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* ''TabletopGame/MageTheAscension'':
** Well, this'll be interesting. Freshly Awakened mages are somewhere between lottery winners and monks, as they have managed to either notice enough of the structure behind reality to learn how to manipulate it, or got thrust behind the curtain of all that is and saw the true face of existence. After Awakening, a mage adopts a paradigm that defines how they see reality and the ability to manipulate it, which may paint them as an athlete/monk (the Akashic Brotherhood), a gadget user (Sons of Ether), a naturalist (Verbena), a priest (the Celestial Chorus), and so many other things.
** Well, this'll be interesting. Freshly Awakened mages are somewhere between lottery winners and monks, as they have managed to either notice enough of the structure behind reality to learn how to manipulate it, or got thrust behind the curtain of all that is and saw the true face of existence. After Awakening, a mage adopts a paradigm that defines how they see reality and the ability to manipulate it, which may paint them as an athlete/monk (the Akashic Brotherhood), a gadget user (Sons of Ether), a naturalist (Verbena), a priest (the Celestial Chorus), and so many other things.
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*''Literature/JourneyToChaos'':
**Generally speaking, mages are like scholars. Everyone has the ability to use magic so the only thing that separates the mages from the muggles is the willingness to sit down and study.
**Dragon's Lair mercenaries, [[TheProtagonist like Eric]], are closer to Athletes because they incorporate magic into martial arts.
**Generally speaking, mages are like scholars. Everyone has the ability to use magic so the only thing that separates the mages from the muggles is the willingness to sit down and study.
**Dragon's Lair mercenaries, [[TheProtagonist like Eric]], are closer to Athletes because they incorporate magic into martial arts.
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** Race, Artist, Monk - Channelers. Most people are born with the ability to channel the One Power, and the book's timeline describes the ritual practice of gentling the potentially insane men who can channel has been accidentally culling the ability out of the general population. Some people can be taught how to channel the One Power, and all traditions of channeling typically require practice, training, meditation and mental discipline to do it safely. And channeling for a particular effect also requires the knowledge of how to 'weave' together the elemental threads of the One Power, and the creativity to alter those weaves to produce a desired spell.
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** Race, Artist, Monk - Channelers. Most The talent is hereditary; very few people are born with the ability to channel the One Power, and the book's timeline describes the ritual practice of gentling the potentially insane men who can channel has been accidentally culling the ability out of the general population. Some people can Those who have the talent (with the exception of a very few prodigies) must be taught how to channel the One Power, and all traditions of channeling typically require practice, training, meditation and mental discipline to do it safely. And channeling for a particular effect also requires the knowledge of how to 'weave' together the elemental threads of the One Power, and the creativity to alter those weaves to produce a desired spell.
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** Theurgy - Friends of the Dark. Some high-ranking darkfriends are granted special abilities by [[BigBad the Dark One]] to serve his will, and the highest among them can directly access and channel his malevolence into spells.
** Mutants - Mashadar, the remains of an ancient and corrupting evil that spreads hate and mistrust through its avatar.
** Gods - [[TheFairFolk The Aelfinn and the Eelfinn]]
** Mutants - Mashadar, the remains of an ancient and corrupting evil that spreads hate and mistrust through its avatar.
** Gods - [[TheFairFolk The Aelfinn and the Eelfinn]]
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* In ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime'' mages are largely Racial. Most people are born with the ability to channel the One Power, and the book's timeline describes the ritual practice of gentling the potentially insane men who can channel has been accidentally culling the ability out of the general population. There are also elements of Mages as Monks, in that some people can be taught how to channel the One Power, and all traditions of channeling typically require practice, training, meditation and mental discipline to do it safely.
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* In ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime'' mages are largely Racial.uses nearly all of the above.
** Race, Artist, Monk - Channelers. Most people are born with the ability to channel the One Power, and the book's timeline describes the ritual practice of gentling the potentially insane men who can channel has been accidentally culling the ability out of the general population.There are also elements of Mages as Monks, in that some Some people can be taught how to channel the One Power, and all traditions of channeling typically require practice, training, meditation and mental discipline to do it safely.safely. And channeling for a particular effect also requires the knowledge of how to 'weave' together the elemental threads of the One Power, and the creativity to alter those weaves to produce a desired spell.
** Gadget Users - ''Ter'angreal''. Usually associated with channelers, some ''ter'angreal'' are magical devices that anyone can use if they know how (this was especially prevalent in the [[LicensedGame video game]]).
** Lottery Winners - Viewings. Only one character in the entirety of the series possesses the ability to 'View' images and auras around certain people that are tied to some prophetic interpretation. Even those interpretations are seemingly random, as the character herself doesn't always know what the images mean, but when she does know it always comes true.
** Naturalists - Wolfbrothers. Not much is known about how this ability comes into being, save that wolves themselves are able to tell, and seemingly help along the process.
** Artists, Lottery Winners - Dreamwalkers. Often goes hand-in-hand with channeling, but is not necessary for it. Dreamwalkers have some prophetic powers, and the ability to consciously enter into the World of Dreams and manipulate the reality there.
** Race, Artist, Monk - Channelers. Most people are born with the ability to channel the One Power, and the book's timeline describes the ritual practice of gentling the potentially insane men who can channel has been accidentally culling the ability out of the general population.
** Gadget Users - ''Ter'angreal''. Usually associated with channelers, some ''ter'angreal'' are magical devices that anyone can use if they know how (this was especially prevalent in the [[LicensedGame video game]]).
** Lottery Winners - Viewings. Only one character in the entirety of the series possesses the ability to 'View' images and auras around certain people that are tied to some prophetic interpretation. Even those interpretations are seemingly random, as the character herself doesn't always know what the images mean, but when she does know it always comes true.
** Naturalists - Wolfbrothers. Not much is known about how this ability comes into being, save that wolves themselves are able to tell, and seemingly help along the process.
** Artists, Lottery Winners - Dreamwalkers. Often goes hand-in-hand with channeling, but is not necessary for it. Dreamwalkers have some prophetic powers, and the ability to consciously enter into the World of Dreams and manipulate the reality there.
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* In ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime'' mages are largely Racial. Most people are born with the ability to channel the One Power, and the book's timeline describes the ritual practice of gentling the potentially insane men who can channel has been accidentally culling the ability out of the general population. There are also elements of Mages as Monks, in that some people can be taught how to channel the One Power, and all traditions of channeling typically require practice, training, meditation and mental discipline to do it safely.
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** Racial: Dragons naturally have massive amounts of magical energy, which their Riders can then draw upon. Elves also have a lot of magic naturally, but their approach is more like Artists or Scientists.
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** Racial: Dragons naturally have massive amounts of magical energy, which their Riders can then draw upon. Elves also have a lot of magic naturally, naturally and are more likely to become full magicians, but their approach is more like Artists or Scientists. Scientists.
** Mutants: Being chosen by a dragon to be their rider gives the human or elf a mark and guarantees that they'll be a magician.
** Athletes: Using magic is very strenuous and requires training, part of which is making the body stronger since magic [[CastFromHitPoints consumes the user's energy]].
** Mutants: Being chosen by a dragon to be their rider gives the human or elf a mark and guarantees that they'll be a magician.
** Athletes: Using magic is very strenuous and requires training, part of which is making the body stronger since magic [[CastFromHitPoints consumes the user's energy]].
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** Gadgets: Wizards and witches use potions and herbs as often as outright spells, and magicians can greatly increase their energy by storing it in gem stones or by tapping into a dragon's SoulJar.
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* In ''Literature/TheBible'', in Exodus 7, both Aaron and the Egyptian "sorcerers and magicians" are capable to transforming rods into snakes (although [[MyDadCanBeatUpYourDad Aaron's snake is more powerful]]). The popular explanation for Egyptian sorcerers' apparent ability to perform miracles is that they were demon-worshippers, while Aaron's magic, of course, comes from God.
** The source of the sorcerers and magicians' abilities is never made clear. It could be demon, worship, it could just be slieght of hand and misdirection, or it [[ClarksTHirdLaw could have come alien technology that they found]]. The Bible doesn't seem to care how they are doing it, only that God is doing it better.
** The source of the sorcerers and magicians' abilities is never made clear. It could be demon, worship, it could just be slieght of hand and misdirection, or it [[ClarksTHirdLaw could have come alien technology that they found]]. The Bible doesn't seem to care how they are doing it, only that God is doing it better.
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* In ''Literature/TheBible'', in Exodus 7, both Aaron and the Egyptian "sorcerers and magicians" are capable to transforming rods into snakes (although [[MyDadCanBeatUpYourDad Aaron's snake is more powerful]]). The popular explanation for Egyptian sorcerers' apparent ability to perform miracles is that they were demon-worshippers, demon-worshipers, while Aaron's magic, of course, comes from God.
** The source of the sorcerers and magicians' abilities is never made clear. It could bedemon, demon worship, it could just be slieght sleight of hand and misdirection, or it [[ClarksTHirdLaw could have come from alien technology that they found]]. The Bible doesn't seem to care how they are doing it, only that God is doing it better.
