Wizards are defined by their exhaustive study of magic’s inner workings. They cast spells of explosive fire, arcing lightning, subtle deception, and spectacular transformations. Their magic conjures monsters from other planes of existence, glimpses the future, or forms protective barriers. Their mightiest spells change one substance into another, call meteors from the sky, or open portals to other worlds.
Introduction
Welcome, scholars of the arcane, to your guide on roleplaying your Wizard as a learned practitioner of the mystical arts. In this article, we will cover the defining narrative characteristics of a Wizard and discuss the important decisions which define your character.
We will also highlight the common tropes associated with Wizards in fiction, and offer some advice for how best to emulate, or subvert, these for your character. If you’re ready to write your wizard’s name into the pages of history, then read on.
What makes a Wizard?
Wizards are spell-casters who diligently study magic at a fundamental level to better understand its properties and then apply that knowledge in practice. They create new spells, manipulating the fabric of magic in novel, exciting ways to produce something wholly unique, such as Tasha’s Hideous Laughter.
Unlike other magical practitioners, a Wizard’s power comes entirely from their own study, not some innate talent or deal with a powerful entity. Such autonomy allows Wizards to follow their own path, often seeking long-lost arcane knowledge in the hope of amplifying their own powers.
Some seek power to aid society, hoping to elevate their fellow mortals to new heights through solving everyday problems or making thrilling new discoveries. Others, however, wish to dominate and enslave those they deem unworthy of freedom, looking down on less learned folk as little more than cattle.
The final defining characteristic of a Wizard is their Spellbook, a collection of the Wizard’s knowledge in a magically cyphered, written format which the Wizard adds to throughout their life as they learn (and create) new spells through their research.
Creating Your Wizard
Close your eyes and picture your Wizard. How are they dressed? How do they carry themselves? Do they have any mannerisms? Imagining the character this way is an excellent starting point to fleshing them out into more than simply stats on a page.
Then, ask yourself: Why did they become an adventurer? This is particularly pertinent for Wizards as they tend to be insular scholars rather than bold heroes, though some of the most famous Wizards in D&D buck this trend significantly.
Many Wizards are called to seek out lost magical lore in the deep, hidden places of the world where magically advanced civilizations once claimed dominion, such as Netherese ruins in the Forgotten Realms setting. Others set out on the road to escape the dreary confines of old libraries, preferring to learn in a more practical rather than theoretical manner. Whatever you decide for your Wizard it is foundational to the character and your choice will influence many other aspects of them as we move forward.
Another key consideration is your Wizard’s spellbook, which is very likely to be their most treasured possession. What does it look like? Does your Wizard carry a battered tome which once belonged to their mentor, or is there spellbook brand-new with neat, detailed entries and footnotes? It may not be a book at all, but a lengthy scroll they keep in a warded case or a patch of enchanted leather which they can instruct to display any ‘page’ they wish. Wizards in the Eberron setting frequently use Dragonshards as spellbooks, and your world could have equally fantastic options. This is an excellent opportunity to get creative and give your character some unique flavor which reflects their background and personality.
Wizards love to learn, and that extends to other disciplines outside of magic too. Your Wizard can specialise in any of the following subjects with which they are already proficient: Arcana, History, Investigation, Medicine, Nature, or Religion. Perhaps they love to walk in the forest, identifying local flora and fauna and sketching in a journal. Does physiology fascinate them to the extent that they are learned in the ways of medicine (at least theoretically)? Embrace your Wizard’s hunger for knowledge and expand their studies beyond the arcane (which is already a distinctly complex subject!).
Lastly, consider how your Wizard acquired the skills and abilities they have today as they set out into the world to seek adventure. Did they attend a formal educational institution such as a Magical Academy? If so, how did they experience life there? Alternatively, they could have learned in the “real world” outside academia via a trusted mentor, or even ignited a passion for study through a chance discovery of an arcane tome!
How did your Wizard hone their magical skills?
No matter the reason for your Wizard embarking on their studious journey, they must have honed their skills over time, increasing their competence through careful research, practice, and adjustment. Furthermore, they must have been taught how to read spells and copy them into written form.
Where did they acquire such esoteric knowledge? Perhaps they were naturally gifted, somehow able to understand magic at an innate level, but unable to cast it like a Sorcerer. More likely, they had a mentor who showed them the way. Who was that, and where are they now? How did that teaching impact your Wizard’s perspective on their studies, themselves, and the world at large?
What is their personal philosophy?
Is your Wizard an optimist, a pessimist, or something in between? How do they view people outside magical academia? What is their ultimate goal? Their personal philosophy will be shaped by such questions and it is worth thinking about your answers as you create your character.
In the real world, someone’s perspective on life, the world, and their personal philosophy is nuanced and formed via the myriad experiences of their life. Think about what your Wizard has experienced in their life up to this point and imagine how those experiences, and the people around them, have led them to being who they are as they embark on their adventures.
