Merlinscribe: The Journal of James P. Mallory

Student Boys enter the Mage Collge of Armethalieh at a very young age. The training of a Student involves a great deal of rote memorization. Students may not cast spells, though they are expected to do so at the end of their student training. Calling Fire is a prerequisite for testing out of this rank. The Student wears a blue robe.

Student-Apprentice When the Candidate has tested into Student-Apprentice rank, he receives his Wand and begins practical working. This training requires working with the Glyphs of Magick, learning how to set them in combinations, the casting of simple canthrips, setting and casting a Personal Shield, and memorizing the practicum required to test out of this rank, which include summoning MageLight, circles of protection, the compounding of ritual incense, and the theoreticals of working in concert with other Mages. He will cast spells only to practice, not for use, though at this rank he begins to practice MageShield. He wears the blue Student Robe, though with the addition of a soft cap -- similar to a Phrygian Cap -- in the same color.

Apprentice The Apprentice still studies at the Mage College; though he may also assist full Mages at their work elsewhere. He must become familiar with all the Tools of a High Mage and their use. He will also assist at MageCircles. He wears the blue cap and robe of a Student with the addition of a grey tabard upon which his House and Family symbols may be embroidered. One may remain at the Apprentice rank for a number of years. The formal address for this rank is Apprentice.

Entered Apprentice The Entered Apprentice is sometimes called Journeyman-Apprentice. The formal title for this rank is also Apprentice. He wears the grey robe of Magecraft with tabard and wears a soft grey cap to distinguish him from a Journeyman. The Entered Apprentice may cast practical spells under the supervision of a Journeyman or higher. Like the Apprentice, he may assist full Mages. He has finished the primary curriculum at the Mage College but may continue to study there.

Journeyman The Journeyman wears the grey robe of Magery with a hood instead of a cap. He has graduated from the Mage College and may cast practical spells on his own recognizance without supervision, though normally after a period of practical apprenticeship to a Senior Journeyman. Most Journeymen serve the City by casting the day to day spells required to keep the City operating smoothly, and may also be engaged by private individuals to perform spells on their behalf. This rank is further divided between "Journeyman" and "Senior Journeyman", the latter indicating one who is nearly ready to go before the Board to sit for his Journeyman-Undermage tests. There are several categories of spells which a Journeyman may not cast, though he is expected to be familiar with them. Without special dispensation he may not participate in a Mage Circle.

Journeyman-Undermage The Journeyman-Undermage rank is generally held only briefly before the individual tests into the Master Undermage rank. Persons holding the rank of Journeyman-Undermage and above are full Mages and are addressed as "Master". The Journeyman-Undermage may cast spells on his own recognizance without supervision, and is permitted to cast the majority of spells available to the High Magick, though it is unusual to find a Journeyman-Undermage working in a Mage Circle. The Journeyman-Undermage often teaches at the Mage College or serves elsewhere in the Armathaliehan bureaucracy while waiting to test into Master rank. This rank wears the grey robe and tabard of rank without either cap or hood and may not publicly display the staff of Magehood.

Master Undermage This rank is called simply 'Master'; the individual's formal title is Undermage. He is entitled to wear the formal hat of a HighMage and to carry the staff of Magehood. He is aware of all the spells available to the High Magick and is capable of casting them, though he requires special dispensation from one of the Adept rank to cast certain of them. If a Mage does not seek a high political post, such as membership on the Mage Council, he may not choose to test out of this rank. Master Undermages commonly work in Mage Circles for the good of the City.

Adept Like the rank of Master Undermage, this rank is called 'Master'; the formal title is simply 'Mage', though he may be referred to in the vernacular as 'High Mage'. Mages of this rank may hold any position of authority in the City and may also serve on the Mage Council if elected to that post. Adepts may cast any spell known to the High Magick without dispensation and also work in Mage Circles.