A Charter Mage is someone who uses specific runes from the Charter to cast spells. They must have an uncorrupted baptismal Charter mark in order to do this and be in the Old Kingdom or in its close proximity.[1] Charter mages vary from the basic, who know merely one or two spells, to the strongest, who know thousands and wield Charter Magic with ease.
Most towns in the Old Kingdom, no mater how small, have at least one or two Charter Mages; and the cities, like Belisaere, have hundreds to thousands. Usually a village healer will wield Charter Magic in addition to traditional medicines, and basic attack spells are known by most, to use against Dead or Free Magic creatures who cannot be damaged by traditional weapons.
Six hundred years ago, during the time of Clariel, Charter Magic was considered passé and most Charter Mages were servants. However, some ignored the style at the time and strong Mages, while rarer, did exist.
During the Interregnum, there were far fewer Charter Mages, owing to the weakened Charter during that time, the general chaos, and Kerrigor's minions using Charter Mages as sacrifices to break Charter Stones.
Of the bloodlines of the Five Great Charters, the Abhorsen must always be a Charter Mage. It is not required of the Clayr, but almost all of them tend to be skilled Charter Mages nevertheless, and the Royal family can vary.
- ↑ The only exception to this is in the person of Nicholas Sayre, who is essentially an independent source of the Charter. He can act as a fount from which Charter Magic can be cast, even in places like The Empty Lands where the Charter does not usually exist.