-Courier-

As the logistics of the Mage's Temple expanded, it became paramount to create a role within the temple for assisting others and completing tasks for the order. This order accepted the mantle of the gray cloak, though this color was a coverall to their duties. Messengers, couriers, political advisors, travel experts, and liaisons to trade, military, and inner temple purposes, the gray cloaks became as specialized as red cloaked scholars. Despite all of the responsibilities of the gray cloaks, it became commonplace to refer to this order as the couriers, within the temple and abroad.

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The gray cloaks of the Mage's Temple are often selected from the order of scholars as often scholars who discover their passions also manage the affairs of their efforts, leading to expertise in varying degrees. Apothecary scholars who manage trade and inventory host dealings with farmers, metallurgist scholars begin to deal with blacksmiths and the Imperial Legion, and enchanters begin to sell their wares with nobles who have been known to invite mages into their courts. Apprentice mages who have a desire for adventure have also been known to accept rank within the couriers as the gray cloaks have more dealings with situations outside of the protection of the Mage's Temple.

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When a mage becomes a gray cloak they often practice a variety of trades which they will find helpful in their travels, though they are encouraged to specialize in appointed tasks.

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Traditional couriers are often gifted knowledge of traveling magics; moving quickly, unseen, or with heavy loads throughout their regions. Enchanting stones are common among couriers as these totems can possess incantations to make their task easier without the expenditure of their own energies. The knowledge of roads, terrains, shortcuts, and rumors between regions make couriers a tremendous asset to the Mage's Temple as well as to the Imperial houses of nobility, Legion fortifications, and inter dominion communications among kingdoms beyond the Empire.

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As need for new communications between nobility, the Kings of Midland, and the courts of Southrunn expanded, the gray cloaks of the Mage's Temple began to offer services as messengers, though this eventually evolved into becoming advisors, tacticians, and even politicians. This new purpose for the gray cloaks eventually led to the creation of guild seats among holds of the Empire, giving the Mage's Temple a new voice within legislative powers similar to other interests such as the Merchant's Guild or the churches of the Empire.

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While the Mage's Temple began to prove itself as a valuable asset and as a powerful ally, the Legion began to utilize the gray cloaks for their own purposes. Gray cloaks soon became mercenaries for the Imperial Legion, hired assets that were not formally part of the Legion itself. These staff became useful to commanders and generals who could use the knowledge of quick movement and the safety of honorable messengers as messengers throughout the battalions, defensive lines, and fortifications. Many battles were won also with the skills of the gray cloaks who offered services as scouts, liaisons, and even tacticians.

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While many who take up the gray mantle remain in this service, some retire into scholarly positions, taking on a red cloak as their interests change or their nerve abroad begins to break. The gray cloak can also be thrust upon members of the Temple in times of need, as headmasters can request that apprentices, scholars, or any member of the Mage's Temple, take on the responsibilities of the gray cloak as needed.

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