Magic and Mayhem: Wizards in Epic Fantasy Novels

As a fantasy author, magic has taken the primary stage in life and my imagination. I grew up reading Dragonlance novels and authors like Saberhagen, Moorcock, and others. Movies like Excaliber with Merlin, Conan, and The Neverending Story fueled my imagination as a kid and continued as an adult. I've played Dungeons & Dragons and went on to create a whole new world for my fantasy stories: Aria, the World of Twilight. The one thing that stands out is the magic and the wizards, both men and women, elf and human alike, wielding its immense power.

What is a Wizard, and why are they in these novels?

What is a Wizard? Wizards are powerful beings that wield magic and explore the world's secrets. Depending on their intentions and abilities, they can be evil, neutral, or good. Wizards traditionally appear as old men with long white beards and pointy hats. Nowadays, we see more women in this role, which has proven fantastic! Wizards may be good, evil, or somewhere in between.

In epic fantasy novels, wizards are often either the good guy or the primary protagonist in a story. However, in some books, wizards take a more active role and either create new worlds or save old ones. These world-creating wizards, such as Merlin and Galadriel, wield great power and knowledge of the world's history and the forces that govern it. In these novels, wizards play a more prominent role in the setting, often the central characters.

Nature of Wizards: What are their skills?

Medieval fantasy novels are filled with wizards and those who aspire to be. The wizard is often a pivotal character, sometimes even the protagonist. Their power is usually checked by an opposing force - typically the Church or the Non-magic beings. It is not uncommon for wizards to have some sort of dark past or connection to evil. These wizards generally are destructionists who want to destroy any good thing in their path.

Their spells wreak havoc like fireballs, calling lightning from the sky, or even raising the dead for an army of the undead. Some guide others like Gandalf or Merlin, while others seek glory and power for their own purpose, like Raistlin. You can find a wizard in their tower or from a small village. They may lead an army or defend their party from a barrage of arrows. Wizards have numerous skills that serve them and others well.

Appearances: What do they look like?

Mages, wizards, and sorcerers with mystical powers are often portrayed as wise beings in fantasy novels. These characters also communicate in old English, which is difficult for the average reader with modern language skills. Often this makes it difficult to identify many human qualities that the reader would typically expect in a novel. Wizards and other magical beings often wear black robes and pointy hats. Usually, they dress in white or pink, or blue, depending on their sex.

Now that the cliche is over, wizards tend to wear robes, and it's a stereotype that never seems to get old. Wizards do have their own language, which is magic or something arcane or forbidden from non-magic users from learning. Depending on the story you read, a wizard usually wears whatever they want, though armor seems universally forbidden.

Societal Role: How are wizards seen in society?

The wizard's role in society is constantly changing, but recent trends show that they are seen as more of an asset in what they do than a threat. For instance, Merlin starts out as the king's advisor and eventually becomes his most loyal subject. This trend holds true for many stories where the wizard is a protector. The Harry Potter series also portrays wizards as essential to society, with Hogwarts being a key institution fostering magical development among students. As this role, if constantly changing with the author, you don't always know what you'll get from the wizard in the group of adventurers.

The Significance of Wizards in Epic Fantasy Novels

Wizards are the most valuable and powerful beings in fantasy novels, but why? The answer is their ability to use magic, which is different from how most people live. Wizards wield the power of something completely different from what most people can do. Before they can be a wizard, it requires them to find an ancient book and get its skills. This is what makes them so valuable.

Some learn from experience or are born with magic inside them, while others go to academies or become apprentices. In fantasy, magic seems to make the world go round, and the plot moves forward. Even if it's not direct in its purpose, magic and wizards take some form of indirect purpose in a story.

I've written quite a few novellas and short stories that involve a magic-user of some sort. My Heart of the Dragon series to my stand-alone short stories like Oath of the Raven. As a fantasy author, magic and fantasy gave me an outlet for my imagination to soar on the wings of a dragon while keeping my feet planted on the ground for the whole adventure. Feel free to take a look at my stories and give them a read.

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