Wizard

Wizards in Warcraft study energies that can be addictive. This is because Arcane magic is a volatile and inebriating drug, pure power distilled and channeled through the body to create arcane effects. Many races wield arcane power carelessly, disregarding the lessons of the past. From those who seek power without regard for consequences, and those who think arcane can be handled responsibly; each wizard chooses a distinct path.

The normal wizard, known as a mage or a wizard of the Kirin-Tor, is to be distinguished from those that use the Arcane secrets of the Burning Legion -- channels magic like most other wizards in other material realities. Although most wizards specialize in the secrets of the arcane, the burning power of fire, or the chilling power of ice.

Conversely, there are those that study the secrets of the Burning Legion as a way to control magic. Such wizards are known as Warlocks, and they specialize in conjuration and control of demons and destructive, burning magic. Beyond warlocks and mages are wizards who study arcane runes, glyphs, and signs. Such as the case of the magical scribe, called Inscribers by all. These are the three main traditions of magic practiced by the Alliance and the Horde. However, other traditions surely exist. These include the chaotic Chaos Mages -- which regard Arcane Magic as a natural force to be unleashed. The Fleshwarpers of Anderhol -- whose magical tradition was lost but not forgotten; and the Sin Mages of Lordaeron.

Magical Tradition Archetypes
Aside from the traditional wizard of the Kirin-Tor, the following Archetypes can be chosen by players to represent their wizard character:

Warlock --  The Warlock uses the knowledge of the Burning Legion to manipulate arcane power. The knowledge imparts techniques to summon demons, to make them personal servants, and to enslave them as well as unleashing destructive power. Such power often leads to spiritual and physical corruption.

Inscriber -- Inscribers channel arcane magic through the study of signs, symbols, glyphs, and the natural patterns of Azeroth itself. Such use of magic is not addictive.

Chaos Mage -- Some view the magic of Azeroth to be something unleashed and not harnessed. Chaos Mages are untrusted by the Kirin-Tor and were forced out of Dalaran years ago. They now are few and scattered. Strangely amongst the horde, most Chaos Mages are trolls and amongst the Alliance, most chaos mages are gnomes.

Sin Mage of Lordaeron -- A competitive society of Mages to the Kirin-Tor that were set up long ago, these mages specialize in extreme specialization of the magical schools. The school flourished during the Wars of Azeroth, only to be seemingly destroyed by the Acolytes of the Damned and their necromancer leader, Kel-Thuzad. The sin mages that survived migrated to Stromgarde in the Arathi Highlands. Most of the Sin Mages that have succumbed to the Scourge have become Forsaken, although all of the leaders are conspiring to depose Lady Sylvannas.