While magic is a common element of life in Blackmoor, the ability to manipulate it is not. Commoners do not fully comprehend the use of magic and are afraid of it. In an effort to avoid trouble, where common folk may witness them, wizards are very careful to avoid spellcasting, beyond minor tricks and harmless chicanery, unless absolutely necessary. Some spellcasters are not so reserved and must deal with the area’s magical authorities if they are caught.
In recent days, the presence of magic-users has led communities to form “sorcerer gangs:” vigilante squads that openly seek and attempt to capture sorcerers and renegade spellcasters. Many magic-users have been carried away during their daily spell preparation and stoned to death on the mere suspicion that they might cause trouble or bring horrid monsters to the area. Magic-users learn that drawing attention often draws trouble as well.
The Wizards’ Cabal
With the formation of the Wizards’ Cabal, Skelfer Ard determined that one of the organization’s responsibilities would be the protecting the populace from harmful or dominating magic. Over the years, its influence has waxed and waned, but today the Cabal dispatches arcane warriors to police various regions and cities in the North. These warriors have the authority of the Cabal and King Uther to regulate and control magic in populated regions. While many still fear magic-users, they respect and welcome arcane warriors and view them as the chief defenders against renegade sorcerers.
he Cabal also requires all of their graduates to spend one year serving one of Blackmoor’s nobles. This service allows the people to see the mages’ work firsthand and makes quite a difference in the populace’s perceptions. The people have begun to trust the Cabal’s representatives, though they still hold strong fear and prejudice toward those who do not openly belong to that organization. This unfortunate reality causes a number of sorcerers to hide their magical abilities from their families and friends. Many sorcerers deny their abilities completely in an attempt to maintain a normal life. Those who refuse to do so find themselves facing the Cabal’s arcane warriors or, worse, inquisitors.
Sorcerer Gangs
In towns where anti-magical sentiment runs high, groups of local townspeople fear magic and hate renegade spellcasters. Calling themselves “sorcerer gangs,” these groups search the local areas to find and identify renegades in their midst. These gangs often become ruthless mobs that stone suspected spellcasters to death rather than await the presence of the Cabal’s arcane warriors or inquisitors for true identification. Sorcerer gangs are responsible for the deaths of many people, most of whom were not magically inclined at all. The local authorities have different approaches to these mobs differently. Some ignore such activities or even take part, while others oppose them and jail the offenders for breaking laws and acting without authority.
Quote above taken from Dave Arneson's Blackmoor copyright 2004 Zeitgeist Games. For additional details, pick up a copy of the source book.