Lore
The Magic of Imarel - by T.A. Saunders ©2009, revision v2.9, 12.16.14
Initiate
The initiate wizard knows a few basic cantrips and perhaps one spell. A potential wizard is an initiate for the first year of their training. Initiate robes are always dark brown as they are plain and discreet.
Adept
The adept has proven their commitment to magic and has progressed to their second year of study. They know several basic spells and are given their robes. The robes of an adept are always beige in color. One often remains an adept for several years.
Arcanist
The arcanist is a student who has advanced through basic studies and is learning advanced sorcery. These students know some advanced magic and have mastered a casting method and are knowledgeable in various topics of arcane interest. The Arcanist is in their final years of study and will soon take their test of sorcery. The arcanist wears dark green robes.
Journeyman
The journeyman mage has passed the test of sorcery and has been sent out into the world by their instructor to learn how magic applies in the world. These students often travel the world and keep a correspondence with their instructor about what they are learning and how it applies to magic. The journeyman phase is often a year or two, depending on the instructor, but can be as much as five. The robes of the journeyman mage are always red.
Wizard or Mage
The title of wizard is reserved for those who have completed their journeymanship to the satisfaction of their instructor and are granted said title. Most halt their progression at this point, wishing to ply their skills and profit from them somehow. The title of wizard allows the mage to wear whatever color robes he or she wishes. If the spellcaster in question is a specialist, they will use the title of Mage, rather than wizard and include a proper suffix for formal address, ex. Mage of Wind. Alternately, specialists can refer to themselves by their focus title, ex. Aeromancer, Conjurer, etc.
Arch-Mage
The arch-mage is a most committed individual to the study of the arcane. They are magi who have, rather than halting their studies, have continued to delve into the deep mysteries of the arcane and have learned powerful spells. Some have invested their time and effort to pursuing a High Sphere of Magic. While wizards will use the term arch-mage, specialists will add their focus title instead of the word ‘mage,' ex. Arch-Pyromancer, Arch-Conjurer, etc. To that end, arch-magi are ranked by Circle which number 1st through 7th (7th being the most powerful). Each Circle advancement requires that arch-mage to be tested by his peers at a School of Magic.
Scion
Those who have attained the rank of Scion number perhaps a few dozen in the entire world. These individuals are vastly knowledgeable in advanced magic and have mastered a High Sphere of Magic as well. While wizards will use the term ‘Scion,' specialists will use a proper suffix after the title, ex. Scion of Fire, Scion of Conjuration, etc.
Like arch-magi, scions are ranked by Circle, which number 1st through 7th (7th being the most powerful). Each Circle advancement requires the scion to be tested by his peers at a School of Magic.
Arch-Scion
Before the Cataclysm of D`Mir, there had been at least eight known Arch-Scions. The Cataclysm claimed seven of these known eight; the eighth, Mourne Dur'lane trained and tested his grandson, Chance. With Mourne's death and Ascension as the new Spirit of Vengeance, Chance is the only known Arch-Scion on Imarel.. While it is possible there are Arch-Scions of specialist magics, they are secretive and not widely known.
Thaumaturge
There are no known Thaumaturgists on Imarel. The last of this powerful rank of magi died out with the Cataclysm of D'Mir.Nobody has lived long enough since that time to attain such a high rank, or if they have, they have kept such knowledge a closely guarded secret. Like the other two ranks below it, there are seven rings of Thaumaturgist, then a Grand Thaumaturge. These sorts of Magi existed in the Time of Twilight and could invoke both terrible power and incredible acts of creation. Grand Thaumaturges wrote the ‘First Words' and created Eldritch Sorcery.