Editing The Gift:Characters (section)

==The Council==

[[Image:Hermeticpaths.gif]]

The Council is a union of nine Hermetic houses and is the most powerful organization in New Spain.  Insofar as anyone acts as an enforcer of the Peace, it is them. The Council is also known for taking an active hand in keeping the mortal government and corporations in line. However, they keep a very loose hand on the reigns because a tighter grip would upset mages in general.  The houses of the Council are bound by extensive laws and settle disputes by trial.

The Council recognizes an unofficial distinction between the four Old Houses, who have been present since the founding of the Council in 1826 and the five New Houses, which joined later.  The Old Houses hold most of the political offices and have a reputation for siding with one another, often causing resentment.  The Old Houses are Burning Stone, Isis Watching, Osiris Risen and Thoth Standing.  The New Houses are Atom Turning, Cat Hunting, Crane Flying, Rat Sniffing, and Snake Drinking.