Cracks
Mage-hackers.
Because all current-tech utilizes magic instead of electricity hackers have turned magical. Running off-grid these tinkers provide a very important service to a large portion of the populace. Underground operators, revolutionaries to those who can’t afford approved means.
Talented cracks can do a wide variety of frankly necessary tasks (depending on how big a profile you want to carry). Technically an illegal position (as all makers and producers of magical tools and items must be registered to a corporation), they keep a low profile. But if you've got work to do and are in need of tools, or just a regular person looking for an affordable phone, you'll need to find a crack.
Counterspell charms, magical weaponry, Counterspying, a wide bevy of security and antimageware. Offensive programs range from magical attacks to programs designed to buff or debuff a target. For anyone interested in illegal or underground work these services are as important as having a good off-grid doctor.
Mage-hacks can get by with a pretty minimal kit, as they often imbue items with the chosen spell or cantrip. They make good travelling partners as they can always find work, travel light and have access to a wide variety of spells.
Cracks are a very collaborative group, often sharing not just new ideas, plans and discoveries with one anothers but exploits and bragging rights. As such they can be some of the more gossip-friendly and knowledgeable people wherever they are. A large cadre of cracks spend almost their entire life travelling, offering their services all over the world. But the majority make their homes in the community and life they were born in. But all put down roots, some are vines roaming, others grow off their family taproot.
Widely -and quietly- respected in their communities, crossing a mage-hack is a good way to get killed. Cracks monitor their own, and regulate each other's behavior: leading to almost no nefarious or greedy cracks. Befriending a crack in a new city or country is a great way to build connections and get oriented. Stay on their good side.That said, there are wild and disconnected cracks, the field is wild and the possibilities almost endless.
There are even rumors that elite cracks can recreate electronic technology, a huge boon: because it’s so rare old world tech is virtually untraceable and unhackable.
Accounts of these are rumor at best, but where there’s smoke…
Type
Arcane
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