Aerial Mage

The first branch of mage service established in an army, in spite of airborne operation they're not part of the air force and serve to assist ground forces. It's not until the 203rd Mage Battalion, under Tanya Degurechaff, that this profession established new doctrine as the ideal rapid response force due to their firepower and mobility in the air. They are known as the best type of military unit in close quarters battle, urban guerrilla warfare, and special operations.

Mage is a term for humans with the special ability to store and channel Mana as a means to cast spells, giving them advantages over civilians. According to legend, they can cast spells with Orbs and Scepters as conduits. Nowadays, with mankind gaining better understanding in their powers, magic engineers achieved orb modernization enabling mages to systematically cast spells and replace scepters with other tools such as spell rifles. This phenomenal breakthrough finally led to a formation of a new type of military unit: soldiers who are able to cast magic.

 

Work with your DM to come up with an appropriate rank and determine how much authority that rank carries. A  Military rank doesn’t stand on its own—it’s connected to an entire army, and whatever rank you hold, will determine what command authority you have. Not only do you need to determine your military rank, but you should also work with the DM to describe your military unit and your influence in it.

Is your rank old and established, or was your rank only recently bestowed? Are you a named mage or even a twice named mage? How much influence do you wield, and what kind of command do you have? What kind of reputation have you earned among the other soldiers and mages of the army? How do the common soldiers and mages regard you?

What’s your position in the army? Are you the head of your unit? Have you already been given command of your own battalion? How do you feel about that responsibility? Or are you so far down the line of command that no one cares what you do, as long as you don’t embarrass the unit? How does the General staff of your army feel about your adventuring career? Are you in your General staff’s good graces, or are you shunned by them?

Does your army have a military rank emblem? An insignia you might wear on your uniform? Particular colors you wear all the time? An animal you regard as a symbol of your nation or even a spiritual member of your unit?

These details help establish your unit and your rank as part of the character in the campaign.

Named Mage

Ace mages with a fearsome reputation among enemy mages who are registered in their database as dangerous adversaries. These mages are given code names that also serve as a moniker to warn friendly mages of the threat they impose and marking them as a high priority target.

Second Name

In contrast to monikers given by their enemies as a dangerous mage, mages with prestigious achievements are honored by the Mage Bureau with a second name. The chosen name represents the image of heroes of the Empire in the eyes of their comrades and people.

If you wish to be a named mage, choose the Retainers feature (see the sidebar) instead of the Position of Privilege feature. One of your commoner retainers is replaced by a mage soldier  who serves as your adjutant, aiding you in exchange for training on his or her own path to becoming a named mage. Your two remaining retainers might include a spy to gather information for you and a servant who maintains your equipment (and even helps you put it on).

Skill Proficiencies: Intimidation, Persuasion

Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set

Languages: One of your choice

Equipment: A set of fine clothes, a signet ring, a scroll of Military rank, and a purse containing 25 gp.

Suggested Characteristics

Aerial Mage are trained and use to a very different method of combat than most mages ever experience, and their personalities reflect that training. An Aerial Mage command comes with a plethora of bonds —responsibilities to the unit or battalion, to other units or battalions, and even other branch’s of the military (including the sovereign), to the people entrusted to the commanders care, or even to the rank itself. But this responsibility is often a good way to show your worth to the higher ups.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I speak rarely but mean every word I say.
2	I laugh loudly and see the humor in stressful situations.
3	I prefer to solve problems without violence, but I finish fights decisively.
4	I take great pains to always look my best and follow orders.
5	I face problems head-on. A simple, direct solution is the best path to success.
6	I am always working on some project or other.
7	My favor, once lost, is lost forever.
8	If you do me an injury, I will crush you, ruin your name, and make you wish you were never born.

d6	Ideal
1	Respect. Respect is due to me because of my position, but all people regardless of station deserve to be treated with dignity. (Good)
2	Responsibility. It is my duty to respect the authority of those above me, just as those below me must respect mine. (Lawful)
3	Independence. When people follow orders blindly, they embrace a kind of tyranny. (Chaotic)
4	Might. In life as in war, the stronger force wins. (Evil)
5	Nation. My city, nation, or people are all that matter. (Any)
6	Live and Let Live. Ideals aren’t worth killing over or going to war for. (Neutral)

d6	Bond
1	I would still lay down my life for the people I served with.
2	Someone saved my life on the battlefield. To this day, I will never leave a friend behind.
3	My honor is my life.
4	I’ll never forget the devastating ambush my company suffered or the enemies who dealt it.
5	My loyalty to my sovereign is unwavering.
6	Those who fight beside me are those worth dying for.

d6	Flaw
1	I secretly believe that everyone is beneath me.
2	I hide a secret that could ruin my life forever.
3	I too often misunderstand what people say to me, and I’m prone to over thinking things.
4	My hatred of my enemies is blind and unreasoning.
5	In fact, the world does revolve around me.
6	I obey the law, even if the law causes misery.