While mages often bear the arrogant belief that they are superior to their fellow man on the basis of the knowledge and skill they wield, the fact of the matter is that it is the beliefs of the unenlightened which shape the vast majority of the world and it is for the minds of these Sleepers that the factions in the Ascension War fight to control. Also, there are very few mages in the world, not nearly enough to persue their lofty plans and high ideals. Thus, they have to rely on their consorts to supplement with their somewhat less impressive talents.
There are numerous options for mortal characters on Empire of Shadows. Our automated character generation allows for the creation of mediums, sorcerers, and psychics, as well as normal characters. Further, players are highly encouraged to create backgrounds which put them in contact with or as servants of the more supernatural elements of the game. This can be as the loyal laboratory assistant of some Hermetic alchemist or as a member of one of the occult institutions of the period, be it the Society for Psychical Study or the newly forming Golden Dawn.