Hedge wizard
A hedge wizard (or hedge mage) is a wizard, sorcerer, or mage who never received their formal training from Dalaran.[1] Though most contemporary human and high elven magi bow to the sovereignty of Dalaran and the Kirin Tor, there are many who instead choose to delve into the secrets of magic by themselves and strive to expand their knowledge beyond what most other wizards consider to be safe or morally acceptable. The Kirin Tor consider such independent magi to be non-sanctioned renegades[2] and have often sought to hinder them. Kirin Tor apprentices are taught that self-taught, non-Dalaran wizards are extremely showy, wild, and reckless, and always come to a bad end due to messing with powers beyond their ken (sometimes destroying a large portion of the surrounding countryside with them).[3]
Certain renegade wizards have been known to create golems to protect their secret dens and lairs.[4] Hedge mages often use the smoke of an herb known as witchbane to draw evil from its hiding places.[5] Many rogue mage disciples sanction polymorphing enemies into exotic creatures, whereas the Kirin Tor only support simplified creatures like sheep for such purposes.[6]
First War
During the First War, Northshire Abbey was attacked by a band of brigands that had been convinced by enemy agents to fight against the crown. Among them were some rogue conjurers.[7]
The mages of Stormwind were considered hedge wizards as they were not pupils of the Violet Citadel,[8] even though they had their own magical academy and were far from unorganized.[9]
World of Warcraft
The Defias Brotherhood has hedge mages in its ranks,[10] including the Defias Rogue Wizards and Defias Renegade Mages.
Many other human factions like the Syndicate and the Cult of the Damned also have evil wizards and mages among their ranks, like Ras Frostwhisper who was in his life a hedge mage of Stromgarde.[1]
The island-prison of Tol Barad held Exiled Mages among their prisoners.
The Sullied Banner is a rogue mage sect led by Turi Flickerflame,[11] a former apprentice of the late Archmage Rhonin, that wanted to create mana bombs on Theramore Isle to protect themselves from their enemies.[12]
Notes
- Vargoth called Kael'thas Sunstrider a rogue mage.[13]
- During the Alterac crisis, the Kirin Tor suspected that Lord Daval Prestor (Deathwing in human disguise) was a rogue wizard.[14]
In the RPG
Most people do not make a distinction between sorcerers and wizards, although "hedge wizard" is used as a pejorative term by wizards against sorcerers.[15]
Beve Perenolde and Pai Stormbringer were both described as being both rogues and wizards, studying away for the teachings of the Kirin Tor.
References
- ^ a b Magistrate Marduke#Quotes
- ^ Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Game Manual, Creatures of Lordaeron & Northrend, Wizards
- ^ The Last Guardian, chapter 1, pg. 18 - 19
- ^ Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Game Manual, Creatures of Lordaeron & Northrend, Golems
- ^
[15-30] The Witch's Bane
- ^ Polymorphic Rules & Regulations
- ^ Northshire Abbey (WC1 Human)
- ^ The Last Guardian, chapter 4
- ^ The Last Guardian, chapter 15
- ^
[37] Survey Alcaz Island
- ^ [70] Theramore
- ^ [70] Aftershocks
- ^ Image of Archmage Vargoth#Quotes
- ^ Day of the Dragon, chapter 13
- ^ Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, pg. 56