Archmage
Encyclopedia
Archmage, archmagi, or archmagus (rarely archimage) is a title used to identify an especially powerful wizard
, usually within the context of fantasy fiction. The term is a neologism strung together from the Greek word arché, meaning "first" + magos, a reference specifically to the astronomer-astrologers of ancient Persia.
Archmages are most commonly found in fantasy literature, roleplaying games, and computer games. They are typically portrayed as people who have, one way or another, gained the ability to influence the world around them in ways modern physics does not readily permit. This usually draws upon unusual energy sources, ranging from personal willpower to ambient arcane energy to naturally occurring ley lines. In almost all cases they are a subset of wizards, magicians, druids, or other profession which uses said energy, albeit typically a highly disciplined and usually substantially more powerful and/or influential subset.
's Earthsea
.
The Archmage there is the head of a college of wizards, a primus inter pares or "first among peers". The character of Saruman
in J. R. R. Tolkien
's Middle-earth
novels is also an archmage, though he is never referred to by that title; however, as the head of the order of wizards (as Gandalf
describes him), he seems to occupy the place of an archmage in Middle-earth.
In Barbara Hambly
's writings, the fantasy world
s of both her Darwath series and the Windrose Chronicles feature archmages, the leaders of the wizards of those worlds. In the Windrose Chronicles, the archmage's authority magically moves to another wizard on the death of the archmage.
The "ArchMage" was introduced in the 1986 game, the Bard's Tale II: The Destiny Knight as a character class not available in the first game.
In Dungeons & Dragons
, archmage is the name of a prestige class whose features are documented in the 3rd edition Forgotten Realms
campaign setting. This prestige class was updated in 3.5 and included as a stock PrC in the Dungeon Master's Guide (the core ruleset for D&D). Their powers allow them to perform feats of magic
available to few others, but at the cost of some of their spells. The class was updated again in 4th Edition, as an epic destiny available to characters over 20th level. Now focused on reusing spells and using them more often, archmages can also exist as an arcane spirit. At 30th level, they are said to retreat into seclusion to study magic, eventually merging with the singular Demispell.
In Warcraft III, the archmage is the name of a hero type of the Human race. It is a title given to the most powerful members of the Kirin Tor, the ruling body of wizards.
In Heroes of Might and Magic V
the wizard heroes are portaid as being an archmage. The archmage is also a recruitable creature of the wizard faction.
Many characters in the world of Harry Potter
may be considered archmagi, most notably Lord Voldemort
and Albus Dumbledore
, the latter bearing the title of Grand Sorcerer.
In Gargoyles, the Archmage was a 10th century foe of the Gargoyles who returned in modern times to lay siege to the island of Avalon
.
In the DC Universe
, the Archmage was a being of magic imprisoned at the heart of Zerox
, the Sorcerer's Planet.
In the computer game Dungeon Siege II
, the Archmage was a being of unparalleled magical power, using his abilities to survive for thousands of years.
The GameBoy Advance game Fire Emblem
features an Archmage named Lord Athos, who was the greatest magic user in the game with access to all magic types (called ArchSage in the European version).
In Elder Scrolls games, the Archmage is a title given to the head of Mages; the Archmage rules among the Mages Guild through councils and designating positions to his inferiors.
In the MMORPG Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning, the Archmage is a healer/dps casting class. In the in-game universe, Archmages are unmatched by any other mortals in their mastery of magic.
In the Korean fantasy novel, Dragon Raja, Handrake Huritchel is described as an Archmage as he successfully defeated Dragon Lord in the War of the Glorious Seven Weeks. Regarded by all who live in the world of Dragon Raja as the most powerful wizard of all time, only he claimed to have mastered Class Nine of magic in all of history.
In Stargate SG-1
"The Quest" Part 2, the plaque in Merlin's resting place/stasis chamber is enscribed in Ancient to read, "Here lies Myrrdin, Archmage of the Round."
In the DragonLance books by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, the head of the towers, which are the most powerful of all the mages, are considered archmages. Raistlin Majere is considered an archmage.
In the Xbox 360 version of Dragon Age: Origins
, there is a Xbox achievement called Archmage for reaching level 20 as a mage.
In computer role-playing game Gothic II
and its sequel
, the term 'archmages' is used as a title of the leaders of the Fire Mages Order.
Magician (fantasy)
A magician, mage, sorcerer, sorceress, wizard, enchanter, enchantress, thaumaturge or a person known under one of many other possible terms is someone who uses or practices magic that derives from supernatural or occult sources...
