No mage can beat Merlin. According to BBC, he is druid, wizard, shapeshifter(shapeshifts to old man), Dragonrider, has telekinetic powers, is actually becoming a swordmage and a jester(bard).
Not to mention he has a rare pet as a lover...
Man i hate Gwen in that movie, she look like an ugly frog...
And Gaius is also multiclass priest/wizard
It's hard for me to pick a favorite wizard who isn't a personal creation. Jim Butcher's "Dresden" is probably my favorite modern wizard in recent years, having replaced characters like Wrydrune from Simon Hawke's "Wizard Of 4th Street" stories from many years ago (though I am still quite fond of him). As far as sword and sorcery wizards go... it's so hard to really narrow it down to one and say "this guy stood out as the best".
Elminster is awesome, but to be honest I think he got to be a bit much at times, though they have been working on nerfing him. I remember reading an article in Dragon Magazine called "come play with me" that was all about how a lot of the classic FR characters like Elminster, Mirt The Merciless (now Mirt The Moneylender), Durnan The Wanderer, and others were all characters that Ed Greenwood and his RL friends used to play make believe as when they were kids, before D&D or anything. There was a girl who played with them who died from cancer (I believe) as well, and she's part of the symbolism throughout the entire FR with the phantom ladies, the fact that there are 7 sisters but one is dead, the Company of Eight is always down one member, the final seat saved for a fallen comrade... etc...
I guess part of it is that on some levels Elminster IS Ed Greenwood, who is the creator of the entire Forgotten Realms. It became hard for me to really see him as a wizard or character as opposed to some kind of primal force after reading that.
I'll also say that the term "Wizard" is a little too broad for discussions like this because of how so many characters are defined. If you get too broad "Wizard" could be anyone who uses magic. If you go by someone simply called a Wizard it brings into question whether they were correctly labeled. For example Gandalf was not a wizard but a Demi-God and he actually did very little in the way of magic. While it involves things behind the scenes there were people a lot more wizard-like than him, ranging from the Mouthpiece of Sauron, to the Necromancer of Mirkwood, to the simple mention of the elven Loremasters and such. Lord Of The Rings inspired a lot of fantasy, but Tolkien was never big on action scenes, choreography, or "showing" you what was happening, and in retrospect that becomes a problem when having discussions about it and what they characters could actually do. Another problem is that the very narrow focus of the story tends to put mention on characters that are either extremely humble, or amazingly, stupidly powerful. Probably 90% of the characters in Lord Of The Rings are either in some way connected to divine blood, or represent some kind of singular "hero of the age", without a whole lot in between. Especially if you start looking at the geneology and find out who some of these guys are supposed to be descended from in spin off books. While not from the books paticularly, it's stuff like how some Valar went slutting around on earth for a while before leaving and being told not to go back, but left behind half-mortal progeny that became the founders of so-and so kingdom, and the bloodline deteriated to an extent over the next few thousand years but the ruling family of X group still has a high level of potency and despite not seeming it are basically low tier quasi-demigods which is why they can do all these seemingly amazing things.
In LotR (or any tolkien work) Wizard was a race and only four wizard existed - white, grey, brown and blue.
I'll also say that the term "Wizard" is a little too broad for discussions like this because of how so many characters are defined. If you get too broad "Wizard" could be anyone who uses magic.
All the wizards are interpretation of Merlin in one way or the other. Basically someone who uses magic responsibly.
While the sorcerer are based on people who had given in to magic like Morgana, along with a dark knight like Mordred.
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morbicMember, Neverwinter Beta UsersPosts: 0Arc User
edited January 2013
No Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander (From the books, not the TV series) picks yet?
gillrmn. There were five wizards in Arda. There were two blue wizards.
Istari : Gandalf, Saruman, Radagast, Alatar & Pallando
Anyways. My favorite wizards (I cheat and say three because I can't choose one to be my favorite)
Pharaun Mizzrym
Rhonin Redhair
Edwin Odesseiron (whom you simians may simply refer to as 'sir')
They all are my favorite wizards because of their personalities and while being powerful, not the most powerful wizards (Gromph Baenre/Jalynfein in case of Pharaun. Azshara/Illidan/Xavius in case of Rhonin and Elminster in case of Edwin)
The ultimate Wizard of course... Waldorf.. 358th level magic user who invented the nuclear bomb. He destroyed Greyhawk and the other campaign settings decimating everyone and everything, sheathing the worlds with radiation and death except for one 5x5 mile swath on which stands one edifice: "Castle Waldorf". All hope is lost for the deities are enslaved to work in the salt mines beneath Waldorf's castle. Due to this action rendering all publications false and untrue, pack brontasauruses secretly depart WoTC HQ every fortnight delivering the profits from the sale of everything with the D&D label on it through dimenstional portals castle (after converting it to gold pieces of course).
