Tyr, I am discussing it with Muse and we are trying to work out an acceptable compromise. If you are going by my world building thread, I don't have anything like a demonic or shadow magic.<br/><br/>In my mind the schools of magic can all be used to sinister effect or should I say 'misused', but the darkness is inside a person's own personality rather than a demonic influence. Does that make sense to you?<br/><br/>Still under discussion. Muse will pipe in shortly.<br/><br/>Adding the section from my world thread to clarify magic.<br/><br/>The Midlands<br/><br/>The Midlands were the home of the Gelehrten, the learned ones. There huge cities were built of stone and steel, with glass windows and steam powered water pumps. Great castles and keeps were raised and leaders fought over territory from time to time. But the learned ones did not abide war and often the best of them, as wizards or mages, would quell the wars with magic. The rebels soon learned to keep their squabbles within their own territories and often settled disputes with arranged marriages.<br/><br/>The Mage Council, a group of Elder Mages of both genders. A veritable political minefield of power struggles. The division of schools of magic were:<br/><br/>1. Elemental, the manipulation of  the elements of Fire, Ice, Storm, and Earth. These elements could be combined by Adepts to form powerful destructive spells. As well as smaller helpful spells.<br/><br/>2. Illusion, This was the magic that governed things that were confusing to the mind. Making a person see something that was like a mirage, vanishing with a touch. Or making the mage or another invisible.<br/><br/>3. Manipulation, the movement of objects that might be difficult for anyone to lift normally, being able to lift things without touching them, from a distance. This also applies to mind control. The manipulators are able to do this with hypnotism and suggestion.<br/><br/>4. Conjuration, The summoning of golems, or the animation of ordinary objects to serve as servants to the mage. Could even be used to summon refreshments from the elements around the mage.<br/><br/>5. Time travel, including teleportation, travel through space and time to another location. The mage has to have seen the target location before he can use this type of spell. The use of 'Gates' would be one way to utilize this for large scale movements of groups.<br/><br/>All schools are equally powerful, each has a lot of danger and potential for misuse. There are five Elders, each representing a school of training.<br/><br/>Mages usually learn one school at a time. They can dabble in all schools, but have to major in one to be considered a Master. The ranks are divided this way:<br/><br/>Arch Magister-Elder status, highest rank. May be skilled at more than one school, A primary and a good knowledge of all the others.<br/><br/>Magister-Equivalent to the status of judges. One skill as Primary and can be studying a secondary. Administers tests for the advancement of any rank.<br/><br/>Master-A teacher who is Highly skilled in one school. Takes on the role of trainer and guide to apprentices.<br/><br/>Magician-The common rank, only skilled in one school and studying that to become a Master. This is the rank where a lot of research and solo study are involved. They have to test to become a Master.<br/><br/>Apprentice Mage-A beginning student, may study any school under a Master. Used to do common tasks for his Master, while learning his trade.<br/><br/>Guttenvale is the main city of the mages It is a hotbed of political maneuvering, nobles vying for power and the High King in his castle trying to keep the rebels and nobles from killing each other. The High King has a Council of Elders as well, they are tasked with running the country. Trade, commerce and city management like courts and road building and maintenance.<br/><br/>The Mage Council is separate from the King's Council. They are always warring for dominance. The King is from a long line of ancestral lineage, conquerors of the past. His job is to be the military leader in case they get attacked from some other nation. Which is always imminent. He also has ambition to conquer more territory.<br/>