Fear of the Arcane

Superstition and prejudice run deep. In most towns and villages across Karsack, magic is seen as both wondrous and frightening. Whether understood or not, the arcane is mistrusted and often blamed for problems ranging from the failure of a season’s crops to the success of a rival’s business. Many innocent people have been caught on the wrong end of superstition. 
Not all of Karsack despises spellcasters. Many Elven cities house great colleges dedicated to the art of magic. Within these cities’ walls, spellcasters can apply for a permit to practice. These permits dictate where a mage can cast spells, what type of spells they can cast, and other specifics. The process to apply for such a permit is often frighteningly bureaucratic, and many spellcasters choose to hide their abilities instead.