I read it in the Dragon Magazine forums years, and years ago, so we all know it must be true.
All hail Waldorf!
(Award yourself like a million nerd points if you have any idea what I'm referring to).
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iamtruthseekerMember, Moonstars, Neverwinter Beta UsersPosts: 0Arc User
The ultimate Wizard of course... Waldorf.. 358th level magic user who invented the nuclear bomb. He destroyed Greyhawk and the other campaign settings decimating everyone and everything, sheathing the worlds with radiation and death except for one 5x5 mile swath on which stands one edifice: "Castle Waldorf". All hope is lost for the deities are enslaved to work in the salt mines beneath Waldorf's castle. Due to this action rendering all publications false and untrue, pack brontasauruses secretly depart WoTC HQ every fortnight delivering the profits from the sale of everything with the D&D label on it through dimenstional portals castle (after converting it to gold pieces of course).
I read it in the Dragon Magazine forums years, and years ago, so we all know it must be true.
All hail Waldorf!
(Award yourself like a million nerd points if you have any idea what I'm referring to).
Raistlin is easily the one I have read the most on and I was really hooked with his character when I was a teenager. His flaws made him a great character. He was so much more flawed than Drizzt ever was and Raistlin was easily consumed by the power that he wielded. Raistlin wasn't perfect, in fact he was downright mean and nasty at times, but he was intriguing. I think the big difference between him and Drizzt was the world rejected Drizzt but Raistlin rejected the world. To me, that's so much more powerful.
However, having said that I also want to throw out a name that no one has mentioned as my close second: Fistandantilus!
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providenttMember, Neverwinter Beta Users, Neverwinter Guardian UsersPosts: 0Arc User
edited February 2013
Logain Ablar and the Asha'man. (The meat-grinder battle. Oh so so good.)
Also my wand dual-wielding Drow Sorcerer Alton'rak from 4e. (Alton'rak is 'lightning storm' or 'lightning tempest' in Drow.) Luckily I still have his backstory sitting on my computer:
Altonrak grew up among a typical Drow society. They worshipped Lolth and fought a long-lasting war with the Eladrin. But Altonrak never really shared his clanmates beliefs and passions. Instead he studied craft. He was an artisan and sorcerer. His passion lay in the creation of magical items and specialising in lightning magic.
When he was young, not yet of age, his clan captured a band of Eladrin, one of whom, Altair, was a legendary artisan among his people. He was kept alive and imprisoned for years, forced to reveal information about his fellow Eladrin.
Altonrak would often visit Altair in his prison, discussing their mutual love for creation, one not shared by his fellow Drow. Over the years they formed a bond - not only of master and apprentice, but of father and son.
Altair would tell stories about the wonderous talents of his people and the nature of magical crafting. Above all, Altonrak was most enthralled by the story of a legendary artifact called the 'Eye of the Storm'. Nobody knew what it was - a precious gemstone? A stone from another plane of existance? The eye of a dragon, perhaps? But legend clearly stated that the Eye had the power to harness great quantities of lightning magic, to reach into the fabric of space and magic and manipulate the very essence of the storm - more than the most trained Wizard could hope to accomplish.
Many years on, the clan of Drow had finally won their war with their rival clan of Eladrin. While this meant an end to war, for the time being at least, it meant Altair was no longer needed and was executed soon after.
Distraught and mourning for his mentor, Altonrak'imar abandoned his clan and his God, deciding to follow his dream, and continue his master's work. He began to travel, seeking any hint or rumour of the Eye of the Storm.
alraziMember, Neverwinter Beta Users, Neverwinter Guardian UsersPosts: 6Arc User
edited February 2013
Any wizard, I would go for Skeeve. FR wizard I would go for:
Akabar Bel Akash from Azure Bonds, written by Jeff Grubb and Kate Novak
"A mage of no small water."
