Magic

Magic is the term used for the ability to exert soul-power to channel fundamental magical forces in various ways. Coloquially, those who are capable of using magic are referred to as 'mages' or 'spellcasters' regardless of the source of their magic. Broadly speaking, there are three classifications for spellcasters: arcane, primal and divine and the specific terminology used to refer to these among those educated in magic theory are mage, druid and priest respectively. However, ordinary people rarely display such a degree of formality and often refer to all spellcasters as simply mages or sorcerers. Very few possess the qualities to become spellcasters and even fewer take on the mantle. In numerical terms, approximately 1% of all people even possess the potential to become spellcasters and of these, there are a decent fraction that do not. Magical aptitude also varies depending on race with some being more gifted than others.

## General Knowledge

The amount of knowledge deemed common pertaining to magic varies from region to region though generally, the vast majority of people know very little about even the basics let alone the specifics. Spellcasters are very rare and smaller villages or hamlets encounter only them once every several years so while they are aware of their existence, they are often treated with a mixture of awe and skepticism. Within larger villages and minor cities, spellcasters are more common and a good deal of people, particularly city watch and the educated have prior experience with basic 1st to 2nd level spells and are aware of the capabilities of lower level spellcasters. They are also likely to possess a handful of low level spellcasters; mages who may run their own stores or priests who lead the local clergy. Rarely, an itinerant bard may visit to liven up the tavern and earn spare change along the way. The situation is not too dissimilar in major cities save for the now relative abundance of spellcasters, except that the more experienced veteran guards and knights may even have experience with middle tier magic ranging anywhere from 3rd to 5th while significant metropolitan figures are often counselled by higher level spellcasters and are aware of magic all the way up to 6th. The most powerful people in Perion, such as monarchs or merchant lords may be counselled by some of the best spellcasters in the world and are aware of the capabilites of 7th level spells though knowledge of anything above is largely restricted information for a handful of people. For the average person, magic above 5th level is already within the realms of myths and the power of higher order magic is almost unfathomable to them. Likewise, anyone capable of higher order magic of around 5th and above are viewed with caution and respect from anyone who has even a basic understanding of what it entails being that they are extremely rare and among the most powerful spellcasters in the world.

Most people, being uneducated peasants and craftsmen, struggle to distinguish between spellcasters, and have only barebones knowledge from their limited experience. For the commoner, a wizard, sorcerer and warlock all may as well be the same thing with bards being just a different flavour of mage. In some more extreme cases, a commoner could even confuse primal and arcane spellcasters and are incapable of noticing the difference - a mage is a mage as far as they are concerned. On the other hand, divine spellcasters are easily distinguished by virtue of their healing abilities, calm demeanour and strong religious iconography. Commoners have far more respect and reverence for divine casters than they do for the other two as for them, religion is often a big part of their lives so naturally a chosen of the gods must be an upstanding individual. Consequently, anyone who can heal wounds may be mistaken for a cleric or priest as this type of magic is most commonly associated with them.

Within more urban areas, people have a greater understanding of magic as a result of their exposure to them which cannot be found in smaller settlements. These commoners have some understanding of the difference between arcane, divine and primal spellcasters and is less likely to fall prey to stereotypes. However, they nonetheless have essentially no knowledge of what the difference is between a ranger and a druid or a wizard and a sorcerer.

## Distribution

Out of the 30 million total population of Perion, there exist about 350,000 spellcasters which is just over 1 in every 100 people. This statistic varies from region and races which both drastically affect this number. For instance, elves disproportionately make up about a third of all spellcasters and have a far higher percentage of mages in their population compared to others. Ignoring Elyrion, there are approximately 470,000 spellcasters on the continent which brings the ratio closer to 1 in every 130 people. For the average continental spellcaster, the highest level spell they can cast are 2nd with each tier of magic above it becoming exponentially rarer.

### Arcane Spellcasters

Accounting for about 50% of all spellcasters, arcane spellcasters are by a decent degree the most common type of spellcaster.

