Nonmagical

Nonmagicals, also called ordinaries, are humans without the ability to use magic.

Background
Mages de facto rule the Union, while nonmagicals form a permanent underclass. Mages generally rate them above demihumans, but still largely treat them as second-class citizens at best.

It is possible for a mage to be born into a nonmagical family, though such mages have a steep learning curve to catch up with their peers. There are also persistent rumors of spells or rituals that can make a nonmagical into a mage, which are often sought after for their hypothetical socioeconomic benefits for the entire family. However, no such spell actually exists: one is either born magical, or not.

In spite of this, nonmagicals have still occasionally had significant impacts on history. In 1132, High Sorcerer Wilf Badderwell was killed in a fair duel by a nonmagical swordsman, which inspired mages to begin carrying athames and practicing sword arts for self-defense. More darkly, nonmagicals seeking to counter oppression by mages sometimes turn to the Gnostics: cults of the gods of other tírs seeking to take this world for their own, and capable of causing great calamities.