The Magical Establishment is a secret, quasi-official institution for magical research, training, and operations in the Kingdom of Heghom. It is funded and supported by two of the Lords Commissioners, the Lady Pilsen, Duchess of Nisthom, and the Lord Tuman, Archduke of Walby. The Establishment was the brainchild of the Duchess, who also provided most of its funding, but it operates on lands provided by the archduke, and under his political protection from local interference.
(Under Construction)
Origin and Controversy
Though her husband, who found the idea very attractive, the Lady Pilsen first proposed the creation of a Heghomic magical establishment around 1740. However, opposition to relaxing prohibitions on magic, which would likely be unpopular, was strong, and the Lord Watts was adamantly opposed to legalizing the type of magical investigations the organization would need to conduct in order to be useful. The idea remained more-or-less dormant until the duchess succeeded her husband as a holder of the Royal Commission in 1743. However, Lord Watts was still adamantly opposed.
Not so easily thwarted, the Lady Pilsen used as much influence as she could muster to ensure that someone favourable to the idea, Lord Tuman, Archduke of Walby, was appointed to the Commission. With the tacit support of a third commissioner, Lord Bauer, but without the knowledge of the fifth commissioner (Lord Glosem) or Watts, they founded the Magical Establishment secretly in 1750, in a rural part of Walby still relatively convenient to the archducal seat (the City of Walstich) by riverboat.
Functions
The Establishment's functions include the research, development, education, and operational use of magic.
Research
The Establishment is tasked with collecting and systematizing magical knowledge from the Hegan Isles and abroad, including investigating both local and foreign magical traditions, the magical arts of indigenous peoples, and previous scholarly magical works. It is also charged with acquiring modern magical knowledge developed by other polities, and keeping its patrons abreast of the latest developments in magical technology, especially continental magical technology. It is also to conduct basic magical science research as useful to its aims.
Development
The Establishment is further tasked with finding practical applications for the magical knowledge it acquires, and using those practical applications to guide future research.
Education and Recruitment
The Establishment has the job of finding, evaluating, and training magic users, with the aim of establishing both a civilian talent pool, and, in the event of war, a magical corps to defend the Kingdom.
Operational Use
From time to time, the patrons of the Establishment may direct it to conduct certain operations, in addition to whatever operations its directors pursue autonomously in the furtherance of the other aims.
Secrecy and Security
Magic of the sort investigated by the Establishment is mostly illegal in the Kingdom of Heghom. Hence, the existence and activities of the Establishment are secret. Although the Archduke possesses the power of pardon in relation to such crimes committed on Walby, and enforcement of laws against magical activities have always been comparatively lax there, a serious exposure would almost certainly result in the termination of the Establishment, and serious confrontation among the Lords Commissioners - to say nothing of the possibility of popular vigilante action.
Leadership
The Establishment is controlled by a Directorate appointed by its patrons.