, usually within the context of fantasy fiction. The term is a neologism strung together from the Greek word arché, meaning "first" + magos, a reference specifically to the astronomer-astrologers of ancient Persia.
Archmages are most commonly found in fantasy literature, roleplaying games, and computer games. They are typically portrayed as people who have, one way or another, gained the ability to influence the world around them in ways modern physics does not readily permit. This usually draws upon unusual energy sources, ranging from personal willpower to ambient arcane energy to naturally occurring ley lines. In almost all cases they are a subset of wizards, magicians, druids, or other profession which uses said energy, albeit typically a highly disciplined and usually substantially more powerful and/or influential subset.
Examples
The first known use of the word in modern fantasy was in Ursula K. Le GuinUrsula K. Le Guin
Ursula Kroeber Le Guin is an American author. She has written novels, poetry, children's books, essays, and short stories, notably in fantasy and science fiction...
's Earthsea
Earthsea
Earthsea is a fictional realm originally created by Ursula K. Le Guin for her short story "The Word of Unbinding", published in 1964. Earthsea became the setting for a further six books, beginning with A Wizard of Earthsea, first published in 1968, and continuing with The Tombs of Atuan, The...
.
The Archmage there is the head of a college of wizards, a primus inter pares or "first among peers". The character of Saruman
Saruman
Saruman the White is a fictional character and a major antagonist in J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy novel The Lord of the Rings. He is leader of the Istari, wizards sent to Middle-earth in human form by the godlike Valar to challenge Sauron, the main antagonist of the tale, but later on aims at gaining...
in J. R. R. Tolkien
J. R. R. Tolkien
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, CBE was an English writer, poet, philologist, and university professor, best known as the author of the classic high fantasy works The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion.Tolkien was Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Pembroke College,...
's Middle-earth
Middle-earth
Middle-earth is the fictional setting of the majority of author J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy writings. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings take place entirely in Middle-earth, as does much of The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales....
novels is also an archmage, though he is never referred to by that title; however, as the head of the order of wizards (as Gandalf
Gandalf
Gandalf is a character in J. R. R. Tolkien's novels The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. In these stories, Gandalf appears as a wizard, member and later the head of the order known as the Istari, as well as leader of the Fellowship of the Ring and the army of the West...
describes him), he seems to occupy the place of an archmage in Middle-earth.
In Barbara Hambly
Barbara Hambly
Barbara Hambly is an award-winning and prolific American novelist and screenwriter within the genres of fantasy, science fiction, mystery, and historical fiction...
's writings, the fantasy world
Fantasy world
A fantasy world is a fictional universe used in fantasy novels and games. Typical worlds involve magic or magical abilities and often, but not always, either a medieval or futuristic theme...
s of both her Darwath series and the Windrose Chronicles feature archmages, the leaders of the wizards of those worlds. In the Windrose Chronicles, the archmage's authority magically moves to another wizard on the death of the archmage.
The "ArchMage" was introduced in the 1986 game, the Bard's Tale II: The Destiny Knight as a character class not available in the first game.
In Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
, archmage is the name of a prestige class whose features are documented in the 3rd edition Forgotten Realms
Forgotten Realms
The Forgotten Realms is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers alike as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a setting for his childhood stories...
campaign setting. This prestige class was updated in 3.5 and included as a stock PrC in the Dungeon Master's Guide (the core ruleset for D&D). Their powers allow them to perform feats of magic
Magic (gaming)
Some role-playing games or game systems can include a set of rules that are used to portray magic in the paranormal sense. These rules simulate the effects that magic would have within the game context, according to how the game designer intended the magic to be portrayed...
available to few others, but at the cost of some of their spells. The class was updated again in 4th Edition, as an epic destiny available to characters over 20th level. Now focused on reusing spells and using them more often, archmages can also exist as an arcane spirit. At 30th level, they are said to retreat into seclusion to study magic, eventually merging with the singular Demispell.
In Warcraft III, the archmage is the name of a hero type of the Human race. It is a title given to the most powerful members of the Kirin Tor, the ruling body of wizards.
In Heroes of Might and Magic V
Heroes of Might and Magic V
Heroes of Might and Magic V is the fifth installment of the Heroes of Might and Magic turn-based strategy video game series. It was developed by Nival Interactive, under the guidance of franchise-owner Ubisoft...
the wizard heroes are portaid as being an archmage. The archmage is also a recruitable creature of the wizard faction.
