[jutetrea]

Mages gain passive benefits of their path levels I believe.

+1 defense per lvl of water
E - +1 Prot
N - unsure
B - +1 str?
D - unusure
A - +1 precision
F - +1 attack
S - unsure

AFAIK

Edit (there's probably already a list out there somewhere though)

F - +1 Atk/lvl
A - +1 prec/lvl
W - +1 Def/lvl
E - +1 prot/lvl
S - Unknown
N - Increases max age, +10 supply/lvl, increased regen affect from cast spells (mechanics?)
D - Boosts fear (mechanics?), reduces old age afflications (mechanics?)
B - Assists in blood hunting (mechanics?)