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uthegentelMember, Neverwinter Beta Users, Neverwinter Hero UsersPosts: 12Arc User
Raistlin is easily the one I have read the most on and I was really hooked with his character when I was a teenager. His flaws made him a great character. He was so much more flawed than Drizzt ever was and Raistlin was easily consumed by the power that he wielded. Raistlin wasn't perfect, in fact he was downright mean and nasty at times, but he was intriguing. I think the big difference between him and Drizzt was the world rejected Drizzt but Raistlin rejected the world. To me, that's so much more powerful.
However, having said that I also want to throw out a name that no one has mentioned as my close second: Fistandantilus!
Yeah! Fistandatilus FTW! Only just saw this thread but that woulda been my pick though I agree with everything you said about Raistlin and was always very intrigued by his character.
On another note though I loved Edwin from the Baldurs Gate series as well, especially when his spell misfires and he turns himself into a female in BG2 rofl.
"Reality is but a figment of our collective imaginations." -N.E.S.
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lordarkaineMember, Neverwinter Beta Users, Neverwinter Guardian UsersPosts: 9Arc User
All the wizards are interpretation of Merlin in one way or the other. Basically someone who uses magic responsibly. While the sorcerer are based on people who had given in to magic like Morgana, along with a dark knight like Mordred.
The more formal definition of wizards and sorcerers is also fitting to Arturian mythos.
Sorcerers are practioners of magic that have been formally educated in a mage circle, they actually respect the magic itself more so than their kin and are usually considered the most respectable classification of magi. Morgana was instructed in the arts by a high priestess while sorcerers in other stories typically study in some tower with a bunch of books and stuff. You'll see a sorcerer in a king's throne room as an advisor or locked in his tower further studying the art of sorcery. This obsession with the art of spellcraft is characteristic of sorcerers.
Wizards, on the other hand, are the uncouth wilders of magic, either self-taught or mentored by a master. They're more whimsical and driven by wanderlust to perfect their art or guide the world according to their own schemes. Merlin was one of these deceitful and cunning wizards who guides the way of things from the shadows and never really explains his intentions. Where sorcerers can be considered controllable through politics, a wizard is a free spirit who does what he will, much like Gandalf.
This is very much the opposite of how D&D portrays them, with the Wizard being the studious researcher and the Sorcerer being the charismatic wanderer.
My three greatest wizards, in order of power, are easily:
1) Elminster
2) Merlin
3) Gandalf
But if I were to dismiss the fan favorites and pick more seriously, I'd go with Lord Semaj from Baldur's Gate.
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castagyreMember, Neverwinter Beta Users, Neverwinter Guardian UsersPosts: 4Arc User
edited February 2013
"Zedd" Zu'l Zorander
High Lord Mhoram
"Evil" from Time Bandits (not sure he counts, but he's funny)
None are my favorites because of how powerful they are and are picked regardless of setting.
Remembering Hanlon's Razor can save one a lot on aspirines.
In LotR (or any tolkien work) Wizard was a race and only four wizard existed - white, grey, brown and blue.
All the wizards are interpretation of Merlin in one way or the other. Basically someone who uses magic responsibly.
While the sorcerer are based on people who had given in to magic like Morgana, along with a dark knight like Mordred.
5 wizards to be true, the other 2 dissappeared into the east long before the story of the hobbit and lord of the rings. The other 3 being Saruman, Gandalf and Radagast the Brown (more of a druid then wizard) + Alatar and Pallando which where the blue wizards.
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kotliMember, Neverwinter Beta Users, Neverwinter Hero Users, Neverwinter Guardian Users, Neverwinter Knight of the Feywild UsersPosts: 577
edited February 2013
Personally its *name removed* who the greatest wizard who *rest of post removed*.
This is your last warning stop trying to tell people about me Kotli.
5 wizards to be true, the other 2 dissappeared into the east long before the story of the hobbit and lord of the rings. The other 3 being Saruman, Gandalf and Radagast the Brown (more of a druid then wizard) + Alatar and Pallando which where the blue wizards.
Yes I know bu wizards are counted in colors, and there were/are total of four. Although Saruman was called wizard of many colors - but that was because he was white color considered to consist of many colors.
Four:- White, grey, brown and blue.
Irrespective of number of wizards, only four positions are regarded as wizard. So if me and grumpy paws were to kill Gandalf who was grey first and white later, and then we steal and absorb his essence like asmodeus did to Azuth, we both will be white wizards. So we will be one wizard - me and grumpy.
Galadriel? NO! She is just an elf! Wizard is a race remember, being elf considers her possibility out by definition.
