Mage cadres were instrumental attachments to armies that used magic, such as the Malazan Army and the Letherii Army. A typical Malazan mage cadre consisted of six mages and the mage commander.[1] In the Malaz 2nd Army the rank of cadre commander was indicated by a silver emblem attached to the cloak of the wearer.[2]
In the time of the Emperor, mages were so abundant that mage companies of Adepts were formed.[3]
Much later, the number of mage cadres came down drastically, with the Malazan 5th army posted in Genabackis left without mages of any extraordinary skill.[4]
- "Ye Gods! That the empire of Nightchill, Tattersail, and Tayschrenn should be reduced to this! It would be laughable if it weren't so damn tragic."
- ―Aragan's observations on the state of Mage Cadres, especially in Genabackis
Rank structure[]
| Rank Comparison Table | ||
|---|---|---|
| Army | Navy | Mages |
| First Sword of the Empire | Imperial High Mage1 | |
| High Fist | Admiral2 | |
| Fist/Commander3 | High Mage | |
| Sub-Fist/Sub-commander3 | ||
| Colonel4 | Commander | Mage Cadre commander5 |
| Captain | Captain | |
| Lieutenant | Lieutenant? | Cadre mage |
| Master Sergeant | ||
| Sergeant | ||
| Corporal | Squad mage6 | |
1Appeared to report directly to the Emperor or Empress.
2It is unknown if a High Fist outranked an Admiral or not.
3These ranks seemed to be roughly equivalent.
4Possibly a garrison rank only. Appeared once only (see Tras).
5The name of this rank is conjectural, but the rank was real enough.
6Not a true rank. Position conjectural based on observed authority, but had no command power.
Known Malazan Mage Cadre Commanders[]
Known Malazan Mage Company Commanders[]
Notes and references[]
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 2, UK MMPB p.72
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 2, UK MMPB p.52
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 2, UK MMPB p.73
- ↑ Orb Sceptre Throne, Chapter 5
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 2, UK MMPB p.64