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Message: <blockquote data-quote="el-remmen" data-source="post: 9569264" data-attributes="member: 11">MageMages are mortals with a bit of innate arcane magic they have learned to access and shape, and who, with time and experience, can follow an arcane tradition that expands and empowers what they are capable of by accessing that arcane power through different means. That said, most mages do not advance very far, not having the requisite talent to pursue the craft beyond cantrips and some 1st-level spells, serving as hedge mages (local arcane casters who aid a community) or simply using what little magic they know to supplement their other skills. However, among some of the greatest adventurers and both benevolent and infamous figures of history are the wizards and sorcerers who have moved beyond the basics (see Arcane Traditions). There are rumors and legends of other arcane traditions, but they are extremely rare, if not completely lost to time.The arcane traditions of mages are more common among certain peoples than others. It is much more common to encounter mages who are human, gnome, fey-touched or tieflings, than among dwarves, halflings, lizardfolk, or the orc-born. Whether this discrepancy is based on some innate factor or because of general negative cultural attitudes among some peoples is unknown. Nevertheless, mages of all kinds can be found, even if they tend to be humans and some others.Mage AlignmentIt is often said that you can determine what side in the great Cosmic Conflict a mage is one based on their chosen tradition. Wizards are often agents of Law, and their careful records, arcane histories, detailed ceremonies, and astrological charts are all part of an orderly tradition based on the establishment and maintenance of institutions. On the other hands, by the very nature of the powerful magic they try to bring under their yoke (and consistently fail), sorcerers are easy to see as agents of Chaos. Despite the alignment between their arcane tradition and their Cosmic outlook, when it comes to ethics, mages are as diverse as mortals more broadly, though in some places they are assumed to have maleficent intent.[ATTACH=full]394617[/ATTACH]Mages in the Inchoate EmpiresThe state of magic, especially arcane magic, in the Empires, means that few mages ever advance far enough to adopt a tradition, though those few that do are heavily weighted towards wizards, as sorcerous magic is forbidden in many places in the Empires, and many of the desolate places that cannot support life are said to be the result of sorcerous magic gone wild. Sorcery is frequently a capital offense. Instead, most mages in the Inchoate Empires are happy to remain anonymous hedge mages, helping local people and sometimes acting as an alternative or companion to the village witch. Mages in the Republic of MakrinosMages have a mixed reputation in Makrinos. While there is a tradition of local hedge mages to go along with that of village witches (as is common in the Empires), the power to beguile and charm is looked upon with suspicion in a democracy where each citizen is promised their part in a vote without arcane influence. This is especially true of the sorcerous tradition, which locals associate with the bloodline of the emperors of Celestrune, even if it is clearly not limited to it. As wizardry is an expensive tradition, it is more closely associated with the wealthy class. As such the magic schools of Makrinos cater to the high-born or the wealthy or both, which is not to say that the supposed meritorious values of the polis has not led to scholarships and charities sponsoring destitute candidates to these schools. Furthermore, a network of individual mages with apprentices also keeps the traditions alive among the other social classes. Nevertheless, mages, whether wizards or sorcerers are not common in Makrinos, with those few often called to adventure, making it a dangerous life.There are laws regarding the use of magic in the Republic that are taken very seriously in most places. These involve restrictions on charming, especially in the commission of a crime, the raising or commanding of undead, and destroying property as a result of magic use. While such laws make no distinction between arcane and divine magic, arcane magic is more likely to be highlighted as a menace.</blockquote>

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