Imperial Wizard

For city and emperor, we'll bring bring down the sky and shatter the earth. The pay isn't bad, either.

Imperial Wizards are the rank-and-file mages of the empire-city of Lagash, individually weaker than many of the ghastly creatures and powerful mages in Ithekshem, but powerful together. In theory, any child who shows a promise for the mystical arts can be entered into one of the many schools of magic that divide the imperial wizards, but in reality only those from families of means usually stand a chance. Every now and then, the Emperor himself has been known to intervene, plucking some poor family from their poverty to accept their children into the ranks of the Imperial Wizards. Such proteges are fought over tooth-and-nail by the wizards, all hoping to secure the Emperor's blessing through his chosen.
There are approximately thirteen different schools of imperial wizardry in Lagash, each dedicated to either a school of magic or energy, or some combination of the two. The School Of Stellar Conflagerations, for instance, mix Astral and Fire magic with the stated goal to be able to burn anything. Only Death and Blood magic remain outlawed in Lagash and have no presence in the schools... At least, not publically.

In War

Imperial Wizards are the center around which much of Lagash's warfare revolves, either in their ability to bolster their own troops or obliterate the enemy. Unlike most mages, Imperial Wizards are taught to work in squads, combining their skill and efforts to the greatest effect. Squads are organized around whatever magical skills is required, but usually boil down to one or a couple of allied schools. Others, unless ordered in person by the Emperor himself, never work together - even then, it doesn't last longer than the battle.

Many Imperial Wizards form Communions during battle, lead by the most senior among them. It allows them to work wonders that would seem beyond them and more than one overconfident monster have been felled by the Communion-empowered barrage of 'mere mortals'

In battle, Imperial Wizards wear the blue and purple - the colors of the emperor, adorned with the symbol and color of their school. They're dressed in light armor and a tabard, complimented by a cloak when the weather is cold, and with a enclosed helmet. Their outfit as a whole trends towards utilitarian, having learned long ago that supposed intellectual superiority offer little protection against a slingstone to the naked face. They wear a short sword as a means of personal protection, and many wield some form of minor relic or artifact to augment their magical ability.
The most common tactic of Imperial Wizards is to bombard enemies from afar with any number of offensive spells, depending on the situation. Others summon monsters to aid the mortal forces of the empire, or weave spells of enchantment to bolster their prowess, like Skin of Iron or Whims of Destiny.
Many augment what they're given with personal items of power, and have enough sway within the imperial army to do so. The battlefield sometimes becomes a laboratory as Imperial Wizards bring new spells or artifacts from their studies to be tested.

In Peace

During peace, Imperial Wizards are no less important to Lagash, serving in a number of civic capabilities. They forge artifacts, explore the post-apocalyptic world of Ithekshem for magical secrets, research spells and disasters, and deal with day-to-day mundanity with magic. Others busy themselves with problems only magic can solve - monsters run amuck, experiments (usually by other imperial wizards) out of control, some strange ech of the End of All Things disturbing the Emperor's peace... Though they're off the battlefield, Imperial Wizards are rarely safe, but are well-compensated and respected for their efforts.

The Imperial Wizard's civilian outfit is a sturdy leather coat, a cloak, and a very fancy hat to tell the rabble who they are. Some, however, trade the hat for a helmet, owing to the inherent chaos and struggle even within Lagash.

Some wizards never see war, but remain comfortably within the city walls and within its libraries. The most powerful serve on the Imperial Hill itself as part of the Emperor's effort to do... Whatever it is he's doing. Rumors whisper of forbidden magic and time-warping spells, but not too loudly, or the Imperial Wizards of the Black Cloak Order comes for a visit.

by Midjourney

Lagash

Imperial wizards serve Lagash, the vast metropolis in Lakhanavati that is home to millions of souls all under the rule of the Arch-Emperor. In both war and peace, they are the backbone of the city-empire's power and only the internal division between various faction of wizards and their schools prevent them from exploiting it.

by Midjourney

by Midjourney