Page 33 - Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica

Thej elenn Column writes and enacts the laws of
Ravnica, involving the efforts not just of the designated
legislators but also a network of bureaucrats: aides, writ-
ers, researchers, lobbyists, clerks, and so on.
The Lyev Column enforces the law as Ravnica's
police force. The many-leveled hierarchy of the Lyev
Column includes arresters, investigators, officers, and
lawmages. The Lyev Column is also venturing into the
AzoRIUS SENATE work of managing surveillance and precognition. Most
adventuring characters, by their nature and because of
OFFICER LAVINIA STOOD BEFORE THE ENORMOUS
their capabilities, are associated with the active work
double doors that led into the highest spire of New Prahv. of the Lyev Column rather than the behind-the-scenes
the lair of the guildmaster. To look at her, nothing would activity of the other columns.
seem out of place: her cape spilled elegant!Y from her of-
GOALS OF T H E A ZORIUS
ficer's armor, her sword shone like a decorative piece one
The Azorius Senate's ultimate goal is the perfection of
would hang above a mantel, and her three-sided medals
society. They want to protect the people of Ravnica and
displayed her district-spanning rank. foster a community of peace and harmony. A society's
- Doug Beyer, Return to Ravnica: The Secretist values, they contend, are reflected in the laws it creates.
Something is good if it is lawful. To the Azorius, the
highest virtue is a society built on stability and order,
Bringing order from chaos- that is the mission of the
Azorius Senate. Without the extensive legal code crafted and the guild's elaborate system of laws is structured
and enforced by the Azorius, society would crumble, to prevent wrongdoing first and foremost, even at the
expense of certain liberties. The Azorius can act as a
transforming Ravnica into a field of rubble where the
benevolent proactive force that keeps evildoers in check,
Gruul and the Rakdos do whatever they please. The
but it can also act as an oppressive bureaucratic force
Azorius carry tnis weighty responsibility with stoic
that stifles freedom and expression.
pride, and they perform their work of legislation, investi-
In the absence of the Living Guildpact, the Azorius are
gation, and enforcement with steely determination.
uncertain who is supposed to maintain balance among
The first guild master of the Azorius Senate was a
the guilds. As a group, they are convinced that the sys-
sphinx named Azor. He was the author of the original
tem can't be disrupted, but they are challenged by the
Guildpact, as well as the creator of the elaborate con-
reality that the one person who is meant to hold their
tingency plan that resulted in the creation of the Living
world together never seems to be around. The Azorius
Guildpact. The Azorius Senate was meant to carry on
Senate is invoking emergency powers with increasing
his legacy by serving as the legislative body of Ravnica.
frequency, and the Lyev Column's enforcers are wield-
ing an ever-growing amount of influence.
INSIDE THE SENATE The Azorius guild embraces the belief that Ravnican
The Azorius Senate is supported by three branches, society has come too far to succumb to chaos. Civiliza-
called columns, each led by an arbiter (also called a tion can be saved only through the guidance of a strong,
capital). The capitals of the three columns form the safety-focused government. In the mind of the Azorius,
Triumvirate, which advises the guildmaster, Supreme the threat of chaos is imminent. They believe it is time
Judge Isperia, an ancient and wise sphinx. to face facts and do whatever is necessary to protect the
The Sova Column consists of judges and the exten- people and preserve the force of law.
sive legal apparatus surrounding them. It is tasked with The Azorius, as always, see agents of disorder as
adjudicating and arbitrating the effects of the law. The their greatest enemies. They have cracked down on the
column employs legal aides, pages, librarians, experts Gruul Clans and imposed a variety of creatively written
on precedent, advocates for the accused, public prosecu- laws outlawing that guild's presence in as many public
tors, and judges. places as possible. The Azorius also abhor the satirical

32 CHAPTf.R 2 I GUILDS OF RAV"l ICA