====== Mage ======
Mages are masters of the arcane, devoting their lives to the study and control of the magical planes. Through years of study, they inscribe spells into powerful tomes and wield arcane energies few dare to comprehend. Though physically fragile, their power lies in devastating magic and ritual supremacy.

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===== 📚 Class Overview =====

  * **Combat Role:** Full Spellcaster / Ritualist / Support or Control
  * **Magic Access:** Full
  * **Armor Access:** May wear up to **25 points** of armor
  * **Health Gain:** Gains **3 Health per level**:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

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===== ✨ Spellcasting Capabilities =====

Mages:
  * Have access to all spell levels, including advanced and general spell lists
  * Must purchase **Literacy**, **Read Magic**, and **Spellcraft** to cast spells
  * Can purchase **Spell Slots** (Primary and Secondary) at the **lowest XP cost of all classes**
  * Can perform **Ritual Magic** and craft **Spell Scrolls** and **Alchemy**

Spellcasting in Volaire is verbal, gesture-based, and requires preparation. See [[operations:public:interactive_rulebook:core:magic|Magic & Spellcasting]] for full rules.

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===== 📘 XP Costs and Related Skills =====

^ Skill                     ^ Mage XP Cost ^ Notes                            ^
| Literacy                 | 30            | Required for magic use           |
| Read Magic               | 40            | Enables spell reading/casting    |
| Spellcraft               | 30            | Required for most casting tasks  |
| Primary Spell Slot (Lvl 1) | 10          | Lowest of any class              |
| Secondary Spell Slot (Lvl 1) | 20        | Bonus casting slot               |

Additional XP costs vary based on level and spell type. See the [[operations:public:interactive_rulebook:core:xp_costs|XP & Skill Cost Tables]] for complete breakdown.

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===== 🧱 Restrictions =====

  * Mages **cannot use most weapons or heavy armor**
  * May not access combat-centric skills like **Terminal Strike** or **Cleave**
  * Must spend XP to access each spell slot and skill—nothing is granted automatically
  * Vulnerable in melee without defensive spells or support

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===== 🧭 Roleplay Suggestions =====

  * Consider your source of knowledge: forbidden tomes, private mentors, arcane pacts
  * Your spellbook is your most prized possession—protect it
  * Embrace the mystery, aloofness, or intensity that comes with wielding ancient power

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**Play a Mage if you want to command the arcane, master rituals, and shape the world with raw magical force.**