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Message: <blockquote data-quote="willpax" data-source="post: 774174" data-attributes="member: 1602">Although I do use a variant magic system, I also have several flavor elements that aren't particularly tied to mechanics. In my world (fairly magic-rare), a group of magicians had a massive spell go awry (or not, depending on your historical interpretation) during a war against some dragons. This spell laid waste to a 500-mile diameter area of fertile farmlands at the heart of a large empire. Ever since, mages have been viewed with some suspicion and fear (the fact that my variant rules do allow mages to go insane if they push themselves too hard means that there are several crazy magicians running around, enough to create a reputation). As the spell was believed to have something to do with summoning, most knowledge of summoning was systematically destroyed, and any who have knowledge of summoning are considered evil, or at least not to be trusted. In the northern latitudes (north of the former location of this empire), an order of mages exists that has devoted itself to practicing magic without running afoul of the various temptations and irresponsibilities of magic. As a sign of their willingness to curb their ambitions for the safety of all, the members tattoo patterns of dots on their face, hands, and arms. These patterns grow in increasing complexity as the mage increases in reputation and position. Other schools don't have these inhibitions, but also don't have the trust of the community. Most mages also wear robes that are woven of alternating black and white threads (white is the color of death and nothingness, black the color of fertility and creation) signifying their weaving together of the living and the unknown. To wear the robe and have the tattoos confers upon you a certain amount of respect and prestige (game mechanic is a bonus on reputation checks having to do with magic and scholarship), but also reveals you as a caster to any with a bit of knowledge about the wider world.[edit: attempting to type pre-coffee]</blockquote>

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