Despite being core to one of the theme's most iconic conflicts, Mages are an odd duck in contemporary TI. Theme states that they are hunted and oppressed, and there is an expectation that active mages generally have a high risk of death. As a limited and high-fatality role, mages in return are rewarded with unique character powers, veins of RP that no one else can access, and multiple special systems (although this has been scaled back somewhat with the removal of demon summoning.) Finally, they are allowed access to bonus recommended XP, and many players opt-in to magery for that alone.
Despite the latter bonus, and the role's limited nature mages are really never required to 'play as mages'. So long as you resist the urge to ever actually cast a spell or interact with another mage, you enjoy being nigh-undetectable* by the Order as well as effectively 'gaining' RPXP through reimbursement. This means that playing a 'passive' mage is extremely mechanically advantageous with few downsides. While I do not believe we should 'force' players to play a certain way, I feel that the current arrangement of incentives and disincentives around mages has actually served to discourage mage-related interaction and conflict.
Some potential options inclue:
- Heightening the 'risk factor' of the being a passive mage somehow, allowing the Order to take a more proactive role
- Adding more reason or incentive for 'aggressive' mage play, through reclevels, XP, or other rewards
- Reconsidering the passive reclevel bonus for mages in the first place - they have many other benefits
EDIT: (*To be clear, yes, I'm aware of some options that exist in this realm - their limits generally mean they can't be used proactively, though. Trying to be vague to avoid spoiling things.)