Some mages are sometimes called witches, [ Merrill offers. ] And not everyone needs a staff, but it helps with control, precision. In a pinch, you can cast without one, but you're more likely to accidentally burn something down instead of scare off a bear.

[ Or Templar. Or- whatever. ]

Ew, [ she offers, helpfully, at the description of demon-taste. ] But yes, I can use fire magic! I'm no healer, but elemental magic I'm just fine at. And I can answer questions about that, too, but it will take a bit, so maybe water and the campfire first?

Oh, and please be careful if you shapeshift around anyone else -- there are many people who aren't fond of mages just for being mages, so they may attack you on sight.