** The source of the sorcerers and magicians' abilities is never made clear. It could be
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* Sorcerers in the ''{{Belgariad}}'' are a mix of Lottery Winner and Monk -- the potential for sorcery is present in every human, but unless you're being guided in some way you'll probably never unlock your potential (without vaporizing yourself). Once the power is released that first time, it's probably closer to Monk, since everything you do is by force of will. There's also a touch of theurgy-- except for those few with the random gift of sorcery, people trained in magic live normal lifespans unless chosen as Disciple of a god, in which case they become immortal.
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* Sorcerers in the ''{{Belgariad}}'' are a mix of Lottery Winner and Monk -- the Monk-the potential for sorcery is present in every human, but unless you're being guided in some way you'll probably never unlock your potential (without vaporizing yourself). Once the power is released that first time, it's probably closer to Monk, since everything you do is by force of will. There's also a touch of theurgy-- except theurgy-except for those few with the random gift of sorcery, people trained in magic live normal lifespans unless chosen as Disciple of a god, in which case they become immortal.
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* In ''Literature/TheSwordOfTruth'', magical gift is sometimes inherited from one's ancestors (less and less common ever since a major magical disruption 3,000 years ago), and sometimes, it seems, pops on its own (there used to be a time when nearly everyone was a wizard, so there isn't much difference). However, it is possible for a wizard to take an apprentice without a gift, and teach him to use magic, with the process probably using some magical procedures. The wizards trained that way are, apparently, considerably less capable.
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* In ''Literature/TheSwordOfTruth'', magical the gift is sometimes inherited from one's ancestors (less and less common ever since a major magical disruption 3,000 years ago), and sometimes, it seems, pops on its own (there used to be a time when nearly everyone was a wizard, so there isn't much difference). However, it is possible for a wizard to take an apprentice without a gift, and teach him to use magic, with the process probably using some magical procedures. The wizards trained that way are, apparently, considerably less capable.
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** The magic performed by the Red Priests of R'hllor veer close to the Cultist category, as its implied their considerable power comes from allegiance to the Red God. Some, though, such as the [[CastingAShadow shadowbinder]] Melisandre, come with their own abilities of varying origin.
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** The magic performed by the Red Priests of R'hllor veer veers close to the Cultist category, as its implied their considerable power comes from allegiance to the Red God. Some, though, such as the [[CastingAShadow shadowbinder]] Melisandre, come with their own abilities of varying origin.
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* In Literature/{{Elantris}}, the titular Elantrians are Randomly Gifted. The magical process known as the Shaod transforms ordinary humans into Elantrians pretty much at random. The child of an Elantrian is not necessarily one himself.
** The same universe also features the Dakhor (Cult Theurgists who gain powers via sacrifice to their God), ChayShan (Monk-style system that is a picture-perfect KungFuWizard), and Forgers (a weird combination of Scholar and Artist that rewrite an object's past along artistic principles via intricate runes).
** The same universe also features the Dakhor (Cult Theurgists who gain powers via sacrifice to their God), ChayShan (Monk-style system that is a picture-perfect KungFuWizard), and Forgers (a weird combination of Scholar and Artist that rewrite an object's past along artistic principles via intricate runes).
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**The source of the sorcerers and magicians' abilities is never made clear. It could be demon, worship, it could just be slieght of hand and misdirection, or it [[ClarksTHirdLaw could have come alien technology that they found]]. The Bible doesn't seem to care how they are doing it, only that God is doing it better.
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Adding new entry. Also, correcting a bit of flawed use of Latin.
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* In ''PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'', Puella Magis are formed by a contract with Kyubey, in that they're given magical powers (and a wish) and in return you have to fight Witches ({{Eldritch Abomination}}s of the verse).
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* In ''PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'', Puella Magis Puellae Magi are formed by a contract with Kyubey, in that they're given magical powers (and a wish) and in return you have to fight Witches ({{Eldritch Abomination}}s of the verse).
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* In ''Anime/OjamajoDoremi'', the titular character and her friends, Doremi, Hazuki, Aiko, Pop, Onpu, and Momoko, are the Gadget Users variety due to how they were given their magic; they were granted {{Magic Wand}}s with limited amounts of magic by their mentors so they could eventually become full-fledged Witches and undo the curses they inadvertently triggered. Successfully turning into a full-fledged Witch would technically make them Mutants, but only if they ever got that far ''and'' are able to keep their magic. Before then, they have to train and be tested to see if they are eligible to pass to the next levels, making them somewhat like athletes and scholars.
** The full-blooded Witches themselves, such as the aforementioned mentors and the Ojamajos' "daughter", Hana, are all born with their powers in the form of a crystal ball, making them a combination of Gadget User and WitchSpecies, moreso the latter.
** The Ojamajos themselves have turned to various forms of art through out the series as well as a means to an end, making them into artists who create different magical items depending on which series they're in (charms during ''S1'', flowers in ''Sharp'', baked sweets during ''Motto'', and accessories in ''Dokkan'').
** The full-blooded Witches themselves, such as the aforementioned mentors and the Ojamajos' "daughter", Hana, are all born with their powers in the form of a crystal ball, making them a combination of Gadget User and WitchSpecies, moreso the latter.
** The Ojamajos themselves have turned to various forms of art through out the series as well as a means to an end, making them into artists who create different magical items depending on which series they're in (charms during ''S1'', flowers in ''Sharp'', baked sweets during ''Motto'', and accessories in ''Dokkan'').
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[[folder:Fan Works]]
* Aurics in ''RolePlay/WeAreAllPokemonTrainers'' have aspects of:
** Artists: Being a skilled Auric is often determined by the creativity of the user.
** Athletes: Their powers improve through training.
** Mutants: Kim and Lily got their powers via being transformed by human to Pokémon armbands
** Race: Their powers are mostly based on genetics.
[[/folder]]
* Aurics in ''RolePlay/WeAreAllPokemonTrainers'' have aspects of:
** Artists: Being a skilled Auric is often determined by the creativity of the user.
** Athletes: Their powers improve through training.
** Mutants: Kim and Lily got their powers via being transformed by human to Pokémon armbands
** Race: Their powers are mostly based on genetics.
[[/folder]]
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See also FunctionalMagic for "Our Magic Is Different". Compare MagiciansAreWizards (when stage magicians are lumped together with actual magic users).
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See also FunctionalMagic for "Our Magic Is Different". If magic is something that not everyone can do, but mages still also need special education, that's TrainingTheGiftOfMagic. Compare MagiciansAreWizards (when stage magicians are lumped together with actual magic users).
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* In ''VisualNovel/UminekoNoNakuKoroNi'', witches are cast-off aspects of people that gain tremendous power over reality, usually associated with a territory, but stronger witches' territories are subjective to their current location, therefore making them "voyager" witches and impossibly powerful- like Gods and Goddesses, though they share some traits with [[TheFairFolk old-school fairies]].
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* In ''VisualNovel/UminekoNoNakuKoroNi'', witches are cast-off aspects of people that gain tremendous power over reality, usually associated with a territory, territory; but stronger witches' territories are subjective to their current location, therefore making them "voyager" witches and impossibly powerful- like Gods and Goddesses, though they share some traits with [[TheFairFolk old-school fairies]].
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* In ''VisualNovel/{{UminekoNoNakuKoroNi}}'', witches are cast-off aspects of people that gain tremendous power over reality, usually associated with a territory, but stronger witches' territories are subjective to their current location, therefore making them "voyager" witches and impossibly powerful- like Gods and Goddesses, though they share some traits with [[TheFairFolk old-school fairies]].
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* In ''VisualNovel/{{UminekoNoNakuKoroNi}}'', ''VisualNovel/UminekoNoNakuKoroNi'', witches are cast-off aspects of people that gain tremendous power over reality, usually associated with a territory, but stronger witches' territories are subjective to their current location, therefore making them "voyager" witches and impossibly powerful- like Gods and Goddesses, though they share some traits with [[TheFairFolk old-school fairies]].
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* In ''{{UminekoNoNakuKoroNi}}'', witches are cast-off aspects of people that gain tremendous power over reality, usually associated with a territory, but stronger witches' territories are subjective to their current location, therefore making them "voyager" witches and impossibly powerful- like Gods and Goddesses, though they share some traits with [[TheFairFolk old-school fairies]].
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* In ''{{UminekoNoNakuKoroNi}}'', ''VisualNovel/{{UminekoNoNakuKoroNi}}'', witches are cast-off aspects of people that gain tremendous power over reality, usually associated with a territory, but stronger witches' territories are subjective to their current location, therefore making them "voyager" witches and impossibly powerful- like Gods and Goddesses, though they share some traits with [[TheFairFolk old-school fairies]].
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In this variant, a mage is not a human being. The mage may take on the appearance of a human, but the actual nature of the mage is divine, whether demonic or angelic. May overlap with the Theurgist subtype if these gods can allow their followers to use a portion of their power. Associated trope: '''TheFaeFolk'''.
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In this variant, a mage is not a human being. The mage may take on the appearance of a human, but the actual nature of the mage is divine, whether demonic or angelic. May overlap with the Theurgist subtype if these gods can allow their followers to use a portion of their power. Associated trope: '''TheFaeFolk'''.
