Wizards

Wizards are the masters of the Arcane arts, wielding the intricate flow of magic as a seamstress would wield a thread and needle; with utmost care, yet with pinpoint precision. Arcane magic is perhaps the most destructive force in the known world, able to tear down mountains and move the very seas. Experienced enough Wizards have even documented being able to control time itself.

The gift of Arcana affinity is given to a very significant minority of newborns in nearly all races. How this affinity is gained by some and untouched by others is unknown, like much about the mysterious force. Initially, the use of the magic is not too difficult, and is often brought on in fits of emotion. An angry Arcane-infused child may suddenly spark an inferno or blast away their assailant in a fit of magical fury. But to actually manipulate the Arcane is another story altogether. It requires patient tutelage and instruction by an elder Wizard who has gone through the same hardships. To delve into the depths of the Arcane without proper scholarship is incredibly dangerous, and even deadly. For this reason, self-taught Wizards are nearly unheard of. It is the duty of the Guild to find and guide these children through the trials of the mastery of magic, and to constrict them to a cohesive order so as to keep the world safe from the misuse of its most powerful force. They must be taught how to bind the Arcane forces to their will with the use of somatic gestures and verbal eldritch muttering.

On the battlefield, Wizards play a specialized role. They are almost never proficient in any sort material weapon (studying takes up too much of their time) and the physical toll the magic takes on their bodies keeps them relatively weak. However, the Arcane flow is far stronger than any sort of axe or shield, and a capable Wizard can destroy even the most skilled swordsman. In the heat of battle, longer spells are often cast aside for their somatic and verbal complexity, but some of the most powerful spells are still hidden behind a tiny gesture and a two-word phrase.