Variation of Combat Magic by Regions
History
The manner of this favoritism has evolved over the hundreds of years in concert with philosophy and the natural landscape of a mage's environment. Common schooling and scholarship has inevitably made it easier and more streamline for instructors to impart on their students "shortcuts" or "forms" in their study alongside the martial aspects of the House's guard/military. While this in no way would prevent a student from becoming focused in another element, it's viewed as a oddity and possibly shameful - depending on a host of factors.
Execution
As a whole the focuses typically look as follows:
In The Ashlands, Clan Oni's primary source of damages tends to focus on: Acid, Poison, and Psychic damage. Mages in this region are typically known as "Mist-weavers." Their focus on illusions and debilitating effects help make it easier for their martial guards to better sweep up enemies from tactically sound positions, using surprise or hit and run tactics.
The North is divided by House Odinson and House Hanover. House Odinson is highly proficient in base elemental damage, i.e. fire; cold; acid; lightning; and thunder. However their favorite forms of damage is typically: Cold; Fire; Lightning; and Thunder damage. Mages associated with areas controlled by House Odinson are typically known as "Storm-Wardens." Their tactics are usually straightforward, but brutal. They tend to overwhelm with raw power and surge forward with their berserkers and soldiers reveling in pact tactics and sheer aggressiveness.
House Hanover focuses on: Acid, Lightning, and Fire damage. Mages and artificers associated with them are known as "Ironclasts." Their tactics tend to be providing artillery from a moderate distance as their iron foot soldiers pushforward as a vanguard.
In The Northeast, the land is dominated by House Aetius and House Petrov. While House Aetius focuses on abjuration, they are remarkable suited towards combat. Their focus however tends to be towards: Cold, Force, and Thunder. Mages from House Aetius are known as "Tower Guards," as they typically work either behind or enveloped by a shield-wall of soldiers wielding spears. By doing this they can either be artillerist or bolsterers for the spearman.
House Petrov focuses on the elements of: Force, Poison, and Psychic. Mages associated with them are known as "Plane-walkers." Their tactics tend towards hanging back and summoning creatures. They'll then pelt opponents with elements their own summons can resist while their unfortunate guards wade into the fray with hosts of demons and devils at their back.
In The Dytika Isles, the wizard/oracles of House Romanos rarely - if ever - engage in combat. But when they do, their focus on damage is: Fire, Psychic and Radiant. They are known as "Truth speakers." but their tactics aren't fully known. They have the fewest wizards and tend to be kept apart from combat and guarded by the elite hoplites of the region.
In The Heartlands. House Udaku reliable stick to: Acid, Force, and Thunder damage. Mages of House Udaku are known as "Prideborn." Their tactics revolve around bolstering their troops, charging behind them into battle and then debilitating/charming their enemies. Each member of the Prideborn are remarkable warriors similar to their guards - albeit, not as aggressive or ferocious.
Last but not least, in The Sekhmeti, House Kamose focus on the following types: Lightning, Necrotic, and Radiant. Their Mages are known as "Grave Whisperers." They, like House Petrov tend to stick back, pelting their enemies with curses while their warriors charge ahead. When either their warriors or the enemies fall, the Grave Whisperers raise the corpses and have them continue fighting.
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