or nature.

Once a mage has attracted the Judge's attention, he is implacable in prosecuting his victim, but not always swift. Often, he will haunt the hapless mage with visions of past crimes and upcoming judgement. At first, the Judge will alter the mage's dreams, forcing the mage to relive her "crimes", often in the role of the bystanders or victims of the event. Next, the Judge will create a series of minor incidences in the mage's life, to remind her of trespasses against reality.

Only when the mage is truly terrified, dreading her fate, will the Judge finally appear. The Judge always stands at least a foot taller than the mage in question, with a stern and jagged face and short cropped white hair, bald in the center. He usually wears flowing robes of a deep purple hue, with a gold-bordered white sash thrown over his shoulders. He carries an elaborate wooden staff of office, carved with the Hermetic symbols of the nine Spheres. He is completely resistant to the use of anything short of Oracular magick.

The Judge will reveal himself, and his nature, and give the mage a few minutes to gather whatever materials he may need for his defense during the trial. This includes any witnesses the mage needs to call, such as the mage's companions. The mage will be whisked off to a barren Paradox realm for the trial, where he will remain until his fate is decided. Any witnesses for the defense will be guaranteed safe passage.

The Judge brings the mage before a tribunal of nine mysterious cloaked and shrouded figures, who will remain silent throughout the trial. The tribunal floats in a circle surrounding the proceedings. The exact trial varies in style, and often draws on elements of the legal system most familiar to the mage. The Judge states the charges against the mage, and the mage has an opportunity to defend himself.

Often the charges are undeniable. The mage caused some sort of irreparable breach in reality. The only viable defense is to convince the tribunal of the validity of that breach, and the mage's worth as a mover of reality. Though never explicitly stated, the trial is not about the mage's Paradox crime, but about whether he is effective at altering and improving reality.

The mage may have his witnesses speak for him, but the Judge has the opportunity to cross-examine them, working to undermine their claims and their reliability as unbiased witnesses. The Judge may also bring forth witnesses against the mage, who appear in the court at his beckoning. The Judge's power is great enough to call forth the dead. Witnesses for the prosecution seem to be in a dazed state, and never remember the experience.

The trial proceeds with statements and rebuttals from both the prosecution and the defense until at some point the tribunal of nine rises. This is the sign that the tribunal has reached its decision. At this time, all witnesses are returned to wherever they came from and only the mage, the Judge and the nine remain. The nine intone their decision and, if found innocent, the mage is returned home. No one knows what becomes of mages that are found guilty, but they are never seen again.