Older Professions

Some of the professions from before the Age of Enlightenment are no longer counted among the Eight Major Professions, as first seen in Ultima IV. A few that exist today have changed significantly from their incarnations prior to the downfall of Exodus.

One major difference amongst spell-casting professions was the classification of their spells into two categories: Sorcery and Prayers.

Spells of the Sorcery category were complied in the The Book of Amber Runes. Enchantments of the Sixth Circletended to focus on damaging or life-ending effects, with little ability to stave off death for others. Thus, a few highly skilled Sorcerers knew the secrets of dipping into the realm of low-level Prayers.

Prayers, found in the Ancient Liturgy of Truth, were oriented more towards curing and healing. Experienced Clerical spellcasters possessed unparalleled power over life and death, however.

Both forms of magic required different words of power, and some had very rare and exotic components needed to bring about their effects. Very little of these old ways survived the transition into the Age of Enlightenment.

The full list of professions before the coming of the Avatar is as follows:
 * Alchemist - Dabblers in Sorcery, their skill was about half that of the typical Wizard. They also had a tendency towards skullduggery, but not as great as the Thief. Most became full-blown Mages after Exodus was defeated.
 * Barbarian - Primitive warriors, they could use any weapon but scorned armor heavier than leather. They also knew a thing or two about avoiding traps and thievery. They either went into seclusion or adjusted quickly to civilization as Fighters.
 * Cleric - These living spiritual conduits could literally return life to those turned to ashes. They were known to carry Maces and usually wore chain mail. Though powerful, they lent their considerable skill in Prayers towards the study of Magic, either as Mages or Druids.
 * Druid - Prior to the Age of Enlightenment, Druids studied both Prayers and Sorcery, and were known to recover more quickly from extended periods of spellcasting. Their weapons and armor choices were much more strict, limited to Mace and Cloth armor at best.
 * Fighter - The great fighters of the lands have changed little, adapting well to uncertain times.
 * Illusionist - These odd casters studied Clerical magic and the thiefly arts as well. Many became Tinkers or Bards in the Age of Enlightenment.
 * Lark - The predecessors of Bards, Larks studied Sorcery and were known to pick the odd pocket or loot an unguarded chest. Some moonlit as jesters.
 * Paladin - Another profession that escaped the Age of Darkness relatively unscathed, Paladins changed their ways very little.
 * Ranger - Rangers once added Thievery to their repertoire, in addition to both Prayers and Sorcery. They changed their focus in the Age of Enlightenment to Spirituality, ending their occasionally larcenous ways.
 * Thief - Once highly-sought out professionals, rumors have it that at least one Thief had participated in bringing Exodus to justice. However, their ways did not fit with the new thinking that came about with the promotion of the Eight Virtues. The Thieves' Guild was driven from the new Britannia as a result, but those who know where to look can still find a thief if they need one.
 * Wizard - The pinnacle of the Sorcerous arts, Wizards gained the most from the new ways of Magic, adding many new spells to their lists once the Clerics and Druids began sharing their knowledge for the good of all Britannia. They otherwise function today much as they did in the past, only following newer, more-refined rules of magic.