Magology
"The work of a magician is without a doubt the single most important work that anyone can perform in the modern world." - Raibeart Weswood, senior magician
Magology, simply put, is the study of magic. This can include but is not limited to the licensed practice of magic in a professional setting as well as the formal research of how magic interacts with the world around us.
Magology has existed in some way ever since humanity first gained the capacity to use their own mana, with the oldest surviving examples of magic use dating back thousands of years. Since that time humanity has always found a practical use for magic, and with that use naturally came those who were simply better at it than everyone else. These early magicians often found themselves at the core of their tribes, acting as witch doctors or faith healers who would pass on their knowledge to family members or trusted apprentices. Even today, this kind of magical practice exists in a few pockets of traditional life, with the newest generation learning the same methodology as their eldest ancestors.
In these more enlightened times, however, people have found more effective ways of practicing magic. Centuries ago, the ancient magician Daryava discovered a way of imprinting magical knowledge into papyrus, allowing her students to learn through symbolic representations of magical reactions. These distinct, repeatable reactions are today known as spells, and allow the modern magician to study magic in half the time it took their ancestors.
Following the advent of spells, master magicians began to codify their abilities into writing in order to pass their knowledge on to future generations. Magic academies were established to train effective, disciplined magicians who could use their magic in public efforts such as construction and warfare. Admission into these schools was typically reserved for persons of higher social standing, namely the children of priests or nobility. Even today, magical education can be prohibitively expensive in some nations and the official practice of magic is seen as a mark of respect.
But magology is not simply the application of magic, but the understanding of it. By researching inherently magical substances, ancient magicians were able to contribute a greater understanding of how the natural world operates. These were the first alchemists, paving the way for modern practitioners to build upon their observations and further uncover the secrets of the natural sciences. Today, professional alchemists typically find their skills used in pharmaceutical or industrial applications, unlocking the magic in everyday materials to create lifesaving potions or power entire cities.