Stigma of the Magi
It is known by all who interact with magic that some users of its secrets are treated differently from others. Typically, there are three categories of Magi in the collective minds of the world’s people. These categories are as follows, presented in no particular order.
- First, The Innate. These are those to whom magic is not a thing to be discovered or a blessing from outside of themselves, but is instead a fundamental part of themselves. This includes magical creatures, sorcerers, some warriors, and similar. These creatures are often viewed with wonder more than anything else, and are judged by their merits and how well they handle the responsibility put on them.
- Second, The Blessed. These are those who are not magical themselves, but wield the power of something greater than themselves with its blessing. This includes angelic or elemental creatures, clerics, druids and their ilk, and paladins. Having the approval of a being of deific power is usually enough to guarantee the approval of all that trust that being, and the respect of those who fear it.
- Third, The Pretenders. These are those who gain power by dedicating themselves to exploiting all the magical secrets that others possess. This includes most spellcasters, be they bards, warlocks, artificers, or the worst among them, wizards. It is common knowledge that it is Pretenders who corrupt and become corrupted by magicks that are not their own. No True Magi (as they call themselves) first pursues power without reason, but for most, it inevitably becomes the reason. For this reason, they are looked upon with suspicion and fear, most of all by other True Magi.
History
The stigma towards pretender magi, or true magi, is in part the result of a long history of magical evil lords and other lesser evil mages. Magic offers easy access to unrivaled power without the requisite social checks that would weed out those with wicked or immature intent.
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