Mages

All humans who use magic are mages, but a few categories exist based on how they perform magic. Mages are not bound to any one class, and can freely perform magic in any way(s) that suit them. Sorcerers are the only exception, in that the other forms can be learned or practiced, while sorcery is innate, you are either born with it or you’re not. People are classified, then, by their primary method of magework.

Mage is any human who actively uses magic, as distinguished from non mages by the conscious choice to use magic, and/or the measurable, visible, or otherwise palpable use of magic from their own person. Mage is also used to refer to any human who uses magic but does not seem to fit into any category, has yet to show which category they fit into, etc

Wizards use pre written spells to perform any magical acts. Spells can be made by them or any mage, can be read directly from a book or scroll or be memorized, and they can be said aloud or mentally, depending on the spell and the abilities of the mage performing it. Wizards tend to have alignments related to words or language, knowledge, etc. While any mage can use spells, wizards are distinguished by their focus on spells and experimentation.

Bards channel their magic through an instrument. They do not need to recite spells, and instead play their instrument to focus their magic and direct it. Bards tend to be aligned to music, rhythm, etc.

Alchemists craft magic items that can be of any purpose or intention. They can be aligned to many things related to crafting, though they can also do well with any alignment related to the thing they craft.

Enchanters like alchemists work with magic items, but instead of making the items themselves, they apply magic to already crafted items. Alignments, like with alchemists, can relate to the enchanting itself or the item generally used for enchanting.

Sorcerers are rare humans who are able to manipulate magic without any channel, that is, they are able to focus and manipulate magic without use of spells or any sort of item like the other classes. In a sense, fairies are sorcerers. Sorcerer alignments can be truly anything.