CIRCLE OF MAGIC
Mages for the Lost Kings have actually very few restrictions on them as compared to other mages. Dress, weapons and armor are open to their own preferences, however, to reach the uper echelons of the mages circle a semi-strict dedication to the arcane arts and guild concepts is expected.
The symbol of the circle was chosen long ago by mages to represent the ebb and flow of the cycle of everything. What goes, comes again.
The mages of the Lost Kings are the keepers of the ancient wisdom that we strive to protect. They know the physics of magic, its ways and workings. They understand its heritage passed from the druid to druid until lost about the time Lord Britsh consolidated the lands.
They know the workings of the shrines, both British's Mantras and the ancient rites.
When a mage joins the guild they will be considered a neophyte. It doesn't really hinder them from participating in party meetings, crawls, brawls or anything else, it just signifies their time with the guild. A neophyte has two choices as to the path they wish to take.
Warlock
The neophyte works towards balance in their combative skills dividing their studies between both the martial and magical arts, without choosing either as a favorite. El Scorcho may have his own title for these members, but in our circles they are known as Warlocks.
Their is no animosity towards the Warlocks from the pure mages of the guild, however, specialty matters of magic (secret studies, rituals, and magic politics) are generally kept to the pure mages.
personal note,
It will be interesting to watch this branch of the guild to see if it develops its own leaders and inter-guild politics. -- Xiag
Apprentice
A neophyte can ask to start their studies under the tutiledge of a Master Mage. The advantage to this direction is that thier training is often (though not always) more complete, and they can advance faster (although some warlocks claim there is no substitue for actual experience in a dungeon -- Xiag).
After an apropriate amount of education, not only in the practice of magic, but in how to show new aprentices what to do, the Apprentice may be approached to take the test. Success will allow the student to progress to the title of master. Failure will place the mage among the ranks of the Warlocks.
Master Mage
Master mages are afforded more freedom than other sets. Should they choose they may take one (and only one) apprentice at a time. If they choose to do so, it is their job to help that person reach their full magic potential. The exact aproach is left up to the master.
Other wise a master mage can continue their own personal study, and dedicate themselves to grand mastery of the art.
Arch Mage
Arch mages have trained an aprentice up to master, have a full spell book, and are masters (if not grand masters) of Magic. Little is different from their master status, except that they may take a more prominent place in organizing guild activities and cerimonies.