Gandalf the White. Albus Dumbledore. They are two members of a group of people unique to the fantasy genre and for good reason. Indeed, the fantasy wizard is practically synonymous with the genre due to the powerful magical spells he has at his command which range from setting things on fire to instantly healing sores and wounds.
Though he may come in many different shapes and sizes across the worlds that span fantasy, there are some common denominators when it comes to that of the typical wizard. One such is his deep wisdom as exemplified in how he has the uncanny knack of providing just the right advice for whatever the protagonist is going through at any said moment.
Where the fantasy wizard shines is the enormous reservoir of powers he wields. While they vary depending on the world the story takes place in, they still inspire awe and envy from both magical and non-magical folk. The overwhelming majority of powers are elemental in nature but there are plenty of spells to be used from each one of them.
Regarding the world, the wizard plays a meaningful role, serving as a major player in the eternal strife between good and evil. While far more fight for the forces of good, choosing to keep the world they know and love from succumbing to the ravages of evil, a good number have thrown in with the dark side where they seek to destroy everything.
This is the twelfth article in the series diving into the different kinds of fantasy characters. For more, take a gander at our blog page!
Wizards come in many forms from tall to short, thin to wide, old to young, and so on. However, they share attributes that appear whether they’re in the world of Harry Potter or The Lord of the Rings. These common attributes go a long way in shaping what people think of when they think of wizards within fantasy.
The first one that comes to mind is that the fantasy wizard is old. You see this in so many works across the genre that it feels out of place to not see at least one elderly wizard in either a fictional story or world. People associate the elderly with wisdom since they have seen and experienced many things during the course of their lives that they are essentially wisdom tellers.
The second attribute is that the average wizard wears robes. The color and fabric of the robe itself reveals a lot about its wearer, shining a light into how he perceives the world. This is illuminated even more when dealing with elemental wizards, who wear robes that denote the powers they wield.
Another common depiction of the fantasy wizard is that he is joyful and pleasant to be around. His warm personality draws many people to him, eager to listen to what he has to say and have fun. They enjoy his company but are especially curious to see the powers he wields and the stories he has to tell about his adventures in the world.
The fourth and final attribute is that the wizard is a storyteller. He has journeyed from one end of the world to another and faced many a dangerous foe throughout his journeys. He enjoys regaling listeners of all of the times he faced danger and lived to tell the story. He knows how to keep them invested from beginning to end, pausing at the most dramatic parts and letting out a merry chuckle here and there.
Though he may pose as a kindly old man, the wizard is anything but. In fact, within him simmers a power that only a select few possess. A power that is both terrifying and magnificent at the same time. And that power comes in many forms.
One of the most potent powers the fantasy wizard has is that of destruction. His spells can raze entire buildings to the ground, carve rock out of the ground, raise water to a frightening height, creating a wave that utterly devastates everything in its path, and so on. The greatest of the great have mastered spells that not many others are capable of ever reaching and they will use them when necessary.
Despite his power to destroy, the wizard can also create. He can repair broken structures and objects, making them whole once again as if they never broke, cook delicious meals from afar, and make objects instantly appear out of nowhere. The power of creation enables him to help make the world around him a better place.
There will be times when his aid will be urgently needed due to the power of regenerative magic he has. He will be asked to heal a deep gash or wound, fix broken bones, and etcetera. His regenerative powers fosters goodwill between him and others since he is using them to help people who are hurt.
Many spells and incantations the fantasy wizard knows are elemental in nature. He knows how to create a light wave that blinds the servants of darkness, hasten the growth of trees and plants, and in rare cases, even travel through time itself. It takes time and training to harness these powers effectively.
Since the main focus of many stories is on the war between good and evil, the wizard becomes an important player in the drama. He quickly becomes one of the top leaders of the side he’s on but being an active participant in the war isn’t his only reason for being in the world. He does other things, all of which help shape public opinion about him and his brethren.
The eternal conflict between good and evil draws many people to both sides and that also includes wizards. The more skilled ones quickly assume top leadership positions, planning and executing missions that advance the side they’re fighting for. They are considered the elite soldiers of the side due to their considerable magical pedigree which makes them exceedingly dangerous to face on the battlefield.
Besides serving in a leadership position, the fantasy wizard also provides sage counsel to the other leaders. He sees things from a perspective different than theirs, as he mostly focuses on the long term. Moreover, he has a better understanding of the enemy’s capabilities and he reminds the others of this important fact.
There are a number of other areas besides the battlefield where the wizard matters in context of the world. For instance, he is able to use his magical abilities to help people in times of need such as mending wounds or moving heavy objects. Additionally, people continually seek him out for answers to whatever questions they have since he is known for dispensing sage wisdom.
The fantasy wizard never ceases learning and uses his knowledge in many things to keep an eye on the state of the world. He is a scholar at heart, usually searching through arcane texts to unravel a mystery that has long consumed him. He observes events from afar and, correctly interpreting them as harbingers of the future, moves quickly to make the necessary arrangements to deal with the fallout from said events.
The fantasy wizard is one of the most powerful individuals to walk in the world. With just a simple incantation, he can call forth a plume of flames that burn trees to the ground, make sores disappear as if they were never there, and so on. His powers are a main draw as people love seeing what he is capable of.
Though there are numerous wizards across the genre, there are some attributes people associate with them whenever they think of them. For example, they are seen as old as demonstrated by the lines on their faces and the fact they have white hair. They’re also considered wise, which is is why a lot of people seek them out whenever they have questions.
The fantasy wizard boasts an impressive array of powers. While most are elemental-based like light and dark, some are in other areas of magic like regenerative. Only a select few have access to the most dangerous and powerful spells and will use them only when their need is dire.
On the world stage, the majority of stories feature the wizard as a key player in the drama between good and evil. He serves in a leadership position, drafting plans and lending his expertise to his allies whenever needed. In peacetime, he is seen as a helper, whether it’s curing people of their maladies or providing words of wisdom.
The fantasy wizard is a tremendous asset to worldbuilding, being considered one of the genre’s icons. Bringing this character into your own story and world is sure to spark joy in your audience since everyone loves wizards!
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