Arcane Specializations and Professions

This article will serve to highlight areas of arcane study that are extensively utilized by mages of various societies on Az, and many particular professions that have come into existence, due to this use of magic.  

Arcane Specializations

  Since casting magic is so open to how it is used, limited only by the creativity of the caster and their stock of magical energy, there are countless examples of mages using magic in novel ways, which are seldom repeated in the same way by others. That being said, over the millennia, there has been a consistent trend of certain ways of using magic becoming favoured over others by a majority of mages. The forms of manipulating magic in question are now known as Arcane Specializations. These are not to be confused with Disciplines, which are cultural forms of understanding the how and why magic functions and are, largely, unique to a specific civilization. In contrast, most arcane specializations can be found throughout Az's many Disciplines, as they relate to the fundamental forces being manipulated, not the beliefs behind said forces. You can learn about Disciplines with greater detail in the Laws of Magic articles.   Specializations are assigned by the particular actions a magician takes, the forces of nature that are manipulated when they enact change in their surroundings. For instance, the manipulation of fire and heat falls under the arcane specialization of pyromancy, with mages who are experienced in this field being deemed pyromancers. This naming convention applies to many other specializations, such as hydromancers, geomancers and of course necromancers. However, know that these terms are used by the order of the Scion-students in order to simplify the categories of mages, and most specializations can have several alternate names found across Az's cultures.  

Listings of Arcane Specializations

  Found below, a list of some of the most widespread arcane specializations used by the sapient species.

• Anemomacy- manipulation of the air and wind, widespread in sea-faring cultures
• Astromancy- manipulation of gravitational forces and cosmic phenomenon
• Biomancy- manipulation of biological matter, which has one of the widest ranges of utility of all the specializations
• Chronomancy- the control of time, revolves around the acceleration and reversal of motion. Note that time travel is not believed to be possible as the energy requirements would be unfeasible for any mage.
• Conjuration- the creating and controlling of manifestations, both of animate and inanimate nature.
• Cryomancy- manipulation of cold, oft considered the same specialization as pyromancy
• Divination- prediction of the future, less so a defined science and more an intricate game of guessing, with so many variables in life making true future sight impossible.
• Electromancy- manipulation of electric currents and lightning, amongst the most difficult specializations to command
• Geomancy- manipulation of the earth and its constituent parts, arguably the most energy intensive of the "Common" specializations
• Hydromancy- manipulation of water
• Kinetomancy- manipulation of kinetic energy, a broad topic which includes several sub-specializations for vibrations, sound and rotational energy
• Necromancy- manipulation of death and spirits. A taboo in most cultures on Az, mage-scholars posit that the controlling of the dead is no more than the necromancer enforcing their own image of the deceased soul, and not the soul itself manifesting
• Photomancy- manipulation of light (and therefore darkness). Has risen in popularity in more recent times due to its low energy requirements
• Pyromancy- manipulation of heat and fire, one of the oldest specializations to become widespread in humans
• Rune Craft- the specific specialization of imbuing written or carved symbols with magic power, of which the Vull'jorg are the undisputed masters
• Telepathy- psychic communication between minds, currently disputed if such an ability is possible, though this specialization is credited in part for the ability to command animals
• Spirit Channeling- thought to be the manipulation of soul-force in its purest form, this esoteric specialization is only used effectively by those who can perceive the Arcane Current
 

