Elemental Magic

There are five elements magic can draw upon: earth, water, fire, air, and light. All beings are born with a natural tendency towards one of these elements. In their first year of training, mages typically gain a basic understanding of all elements and their associations, then go on to specialize in their natural element for the majority of their studies.

The Elements

Earth is associated with growth, decay, and steadiness. It is the most common element and the easiest to master. Earth mages typically graduate within the first 2 years of specialized training. Their skills are incredibly versatile, and they have a wide variety of possible careers--anything from farming and using their magic to guarantee a successful harvest, to enchanting weapons for adventurers, to construction work. Within their communities, earth mages are highly respected and skilled workers.
Water is associated with cold, comfort, and fluidity. Water mages typically graduate within three years of beginning specialized training, but depending on their chosen career path, they may be required to study for longer. Healers, for example, may study for up to five years. Water mages are often well-respected within their communities, though those who chose to go into adventuring less so.
Fire is associated with heat, dryness, and confidence. Fire is one of the more difficult elements to master, and fire mages typically study for four years before graduating. Public opinion of fire mages varies---some see them as traitors, partly due to unfortunate associations with Reinyl's Curse and others claim that magic would never have reached the levels it had without their work in The Glass Desert. Fire mages are heavily encouraged to go into useful, skilled professions such as smithing in an effort to better their reputation.
Air is associated with quiet, submissiveness, and flexibility. It is one of the least common elements, and easy to master, though air mages' abilities are limited. Air mages typically graduate within two years of studying. Most communities don't accept them as proper mages, or perceive their abilities as useless, so many air mages become travelers or traveling merchants. They have a reputation for not staying in one place for very long.
Light is associated with illusion, stealth, and subtlety. It is the least common element, and is the most difficult to master. Rather than affecting the physical world, light mages alter others' perceptions of the world around them. Light mages typically study for upwards of 5 years to gain mastery of their abilities. Studying light magic is seen as particularly dangerous, since high-level light mages have been known to disappear.

The Cost of Magic

"Memories you'll never have a chance to have, years you'll never have a chance to live. All magic comes at a price."

— Cieldyr, water mage

Magic draws its energy from the user's life force. Because of this, mages often age more rapidly and die younger than non-magic users. Humans' low resistance to the strain caused by using magic makes them extremely unlikely to become mages. Humans who are interested in studying magic are usually pushed into studying the history of magic instead. Some choose to spend their time trying to find ways to lower the amount of energy needed to use magic, but these studies are relatively new and nothing has been found yet.