Originally set forth by the Touccian magus Balbo, the Touccian obligation is the idea that the members of House Touccio, because of their their unique skills and understanding of the phenomenal world, have a special obligation to protect other magi from their own incompetence at dealing effectively with the material world. Because of their superior abilities with constructing the sorts of devices and structures essential to the proper functioning of covenants, Balbo argued that it was the duty of the descendants of Touccio to distribute themselves throughout the Order, thereby ensuring that none of the far-flung covenants of the diaspora need be deprived of the aid that only the Touccian House could give them.
While originally intended as noblesse oblige, mages of the other houses came to view it as justification for treating Touccians almost as slaves.
Originally set forth in the early third century, it was not seriously challenged until the middle fourth century, with the publication of "Balbo's Grandchildren".
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