Raw magical bg idea:

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  Worshipers of the Ever Burning Flame would call upon the elemental forces of
fire like no other and summon protection against cold attacks better than
anyone else, but also know how to tame hostile incoming fire not to be so
roaring. Waiters of the Endless Winter would really cool things down, know how
to reduce hellfire for only a sensation of warmth and also know a trick how to
save your toes from freezing over. These two types would do most damage but
also easiest to be resisted upon plus shooting 'member' of the element would
not damage it, but heal it.

  Haters of Ohm would electrify the air around em, vaporize acids and know how
to partially lower current. Supporters of Mappela Lehtonen would make things
corrode, create compounds with lack of ions and produce weak alkalis to reduce
the strength of acids. Ethereal Streamers would be able to cut their targets
from air supply, protect targets from electric arc's and know how to make
small pockets of air. This group would do decently damage but also have few
resisters and immune races.

  Venom Lovers would have numerous ways to make creatures to just roll over
and die, their spells would do least damage per casting but they would poison
their target thus doing (small) long term damage that stacks on itself (thus
replacing degenerate person). They would also know how to make general
antidote. 

  Psionics would mess with your head and know ways how to prevent it, also
they would be somewhat skilled to deflect physical attacks. Telekinetics would
know how to manipulate items thus using weapons from distance with fearsome
power and precision, while knowing how to create auras around their friends to
deflect physical attacks. Any creature with mind would be vulnerable against
mind attacks and the more intelligent or wiser the target, the less damage the
attack does. While doing moderate damage per blast compared to others, direct
attacks to mind would have high chance to disrupt whatever the person was
doing, possibly even paralyzing temporarily if critically interrupting the
targets flow of thoughts. While direct mental attacks are powerful, attacking
multiple minds is nearly impossible as the mind master needs to split his
powers over multiple mind struggles. Psionics would collect reputation by over
coming mental resistances. Thus every mind powerful enough to resist the mind
readers powers could teach something form mental defence.

  Channelers would be able to mix and match magical forces thus combine other
elemental effects to their raw magical blasts. Also they would be skilled to
increase their own capability to store magical energy and show others how they
can do it also. 

  All magic users could choose any item as their 'mage staff'. Depending what
they choose, it will randomly cast protective spells in case of armour/shield,
offencive in case of weapons and utility spells in case of items. These items
would slowly regain intelligence and follow its masters actions, possibly
aiding its master by casting spells when most needed.
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