Human Mages

Before the grand tide of the Industrial Revolution swept across the lands of Calandor, mages had been held in high esteem inside human societies. For centuries, they were regarded as the core pillars of society, individuals of great importance and respect. Harnessing the raw, elemental forces of the world around them, Mages healed the sick, forecasted weather patterns for agriculture, and protected the city-states from magical beasts.
However in the recent years, the hum of machines has replaced the quiet murmuring of spells. Smoke-belching factories sprang up, replacing ancient, moss-covered towers of magical study. With the inexorable march of technology, the age-old tradition of studying arcane arts lost its appeal. Most young people tend to study trades, such as metallurgy or engineering. Coupled with the new religion that actively advocates against magic, humans nowadays do not pick up magic easily, as it is often prohibited.
The previously revered Mages are now viewed with suspicion and fear. Witch hunts under the Order are becoming increasingly common and Hexbreakers are the only esteemed profession that is now allowed to practice the arcane arts. The Coalition also warns against the use of magic, as it is commonly causes issues with the machinery. A lot of factory accidents have been attributed to the use of magic. That has even further turned the public opinion sour on the matter.
Today, the once great academies of magic lay deserted, the grandeur faded, their hallowed halls echoing with the whispers of a bygone era. The Human Mages of Calandor have become relics of the past, their knowledge deemed obsolete in a world dominated by technology and industry. Their legacy, however, still lingers in the older generation's stories, echoing a time when magic shaped the world, a time before the roar of machines drowned the chants of spellcasting.