For the urban people of Perion, the stereotypical spellcaster is the mage, though this is largely due in part to the cultural aspects of wizardry. Accounting for 15% of all arcane spellcasters, they are far more organised than their peers and have come to dominate politics and culture in Perion, typically serving as counsellors, civil servants or politicians. Even the Conclave of Magic, the widely accepted body for magical regulation, is dominated by wizards. If the mage is associated with some official institution or reputable entity, they are most likely a wizard. In contemporary Perion, magi account for about 30% of all spellcasters, many of which are affiliated with the Conclave through some way or another. Self-sufficient and physically able, magi are more commonly found within adventuring parties though many also serve as counsellors and politicians. In practice, the distinction between wizards and magi is arbitary and for the people of Perion, they are one in the same - mages. Together, they form 45% of the arcane spellcasters.

Sorcerers account for about 35% of arcane spellcasters and are found from the lowliest of adventurer and mercenary parties to the most pretigious noble houses. Due to the nature of their power, many have a far more chaotic upbringing compared to wizards which lends them to more adventurous and chaotic lifestyles. Because of this, most villages and hamlets have more experience with sorcerers rather than the other mages though a commoner has no particular way of distinguishing sorcerers and mages. As sorcery can be obtained through either spontaneous extraplanar influences or passed down through bloodline, there is a great divide in their ranks. Many sorcerers hail from prestigious noble bloodlines that have passed their magic down generation to generation for many years and hold positions of great power within their kingdoms, often groomed to become high-ranking counsellors for their monarch. Just as many, however, hail from poor peasant or urban working class families and picked up their gifts spontaneously or through questionable lineage.

Bards account for the approximately 15% of the mages and share much in common with both sorcerers and wizards. They are trained from bardic colleges which teaches them the art of music and magic, similar to how wizards are trained in arcane colleges. Unlike wizards however, most bards loathe to stay in one place for long and tend to be free spirited individuals who travel the world in pursuit of their strange goals. Most minstrels are not bards, though due to the latter's reputation, many villagers treat travelling musicians with some degree of respect. Found performing in the lowliest tavern to the most opulent of palaces, bards can be found just about anywhere that their desires have led them.

Warlocks account for the remainder 5% of arcane spellcasters and are uncommon. It is uncommon to find someone with the mettle and determination to strike out a pact with some otherwordly entity due to the inherent dangers of the act. As warlocks tend to be determined and ambitious they are often found in underground societies or rebel causes in pursuit of some grand ideal with like-minded individuals. They can also be found in some of the same higher level positions as a wizard. Generally, warlocks can be found in just about any other position as a sorcerer or wizard could. In wake of the Cataclysm, warlocks have become increasingly common as it is a far easier method to obtain higher tier spells than traditional means. It is because of this that warlocks disproportionately occupy the ranks of higher tier spellcasters.

### Divine Spellcasters

Approximately 30% of spellcasters obtained their magical abilities from some deity and are thus classified as divine spellcasters. Clerics are the vast majority of divine spellcasters, constituting about 80% of the faithful. Due to the nature of religious institutions, they are typically urban types who do not travel much, instead remaining within their community to provide services to the needy. Higher order priests are often the heads of entire sects or religious orders and command immense political and magical power. Some sects may deviate from this norm, instead encouraging their clergy to travel the world rather than staying within one community. Consequently, while travelling priests are uncommon, they are certainly not unheard of.

Paladins are holy warriors in the service of their gods and oaths are are the remainder 20% of divine spellcasters. As the nature of their duties demands intense martial training, they can be found in holy orders, serving as elite troops or as travellers who wander the world in service of their gods.

### Primal Spellcasters

The least common of the spellcasters coming in at 20% of the distribution, primal spellcasters are the druids and rangers who, following their time honoured customs, protect mother nature. Unlike the other types of spellcasters, primal spellcasters tend to be notably less adept at magic but far more familiar with martial arts. About 60% of them are rangers: rugged wayfinders skilled with bow, blade and armed with basic knowledge and understanding of the primal arts. These rangers can be found just about anywhere and are just as likely to be adventurers as they are soldiers or simple wanderers though rarely do they ever occupy some higher position in society.

The other 40% are druids, the true masters of primal magic whose propensity for spells are far greater than that of their more martial brethren. Dedicating their lives to the doctrines of their circles, most druids are wisemen who are most commonly found far away from civilisation in the service of nature. However, there are the occasional, more urban druid whose beliefs or goals align themselves with lifestyles not too dissimilar to that of sorcerers.