Classification of Magic Users

"These systems aren't so much for us, but rather the non-magical many trying to understand us from the outside," - Sapphire Vonette

Written by: jester2b

Cover art by: Rafael Sewa

Bringing Order to Chaos

As humanity learned to control fire and built stone towers, magic existed beside them. Powers once thought to be make-believe were in the hands of mortals, and new cultures were born around these powers. With power comes a responsibility many cannot bear, and disaster would soon follow in their wake.
To bring order to potential chaos and prevent catastrophe, institutions where magic users congregated to study and learn the limits of magic. Through these institutions, the unknown arcane was studied and categorized, and the unexplained wonders of the world were understood; as much as mortals can understand.

History of Classifications

With the formation and growth of magical institutions across Nostrina, differences in their approaches to study began to form despite collaboration between them.
The Naavikan system, popularized in Nelakash and used throughout most of Glakora and Imbelek, magical studies are based around the elements, with practitioners honing their skills of one element to mastery and discovering the often hidden properties of each. Mages within this system are classified by the element they are practiced in, using terms such as pyromancer for fire, spiromancer for spirit, and entromancer for entropy.
The Sucherstatt system, used in institutions like the Sucherstatt College, approaches the study of magic on the spells and their uses, with casters becoming skilled in magical art forms like conjuration and destructive magic. Those raised under this system are highly specialized and learned in their craft. They are often encouraged to collaborate with practitioners from other schools to bring their powers to their full potential. Furthermore, some Battlemages from the Sucherstatt College or other related institutions usually commission within the Barbarossan military into the Battlemage’s Corp. Casters under this system are categorized by their specialty, utilizing terms such as Conjurer, Enchanter, or Wizard.
In the late 1700s 1E, a new system emerged from the schools of Luet, known as the Luetic System. The system was created following the signing of the Duruvár Concordant, which established an internationally recognized oversight counsel for magic users and deepened relations between institutions. This system combines the methodologies and categorizations of the Naavikan and Sucherstatt systems into one more universally usable. The purpose of this system was to bridge any gaps between students trained under the two systems. As of 215 2E, it is the most commonly used system, with the older Naavikan and Sucherstatt systems being mostly phased out in mainstream institutions.
Another significant change that has been controversial in some circles is the inclusion of classifications on how some casters access their abilities, referred to as Caster Classifications. This works alongside to what the old systems used, which are now called Practitioner Classifications. Some see this as an unnecessary change that further convolutes the system, while others disapprove of specific categorizations, such as the inclusion of alchemists and the witch/warlock classification. Pushes have been made to remove these classifications from the Luetic system, though none have succeeded as of 215 2E.

Caster Classifications

Alchemist

A catch-all term for anyone skilled in the art of alchemy above all other forms of magic. Alchemists are the most common classification of magic users due to alchemy's ease of access. However, it is the most controversial inclusion in the Luetic system due to many alchemists not being full practitioners of magic and alchemy not being seen as a magical art by some.

Mage

The term mage describes any magic user who requires a catalyst to utilize their Anika for spell casting. The list of catalysts mages have used throughout history is extensive, from the well-known magic staffs of old, enchanted jewelry, Dolmen Stones, tattoos, elemental fragments, and newly introduced Servitors. Catalysts don’t grant power like some believe, but rather allow Anika to become accessible to users whose reserves were inactive. While not universal to all mages, some users' reserves become fully active after exposure to a catalyst long enough, allowing them to no longer need them.

Sorcerer/Sorceress

This term applies to magic users who are able to tap into their Anika without the need for a catalyst. This is caused by their Anika reserves being more active and therefore more accessible. Sorcerers’ abilities tend to reveal themselves earlier than with mages and are believed to develop their abilities quicker, though there isn’t enough evidence to back this up. Races that are more magically inclined, such as Steachi, Roctane, and Varaki, are more likely to become sorcerers due to their biology. Sorcerers make up the majority of registered casters, making up a little under half of the total population.