'''TheFairFolk'''.
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* In ''{{UminekoNoNakuKoroNi}}'', witches are cast-off aspects of people that gain tremendous power over reality, usually associated with a territory, but stronger witches' territories are subjective to their current location, therefore making them "voyager" witches and impossibly powerful- like Gods and Goddesses, though they share some traits with [[TheFaeFolk old-school fairies]].
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* In ''{{UminekoNoNakuKoroNi}}'', witches are cast-off aspects of people that gain tremendous power over reality, usually associated with a territory, but stronger witches' territories are subjective to their current location, therefore making them "voyager" witches and impossibly powerful- like Gods and Goddesses, though they share some traits with [[TheFaeFolk [[TheFairFolk old-school fairies]].
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In this variant, a mage is not a human being. The mage may take on the appearance of a human, but the actual nature of the mage is divine, whether demonic or angelic. May overlap with the Theurgist subtype if these gods can allow their followers to use a portion of their power.
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In this variant, a mage is not a human being. The mage may take on the appearance of a human, but the actual nature of the mage is divine, whether demonic or angelic. May overlap with the Theurgist subtype if these gods can allow their followers to use a portion of their power. \n Associated trope: '''TheFaeFolk'''.
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* In ''{{UminekoNoNakuKoroNi}}'', witches are cast-off aspects of people that gain tremendous power over reality, usually associated with a territory, but stronger witches' territories are subjective to their current location, therefore making them "voyager" witches and impossibly powerful- like Gods and Goddesses, though they share some traits with [[TheFaeFolk old-school fairies]].
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Combining two bullets on the same topic.
** This anime is an interesting example. By making a contract with Kyubey, a girl gets a Soul Gem that allows her to become a MagicalGirl in exchange for a wish, making them Gadget Users. [[spoiler: it is revealed however that the Soul Gem is actually the girl's soul, taken apart from the body. This grants magic but also makes the soul get corrupted with time, making them Mutants]]
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* ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'' is an interesting example. By making a contract with Kyubey, a girl gets a Soul Gem that allows her to become a MagicalGirl in exchange for a wish, making them Gadget Users. [[spoiler: it is revealed however that the Soul Gem is actually the girl's soul, taken apart from the body. This grants magic but also makes the soul get corrupted with time, making them Mutants]]
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* Sorcerers in the ''{{Belgariad}}'' are a mix of Lottery Winner and Monk -- the potential for sorcery is present in every human, but unless you're being guided in some way you'll probably never unlock your potential (without vaporizing yourself). Once the power is released that first time, it's probably closer to Monk, since everything you do is by force of will.
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* Sorcerers in the ''{{Belgariad}}'' are a mix of Lottery Winner and Monk -- the potential for sorcery is present in every human, but unless you're being guided in some way you'll probably never unlock your potential (without vaporizing yourself). Once the power is released that first time, it's probably closer to Monk, since everything you do is by force of will. There's also a touch of theurgy-- except for those few with the random gift of sorcery, people trained in magic live normal lifespans unless chosen as Disciple of a god, in which case they become immortal.
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* In ''Franchise/{{Mistborn}}'' mages literally are aristocrats -- the noble families are noble because there's a chance an allomancer will be born in their bloodline, while it should be impossible for the slave race of skaa.
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* In ''Franchise/{{Mistborn}}'' mages literally are aristocrats -- the noble families are the descendants of the Lord Ruler's handpicked allies who were given nuggets of Lerasium, making them Mistborn. These houses remain noble because there's a chance an allomancer will be born in their bloodline, while it should be impossible for the slave race of skaa. Any skaa who shows allomantic abilities has a noble somewhere in their ancestry.
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It is also possible that there are multiple kinds of mages in one setting; sometimes they are {{mutually exclusive|Magic}}, sometimes they can be mixed (see above). when one of them is supposedly rare or unusual in universe, see WrongContextMagic.
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It is also possible that there are multiple kinds of mages in one setting; sometimes they are {{mutually exclusive|Magic}}, sometimes they can be mixed (see above). when When one of them is supposedly rare or unusual in universe, see WrongContextMagic.
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** Summoning techniques, particularly for summoning living creatures, need a pact signed in blood to be used, making their users theurgists.
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* In ''OnePiece'', it's closer to superpowers, but Devil Fruits can turn any of its eaters into "mutant" superbeings. Also, as the power of the fruit is limited only by the user's creativity, fruit users are also akin to artists.
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* In ''OnePiece'', ''Manga/OnePiece'', it's closer to superpowers, but Devil Fruits can turn any of its eaters into "mutant" superbeings. Also, as the power of the fruit is limited only by the user's creativity, fruit users are also akin to artists.
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* Ninjutsu in ''{{Naruto}}'' are mostly studied and trained. Some, however, have abilities that are inherited (called "Kekkei Genkai"). Aburame clan, in particular, also made a deal with certain mystical bugs that will help the clan whenever needed, in exchange for said bugs to live in their bodies.
** Practitioners of Senjutsu (sage techniques) are basically Naturalists, mixed with Monks in that they can access nature energy and then use it to turn one's chakra into a stronger form by becoming close to nature; this is done primarily via meditation (i.e being perfectly still).
** The First Hokage also have an unique kind of DNA that allows fast regeneration and control of plant life, and said DNA sample is used on some people as a source of power (mutants); i.e Danzo, Zetsu and Madara.
** Practitioners of Senjutsu (sage techniques) are basically Naturalists, mixed with Monks in that they can access nature energy and then use it to turn one's chakra into a stronger form by becoming close to nature; this is done primarily via meditation (i.e being perfectly still).
** The First Hokage also have an unique kind of DNA that allows fast regeneration and control of plant life, and said DNA sample is used on some people as a source of power (mutants); i.e Danzo, Zetsu and Madara.
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* Ninjutsu in ''{{Naruto}}'' are mostly studied ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' is a combination of Inherent Gift and trained. Some, however, study/training. If you don't have abilities that the gift (like Rock Lee), you can't do ninjutsu, but even if you have it, it takes a lot of training to do anything with it. There are inherited also bloodline-specific techniques (called "Kekkei Genkai"). Aburame clan, in particular, also made a deal with certain mystical bugs Genkai") that will help the clan whenever needed, in exchange for said bugs to live in their bodies.
are only inherited by a subset of ninja.
** Practitioners of Senjutsu (sage techniques) are basically Naturalists, mixed with Monks in that they can access nature energy and then use it to turn one's chakra into a stronger form by becoming close to nature; this is done primarily via meditation (i.e being perfectly still). \n** The First Hokage also have an unique kind of DNA that allows fast regeneration and control of plant life, and said DNA sample is used on some people as a source of power (mutants); i.e Danzo, Zetsu and Madara.
** Practitioners of Senjutsu (sage techniques) are basically Naturalists, mixed with Monks in that they can access nature energy and then use it to turn one's chakra into a stronger form by becoming close to nature; this is done primarily via meditation (i.e being perfectly still).
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* Magic in {{the Witcher}}world is something you need a natural talent for (Lottery Winner and Race, it can show up randomly or be inherited), but to control it you need practice and knowledge (a beginner has to master the gestures and similar technicalities like an Athlete, past this stage it's Scholar all the way through). Yennefer describes it as both an art and a science. They tend to behave more than a bit like socialites though. Priests and druids seem to function roughly like Theurgists and Naturalists respectively, although wizards believe they're actually Monks [[OutgrownSuchSillySuperstitions plus some self-delusion]].
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Since when is DA is a visual novel series?
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* ''DragonAge'' is a weird case of Mages are like aristocrats in that it tends to run in families and Mages are like lottery winners in that it crops up seemingly randomly.
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* ''DragonAge'' The ''Franchise/DragonAge'' series is a weird case of Mages are like aristocrats in that it tends mixes the Aristocrats and the Lottery Winners subtypes: magical abilities tend to run in families and Mages the family, but mages are like lottery winners in that it crops up born into muggle families, as well, seemingly randomly.at random. Also, mages are kept isolated by force in most societies due to the fact that they are prone to getting possessed by demons.
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* In ''Franchise/DragonAge'', mages are like a race, although the inheritance seems to be fairly unpredictable. Also, mages are kept isolated by force in most societies due to the fact that they are prone to getting possessed by demons.
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** "Dresden Files"-wizards are also gadget users, since we rarely, if ever, see a mage who doesn't use focus items of some sort, and scholars, who study both magic and science in order to bring their powers to bear more effectively. As Harry explains it, fire is fire, no matter if you use a spell or a lighter to create it, and if you don't understand how fire behaves you're going to be wasting a lot of energy getting it to do what you want it to.
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* In ''Literature/DiamondSwordWoodenSword'', magic is more like a combination of lottery and scholarship, but [[TheMagocracy the Orders of the Rainbow]] insist it's like a race or an aristocracy, and only manifests in scions of noble Human bloodlines. Any common-born or non-Human people with magical talent who disprove the Rainbow's theory with their mere existence are persecuted (or, if they are weak Human hedge wizards and thus do not threaten the theory, overregulated with expensive licenses).
