Ranks in Arcane Society

Mages are spellcasters who have passed the rigorous educational systems entrenched within Pridain and have earned the Writ of Way. To work as an official arcane artisan, soldier, or performer within Pridain it is encouraged that one has a Writ of Way, but this is harder to enforce the further away from societal centres you go. Writs of Way are awarded by the High Academies of Pridain exclusively and it is a act of treason to hold produce or brandish a falsified Writ of Way.

A similar writ is earned by non-mages from the Low Academies of Pridain, called the Writ of Service.

Undermage
Undermages are mages who have yet to complete their studies but are currently attending one of the High Academies or working under a mage with the Writ of Way in an apprentice role (this is something most mages are expected to do during their studies for a year or so). Undermages are expected to only work magic within the grounds of their academy or in the furtherment of their studies in the field, and never for profit. A person usually enters such a position by their early teenage years.

After a courting period (usually their first one or two years) an undermage will choose a specialisation and enter a period of exclusive study within an academy that meets that area of study. After selection their title will be officially extended to include this area of expertise. Examples of this include Undermages of War attending the High Academy of War in Fowkverton and Undermages of Death attending the High Academy of Death on the The Isle of Ghosts.

At the end of this period of study an undermage will undergo a series of tests and exams to ascertain their skill level, earning their Writ of Way if they meet the standards of their academy. If not, they will continue their studies. The average undermage upon the completion of their studies during this period is between 18 and 21 years old.

Wayfarer
After most mages have earned their Writ of Way they become known as Wayfarers and enter a period of private study and research in the wider world. Wayfarers are expected to travel Pridain and learn more about their craft, as well as visiting other mages and academies to understand wider areas of interest. Wayfarers can now practice for profit but it is rarely a lucrative time of their lives. After five years the wayfarer is invited back to their academy or can accept advances from other academies to begin more advanced courses of study to earn higher titles, if they are deemed to be skilled enough by their peers.

This stage is sometimes skipped if a mage is skilled enough upon their completion of undermage studies, or if there is deemed to be too few mages operating in their field. If a Wayfarer is not recalled or does not wish to return to their studies officially they earn the title of Mage.

The High Academy of War is an exception to this norm and grants its graduates the title Mage-At-Arms, with graduates conscripted into military service for a period of time before beginning their studies again.

A mage in this period will usually introduce themselves with their title in front of their name, such as Wayfarer of Rites Millipa Fernebolt.

Mentee and Mentor
After completing their wayfaring a mage that returns to the academies takes on the title of Mentee and trains in deeper and more secretive arts of their field. They work side by side with another mage of their denomination that has achieved the higher rank of Mentor, and continue their own private study. It is expected during this period that they will also take on an apprentice from among the Undermages of their academy. When their Mentor feels they are ready to move onto the next period of study the Mentee is subjected to a new series of tests and exams. The progression of the Mentor into the highest eschelons of mage society are dependant on their Mentee passing these, and it is a very stressful time for all involved. These exams are difficult and specifically designed to pick out mages of extreme talent for further advancement. If a Mentee fails these tests they may continue to train under their Mentor, but most simply decide to enter the world of public work instead.

Upon the completion of these trials a Mentee can become either a Grand Mage and leave the academic system to follow their own whims or become a Mentor themselves. When a Mentor has a Mentee of theirs successfully complete their training into Grand Mage or Mentor they earn the right to enter the final period of academic training in their path.

Postmage
Postmages are a rare breed, mages of such talent that their skills are almost entirely unique and their insights into the arcane world bordering on innate. Postmage operates similarly to the title of Wayfarer, where the mage is expected to spend at least five years out in the world training and assisting the country and Crown. No postmage is not recalled at the end of this period. Those who wish to attain the final rank of the arcane academies must present themselves before the monarch and ask for their blessing, usually presenting some research or new understanding of magic before them to curry their favour. Those who impress the monarch are awarded the title Archmage.

Archmage
Archmages are the most influencial and powerful mages in the country that are allowed to operate legally, second only officially to the monarch. Archmages are rare, and usually there are only one or two operating at one time within an academy.