Witch/Warlock

Institutionalized casters often see the terms witch and warlock as derogatory terms from ignorant and uninformed individuals. It highlighted the fears of those unaffiliated with their institutions, grouping them in with folktales of demon-worshiping heathens. Under the Luetic system, the terms took on a new meaning. Witches and Warlocks are magic users whose abilities come from an outside source. These sources can be anything from powers granted by higher beings to those utilizing artifacts to access magical abilities they were incapable of themselves. Users under this classification have a narrower potential in their abilities depending on the source of their powers. The classification was introduced to allow non-standard magic users a chance to be recognized by greater magical society without the stigma that was previously associated with them. Many witches and warlocks are believed to be operating outside of the purview of Condordat institutions, which many believe causes them to be heavily underrepresented.

Practitioner Classifications

Battlemage

Those trained to use magic in its most lethal form are known as battlemages. Modern armies often employ their skills on the frontline, especially the rising power that is Barbaross in the second era. It isn’t uncommon for Battlemages to receive military training in combat and leadership for future careers in their nations' armed forces. Their commissioning has caused a bit of a rupture within the Concordat, as it has led to what some see as schools being pitted against each other based on their location and forcing what are considered apolitical organizations into political games. Many schools have ended their commissioning programs, causing some counties to make their own training programs for casters, though these have struggled under the overwhelming power of the Concordat.

Conjurer

Casters specializing in summoning creatures and objects and creating portals are called Conjurers. They can be both vital logistical assets and deadly summoners capable of quickly turning a fight in their favor. The logistical portion of this specialty has been crucial to many militaries and groups throughout history. It has made conjurers some of the most highly sought-after groups of casters and, depending on their price, some of the richest. The summoning side of their specialty, however, is the most restricted of any magical specialty due to the potential dangers of summoning. Within most institutions, Conjurers are only allowed to summon inanimate objects for practical use and easy-to-control Elementals. Harder to control elementals and demons are banned by most institutions for safety concerns. Demonic summonings done by members of the Concordat should be reported for proper disciplinary procedures.

Elementalist

This classification encompasses the elemental-based classification from the Naavikan system. Casters specializing in the use a single element fall under this classification. For subclassifications for each element, refer to the Elementalist Subclassifications by Element tab for further information. Due to their rapid development and innovation, synthetic elements are not given subclassifications as of writing this.

Enchanter/Enchantress

Those specializing in applying magical properties to living creatures or objects are classified as enchanters. They often are tasked to create new and innovative catalysts for wider magical society as well as items to bolster casters’ existing abilities. This application of their specialty is seen as more ethical than the other half of their craft, which involves enchanting living beings. This can involve spells changing the physical or mental states of creatures. Less than ethical enchanters have been known to commit some heinous crimes, enough for enchanters to receive a less-than-pleasant reputation among non-casters.

Healer

Those specializing in medicine and healing magic are simply referred to as healers. They are highly sought after as outside groups for their skills in militaries and by general populations. Healers enjoy are great reputation from outside groups, so much so that many medical schools and associations work directly with Concordat organizations to further medical advancements. Healers are some of the most highly educated casters, often being registered surgeons and doctors alongside their magical studies.

Illusionist

Those skilled in bending reality for those around them are known as illusionists. Rather than controlling others, Illusionists shape what others perceive, weaving a whole new reality under their control. Illusionists have developed a more favorable reputation among non-magic users than some Enchanters due to their lack of direct control over others and the more ethical uses of their practice. Some Illusionists use their skills for magical performances for general populations. It is highly recommended that visitors only attend shows certified by Concordat for safety reasons.

Elementalist Subclassifications by Element

Pyromancer-Fire
Cryomancer-Ice
Electromancer-Arc
Lumenomancer-Starlight
Kinetomancer-Kinetic
Sangumancer-Blood
Shadowmancer-Shadow
Kosmiomancer-Void
Spiromancer-Spirit
Entromancer-Entropy
Niyamancer-Dictada
Terramancer-Earthborn