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* ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' / ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'': Benders are a mix of Racial, Athletes, and Monks: Bending abilities are hereditary, and for example Aang's ([[BlowYouAway Airbender]]) and Katara's ([[MakingASplash Waterbender]]) children, Tenzin, Kya, and Bumi, are an Airbender, a Waterbender, and [[{{Muggle}} a non-bender]] respectively. On the other hand, since Benders [[ElementalPowers control the elements]] with [[FullContactMagic physical movements]], one's prowess in magic is also determined by the skill of one's master and the amount of basic form training. Lastly, to fully utilize the power of the elements, one needs to understand their philosophical nature ([[DishingOutDirt controlling earth]] can be difficult for someone who lacks determination, whereas wind requires certain flexibility and calmness of mind).
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* ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' / ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'': Benders are a mix of Racial, Athletes, and Monks: Bending abilities are hereditary, and for example Aang's ([[BlowYouAway Airbender]]) and Katara's ([[MakingASplash Waterbender]]) children, Tenzin, Kya, and Bumi, are an Airbender, a Waterbender, and formerly [[{{Muggle}} a non-bender]] respectively.respectively (the latter became an Airbender come season 3]]. On the other hand, since Benders [[ElementalPowers control the elements]] with [[FullContactMagic physical movements]], one's prowess in magic is also determined by the skill of one's master and the amount of basic form training. Lastly, to fully utilize the power of the elements, one needs to understand their philosophical nature ([[DishingOutDirt controlling earth]] can be difficult for someone who lacks determination, whereas wind requires certain flexibility and calmness of mind).
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How does someone become a mage? Why should someone have the power to alter reality? Obviously, mages use magic -- but how does one gain access to magic? Look no further - this page will detail them.
Note that these analogies could be mixed: for instance, it is possible that the innate ability to wield magic is based on bloodline (as with the mage race), but that to develop this innate ability, the mage must use ancient lore (as with the scholarly mage). Also note that this is about ''how'' the mage acquires power, not the ''source'' of that power: i.e., whether magic is drawn from nature, from the elements, from other planes, from the spirit world, or whatever.
It is also possible that there are multiple kinds of mages in one setting; sometimes they are {{mutually exclusive|Magic}}, sometimes they can be mixed (see above). when one of them is supposedly rare or unusual in universe, see WrongContextMagic.
Despite the name, this can sometimes apply to DifferentlyPoweredIndividual as well; see also HowToGiveACharacterSuperpowers.
[[folder:Mages are like...]]
[[AC: Mages are like Artists]]
Artist-like mages gain their ability based on creativity and imagination. As with being a great artist, being a great mage may require practice and technical skill to some extent, but a sense of artistic creativity is vital. These mages may [[CloudCuckoolander have their heads on a cloud]] as a result of their wild imagination.
Associated trope: '''ImaginationBasedSuperpower, ArtAttacker'''
[[AC: Mages are like Athletes]]
The ability of the athlete-like mage to wield magic is based on years of intensive, exhaustive training. In Asian works, may sometimes overlap with the Monks subtype. Associated trope: '''CharlesAtlasSuperpower, FullContactMagic, KiManipulation, KungFuWizard'''
[[AC: Mages are like Gadget Users]]
Sometimes they're not so much "mages" as they are "magical equipment users": Their magic abilities come from what they have in their person - be it an accessory, a clothing, a weapon, etc. Depending on the work, said equipments may be so vital to the character that he/she is as good as a Muggle without it; or they already have magic abilities by themselves and the equipments are just there to help them; or (when this is subverted) their magic abilities come purely from themselves and [[MagicFeather said equipments only act as a crutch]]. Common with the MagicalGirl genre. Associated trope: '''UpgradeArtifact, AmplifierArtifact, MagicWand, ClothesMakeTheSuperman, MagicalAccessory'''
[[AC: Mages are like Gods]]
In this variant, a mage is not a human being. The mage may take on the appearance of a human, but the actual nature of the mage is divine, whether demonic or angelic. May overlap with the Theurgist subtype if these gods can allow their followers to use a portion of their power.
[[AC: Mages are like Lottery Winners]]
Mages get their ability to wield magic completely at random. Nothing but chance determines who is likely to wield magic. Associated trope: '''RandomlyGifted'''
[[AC: Mages are like Monks]]
Mages' most notable feature is their mental discipline and force of will -- abilities that might be cultivated through meditation. It seems likely that in worlds where reality responds to sufficiently intense strength of will, these mages might be likely. Associated trope: '''EnlightenmentSuperpowers'''
[[AC: Mages are like Mutants]]
Magic is acquired by being exposed to some kind of substance/energy. It may or may not cause any adverse effects to the mage's body. It may also overlap with the race subtype if the mutation is passed down to offspring. This one is often the most common way to turn a non-mage to become a mage, alongside Gadget Users. Associated trope: '''SuperSerum, TouchedByVorlons'''
[[AC: Mages are like Naturalists]]
Here, one can become mage by getting closer to nature. How exactly that is may vary, and overlap with other means: Maybe you're close with a mystical entity pertaining to nature that entrusts you with the power of nature (Cultist), maybe you study hard about nature (Scholar), maybe you find deeper meaning in how nature works and thus become enlightened (Monks). They're not just limited to those, however; e.g being kind and friendly to nature may make them help you in return, or there's an unseen force of nature (often, but not always, confined to a place) that you can manipulate by different means. Associated trope: '''InHarmonyWithNature, BackgroundMagicField, SentientCosmicForce'''
[[AC: Mages are like a Race]]
The ability to do magic is passed from parents to children. It may skip generations, or crop up unexpectedly on occasion, but it is ultimately based on inheritance. When mages are like this, they'll tend to make an isolated community of themselves, but not always. Associated trope: '''WitchSpecies, SuperpowerfulGenetics'''
[[AC: Mages are like Scholars]]
Mages of this kind are studious and resourceful. They know dead languages and ancient history to a huge extent. You can find a classicist-like mage to poring through dusty tomes of forgotten lore in a huge library. Expect them to come with AncientArtifacts. Alternately, or in addition, they're likely to not only understand magic, but to have an understanding of the natural world itself -- understanding things like chemistry and physics, as well as the attendant tools to formulate such laws, such as advanced mathematics. Associated trope: '''SufficientlyAnalyzedMagic, MagicIsMental'''
[[AC: Mages are like Theurgists]]
Theurgists here refers to 2 things: "cultists" and "priests". They share similar underlying premise: They draw their powers from a "higher source". The split was codified by DungeonsAndDragons as a means to [[MutuallyExclusiveMagic distinguish normal wizards or warlocks from monks or priests]].
* Cult mages (or warlocks) draw their powers through [[ReligionOfEvil worship]], or contract, with an evil or dark entity. Oftentimes the magic used here tend to be nasty/destructive, and may have unwanted side effects to the user.
* Clerics (or priests) draw their powers through the verse's God, or a similarly divine being, through worship or contract (like cultists). Magic that they used will tend to be supportive or healing, but sometimes may include HolyHandGrenade.
Ironically, the original Magi were priestlike, and they did follow a dualistic faith with a God of Evil, but they considered themselves followers of the good god. In some cases, they may even be able to [[SummonMagic summon said entities themselves]] to help. Associated trope: '''ReligionIsMagic, DealWithTheDevil, BargainWithHeaven, WildMagic[[note]]where you have to appeal to the magic's nature for it to work[[/note]]'''
[[/folder]]
See also FunctionalMagic for "Our Magic Is Different". Compare MagiciansAreWizards (when stage magicians are lumped together with actual magic users).
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!!Examples:
[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder:AnimeAndManga]]
* In ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'', understanding chemistry and laws of physics seems to be the only requirement for using alchemy.
* Magicians in ''LightNovel/ACertainMagicalIndex'' are scholars, they gain their powers from learning ancient knowledge but they align themselves with religions so they overlap with priests.
* In the ''LyricalNanoha'' franchise, the mages are somewhere between Lottery Winners and Athletes: magical abilities are pretty random (a child of two {{Muggles}} can grow up to be a powerful mage, and vice versa), but becoming a qualified mage (not to mention a combat mage) requires years of extensive physical and magical training and continuous workouts to keep yourself in shape. Extensive training and innate magical power are depicted largely interchangeable.
* In ''PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'', Puella Magis are formed by a contract with Kyubey, in that they're given magical powers (and a wish) and in return you have to fight Witches ({{Eldritch Abomination}}s of the verse).
* In ''OnePiece'', it's closer to superpowers, but Devil Fruits can turn any of its eaters into "mutant" superbeings. Also, as the power of the fruit is limited only by the user's creativity, fruit users are also akin to artists.
** For Haki (basically force of will), anyone can get access to and learn it by training (athletes), but it's a rarity for someone to have a special form of Haki named King's Disposition (lottery winners). Nevertheless, if you happen to have it, it too can be trained.
* Ninjutsu in ''{{Naruto}}'' are mostly studied and trained. Some, however, have abilities that are inherited (called "Kekkei Genkai"). Aburame clan, in particular, also made a deal with certain mystical bugs that will help the clan whenever needed, in exchange for said bugs to live in their bodies.
