However, this is a very strenuous activity for the mage, both physically and mentally. Casting a spell that is overly powerful or casting a large number of spells over a short period of time often has adverse effects on the wizard. Usually this results in the caster feeling drained of energy, losing consciousness, or even brain hemorages. Extensive use of magic over the course of one's life is about as healthy as smoking too many cigarettes. Eventually, it leads to serious problems. Though these generally come in the form of any number of mental imbalances. More than a few mages have been recorded to have undergone gradual shifts in personality to the point of complete madness. Wise spell-casters are able to catch onto these problems when the symptoms first appear and moderate their spell usage, though there are always the ones who ignore the powder keg waiting for the right spark.
Magic spells are often classified into a number of catagories. The catagories that a wizard specializes in depends on that caster's specific tastes in the arts. The preferences often depend upon the mage's race. For example, combative magics are few and far between for human practitioners who often focus on divination and communication cantrips. Exceptions to this rule have been known to occur, though these unique individuals are often looked upon as delinquents by other wizards of their respective peoples.
On Neddel, all of the inhabitants have associated magic with death somehow. Not surprising when one considers the effects of abusing the mystic energies. The arch-mages are often given a title relating to the passage to the here-after. Human wizards of rank are called "the Spirits". The elven word for arch-mages translates into "the Ghosts" and so on. The reception of wizards by the mundane population varies from race to race. For more information on that matter, see the entries for each specific race.