Civem

The civem are the backbone of the Ordona Empire. They are the citizens who have proved to have enough competence and dedication to have a say in politics. Only after plebeians become civem are they allowed to vote.

To become a civem, a plebeian must overcome one of the Morning Challenges. After that, an individual is already considered a civem, but has also incurred a duty of one to three years of service to the Empire. This may be either a military service or a civil service. Most people need to prepare for ten years for the Morning Challenges, starting when they come into full power of their magical abilities at around fifteen years of age. Every year, however, the quaestors witness the accomplishment of young people with less than twenty years becoming civem. Those are commonly called Exemplars and are much sought out by Patrician patrons.

Only civem are allowed to be merchants within cities, free artisans (as opposed to apprentices), priests, lawyers, magistrates, physicians, lanista, civil administrators, ship captains, magic teachers, alchemists, engineers, bards, common enchanters, tribunes in the armies (after their service as legionaires).

Civem are expected to know the laws of the Empire and, so, may make citizen arrests of plebeians and other civem, may offer testimony and may have clients. They are usually respected individuals of accomplished skill and often feared by plebeians for their magical abilities.