** Practitioners of Senjutsu (sage techniques) are basically Naturalists, mixed with Monks in that they can access nature energy and then use it to turn one's chakra into a stronger form by becoming close to nature; this is done primarily via meditation (i.e being perfectly still).
** The First Hokage also have an unique kind of DNA that allows fast regeneration and control of plant life, and said DNA sample is used on some people as a source of power (mutants); i.e Danzo, Zetsu and Madara.
* Magic in ''Manga/FairyTail'' is totally mundane and accessible to anyone, but it requires training, making them a mix between Athletes and Scholars.
* In ''Manga/HunterXHunter'', everyone has an aura that can be used to achieve supernatural effects by learning Nen. Using basic Nen techniques requires extensive physical training (Athletes) and, since controlling the aura requires a strong will, meditation (Monks). Furthermore, Nen allows everyone to create unique abilities in different categories. You can achieve any effect you want as long as you place restrictions, but the more an ability suits your personality, the stronger it will be, (Artists). Also, people with innate Nen abilities and people who belong to the Specialist Nen category are Lottery Winners.
* Shamans from ''Manga/ShamanKing'' learn to channel spirits through meditation (Monks). However, other Shamans have a spiritual lifestyle that leds them to interact with nature spirits, like Horo Horo (Naturalist), or spirits of beings considered deities (Theurgist).
* ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'' is an interesting example. By making a contract with Kyubey, a girl gets a Soul Gem that allows her to become a MagicalGirl in exchange for a wish, making them Gadget Users. [[spoiler: it is revealed however that the Soul Gem is actually the girl's soul, taken apart from the body. This grants magic but also makes the soul get corrupted with time, making them Mutants]]
* In ''TheSlayers'', magic power is a combination of lottery and scholarship. To be a mage, you have to have both natural talent ("bucket" and "pool" capacity for magical power) and a mind to study and master the magical science. [[TheDitz Gourry Gabriev]], for example, has the magical talents but lacks the mental capacity to master magic, which makes him a muggle.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:ComicBooks]]
* ''GreenLantern'': Back in the Golden Age at least, the magical Green Lantern Ring is the source of all of his abilities. Nowadays said ring is SufficientlyAdvancedTechonology in nature.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Film]]
* In ''StarWars'', the Jedi seem to be a combination of Monks, Naturalists and a race: They are already born sensitive to the Force, but need to develop their connection in order to gain special abilities. The Sith also do the same, but by different means.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Literature]]
* In ''Literature/LordOfTheRings'', wizards such as Gandalf are like gods: Gandalf is a Maia (as is Sauron), not a human.
* In ''Franchise/HarryPotter'', the ability to use magic is hereditary and how pure someone's bloodline is seems to be a big deal for some wizards. It is however possible for magic to manifest in a non-wizard child (so called muggle-born). The reverse is also true; the so-called "squib" are MuggleBornOfMages.
** Mages here are also gadget-users in that they're reliant on MagicWand to do their magic. Using magic without wand is, consequently, considered a masterful feat in universe, and people who achieved it can be counted by just one hand.
* In ''Franchise/{{Mistborn}}'' mages literally are aristocrats -- the noble families are noble because there's a chance an allomancer will be born in their bloodline, while it should be impossible for the slave race of skaa.
* In ''Literature/TheBible'', in Exodus 7, both Aaron and the Egyptian "sorcerers and magicians" are capable to transforming rods into snakes (although [[MyDadCanBeatUpYourDad Aaron's snake is more powerful]]). The popular explanation for Egyptian sorcerers' apparent ability to perform miracles is that they were demon-worshippers, while Aaron's magic, of course, comes from God.
* In ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'', mages are generally a race; while anyone can use rudimentary magic with the proper training, the amount of raw power they're able to bring to bear seems to be inborn. Additionally, wizards have much longer lifespans than regular humans.
* In ''Literature/WarBreaker'' mages are scholars; every person has a Breath from birth, but you need a lot of Breaths to do anything significant. Basically, everyone is born with 1 Mana Point, but Breaths can be transferred between people. Magic is treated like a science, where mages are still trying to figure out all the rules to make a successfull spell, why certain spells cost more Breath than others, and, given how scarce they are, the way to use Breaths more efficiently.
* The {{Deryni}} in the works of KatherineKurtz are a combination of categories:
** The raw ability is inherited.
** The use of the powers must be taught, and through practice a certain level of physical endurance must be built up ("Athletes").
** Each actual use of the powers entails a deep concentration bordering on self-hypnosis, a concentration which must also be learned ("Monks").
** The Haldanes (and possibly other humans) have dormant abilities that are activated by rituals or other overt actions involving psychic power ("Mutants").
** Thanks to persecutions and efforts to escape the same, some people turn out to have the powers seemingly at random ("Lottery Winners").
* Sorcerers in the ''{{Belgariad}}'' are a mix of Lottery Winner and Monk -- the potential for sorcery is present in every human, but unless you're being guided in some way you'll probably never unlock your potential (without vaporizing yourself). Once the power is released that first time, it's probably closer to Monk, since everything you do is by force of will.
* ''JonathanStrangeAndMrNorrell'': Magicians are scholars. Before Mr. Norrell emerged on the scene, most magicians were theoretical, researching spells in older books, but never doing them. Mr. Norrell does the spells, but he has to rely on his study of older works to do it.
* In ''Literature/TheSwordOfTruth'', magical gift is sometimes inherited from one's ancestors (less and less common ever since a major magical disruption 3,000 years ago), and sometimes, it seems, pops on its own (there used to be a time when nearly everyone was a wizard, so there isn't much difference). However, it is possible for a wizard to take an apprentice without a gift, and teach him to use magic, with the process probably using some magical procedures. The wizards trained that way are, apparently, considerably less capable.
* ''Literature/InheritanceCycle'':
** Racial: Dragons naturally have massive amounts of magical energy, which their Riders can then draw upon. Elves also have a lot of magic naturally, but their approach is more like Artists or Scientists.
** Cultists: Sorcerers summon and bind spirits for energy, but that has the risk of the spirits possessing them and creating a Shade.
* In ''Literature/TheStormlightArchive'', Surgebinders are a strange sort of priest-like mage. They gain power by ''wholeheartedly'' embracing the First Ideal of the Radiants and one of the ten other ideals, thus forging a bond with a spren[[note]]Remnants of the Almighty; a sort of reified, self-aware idea[[/note]] and gaining a Shardblade and power over two of the ten forces of nature.
*In ''Literature/TheDragonKnight'', magickians are priests. Their (entirely defensive) magic is awarded to them by a CelestialBureaucracy called the Accounting Office, as payment for their work foiling the eternal threat of the [[BiggerBad Dark Powers]]. Sorcerers, meanwhile, are magickians' {{Evil Counterpart}}s; their entirely ''offensive'' magic is powered by their service ''to'' the Dark Powers.
* ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'':
** The magic performed by the Red Priests of R'hllor veer close to the Cultist category, as its implied their considerable power comes from allegiance to the Red God. Some, though, such as the [[CastingAShadow shadowbinder]] Melisandre, come with their own abilities of varying origin.
** [[BodySurf Skinchangers]] are more random, as it's mentioned that only one person in a thousand is born as one. There's also slight hereditary there somewhere, as having the blood of the First Men allegedly makes it more likely to become on. The series' six Stark siblings, for instance, are all skinchangers.
** The Alchemist's Guild in King's Landing are likely scholars, as while their practice is rooted in science, they draw upon plenty of ancient knowledge.
* In the Literature/LandOfOz real magic seems to be the result of study more than biology. When the Wizard from ''Literature/TheWonderfulWizardOfOz'' comes back to Oz in a later book, Glinda teaches him "real" magic to replace his stage magic. He becomes one of only three people in all of Oz legally allowed to practice magic. [[note]]The other two being Glinda herself and Ozma.[[/note]]
* [[Literature/TheRithmatist Rithmatists]] are partly random chance, being about .1% of the population, and apparently chosen during a religious ceremony. However, to be a ''good'' Rithmatist you need to be good at freehand geometric drawing in order to make strong lines of power, and a talented artist in order to make useful chalklings.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:TabletopGames]]
* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons''
** Divine spellcasters, particularly clerics and {{paladin}}s, gain their abilities through allegiance to supernatural forces. This is usually a deity, although [[OurDemonsAreDifferent archfiends]] can grant spells in some settings, and other setting such as ''TabletopGame/{{Greyhawk}}'' follow ClapYourHandsIfYouBelieve by allowing them to give their allegiance to a non-personified force such as Order. Divine spellcasters can also lose their powers by acting contrary to their oaths.
* ''TabletopGame/{{Ironclaw}}'':
** Scholars: Elementalists, [[PsychicPowers Green and Purple mages]], and especially Thaumaturgists learn magic through intensive study, while Most Clerics of [[CrystalDragonJesus S'Allumer]] aren't actually channeling the divine so much as using their own power to cast spells recorded in the holy scriptures centuries ago. The possible exception is the Sacerdotal prayers in the oldest, untranslated, editions.