Wizards are: -
Gandalf [Shapeshifted from grey to white]
Saruman - killed
Radagast (did I spell it right?) - Brown, most powerful wizard whom none can catch but too forgetful. They said one way was to give ring to Radagast and Sauron will never be able to catch him! But the fellowship decided that he will forget where he kept the ring so NO!
Blue wizards were not in any of the finished work of Tolkien. There were supposed to be two I think.
So in the end, we have four physical wizards left alive, but only 3 positions filled - grey having shape shifted.
Haplo from the death gate saga. While I didn't like alot about that series. I loved the patryn and their tattooed magic. Also Haplo felt like someone with a good heart but was made brutal by the horrors he had faced in the labyrinth. In games I would say the early levels (up to 20) of the WoW mage. the diablo 1 mage. But they are now threatened by the control wizard. I love being cc or a true glass cannon. I also keep a corner for the intrepid enchanter, though I don't quite like ritual magic.
Comments
Man i hate Gwen in that movie, she look like an ugly frog...
And Gaius is also multiclass priest/wizard
Elminster is awesome, but to be honest I think he got to be a bit much at times, though they have been working on nerfing him. I remember reading an article in Dragon Magazine called "come play with me" that was all about how a lot of the classic FR characters like Elminster, Mirt The Merciless (now Mirt The Moneylender), Durnan The Wanderer, and others were all characters that Ed Greenwood and his RL friends used to play make believe as when they were kids, before D&D or anything. There was a girl who played with them who died from cancer (I believe) as well, and she's part of the symbolism throughout the entire FR with the phantom ladies, the fact that there are 7 sisters but one is dead, the Company of Eight is always down one member, the final seat saved for a fallen comrade... etc...
I guess part of it is that on some levels Elminster IS Ed Greenwood, who is the creator of the entire Forgotten Realms. It became hard for me to really see him as a wizard or character as opposed to some kind of primal force after reading that.
I'll also say that the term "Wizard" is a little too broad for discussions like this because of how so many characters are defined. If you get too broad "Wizard" could be anyone who uses magic. If you go by someone simply called a Wizard it brings into question whether they were correctly labeled. For example Gandalf was not a wizard but a Demi-God and he actually did very little in the way of magic. While it involves things behind the scenes there were people a lot more wizard-like than him, ranging from the Mouthpiece of Sauron, to the Necromancer of Mirkwood, to the simple mention of the elven Loremasters and such. Lord Of The Rings inspired a lot of fantasy, but Tolkien was never big on action scenes, choreography, or "showing" you what was happening, and in retrospect that becomes a problem when having discussions about it and what they characters could actually do. Another problem is that the very narrow focus of the story tends to put mention on characters that are either extremely humble, or amazingly, stupidly powerful. Probably 90% of the characters in Lord Of The Rings are either in some way connected to divine blood, or represent some kind of singular "hero of the age", without a whole lot in between. Especially if you start looking at the geneology and find out who some of these guys are supposed to be descended from in spin off books. While not from the books paticularly, it's stuff like how some Valar went slutting around on earth for a while before leaving and being told not to go back, but left behind half-mortal progeny that became the founders of so-and so kingdom, and the bloodline deteriated to an extent over the next few thousand years but the ruling family of X group still has a high level of potency and despite not seeming it are basically low tier quasi-demigods which is why they can do all these seemingly amazing things.
All the wizards are interpretation of Merlin in one way or the other. Basically someone who uses magic responsibly.
While the sorcerer are based on people who had given in to magic like Morgana, along with a dark knight like Mordred.
Foundry Content:Guide - Custom Channels and List (NW-DHBU9OTOS)
Asset upgrading poll.
Istari : Gandalf, Saruman, Radagast, Alatar & Pallando
Anyways. My favorite wizards (I cheat and say three because I can't choose one to be my favorite)
Pharaun Mizzrym
Rhonin Redhair
Edwin Odesseiron (whom you simians may simply refer to as 'sir')
They all are my favorite wizards because of their personalities and while being powerful, not the most powerful wizards (Gromph Baenre/Jalynfein in case of Pharaun. Azshara/Illidan/Xavius in case of Rhonin and Elminster in case of Edwin)
Yes but only four colors so I said four wizards. Though Grey was left empty later and white came to be called "many colors"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waiFSM7TKT8
Yes, you are right in pointing that out
I read it in the Dragon Magazine forums years, and years ago, so we all know it must be true.
