The Gifts of Darkness - Chapter 14 - Page 8

In other words, the Council of Magic is for the most part led by an oligarchy of master sorcerers who decide this kind of stuff. As a master sorcerer, Val is actually conscripted to this oligarchy... Not that he takes much part in it, because, can you imagine Val willingly going to a social event like that? He can barely be made to go to buy groceries...