“Of course they are!” said Trace. “They need to be very, very skilled in the dark arts, particularly since they can’t study openly. But how do they use that skill, that knowledge? They don’t devote it to the betterment of Equestria, no. They simply cower before death and try to add more centuries to their life. Centuries they probably won’t enjoy anyway, since Celestia will have them hunted down and their soul jar destroyed.”