All hail Waldorf!
(Award yourself like a million nerd points if you have any idea what I'm referring to).
I have no idea...
*picks up an old paper copy of Dragon magazine*
However, having said that I also want to throw out a name that no one has mentioned as my close second: Fistandantilus!
Also my wand dual-wielding Drow Sorcerer Alton'rak from 4e. (Alton'rak is 'lightning storm' or 'lightning tempest' in Drow.) Luckily I still have his backstory sitting on my computer:
Altonrak grew up among a typical Drow society. They worshipped Lolth and fought a long-lasting war with the Eladrin. But Altonrak never really shared his clanmates beliefs and passions. Instead he studied craft. He was an artisan and sorcerer. His passion lay in the creation of magical items and specialising in lightning magic.
When he was young, not yet of age, his clan captured a band of Eladrin, one of whom, Altair, was a legendary artisan among his people. He was kept alive and imprisoned for years, forced to reveal information about his fellow Eladrin.
Altonrak would often visit Altair in his prison, discussing their mutual love for creation, one not shared by his fellow Drow. Over the years they formed a bond - not only of master and apprentice, but of father and son.
Altair would tell stories about the wonderous talents of his people and the nature of magical crafting. Above all, Altonrak was most enthralled by the story of a legendary artifact called the 'Eye of the Storm'. Nobody knew what it was - a precious gemstone? A stone from another plane of existance? The eye of a dragon, perhaps? But legend clearly stated that the Eye had the power to harness great quantities of lightning magic, to reach into the fabric of space and magic and manipulate the very essence of the storm - more than the most trained Wizard could hope to accomplish.
Many years on, the clan of Drow had finally won their war with their rival clan of Eladrin. While this meant an end to war, for the time being at least, it meant Altair was no longer needed and was executed soon after.
Distraught and mourning for his mentor, Altonrak'imar abandoned his clan and his God, deciding to follow his dream, and continue his master's work. He began to travel, seeking any hint or rumour of the Eye of the Storm.
Akabar Bel Akash from Azure Bonds, written by Jeff Grubb and Kate Novak
"A mage of no small water."
Yeah! Fistandatilus FTW! Only just saw this thread but that woulda been my pick though I agree with everything you said about Raistlin and was always very intrigued by his character.
On another note though I loved Edwin from the Baldurs Gate series as well, especially when his spell misfires and he turns himself into a female in BG2 rofl.
Sorcerers are practioners of magic that have been formally educated in a mage circle, they actually respect the magic itself more so than their kin and are usually considered the most respectable classification of magi. Morgana was instructed in the arts by a high priestess while sorcerers in other stories typically study in some tower with a bunch of books and stuff. You'll see a sorcerer in a king's throne room as an advisor or locked in his tower further studying the art of sorcery. This obsession with the art of spellcraft is characteristic of sorcerers.
Wizards, on the other hand, are the uncouth wilders of magic, either self-taught or mentored by a master. They're more whimsical and driven by wanderlust to perfect their art or guide the world according to their own schemes. Merlin was one of these deceitful and cunning wizards who guides the way of things from the shadows and never really explains his intentions. Where sorcerers can be considered controllable through politics, a wizard is a free spirit who does what he will, much like Gandalf.
This is very much the opposite of how D&D portrays them, with the Wizard being the studious researcher and the Sorcerer being the charismatic wanderer.
My three greatest wizards, in order of power, are easily:
1) Elminster
2) Merlin
3) Gandalf
But if I were to dismiss the fan favorites and pick more seriously, I'd go with Lord Semaj from Baldur's Gate.
High Lord Mhoram
"Evil" from Time Bandits (not sure he counts, but he's funny)
None are my favorites because of how powerful they are and are picked regardless of setting.
5 wizards to be true, the other 2 dissappeared into the east long before the story of the hobbit and lord of the rings. The other 3 being Saruman, Gandalf and Radagast the Brown (more of a druid then wizard) + Alatar and Pallando which where the blue wizards.
This is your last warning stop trying to tell people about me Kotli.
Yes I know bu wizards are counted in colors, and there were/are total of four. Although Saruman was called wizard of many colors - but that was because he was white color considered to consist of many colors.
Pug
Fistandatilus
and since I'm rereading the Spellsinger series (it's pretty good if you can edit out all the animal stuff) Clothahump
Ohhh the sweet memories that come back. In my mind he was like master oogway from kong fu panda