In the creation screen, there is a warning that players new to CF shouldn't play mages.

On most muds, such caveats can be ignored by experienced mudders. At worst, experience might be defined by a few months or so of mudding. Carrion Fields throws the average player a curveball, for the world is so large and depending on the class and cabal, preparatory materials are so important, that the term "experienced" takes on a whole new meaning: if you haven't been playing for years or have friends willing to share their years of experience with you, depending upon your playing habits, you will be "new to CF" for a very long time.