Mercere

From NickWiki

The founder of this house lost his magical powers but remained involved in the Order. He assumed a non-magical role valuable to other magi—that of messenger. His followers continue to fulfill that role. All members of House Mercere (mare-KAY-ray, or mare-SARE in vulgar Latin), regardless of whether they possess the Gift, are officially recognized as magi of the Order. Even non-Gifted Mercere spend 15 years in apprenticeship like other magi. Followers of Mercere are more commonly known as Redcaps because of the headgear they wear as a badge of office. Redcaps are permitted to attend and vote at tribunal, and are under the protection of the Hermetic Code.

"All told there are usually about 150 Repcaps in the Order of Hermes, with at least ten living in each Tribunal, compared to about twelve Gifted Merceres in all of Mythic Europe." True Lineages, page 78.

On this Wiki Redcap refers to an ungifted member of the house. The term Mercere magi is ambiguous because all members of the house gifted or not are considered magi by the Oath and the Code. "Gifted Mercere" should be used to avoid confusion where necessary.