Mages with a Primordial Essence pursue elemental, underlying principles. They are influenced by Avatars that are forward, blunt & show no concern for any society’s customs.
The concept of Primordial can be difficult for Mage fans. It can be interpreted as both the raw formlessness before the universe began & timeless principles. Interpreting it as raw formlessness means this force that is at work in the universe wants to return everything to the void that existed before time. That would mean the Nephandi are the truest example of mages serving the Primordial Essence. Pg. 114 2nd Ed core reinforces the idea that Primordial is raw formlessness. Pg. 95 of Revised Ed core repeats this. Pg. 267 Mage20 core gives a very dark view of the Primordial Essence.
Stewart Wieck, the creator of the Essences, intended it as timeless principles. “Primordial Avatars concern themselves with the base elements of reality, the underlying structures and natures of things.” pg. 142 1st Ed core. That means the Nephandi are Primordial gone wrong. Mages who serve the Primordial Essence properly learn & share timeless truths - principles that are not affected by the passage of time or changes in society. That would mean when Pattern mages build on the efforts of Dynamic mages, they apply lessons learned from Primordial mages.
STs must make a call on how they will interpret the Primordial Essence. I believe timeless truths is the best choice. Otherwise, all mages with a Primordial Essence are menaces that should be removed.
“Primordial is perhaps the rarest of mage Essences. Many of the earliest mages embodied this Essence, but as time has passed fewer and fewer have manifested it. Today, very few Primordial Avatars exist among the ranks of mages.” pg. 142 1st Ed core. “Primordial Essences are by far the rarest among the four types known.” pg. 114 2nd Ed core.