Wizard

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Wizard

(Class)

Region

Any

Races

Any

Alignment

LG	NG	CG
LN	N	CN
LE	NE	CE

Iconic character

Ezren

Images of wizards

Source: Core Rulebook, pg(s). 77–83 (1E)
Player Core, pg(s). 192 (2E)

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Wizards are masters of arcane magic, drawing incredible power from the world around them through complicated spell formulas. They require neither armor nor weapons for offense nor defense, instead magically forcing their will upon reality itself and bringing doom to their enemies.

Whether poring over arcane tomes in ancient libraries, traveling the expanse of Golarion in search of spells and artifacts, or holed up in fantastical laboratories researching new applications of magical power, wizards are characterized above all by their endless pursuit of ever more—and ever more powerful—magical knowledge. Whether the wizard seeks such knowledge for its own sake, or as a means to greater fame, wealth, or power, the acquisition of new arcana is the wizard's most compelling goal.

Abilities

Arcane magic

See also: Spell preparation

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Mnemonic matrices

Wizards prepare spells within an arcane mental construct called a mnemonic matrix. Many types of matrix exist, each often tailored by individual wizards; for example, Acadamae Headmaster Toff Ornelos uses the memory palace, a classic form of matrix documented by Oridius Uldor in 4519 AR.

Within such matrices wizards assemble the spell's mental components, such as its language, mathematics, symbolism, and geometry. The wizard then empowers the spell with their mental essence. The matrix stores the spell and power until the wizard calls upon the spell to cast it, in some cases by consuming or invoking a spell component, at which point the wizard targets its effects.

After casting, the matrix collapses and cannot be recreated until the wizard is able to rest, a limitation that binds even the most powerful archmages. This limits most wizards to between two and twenty spells available to cast at a given moment.

Flexible preparation

Wizards who employ flexible preparation to both prepare and spontaneously cast spells prefer to be called "arcanists", which is also a generic term for arcane magic spellcasters. They are more common to institutions or places of arcane innovation or experimentation, such as the Occularium, Magaambya, or academies in Nex.

Arcane thesis

All wizards write theses of unique magical research while studying to cast spells. These theses can be on a variety of topics, reflecting the wizard's interest and deep knowledge about particular subjects. The work's name is usually very detailed and full of specialized terms, like "On the Methods of Spell Interpolation and the Genesis of a New Understanding of the Building Blocks of Magic".

Specialization

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Familiars

Many wizards take a small animal, or a more exotic creature, as a familiar.

Arcane bond

Nella, a wizard, entertains her cat familiar, the Lady Marcatella.

A wizard enhances their magical abilities by forming an arcane bond, placing some of the wizard's power typically within an object called a bonded item. Some wizards instead fine-tune their connection with a familiar to the point that their familiar is their arcane bond; this practice and its benefits are the subject of some wizards' arcane theses.

Combat

Some arcane colleges have curriculum offerings in various forms of combat, magical or otherwise. The Arcanamirium, the oldest and arguably greatest such college in Absalom, is widely known for its dueling fields, at which many students hone their skills in arcane combat.

On Golarion

Wizards are active in virtually every inhabited corner of Golarion, and almost every major city is home to at least one arcane college. Magic colleges in many regions specialize in a particular school or philosophy of arcana: wizards training in the colleges of Geb, for example, are exposed to advanced necromancy, while those in Nex produce excellent transmuters. The Acadamae in the Varisian city of Korvosa focuses on conjuration (especially the conjuration of devils), while the schools in Nidal specialize in shadow magic in honor of Zon-Kuthon. Other important centers of magical learning can be found in Rahadoum (where mages are instructed in practical magic devoid of any spiritual connotations), the elven realm of Kyonin, as well as Absalom, which contains numerous prestigious magical colleges.

Notable wizards

See also: Category:Wizards

• Geb and Nex are extremely powerful rival wizard-kings who rule their own nations in the eastern Garund.
• Belimarius and Sorshen are living legends, Runelords that avoided the destruction of Earthfall and re-emerged, founding New Thassilon in the ruins of their ancient empire.
• Old-Mage Jatembe is the founder of the magical academy Magaambya. Legendary wizard who rediscovered magic and lifted people from their knees after Earthfall, he has disappeared with no sign of death or destination.
• Razmir is the ruler of Razmiran and a powerful wizard pretending to be a living god.
• Telandia Edasseril is the queen of Kyonin and a skilled wizard.

Religion

Wizards seek to understand the universal underpinnings of reality through magic, science, and reason, and may choose not to worship any gods whatsoever.

Wizards may recognize that religious devotions provide them with a connection to community, a sense of purpose, or even a path to greater personal power. They might worship a deity associated with intellectual pursuits, like the god of magic, Nethys, or they might enjoy established and well-connected churches, such as those of Abadar, the god of cities and wealth; Iomedae, the goddess of justice and honor; or Asmodeus, the god of tyranny and pride.

References

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.