Tropes
Wizards have been a common trope in fiction since time immemorial, and there are a great many characters you could draw on for inspiration. Though not all of these Wizards will be suitable for a game like D&D (Gandalf is an immortal demi-god for example), they can still provide us with excellent inspiration to create our own arcane legends within our games.
It is important to note that in D&D individuals referred to as Wizards actually fit into a fairly narrow category, namely scholars and practitioners of magic. In popular culture, the term Wizard is used interchangeably with words like Mage, Sorcerer, Witch, and Warlock, but for our examples we will be focusing on characters who match the aforementioned criteria even if they are not referred to as such.
Jafar, the villain of Alladin, could be classed as a Wizard due to his scholastic studies of both magic and science (at poor Iago’s expense). Jafar has no natural power to speak of beyond his keen mind and magical items such as his staff, so he fits into the D&D criteria for a Wizard quite nicely. However, Jafar’s thirst for power is motivated by his dark desire to control and enslave those he deems beneath him (everyone else). Does your Wizard also harbor such desires?
Gale, of Baldur’s Gate fame, is a curious sort, his dashing good looks, and effortless charm being at odds with the stereotypical depiction of both scholars and Wizards alike. Perhaps your Wizard also defies such preconceptions through their force of personality or physical strength. Do they delight at social occasions by playing an instrument, commanding everyone’s attention? (much to the chagrin of any nearby Bards). Your Wizard can be whoever you want them to be, provided they are also a diligent student of the arcane.
Schools of Magic: Your Subclass
Now it’s time to decide how your Wizard utilises their spells as an adventurer. Do they prefer to beguile and deceive their foes with carefully crafted illusions, or destroy them with explosive, elemental magic? Perhaps they take another approach entirely, but your Wizard’s subclass plays a vital role in their character.
Abjurer
Shield Companions and Banish Foes
Block, banish, and protect. These are the words Abjurers live by as they seek to defeat the evils of the world. Abjurers specialise in disrupting harmful magic and banishing extra-planar threats, all in the name of protecting their allies and the common folk of the land. Abjurers can often be found amongst adventuring parties as their skillset readily lends itself to such a lifestyle, i.e. seeking out dangerous things and antagonizing them with your mere presence.
If your Wizard follows this path, then consider their motivation for doing so. Where does their desire to protect others (and themselves) stem from? Were they unable to stop a tragedy from unfolding in their past and dedicated their studies to ensuring that would never happen again? Alternatively, they could have a natural talent for this school or magic, a talent which was noticed by their teachers and encouraged with extra-curricular practice. Did your Wizard spend their free time practising the banishment of summoned entities beneath the watchful eye of their tutor?
Diviner
Learn the Secrets of the Multiverse
Diviners specialise in demystifying the past, present, and future, utilising their skills to seek knowledge wherever they see fit. Many Diviners offer their services for hire to fund their research, catering to wealthy clients who wish to locate lost items, unveil plots against them, or conduct social/industrial espionage for their own ends. Military leaders and national rulers have long employed Diviners in this capacity, making use of their magic to safeguard important personages or give their forces an edge in a coming battle.
If your Wizard specialises in this school of magic, consider why they chose to do so. Did they work for hire in the aforementioned manner before becoming an adventurer? Do they dare to read the skeins of their own fate, or do they avoid such temptations? How do their companions feel about their abilities? Some people prefer not to know anything about their future, no matter the consequences.
Evoker
Create Explosive Elemental Effects
Evokers are Wizards who harness the destructive power of elemental magic to destroy their enemies, and they are welcomed by those who require such lethal skills such as military organisations or adventuring parties. Some Evokers utilize their potent abilities to rule over others, such as a group of bandits or cultists.
Why does your Wizard excel in this field? Are they aggressive by nature, or do they stay calm and collected as they unleash their magic? Do they enjoy being an Evoker, or do they have a tendency to destroy things accidentally? Perhaps their motivations are more noble and they wish to eradicate the evils of the world like their Abjurer colleagues, albeit with a slightly different methodology.
Illusionist
Weave Subtle Spells of Deception
Illusionists view reality as more of a guideline than something tangible, and utilise magic which baffles the senses, tricks the mind, or makes the impossible seem real, if only for a moment. Wizards of this type excel in subterfuge and misdirection, magically speaking, and are able to create illusory creatures, copies of themselves, and a plethora of other disruptive phenomena.
Why does your Wizard prefer Illusions to other schools of magic? Pacifists often choose Illusions over more combative spells due to their bloodless nature, but illusions are also popular with those who prefer to avoid attention. Perhaps your Wizard enjoys the conjuration of phantasmal creatures, and was often seen delighting the local children with their magic, like Gandalf and his fireworks.
Conclusion
By now you should have a clear picture of your Wizard in your mind: who they are, how they gained their skills, and their Subclass. If not, don’t worry! Have a chat with your GM and ask them to help you create a Wizard who fits into the game you all want to play, fits into the world you’re playing in, and has connections with other player characters. Happy adventuring!
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