Mages wield incredible power with their magic, able to burn a person into ash with a simple gesture. Yet their power is also their weakness, for they focus entirely upon their learning, forgoing anything but the most basic training with the simplest armour and weapons. There are three Orders of Wizardry upon the Realms, which require that their students are bound to the laws of their Order. Mages who either do not qualify in skill or who refuse to submit themselves to the rule of an Order are known as Renegades, and are hunted down as 'abominations' by the Three Orders. Though few in number, the Renegades number among their ranks some very adept wizards, including a few outcasts from the Towers.
The Three Towers of Wizardry are monumental constructions of magic alone. No works of the hands of man could be as exquisite - or impenetrable. The Towers reign as the highest institutions of magical learning in the Realms. They spread knowledge and enlightenment throughout their diocese. They also hunt down 'unlawful' practitioners of the Art, and either convert or destroy them.
The Academies of Magic are sponsored by the Towers, and serve as a learning center for the newer wizards. Most acadamies serve a community far from its host Tower, and train the neophytes to the point where they can survive the often arduous journey through the Realms to reach their Tower.
The Order of Light requires that its mages adhere to the principles of goodness and law. The White Mages, as they are known, excel at protection magics. Whole armies have assaulted a single White Mage and have been unable to harm him. What they have in defense, they lack somewhat in destructive capabilty.
The Order of Twilight believes that neither Goodness nor Evil, nor Law or Chaos should ever rule the world. Any extreme will inflict atrocities upon those who adhere to none. Just as the balance of the world keeps it in motion, the eternal struggle between Good and Evil, Law and Chaos creates the world in which we live. Red Mages are discouraged from joining in causes unless it is to restore the balance of things. Red Mages are the most balanced in their magic, with an excellent selection of spells from most schools. Most Red Mages quest and adventure for the sole purpose of gaining knowledge and power in their magic.
The Order of Darkness believes that absolute power only belongs to him who can control it. Absolute power, by their definition is "the ability to completely and utterly destroy any opponents which dare to face you, using the simplest of spells in your repetoire." Respect is given to those who take it. Weakness is to be loathed, and the only true mercy ever given is to slay a foe that has fallen. The powers of death and destruction are theirs, and they have even been known to create slaves from the bodies of the fallen. Black Mages scorn most protective magics, believing that a mage who uses them shows fear, and fear is for the weak.
The word is that they are organizing. A motley band of quasi-wizards from many walks of life and many different beliefs. The Orders deny it. Yet the word is circulating, calling out to the wild mage who hides his 'talent' from the piercing sight of the Orders. There have been sightings of mages that were thought dead, executed by the Orders for crimes against them or exiled to strange magical planes. The Renegades are growing. And the Orders are afraid.