A mage is any person trained in the manipulation of magic through techniques such as spellcasting. The abstract nature of magic and the diversity of cultures in the Corvidan Archipelago have resulted in a diversity of methodologies for arcane manipulation. Mages can be categorized into several broad groups, based on the method through which they acquired their abilities. These disciplines are not mutually exclusive; one person may learn several such methods throughout their lives. Persons who are not mages and are not trained in spellcasting may still possess limited magical abilities; this is because all living sentient beings possess a quality known as life energy, which allows them to manipulate arcane energy, although without a mage's precision or control.
A lucky few inhabitants of the Corvidan Archipelago have the ability to sense and manipulate magic intuitively, without learning pre-existing spells or rituals. Because of their self-taught nature, they typically have a very narrow field of expertise related to their upbringing or the event which triggered their magic ability; for instance, a seafaring mage might be closely attuned to the elemental arcane energy of the ocean, but would be lost when dealing with illusory magic. This type of mage often supplements their innate skillset with intentional study.
Through close analysis and dedicated practice, even those without innate magic can still learn to manipulate arcane energy. Academic mages create spells, a particular sequence of actions that produce a reliable magical effect if performed correctly; these spells are then shared and refined by other academic mages. There are two commonly-recognized types of academic mages: wizards, who rely on written, spoken, and/or signed language as their primary means of spellcasting, and bards, who utilize the emotion communicated through music to augment their spells.
Sufficiently powerful extraplanar entities have the ability to grant magic to mortals, with certain conditions and constraints. The bargain often comes with obligations from both parties; a mage might have to follow a certain moral code or follow orders when commanded to do so, while a patron may be asked for guidance or material rewards for faithful service. Failure to fulfill these duties will eventually result in dissolution of the pact and termination of the power exchange. Patron mages are incredibly rare in the Archipelago, but are a common focus of fictional narratives.