** Cultists: Druids and Blessed Priestesses of Lutara make pacts with nature spirits to cast their spells, while Necromancers enslave the restless dead to wield immense power. However some Druid spells, all Blessed [[ActualPacifist weapon]] spells, and every single Necromantic spell carries a risk of the spirits breaking free and doing other stuff when [[NumberOfTheBeast three sixes]] are rolled.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:VideoGames]]
* In ''FinalFantasyVI'', Magicite makes "mutant" mages, eventually granting Esper's spells to the person that holds it for a given time. Technically, the original Espers were created in a similar way, as they used to be normal people that were altered by being caught in a crossfire between [[JerkassGods The Warring Triad.]]
* In ''{{Elsword}}'', Aisha's three job branches turn her into different kinds of mages:
** Elemental Master has her study and train hard to master elemental magic; a mix of athlete and scholar.
** Void Princess is her making a contract with a demon to access dark magic; said demon gives her an outfit that lets her wield dark magic. A cultist mage, combined with gadget user.
** Dimension Witch uses magical artifacts and enchanted stones that are the source of her space and time magic; a gadget user, with some touches of scholar (she studies on how she can apply said magic).
* ''VideoGame/FireEmblem'': Mages are like scholars. Most games describe tomes as simply a weapon type that you would train to use in an academic setting rather than a physical one. Anyone ''could'' use magic as much as anyone ''could'' use a sword. Further the tomes are often in ancient tongues or sources of other arcane wisdom, and the most powerful mages are typically scholars or ReallySevenHundredYearsOld so they have had time to learn more about magic. Though some people have natural aptitude for using magic well, it's also incredibly rare to meet someone who can use magic innately without the use of books, staves or other tools.
* ''TheElderScrolls'': Here, mages are athletes, in that mages gain their abilities through lots of practice.
*''VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}'' mods
**''Thaumcraft 4'' thaumaturges are scholars, researching the techniques for making magic wands, tools, devices and minions, which they craft using collected magical energy and the refined essence of items.
*Cepters from ''VideoGame/{{Culdcept}}'' are a variant of scholars. Their powers come from [[CollectibleCardGame cards]] that are pages of the Book of Creation, which are found scattered throughout the world (or, of course, in the hands of other Cepters).
* In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII'' the Sorceresses are like a Race, being genetically compatible women who inherit the ability to use magic when a fellow sorceress passes her powers upon death. Other humans can use a lesser form of magic called Para Magic which can be used by anyone by a process of controlling energy or by Junctioning a Guardian Force making their abilities closer to mutants.
* ''DragonAge'' is a weird case of Mages are like aristocrats in that it tends to run in families and Mages are like lottery winners in that it crops up seemingly randomly.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:VisualNovels]]
* In the ''Franchise/{{Nasuverse}}'', mages are commonly hereditary. Most magi families pass their magic circuits from generation to generation, and in the case of having more than one child, is not uncommon for them to either send them to other houses or keep them out of the loop.
* In ''Franchise/DragonAge'', mages are like a race, although the inheritance seems to be fairly unpredictable. Also, mages are kept isolated by force in most societies due to the fact that they are prone to getting possessed by demons.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:WebComics]]
*In ''Webcomic/CodeNameHunter,'' magic [[http://www.darcsowers.com/post/88472245052/does-a-person-have-to-be-a-strong-source-of-magic-i-e requires strong "essence"]] (willpower, faith, conviction, etc). However, even among those with strong essence, only a rare few actually get magical talent, apparently at random.
**Of note, mages are powered by the aggregate essence of their entire culture, so a nation full of happy, productive, empowered citizens (like most first-world countries) has ''much'' more magical potential than a nation of downtrodden peasants like [[MedievalStasis Astoria]].
* ''WebComic/ElGoonishShive'' is [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=815 a mixed case]]: "The most common form of magic in EGS is powered by spiritual energy from the spell caster. This energy can be innate, or obtained and/or enhanced via training. Power alone isn't enough to cast spells. One must train in a specific fashion to obtain access to their spells, or have the power awakened within them by being that are capable of such things."
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Western Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' / ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'': Benders are a mix of Racial, Athletes, and Monks: Bending abilities are hereditary, and for example Aang's ([[BlowYouAway Airbender]]) and Katara's ([[MakingASplash Waterbender]]) children, Tenzin, Kya, and Bumi, are an Airbender, a Waterbender, and [[{{Muggle}} a non-bender]] respectively. On the other hand, since Benders [[ElementalPowers control the elements]] with [[FullContactMagic physical movements]], one's prowess in magic is also determined by the skill of one's master and the amount of basic form training. Lastly, to fully utilize the power of the elements, one needs to understand their philosophical nature ([[DishingOutDirt controlling earth]] can be difficult for someone who lacks determination, whereas wind requires certain flexibility and calmness of mind).
** The Avatar (who can bend [[SuperPowerLottery all four elements]]) is a special case in that he/she also has traces of Theurgist and Lottery Winner in him/her: The Avatar's power comes from [[GodOfGood the spirit of light, Raava]], that inhabits his/her body, and the Avatar has all the knowledge and power of the previous generations of Avatars in his/her hands. Who gets to weild this power is chosen by Raava alone, so from the point of view of humans this is completely random.
* In the animated TV version of ''WesternAnimation/FrostyTheSnowman'' Frosty comes to life after a magic top hat is placed on his head. The previeous owner of the hat is a bumbling magician who didn't realize the hat had actual magic and spends most of the show trying to get it back.
[[/folder]]
Note that these analogies could be mixed: for instance, it is possible that the innate ability to wield magic is based on bloodline (as with the mage race), but that to develop this innate ability, the mage must use ancient lore (as with the scholarly mage). Also note that this is about ''how'' the mage acquires power, not the ''source'' of that power: i.e., whether magic is drawn from nature, from the elements, from other planes, from the spirit world, or whatever.
It is also possible that there are multiple kinds of mages in one setting; sometimes they are {{mutually exclusive|Magic}}, sometimes they can be mixed (see above). when one of them is supposedly rare or unusual in universe, see WrongContextMagic.
Despite the name, this can sometimes apply to DifferentlyPoweredIndividual as well; see also HowToGiveACharacterSuperpowers.
[[folder:Mages are like...]]
[[AC: Mages are like Artists]]
Artist-like mages gain their ability based on creativity and imagination. As with being a great artist, being a great mage may require practice and technical skill to some extent, but a sense of artistic creativity is vital. These mages may [[CloudCuckoolander have their heads on a cloud]] as a result of their wild imagination.
Associated trope: '''ImaginationBasedSuperpower, ArtAttacker'''
[[AC: Mages are like Athletes]]
The ability of the athlete-like mage to wield magic is based on years of intensive, exhaustive training. In Asian works, may sometimes overlap with the Monks subtype. Associated trope: '''CharlesAtlasSuperpower, FullContactMagic, KiManipulation, KungFuWizard'''
[[AC: Mages are like Gadget Users]]
Sometimes they're not so much "mages" as they are "magical equipment users": Their magic abilities come from what they have in their person - be it an accessory, a clothing, a weapon, etc. Depending on the work, said equipments may be so vital to the character that he/she is as good as a Muggle without it; or they already have magic abilities by themselves and the equipments are just there to help them; or (when this is subverted) their magic abilities come purely from themselves and [[MagicFeather said equipments only act as a crutch]]. Common with the MagicalGirl genre. Associated trope: '''UpgradeArtifact, AmplifierArtifact, MagicWand, ClothesMakeTheSuperman, MagicalAccessory'''
[[AC: Mages are like Gods]]
In this variant, a mage is not a human being. The mage may take on the appearance of a human, but the actual nature of the mage is divine, whether demonic or angelic. May overlap with the Theurgist subtype if these gods can allow their followers to use a portion of their power.
[[AC: Mages are like Lottery Winners]]
Mages get their ability to wield magic completely at random. Nothing but chance determines who is likely to wield magic. Associated trope: '''RandomlyGifted'''
[[AC: Mages are like Monks]]
Mages' most notable feature is their mental discipline and force of will -- abilities that might be cultivated through meditation. It seems likely that in worlds where reality responds to sufficiently intense strength of will, these mages might be likely. Associated trope: '''EnlightenmentSuperpowers'''
[[AC: Mages are like Mutants]]
Magic is acquired by being exposed to some kind of substance/energy. It may or may not cause any adverse effects to the mage's body. It may also overlap with the race subtype if the mutation is passed down to offspring. This one is often the most common way to turn a non-mage to become a mage, alongside Gadget Users. Associated trope: '''SuperSerum, TouchedByVorlons'''
[[AC: Mages are like Naturalists]]
Here, one can become mage by getting closer to nature. How exactly that is may vary, and overlap with other means: Maybe you're close with a mystical entity pertaining to nature that entrusts you with the power of nature (Cultist), maybe you study hard about nature (Scholar), maybe you find deeper meaning in how nature works and thus become enlightened (Monks). They're not just limited to those, however; e.g being kind and friendly to nature may make them help you in return, or there's an unseen force of nature (often, but not always, confined to a place) that you can manipulate by different means. Associated trope: '''InHarmonyWithNature, BackgroundMagicField, SentientCosmicForce'''
[[AC: Mages are like a Race]]
The ability to do magic is passed from parents to children. It may skip generations, or crop up unexpectedly on occasion, but it is ultimately based on inheritance. When mages are like this, they'll tend to make an isolated community of themselves, but not always. Associated trope: '''WitchSpecies, SuperpowerfulGenetics'''
[[AC: Mages are like Scholars]]
Mages of this kind are studious and resourceful. They know dead languages and ancient history to a huge extent. You can find a classicist-like mage to poring through dusty tomes of forgotten lore in a huge library. Expect them to come with AncientArtifacts. Alternately, or in addition, they're likely to not only understand magic, but to have an understanding of the natural world itself -- understanding things like chemistry and physics, as well as the attendant tools to formulate such laws, such as advanced mathematics. Associated trope: '''SufficientlyAnalyzedMagic, MagicIsMental'''
[[AC: Mages are like Theurgists]]
Theurgists here refers to 2 things: "cultists" and "priests". They share similar underlying premise: They draw their powers from a "higher source". The split was codified by DungeonsAndDragons as a means to [[MutuallyExclusiveMagic distinguish normal wizards or warlocks from monks or priests]].
