The border between a high-level Scientist and a Researcher is a fuzzy one, largely determined by how well the Etherite is regarded among his peers and superiors. Sons of EtherДЄll Etherites are regarded as able to claim the title of Doctor due to their intense education into Science (though those that do not also hold mundane Doctorates are sometimes looked down on). Some argue they do this to keep outsiders ignorant of their true capabilities (others think they do it because they like fancy names). However, Hermetics are also known for coming up with incredibly grandiose and inscrutable titles for themselves and their works. Order of Hermes Being that they were the ones to strive for uniformity within the Council of Nine, the Hermetic terms for the various ranks are the ones described above and most widely used (or at least approximated). As one Euthanatos put it, there are only three ranks among them: Student, Member and Leader. Also, while Acarya usually are 'high-ranked' mages (such as Masters), the only true delineation of their rank is that they have proven themselves before their Tradition to be trustworthy enough to not require supervision by a mentor and to take students of their own. A Shravaka (roughly analogous to an Apprentice or Initiate) becomes a Chela when they have learned either more than one Initiate-ranked Sphere, or advanced one to Disciple-rank. Terminology by Tradition Akashic Brotherhood All Akashics are referred to as 'Brothers,' regardless of gender.Д¬elestial Chorus Choristers are also frequently referred to by the term 'Singers.'Д®uthanatos Euthanatoi are somewhat difficult to fit into a true rank structure.

Many Traditions (though not all) have their own terms for these ranks, though practically all mages at least know the Hermetic terminology for convenience's sake.

Many Traditions tie authority and responsibility to one's mystical knowledge, but this varies between groups and does not normally extend beyond one's own Tradition. Anyone with a 5th dot in a single Sphere is considered a Master, though sometimes this title is extended to include their specialties, such as Master of Correspondence and Entropy. All of the Traditions recognize a shared system of titles, originated and propagated by the Order of Hermes, where rank is determined by an individual mage's highest Sphere.

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