Arcane Professions

  With all these specializations in mind, the topic of Arcane Professions comes into discussion. While a rather broad term, such professions are generally agreed upon to be a form of employment that require the use of magic to carry out. These are even more varied than the specializations of magic they derive themselves from, since a single specialization can have countless applications in the running of a society.   Returning to the specialization of pyromancy, while fire is a primarily destructive force and has seen most of its use by the sapient species as a military asset, there are many niche jobs that have arisen for mages competent in this field of magic that don't involve harming others. An illustrative case of this is the unique profession of the Hearth Warden, commonly found in the northernmost regions of Az, where procuring firewood can at times be out of the question. By creating and sustaining a warm blaze with magic, Hearth Wardens can provide solace from the biting cold and lighten up a home. This role is not to be scoffed at, as Hearth Wardens have major cultural significance in these freezing places, often taking up the role of story-tellers by manipulating their flames to take various shapes, turning a seemingly mundane task into a work of art. For such reasons, the humble Hearth-Warden is a symbol of hospitality and sanctuary, a stark contrast to the image of the raging pyromancer who burns his enemies to ash.   Side note: Due to the rarity of magic occurring in a substantial degree for individuals, it is unlikely for arcane professions to be present in large amounts anywhere, barring the largest of cities. A far more typical sight for the average village or town is that their will be maybe one, two or, rarely, several mages dedicated to a vital arcane profession like a healer or purifier. If such a settlement requires a magic service of a more obscure nature, they would have to employ the use of a wandering magician with the appropriate skill set, or perform the task through mundane means.  

Listings of Common Arcane Professions

  Found below, a list of the most prevalent arcane professions that the sentient species of Az make use of on a daily basis.  
• Alchemist - the conversion of one substance to another. An exceedingly tricky profession to be even slightly good at, the only serviceable alchemists in Az hail from the Vull'jorg and the few human societies who have attained a solid understanding of chemical science. One of the few arcane professions that could be considered a specialization in of itself.
• Arcane Smith - also known as an enchanter, arcane smiths work by forging and imbuing armour and weapons with magic. There are various approaches to enchanting, so many an arcane smith can occupy several other professions besides their primary. One of the most sought after workers by any state that prioritizes their military.
• Battle-mage - the profession in which all specializations are potentially deadly. A battle-mage is quite simply put, a mage who is used in armed conflict. Individuals in this bloody trade are either state sanctioned magicians, or magically gifted mercenaries who sell their services to the highest bidder.
• Beast-tamer - a very influential career in Az's history. An accomplished tamer can calm the wildest of creatures and integrate them as a working animal, allowing for the domestication of animals that would be unworkable without magic.
• Constructor - the building of magical constructs and structures. A common profession utilized in large metropolises, since the strong Arcane Current can keep many such creations functioning semi-autonomously.
• Grower - the profession of artificially stimulating the growth of plants (sometimes even animals). It cannot be understated how extensive an effect a skilled grower can have on the prosperity of a region.
• Healer - easily one of the most essential professions a mage can take up, healers are adept at curing sickness, mending injuries and easing pain. Biomancy is heavily associated with this line of work, though chronomancy and even pyromancy have been used by some healers to great effect.
• Hearth Warden - as discussed above, this profession involves keeping an abode warm with a conjured flame.
• Illusionist - a profession that lends itself well to other careers involving misdirection and stealth, an illusionist is someone adept at manipulating light, sound and shadows. Naturally employed as assassins, spies and guardians of valuable items or places.
• Mender - the trade of fixing inanimate things. Damaged buildings, tools and priceless artifacts are all under the domain of a mender's expertise.
• Pathfinder - those mages with a strong sense of direction. At sea, pathfinders contort the winds and waves in order to keep their vessel steady, carving a way through storms that would otherwise destroy such ships. Pathfinders also find much use underground, sensing for weaknesses in mines and tunnels, before making a safe path through the rock.
• Purifier - a well paid job, where a mage purges drink, food and other mediums of impurities and toxins. The especially gifted purifiers can even filter the air around them of harmful substances. The post of healer and purifier regularly intertwine with each other.
• Religious Roles - due to most religions being linked to the existence of magic, it is inevitable that mages occupy important positions in such religions. Priests, exorcists and divine intermediaries are just some of the roles mages can slot into.
• Seer - oracles and those versed in fortune telling, a seer can often occupy a comfortable position in their society, making predictions based on the stars or interpreting the Arcane Current.
• Ward-maker - those skilled in making barriers and seals find themselves drawn to this profession. Usually hired as bodyguards, protectors of items and prison security.
• Weather-changer - a taxing job, the manipulation of weather over any significant area is considered quite the feat of power. Mages who regularly take up this line of work are almost certainly around the tier of an exemplar or above, a fact which makes this service a pricey one.   Though a short list, this hopefully gives a general sense of how magic can impact the working life of people on Az.