C.A.R.P.S.

[Calmatory]

My Brother wants to make a mage and i dont have a clue about how magic works in this game and what he might want as in skills so i can use any help with it

[Sylas Hay]

Read/Write
Read Magic
Wield Magic
Spell Power (This gives Spell Points)
Spell Pyramid (at least Two 1st Tier & One 2nd Tier)

You can fill in after that, but those are pretty essential.

[Calmatory]

Thanks Sylas

[dier_cire]

I wouldn't trust Sylas. He's a terrible mage.

However, Todd is correct in you must have those things. Also, the merit "Magic Sensitive" is rather helpful. However, you must spend at least half your points in magic skills (a real mage will have no issue here though). Also, it's generally a good idea for a mage to save his/her other merit points (after the first re-write) as things change in your character development that can make you regret certain skill naturals that seemed like a good idea early on.