Magic is seen by the people of the Empire as a craft and a magnificently versatile tool, something that is used by those who have trained in it for whatever purpose they put their minds to in the same way a chisel, hammer, or sword can be. Those who are skilled in magic are praised for their hard work and capabilities just like any other skilled craftsperson, but other than that are not given an elevated status within Vauldan society. However, because of the sheer versatility and usefulness that magic offers as a tool to those who can learn to use it, the Imperial authorities make sure to encourage any youngsters who are interested in learning the arcane or mystic arts to enroll in the nearest Collegia, and offer generous scholarships to those who show real dedication to their studies.
Magic is seen by many Vauldans as a phenomenally versatile tool for improving things. Whether it be helping to repair a road, improve the yield of crops, allow workers to double their productivity, or heal the sick and wounded, magic is viewed as a critical part of the effort to bring prosperity to the Empire and to improve the lives of everyday Vauldans. Mages who specialize in these kinds of magic are praised for their contributions, and many Collegia offer courses specifically to train mages in how to perform such magics.
Though the modern Empire has repudiated many of the darkest parts of Vauldan history, there are still traces of those dread practices lingering in the Empire’s traditions. Necromancy, curses, and the binding and dispelling of dark Spirits are practiced by a surprisingly high number of Vauldan mages, who see such arts as pragmatic approaches to problems faced by the people of the Empire.
Many Vauldans look at such dark magics with skepticism, remembering the horror stories from the Empire’s past when necromancy and soul-twisting rituals were employed by uncaring Thrones in pursuit of Imperial glory. However, the official stance of the Empire is that these “dark magics” are entirely legal and simply another expression of the art. What matters from the authorities’ perspective is that they are employed honorably and without causing any harm to those around the caster. Mages who wield their craft against the order and good of Vauldan society face stiff penalties, though it is still entirely possible to legally sell one’s services as a purveyor of curses, provided that one gets the correct permits and follows all the relevant laws.
The practice of war has been a part of Vauldan culture since the nation’s inception, and the Empire long ago incorporated the use of battle-mages into Imperial military doctrine. A modern Legion always includes at least one cadre of ritualists, and every squad of Legionaries usually includes at least one battle-mage. Legionaries who practice magic are viewed with just as much respect by other Legionaries as those who wear heavy lorica and fight on the front lines — their magical support has saved countless Legionary lives and helped secure hundreds of victories in the past century alone, and the Legions know it full well.
Legionary battle-mages are usually specialized in supporting the Legionaries around them with healing and empowering spells, though some choose to learn more offensive spells such as Shattering Word and Repulsing Curse to help their squads crack enemy battle-lines and shield-walls. Legion ritualists focus on infrastructure rituals from the Arcanum Strategos to rapidly build roads or raise or demolish fortifications, as well as rituals that bolster the combat abilities of a squad or company (i.e. the Arcanum Bellator, Vitae, Potentia, and Sanguis).
Petromancy is the “default” style of magic in the Empire, as it is by far the most common amongst Vauldan mages. The Vauldan love of stone is shown in how the Empire’s Petromancers fashion their talismans and jewels, cutting and polishing them into glorious and functional works of art. The standard for most Vauldan Petromancers is a collection of multi-faceted gems set into rings or other jewelry and ritual talismans. There is an unofficial hierarchy amongst Vauldan Petromancers based on the size, clarity, and cut of the gems they wear — those who can afford the biggest and best jewels are viewed as being more powerful (and better at leveraging their magic for their economic benefit).
Astromancy is not commonly used by Vauldan mages, but it holds a special place in the hearts of Vauldan Commercios, who value the guidance that can be gained by consulting Astromancy cards when they are considering what business endeavors to pursue.
The Elder Runes have a long history of use in the Empire, and Rune Kenning is frequently used by the Custodians and Fabricae of the Empire, who use it to craft scrolls and enchantments of all sorts. Many Legions have their Standards enchanted via Rune Kenning, and the Hsan and Aur runes in particular are seen as auspicious by many Vauldans.
Logomancy has a dark history in the Empire, as it was used by many Thrones and their servants to bind dark forces or the will of their people. In modern times the tradition has been somewhat redeemed, as Commercios and Incantari make frequent use of it in conjunction with another magical tradition to perform their rituals. The Vauldan tradition of Logomancy involves citing Imperial laws and legal precedents as part of the ritual or spell, using the metaphysical weight of the Empire’s history to fuel and shape the magics being performed.
Spellsinging in the Empire takes multiple different forms. Mystics, and particularly the Magi, frequently perform musical hymns to their gods as a form of prayer. Legion battle-mages with a musical inclination are trained to sing Legion marching-songs and use drums and horns in their rituals. Civilian mages tend to perform working songs or Dwarven chants left behind by fallen Malokron.
Stone Calling is a highly-respected tradition in the Empire. The majority of Dwarven mages in the Empire prefer it over other magical traditions, and although only Dwarves can practice it, many non-Dwarven mages learn the Stoic runes so that they might be able to assist in rituals that use Stone Calling. Many old monuments and Imperial structures are engraved with blessings of protection and durability written in Stoic, and Stone Callers are in high demand amongst the masons and construction crews of the Empire to assist in building and repairing the nation’s infrastructure and buildings.