Vocation: Mage

Mages are Weavecrafters of discipline and learning, able to utilise magic after extensive study and practice. Unlike Sorcerers, who are innately connected to their magic, Mages must learn the complex theories and patterns behind spellcasting in order to manifest and cast their spells. Mages are capable of learning and utilising a wider variety of spells than Sorcerers and typical Witches, and are able to learn and customise complex magical formulae that allow them to learn new spells faster.

Mages are typically seen as scholarly and learned, with a reputation for tradition and something of a stubborn streak. Their spells are cast within the bounds of law and order, meaning they are less prone to subtle shifts and alterations on the fly. However, because of this strict law, Mages are more likely to formulate new spells that can be easily replicated, making some of the most prominent Mages in history the creators of powerful spells.

Famous Mages include Alida Caelus, the Headmistress of the Schola Arcana in Sempervirentis; Daniel Durant, the leader of the Mage's Guild of Aeldynsyre; and Kaia Adamis from the now-defunct Tower of the Higher Arcane, the historical Gnomish Archmage responsible for the finalisation and documentation of the Categories of Magic.

Career

Qualifications

Mages tend to have higher than average Intelligence and Wisdom, allowing them to learn and recall information about the Arcane with more precision. Many Mages also train their Constitution, because they are generally considered more fragile than other kinds of Weavecrafters. Most Mages come into their Vocation with the Calling of Weavecrafter.

In order to follow the Vocation of Mage, individuals must have:

• A Mana Pool
• A Weave Channel

There are no formal qualifications or examinations required to become a Mage.

Career Progression

Paths

Mages can choose a Path to explore and specialise their learning and spellcasting prowess. These Paths typically choose a type or style of magic to specialise in, with some Mages choosing to specialise even further within those types or styles. Despite being a Class of Magic, it is rare for a Mage to specialise in Thaumaturgy, as the spells within it are limited.

Invoker

Invokers specialise in the arts of Invocation, the acts of calling something into being or purpose. It focuses on Evocation, Abjuration, and Conjuration, and is utilised for destructive and protective purposes, being able to even reach across the Planes to summon powerful beings to support the caster.

Diacrourgist

Diacrourgists specialise in the arts of Diacrourgy, the arts of deceiving or expanding the mind and senses, focusing on Illusion, Enchantment, and Divination. These specialists use it to see into the future or past, to impart an effect onto a being or object, or to confuse the senses with visions and sounds.

Converter

Converters specialise in the arts of Conversion, Transmutation and Necrourgy, which focus on the alteration of physical matter and the reanimation of the dead. They use these magics to adapt matter to their own ends or craft themselves means of assistance. While Zoiurgy is part of the Conversion Class of magic, Arcane Mages cannot use it.

Battle Mage

Battle Mages specifically combine the arts of Evocation, Abjuration, and Transmutation to improve their prowess on the battlefield. These kinds of Mages specialise in enhancing the power of their spells while also empowering their defensive capabilities. While Battle Mages are trained for war, they are still classes as Support-type combatants.

Blade Weaver

Blade Weavers are Mages that have trained in sword dancing, enabling them to utilise light swords as both weapons and magical foci. Unlike Battle Mages, Blade Weavers are trained in basic close combat defense, though they are more suited to small scale defensive action than full battle.

Employment Positions Suitable for Mages

Mages are typically suited to teaching roles, both in magic and in mundane subjects. They ae also suited to research and exploration roles, where their extensive training in theorising and extrapolation come in very useful.

Mages are also particularly sought after as Ambassadors and Advisors, particularly Blade Weavers due to their defensive capabilities. They also excel in positions within Noble and Royal Households, often acting as part attache and part deterrent.

While adventuring and mercenary work are an option for Mages, they tend to operate better as part of a team unless working within infiltration. Mages often find themselves working behind the scenes providing magical items, spell scrolls and support in the absence of an Artificer.

Blade Weavers are relatively common within Watch and Guard postings, while Battle Mages are fairly numerous within artillery attachments of Armies.

Perception

Social Status

Mages are overall percieved positively, though they are generally treated with more respect than Sorcerers. They are considered highly educated, and even a Commoner Mage is offered a degree of deference amongst the higher classes.

However, because of their highly educated nature, Mages are often assumed to know things that they may not have experience with, which can leave people in uncomfortable situations when such assumptions are incorrectly made.

The Mage-Sorcerer Rivalry

Nobody is wholly sure of where this perceived rivalry began, nor who instigated it, but it is not uncommon to witness Mages and Sorcerers butting heads publicly. Mages have a habit of viewing Sorcerers as uneducated bunglers, while Sorcerers view Mages as needlessly secretive and magically prudish.

However, some of this boils down to little more than friendly rivalry and banter, with many individuals of these Vocations getting on very well with each other. There are rarely outright spats between the two, though in the past some local rivalries between Guilds or Schools became heated, leading to some errant spellslinging and collateral damage.