Many characters in the world of Harry Potter
Harry Potter
Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by the British author J. K. Rowling. The books chronicle the adventures of the adolescent wizard Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry...
may be considered archmagi, most notably Lord Voldemort
Lord Voldemort
Lord Voldemort is the main antagonist of the Harry Potter series written by British author J. K. Rowling. Voldemort first appeared in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, which was released in 1997...
and Albus Dumbledore
Albus Dumbledore
Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore is a major character in J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. For most of the series, he is the headmaster of the wizarding school Hogwarts...
, the latter bearing the title of Grand Sorcerer.
In Gargoyles, the Archmage was a 10th century foe of the Gargoyles who returned in modern times to lay siege to the island of Avalon
Avalon
Avalon is a legendary island featured in the Arthurian legend. It first appears in Geoffrey of Monmouth's 1136 pseudohistorical account Historia Regum Britanniae as the place where King Arthur's sword Excalibur was forged and later where Arthur was...
.
In the DC Universe
DC Universe
The DC Universe is the shared universe where most of the comic stories published by DC Comics take place. The fictional characters Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are well-known superheroes from this universe. Note that in context, "DC Universe" is usually used to refer to the main DC continuity...
, the Archmage was a being of magic imprisoned at the heart of Zerox
Sorcerers' World
Sorcerers' World, also known as Zerox is a fictional planet, a comic book location appearing in titles published by DC Comics. Sorcerers' World first appeared in Adventure Comics vol. 1 #369 , and was created by Jim Shooter and Curt Swan....
, the Sorcerer's Planet.
In the computer game Dungeon Siege II
Dungeon Siege II
Dungeon Siege II is a computer role-playing game and is the sequel to 2002's popular Dungeon Siege. It was developed by Gas Powered Games and released on August 16, 2005, one year delayed from original projections. The story is a continuation of the Dungeon Siege storyline...
, the Archmage was a being of unparalleled magical power, using his abilities to survive for thousands of years.
The GameBoy Advance game Fire Emblem
Fire Emblem
is a fantasy tactical role-playing video game franchise developed by Intelligent Systems , the maker of Advance Wars , and published by Nintendo...
features an Archmage named Lord Athos, who was the greatest magic user in the game with access to all magic types (called ArchSage in the European version).
In Elder Scrolls games, the Archmage is a title given to the head of Mages; the Archmage rules among the Mages Guild through councils and designating positions to his inferiors.
In the MMORPG Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning, the Archmage is a healer/dps casting class. In the in-game universe, Archmages are unmatched by any other mortals in their mastery of magic.
In the Korean fantasy novel, Dragon Raja, Handrake Huritchel is described as an Archmage as he successfully defeated Dragon Lord in the War of the Glorious Seven Weeks. Regarded by all who live in the world of Dragon Raja as the most powerful wizard of all time, only he claimed to have mastered Class Nine of magic in all of history.
In Stargate SG-1
Stargate SG-1
Stargate SG-1 is a Canadian-American adventure and military science fiction television series and part of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's Stargate franchise. The show, created by Brad Wright and Jonathan Glassner, is based on the 1994 feature film Stargate by Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich...
"The Quest" Part 2, the plaque in Merlin's resting place/stasis chamber is enscribed in Ancient to read, "Here lies Myrrdin, Archmage of the Round."
In the DragonLance books by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, the head of the towers, which are the most powerful of all the mages, are considered archmages. Raistlin Majere is considered an archmage.
In the Xbox 360 version of Dragon Age: Origins
Dragon Age: Origins
Dragon Age: Origins is a single-player role-playing video game developed by BioWare's Edmonton studio and published by Electronic Arts. It is the first game in the Dragon Age franchise...
, there is a Xbox achievement called Archmage for reaching level 20 as a mage.
In computer role-playing game Gothic II
Gothic II
Gothic II is a computer role-playing game and the sequel to Gothic, by the German developer Piranha Bytes. It was first released on November 29, 2002 in Germany, with North America following almost one year later on October 28, 2003...
and its sequel
Gothic 3
Gothic 3 is a fantasy-themed role-playing game for Windows from the German game developer Piranha Bytes. It is the sequel to Gothic II. Although widely available in English, the native release of the game is German. The game was released throughout the European Union on October 13, 2006 and became...
, the term 'archmages' is used as a title of the leaders of the Fire Mages Order.