* Cult mages (or warlocks) draw their powers through [[ReligionOfEvil worship]], or contract, with an evil or dark entity. Oftentimes the magic used here tend to be nasty/destructive, and may have unwanted side effects to the user.
* Clerics (or priests) draw their powers through the verse's God, or a similarly divine being, through worship or contract (like cultists). Magic that they used will tend to be supportive or healing, but sometimes may include HolyHandGrenade.
Ironically, the original Magi were priestlike, and they did follow a dualistic faith with a God of Evil, but they considered themselves followers of the good god. In some cases, they may even be able to [[SummonMagic summon said entities themselves]] to help. Associated trope: '''ReligionIsMagic, DealWithTheDevil, BargainWithHeaven, WildMagic[[note]]where you have to appeal to the magic's nature for it to work[[/note]]'''
[[/folder]]
See also FunctionalMagic for "Our Magic Is Different". Compare MagiciansAreWizards (when stage magicians are lumped together with actual magic users).
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!!Examples:
[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder:AnimeAndManga]]
* In ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'', understanding chemistry and laws of physics seems to be the only requirement for using alchemy.
* Magicians in ''LightNovel/ACertainMagicalIndex'' are scholars, they gain their powers from learning ancient knowledge but they align themselves with religions so they overlap with priests.
* In the ''LyricalNanoha'' franchise, the mages are somewhere between Lottery Winners and Athletes: magical abilities are pretty random (a child of two {{Muggles}} can grow up to be a powerful mage, and vice versa), but becoming a qualified mage (not to mention a combat mage) requires years of extensive physical and magical training and continuous workouts to keep yourself in shape. Extensive training and innate magical power are depicted largely interchangeable.
* In ''PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'', Puella Magis are formed by a contract with Kyubey, in that they're given magical powers (and a wish) and in return you have to fight Witches ({{Eldritch Abomination}}s of the verse).
* In ''OnePiece'', it's closer to superpowers, but Devil Fruits can turn any of its eaters into "mutant" superbeings. Also, as the power of the fruit is limited only by the user's creativity, fruit users are also akin to artists.
** For Haki (basically force of will), anyone can get access to and learn it by training (athletes), but it's a rarity for someone to have a special form of Haki named King's Disposition (lottery winners). Nevertheless, if you happen to have it, it too can be trained.
* Ninjutsu in ''{{Naruto}}'' are mostly studied and trained. Some, however, have abilities that are inherited (called "Kekkei Genkai"). Aburame clan, in particular, also made a deal with certain mystical bugs that will help the clan whenever needed, in exchange for said bugs to live in their bodies.
** Practitioners of Senjutsu (sage techniques) are basically Naturalists, mixed with Monks in that they can access nature energy and then use it to turn one's chakra into a stronger form by becoming close to nature; this is done primarily via meditation (i.e being perfectly still).
** The First Hokage also have an unique kind of DNA that allows fast regeneration and control of plant life, and said DNA sample is used on some people as a source of power (mutants); i.e Danzo, Zetsu and Madara.
* Magic in ''Manga/FairyTail'' is totally mundane and accessible to anyone, but it requires training, making them a mix between Athletes and Scholars.
* In ''Manga/HunterXHunter'', everyone has an aura that can be used to achieve supernatural effects by learning Nen. Using basic Nen techniques requires extensive physical training (Athletes) and, since controlling the aura requires a strong will, meditation (Monks). Furthermore, Nen allows everyone to create unique abilities in different categories. You can achieve any effect you want as long as you place restrictions, but the more an ability suits your personality, the stronger it will be, (Artists). Also, people with innate Nen abilities and people who belong to the Specialist Nen category are Lottery Winners.
* Shamans from ''Manga/ShamanKing'' learn to channel spirits through meditation (Monks). However, other Shamans have a spiritual lifestyle that leds them to interact with nature spirits, like Horo Horo (Naturalist), or spirits of beings considered deities (Theurgist).
* ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'' is an interesting example. By making a contract with Kyubey, a girl gets a Soul Gem that allows her to become a MagicalGirl in exchange for a wish, making them Gadget Users. [[spoiler: it is revealed however that the Soul Gem is actually the girl's soul, taken apart from the body. This grants magic but also makes the soul get corrupted with time, making them Mutants]]
* In ''TheSlayers'', magic power is a combination of lottery and scholarship. To be a mage, you have to have both natural talent ("bucket" and "pool" capacity for magical power) and a mind to study and master the magical science. [[TheDitz Gourry Gabriev]], for example, has the magical talents but lacks the mental capacity to master magic, which makes him a muggle.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:ComicBooks]]
* ''GreenLantern'': Back in the Golden Age at least, the magical Green Lantern Ring is the source of all of his abilities. Nowadays said ring is SufficientlyAdvancedTechonology in nature.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Film]]
* In ''StarWars'', the Jedi seem to be a combination of Monks, Naturalists and a race: They are already born sensitive to the Force, but need to develop their connection in order to gain special abilities. The Sith also do the same, but by different means.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Literature]]
* In ''Literature/LordOfTheRings'', wizards such as Gandalf are like gods: Gandalf is a Maia (as is Sauron), not a human.
* In ''Franchise/HarryPotter'', the ability to use magic is hereditary and how pure someone's bloodline is seems to be a big deal for some wizards. It is however possible for magic to manifest in a non-wizard child (so called muggle-born). The reverse is also true; the so-called "squib" are MuggleBornOfMages.
** Mages here are also gadget-users in that they're reliant on MagicWand to do their magic. Using magic without wand is, consequently, considered a masterful feat in universe, and people who achieved it can be counted by just one hand.
* In ''Franchise/{{Mistborn}}'' mages literally are aristocrats -- the noble families are noble because there's a chance an allomancer will be born in their bloodline, while it should be impossible for the slave race of skaa.
* In ''Literature/TheBible'', in Exodus 7, both Aaron and the Egyptian "sorcerers and magicians" are capable to transforming rods into snakes (although [[MyDadCanBeatUpYourDad Aaron's snake is more powerful]]). The popular explanation for Egyptian sorcerers' apparent ability to perform miracles is that they were demon-worshippers, while Aaron's magic, of course, comes from God.
* In ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'', mages are generally a race; while anyone can use rudimentary magic with the proper training, the amount of raw power they're able to bring to bear seems to be inborn. Additionally, wizards have much longer lifespans than regular humans.
* In ''Literature/WarBreaker'' mages are scholars; every person has a Breath from birth, but you need a lot of Breaths to do anything significant. Basically, everyone is born with 1 Mana Point, but Breaths can be transferred between people. Magic is treated like a science, where mages are still trying to figure out all the rules to make a successfull spell, why certain spells cost more Breath than others, and, given how scarce they are, the way to use Breaths more efficiently.
* The {{Deryni}} in the works of KatherineKurtz are a combination of categories:
** The raw ability is inherited.
** The use of the powers must be taught, and through practice a certain level of physical endurance must be built up ("Athletes").
** Each actual use of the powers entails a deep concentration bordering on self-hypnosis, a concentration which must also be learned ("Monks").
** The Haldanes (and possibly other humans) have dormant abilities that are activated by rituals or other overt actions involving psychic power ("Mutants").
** Thanks to persecutions and efforts to escape the same, some people turn out to have the powers seemingly at random ("Lottery Winners").
* Sorcerers in the ''{{Belgariad}}'' are a mix of Lottery Winner and Monk -- the potential for sorcery is present in every human, but unless you're being guided in some way you'll probably never unlock your potential (without vaporizing yourself). Once the power is released that first time, it's probably closer to Monk, since everything you do is by force of will.
* ''JonathanStrangeAndMrNorrell'': Magicians are scholars. Before Mr. Norrell emerged on the scene, most magicians were theoretical, researching spells in older books, but never doing them. Mr. Norrell does the spells, but he has to rely on his study of older works to do it.
