Personality:  Callous and arrogant.  Research comes first.

Research is one of the most important investments of the empire, weapons research in particular.  Combined with funding from the large merchant houses, mages from all across the empire become researchers to get rich.  The high status, high pay, and high pride attracts many narcissists and sociopaths to this field.  Lacking the development of ethics in the field, researchers have developed a reputation for being cruel and heartless, doing whatever it takes to make their big breakthrough.