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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Stalker0" data-source="post: 8783736" data-attributes="member: 5889">I think a number of people have already answered why a single high level wizard doesn't rule. I actually posted such a thread a few years ago about whether a 20th level wizard could solo the world, and there were several good answers on why they couldn't.So the real question is.... why wouldn't a group of wizards take over the world? Whether its a cabal like the Red Wizards of Thay, or just a wizard academy... wouldn't they have the means to do it?For this example we can look at our own modern world....and the modern military. A group of wizards and a modern military force have a lot in common, both have powers far and away over the "civilians" of the world. Both contain the means for exceptional feats of destruction, espionage, very fast mobility, and great logistical power.So why doesn't the modern military take over the world? There are a few answers:1) Well....they do! Many a country has fallen to a military coup and become run by its military. So the idea of a world controlled by a highly disciplined mage organization is completely plausible.2) Civilian Oversight: Nearly all militaries for 1st world countries answer to a civilian government. And they are indoctrinated under that approach, civilian oversight is good, civilian oversight is necessary, etc. Their highest military general (the president or prime minister) generally has some checks and balances from the rest of the government that can take on the leader should they start to flex military prowess, and once again the military is indoctrinated that this is a good thing, and must be respected.So likewise it makes sense for a mage organization to have civilian oversight. Mages trained at an academy are taught the evils of their power, and how its important to keep those forces in check for the good of society (and other propaganda pieces aimed at preventing magical "coups")3) A divided world: Just as our modern world is divided into countries, a fantasy world may be divided up into kingdoms. The mage organization from one is opposed by the mage organization from another. No organization ever can amass too much power, as there would be attacks or counters by rival organizations.</blockquote>

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