* In ''Literature/TheSwordOfTruth'', magical gift is sometimes inherited from one's ancestors (less and less common ever since a major magical disruption 3,000 years ago), and sometimes, it seems, pops on its own (there used to be a time when nearly everyone was a wizard, so there isn't much difference). However, it is possible for a wizard to take an apprentice without a gift, and teach him to use magic, with the process probably using some magical procedures. The wizards trained that way are, apparently, considerably less capable.
* ''Literature/InheritanceCycle'':
** Racial: Dragons naturally have massive amounts of magical energy, which their Riders can then draw upon. Elves also have a lot of magic naturally, but their approach is more like Artists or Scientists.
** Cultists: Sorcerers summon and bind spirits for energy, but that has the risk of the spirits possessing them and creating a Shade.
* In ''Literature/TheStormlightArchive'', Surgebinders are a strange sort of priest-like mage. They gain power by ''wholeheartedly'' embracing the First Ideal of the Radiants and one of the ten other ideals, thus forging a bond with a spren[[note]]Remnants of the Almighty; a sort of reified, self-aware idea[[/note]] and gaining a Shardblade and power over two of the ten forces of nature.
*In ''Literature/TheDragonKnight'', magickians are priests. Their (entirely defensive) magic is awarded to them by a CelestialBureaucracy called the Accounting Office, as payment for their work foiling the eternal threat of the [[BiggerBad Dark Powers]]. Sorcerers, meanwhile, are magickians' {{Evil Counterpart}}s; their entirely ''offensive'' magic is powered by their service ''to'' the Dark Powers.
* ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'':
** The magic performed by the Red Priests of R'hllor veer close to the Cultist category, as its implied their considerable power comes from allegiance to the Red God. Some, though, such as the [[CastingAShadow shadowbinder]] Melisandre, come with their own abilities of varying origin.
** [[BodySurf Skinchangers]] are more random, as it's mentioned that only one person in a thousand is born as one. There's also slight hereditary there somewhere, as having the blood of the First Men allegedly makes it more likely to become on. The series' six Stark siblings, for instance, are all skinchangers.
** The Alchemist's Guild in King's Landing are likely scholars, as while their practice is rooted in science, they draw upon plenty of ancient knowledge.
* In the Literature/LandOfOz real magic seems to be the result of study more than biology. When the Wizard from ''Literature/TheWonderfulWizardOfOz'' comes back to Oz in a later book, Glinda teaches him "real" magic to replace his stage magic. He becomes one of only three people in all of Oz legally allowed to practice magic. [[note]]The other two being Glinda herself and Ozma.[[/note]]
* [[Literature/TheRithmatist Rithmatists]] are partly random chance, being about .1% of the population, and apparently chosen during a religious ceremony. However, to be a ''good'' Rithmatist you need to be good at freehand geometric drawing in order to make strong lines of power, and a talented artist in order to make useful chalklings.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:TabletopGames]]
* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons''
** Divine spellcasters, particularly clerics and {{paladin}}s, gain their abilities through allegiance to supernatural forces. This is usually a deity, although [[OurDemonsAreDifferent archfiends]] can grant spells in some settings, and other setting such as ''TabletopGame/{{Greyhawk}}'' follow ClapYourHandsIfYouBelieve by allowing them to give their allegiance to a non-personified force such as Order. Divine spellcasters can also lose their powers by acting contrary to their oaths.
* ''TabletopGame/{{Ironclaw}}'':
** Scholars: Elementalists, [[PsychicPowers Green and Purple mages]], and especially Thaumaturgists learn magic through intensive study, while Most Clerics of [[CrystalDragonJesus S'Allumer]] aren't actually channeling the divine so much as using their own power to cast spells recorded in the holy scriptures centuries ago. The possible exception is the Sacerdotal prayers in the oldest, untranslated, editions.
** Cultists: Druids and Blessed Priestesses of Lutara make pacts with nature spirits to cast their spells, while Necromancers enslave the restless dead to wield immense power. However some Druid spells, all Blessed [[ActualPacifist weapon]] spells, and every single Necromantic spell carries a risk of the spirits breaking free and doing other stuff when [[NumberOfTheBeast three sixes]] are rolled.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:VideoGames]]
* In ''FinalFantasyVI'', Magicite makes "mutant" mages, eventually granting Esper's spells to the person that holds it for a given time. Technically, the original Espers were created in a similar way, as they used to be normal people that were altered by being caught in a crossfire between [[JerkassGods The Warring Triad.]]
* In ''{{Elsword}}'', Aisha's three job branches turn her into different kinds of mages:
** Elemental Master has her study and train hard to master elemental magic; a mix of athlete and scholar.
** Void Princess is her making a contract with a demon to access dark magic; said demon gives her an outfit that lets her wield dark magic. A cultist mage, combined with gadget user.
** Dimension Witch uses magical artifacts and enchanted stones that are the source of her space and time magic; a gadget user, with some touches of scholar (she studies on how she can apply said magic).
* ''VideoGame/FireEmblem'': Mages are like scholars. Most games describe tomes as simply a weapon type that you would train to use in an academic setting rather than a physical one. Anyone ''could'' use magic as much as anyone ''could'' use a sword. Further the tomes are often in ancient tongues or sources of other arcane wisdom, and the most powerful mages are typically scholars or ReallySevenHundredYearsOld so they have had time to learn more about magic. Though some people have natural aptitude for using magic well, it's also incredibly rare to meet someone who can use magic innately without the use of books, staves or other tools.
* ''TheElderScrolls'': Here, mages are athletes, in that mages gain their abilities through lots of practice.
*''VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}'' mods
**''Thaumcraft 4'' thaumaturges are scholars, researching the techniques for making magic wands, tools, devices and minions, which they craft using collected magical energy and the refined essence of items.
*Cepters from ''VideoGame/{{Culdcept}}'' are a variant of scholars. Their powers come from [[CollectibleCardGame cards]] that are pages of the Book of Creation, which are found scattered throughout the world (or, of course, in the hands of other Cepters).
* In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII'' the Sorceresses are like a Race, being genetically compatible women who inherit the ability to use magic when a fellow sorceress passes her powers upon death. Other humans can use a lesser form of magic called Para Magic which can be used by anyone by a process of controlling energy or by Junctioning a Guardian Force making their abilities closer to mutants.
* ''DragonAge'' is a weird case of Mages are like aristocrats in that it tends to run in families and Mages are like lottery winners in that it crops up seemingly randomly.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:VisualNovels]]
* In the ''Franchise/{{Nasuverse}}'', mages are commonly hereditary. Most magi families pass their magic circuits from generation to generation, and in the case of having more than one child, is not uncommon for them to either send them to other houses or keep them out of the loop.
* In ''Franchise/DragonAge'', mages are like a race, although the inheritance seems to be fairly unpredictable. Also, mages are kept isolated by force in most societies due to the fact that they are prone to getting possessed by demons.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:WebComics]]
*In ''Webcomic/CodeNameHunter,'' magic [[http://www.darcsowers.com/post/88472245052/does-a-person-have-to-be-a-strong-source-of-magic-i-e requires strong "essence"]] (willpower, faith, conviction, etc). However, even among those with strong essence, only a rare few actually get magical talent, apparently at random.
**Of note, mages are powered by the aggregate essence of their entire culture, so a nation full of happy, productive, empowered citizens (like most first-world countries) has ''much'' more magical potential than a nation of downtrodden peasants like [[MedievalStasis Astoria]].
* ''WebComic/ElGoonishShive'' is [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=815 a mixed case]]: "The most common form of magic in EGS is powered by spiritual energy from the spell caster. This energy can be innate, or obtained and/or enhanced via training. Power alone isn't enough to cast spells. One must train in a specific fashion to obtain access to their spells, or have the power awakened within them by being that are capable of such things."
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Western Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' / ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'': Benders are a mix of Racial, Athletes, and Monks: Bending abilities are hereditary, and for example Aang's ([[BlowYouAway Airbender]]) and Katara's ([[MakingASplash Waterbender]]) children, Tenzin, Kya, and Bumi, are an Airbender, a Waterbender, and [[{{Muggle}} a non-bender]] respectively. On the other hand, since Benders [[ElementalPowers control the elements]] with [[FullContactMagic physical movements]], one's prowess in magic is also determined by the skill of one's master and the amount of basic form training. Lastly, to fully utilize the power of the elements, one needs to understand their philosophical nature ([[DishingOutDirt controlling earth]] can be difficult for someone who lacks determination, whereas wind requires certain flexibility and calmness of mind).
** The Avatar (who can bend [[SuperPowerLottery all four elements]]) is a special case in that he/she also has traces of Theurgist and Lottery Winner in him/her: The Avatar's power comes from [[GodOfGood the spirit of light, Raava]], that inhabits his/her body, and the Avatar has all the knowledge and power of the previous generations of Avatars in his/her hands. Who gets to weild this power is chosen by Raava alone, so from the point of view of humans this is completely random.
* In the animated TV version of ''WesternAnimation/FrostyTheSnowman'' Frosty comes to life after a magic top hat is placed on his head. The previeous owner of the hat is a bumbling magician who didn't realize the hat had actual magic and spends most of the show trying to get it back.
[[/folder]]
