Throughout much of Pariatas, arcane spellcasting is forbidden to be learned and practiced by anyone not of noble or social equivalent status. After the disaster in the Epoch of High Magic, wizards and sorcerors were persecuted for a long time until it was decided that only those born into nobility could be 'civilized' and intelligent enough to wield magic responsibly.
Anyone who practices arcane spellcasting that cannot provide documentation of their lineage will be punished accordingly by the laws of whatever country the individual happens to be in. This can range from decapitation/hanging/execution, cutting out of the tongue, imprisonment or banishment, to cite a few examples.
The events which gave led to this have made the common man very superstitious of magic and spiteful towards those who wield it. Arcane spellcasters are not very popular in the general public and are usually shunned or feared.
Some religions also exercise this type of social discrimination in their orders with divine spellcasters, though most allow any devout to join their orders and become clerics.
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