The Silver Ladder claims it's origins from the proto-stoic philosophers of the ancient world and the cultural influence of low-born mages within that world. By the time that Alexander had taken up his mantle, these hedge practitioners had rebranded themselves as philosopher kings. After the initial founding of the group endured a rift which split it in two, the mages who would go on to become the Ladder forged alliances with other Hellenistic groups to form the Diamond with other Nascent Orders.

At the center of the Diamond is the Ladder. The systems of Consilium and Convocation and much of enlightened society was built upon the Ladder's efforts, as they spearheaded many of the efforts that helped solidify all of their positions.

Core Belief: The Elemental Precepts

The ladder follows a legalistic philosophy which divides itself into four precepts - called the Elemental Precepts. Each element listed is a take on the four classical elements, raised to it's highest occultic representation, with air as thunder, earth as diamond, water as blood, and fire as star. While simple, they form the backbone of the order's ideals and have been instrumental in the creation of all other orders.

• Thunder: Imperium is the Sovereign Right of All Humanity

Air is life itself - when life is born from clay, it must be given breath. Magic is life as it should be, where every breath evokes miracles and everyone might speak with a voice of Thunder. The Precept of Thunder holds that that Imperium - Ascension - is the right of all humanity. There is no original sin, no apple stolen from the garden of eden - we were born to be gods, and we had our birthright stolen. It is up to us to take it back.

• Diamond: The Awakened are One Nation

Earth is the element of unity, the common ground by which we all find one another. It makes up the pillars by which our society hold itself up. The Precept of Diamond holds the Awakened as an element among themselves, bound not by mortal laws but by divine. It reminds them that together, they can make wonders more divine as Atlantis ever was - if they only will sift through the dirt to mine for the Truth. Even Seers and Banishers are beholden not to mundane law, but to Supernal, even if they are in open rebellion and to be treated as such.

• Blood: The Sleepers Follow

Water is the element of human connection. It transcends culture, gender, and even Sleep, flowing within us all. Blood is the ultimate occultic expression of water, and the Precept of Blood teaches the Ladder the value of Community, compelling the powerful to guide the weak and reminding them that they all bleed the same red blood and come from the same place. Every sleeper holds the capacity to be the Awakened even if blind now - and the Awakened, for the power they have been blessed with, have a responsibility to lead them.

• Star: The Ladder is the Path to Victory

Stars are made of primal fire, and are the source of all life within the universe. Fire is dangerous, and must be handled with care - it's in it's nature to spread, consuming all it touches - and to the Ladder, the Star is the inexhaustible flame of human destiny, the spark of the soul by which all awaken. It is the order's duty to fan it into something greater, mastering it and guiding all others along the righteous path. That which does not follow it's path, which do not follow the elemental precepts, are little more than conspiracies born of selfish desires of power who contribute nothing and should be discarded into the flame. Every order has a purpose, and the purpose of the Ladder is to lead - and it will remain so, even to the worlds end.

Mystic Symbolism

The Silver Ladder incorporates tools and practices which embody and help facilitate their natural sovereignty over the enlightened domain. Anything which is a symbol of authority can be used to command magic by their will, be it the uniform of an officer, a crown or badge, or even a ship that is known to house a significant delegate (such as air force one). A ladder exercises her magic not through negotiations or pleas to gods who would rather ignore you anyways, but through the exercise of power. When she speaks, when she draws down the supernal, she commands the world to be, invoking her sovereign right and the world kneels too her will.

Positions

The Silver Ladder has two types of of hierarchy within it - overall authority, which is represented by status, and the relationships between specific positions. Status in the Silver Ladder does not guarantee a position, nor does a position always command status relative to it's rank. Of the following positions, only Acolyte and Clavigers are expected to be held during any Ladder's career.

Ladders who have lower positions than their Status implies still have respect, unless they are Acolytes. A mage with status of 3 or higher stays an Acolte only if someone is preventing them from advancing to a Claviger - and the order does not like those with weak positions. Those not striving to better themselves can fall in position, becoming grunts regardless - still, it is done from time to time, as it gets lonely and potentially at the top of the Ladder.

It is important to note some updates to the status ratings will not match the Silver Ladder book.

• Acolytes (1) - The Lowest position on the ladder, they only have one duty: to obey. They follow the Shadow Law and Elemental Precepts, but when things get complicated are expected to consult a superior. The ladder doesn't trust Acolytes to think beyond themselves beyond the very fundamentals. Still, even being at the bottom it is considered poor form to treat acolytes badly. Higher ranked thearches are expected to treat them like younger siblings - well loved children at the very least - and to educate them.

• Lictors (2) - An Awakened Marshal. They are not permitted to have apprentices or a permanent home, and are expected to travel widely. Only lictors can name lictors, and while some Lictors might spend more time at the bar than working, few ever become corrupt as the punishment is torture followed by spiritual annihilation. They have considerable power, and benefit from immunity from challenges to duel over any matter related to her duties. If they are called in by a deacon, their judgement on any trial they appeal over is final - there is no appeal. This applies regardless of the rank of the judged, and the lictor is granted immunity in all actions related to delivering punishment (in cases of death sentences, tradition suggests to let the Guardian interfector execute the guilty party). Finally, Lictors gain full access to all Silver Ladder resources - treat their status as 5 for the purpose of requisitions, regardless of the caucus.

• Factotum (3) - A Lawyer for the awakened, who has studied the Shadow Law, Elemental Precepts, and the Lex Magica. This is a unique position among the Ladder, as taking it automatically elevates the ladder's status and is a common means by which an aspiring acolyte might improve their standing. Taking the test involves a process of study, though unless someone is blocking her from advancing any mage with Academics 3, Investigation 1, Occult 2, Politics 2, Persuasion 2, and the Lex Magica merit can get this status automatically by taking the Factotum exam.

• Claviger (4) - The Clavigers have proven they understand the Elemental Precepts well enough to interpret them in difficult situations. They tend to be the emissaries of a caucus to a Consilium, diplomats and evangelists to other mages as well as other supernaturals when the need arises - Deacons are too valuable to risk, and acolytes do not understand the will of the order well enough to speak for them. Often times, this puts clavingers in a dangerous position with other supernaturals, who do not much appreciate the human-centered faith of the Ladder. Clavingers are expected to report frequently to the Deacon.

• Deacon (5) - A Deacon is all things to the Caucus - leader, lawgiver, priest, and chief representative. Silver ladder see this role as something of a sacrifice, as the deacon must answer convocation alls, assume magisterial duties, and minister the order instead of pursuing their quest for the ultimate Mysteries. A Deacon is almost always a Master, though if they aren't they are not given their full measure of respect unless they have some other exceptional talent to make up for it.

Factions

Powerbrokers: The most famous faction of the Silver Ladder, the power brokers focus on gathing or amassing power and influence in both mortal and awakened society - usually because power is acquired to achieve a specific goal or to demonstrate the superiority of their own idealogies through example by creating power systems that run well and effectively.

Theurges: The Theurges see themselves as the direct heirs to the priest-kings of atlantis. Magic is not only a source of endless power, but of spiritual enlightement - enlightenment that their predecessors used to spread to sleepers.

Ascended: The Ascended see it as their duty to transcend their limitations. They actively seek the path of archmastery, seeking any information that will lead them to it and gathering vast amounts of mystic power in order to do so.