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Howdy. Just out of fanboy curiosity, I'd love to see a list of prominent wizards and wizard schools in Golarion. Scholarly magic and academia are often the same in a fantasy setting, and they comprise a sort of umbrella culture, communicating and competing. It would be an interesting way to get a handle on magical society (and maybe Pathfinder Society *waggles eyebrows*).
Anyone willing to give it a go?
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Howdy. Just out of fanboy curiosity, I'd love to see a list of prominent wizards and wizard schools in Golarion. Scholarly magic and academia are often the same in a fantasy setting, and they comprise a sort of umbrella culture, communicating and competing. It would be an interesting way to get a handle on magical society (and maybe Pathfinder Society *waggles eyebrows*).
Anyone willing to give it a go?
This list was a quick one and is probably incomplete, but I’ll give things a start-
Wizard Schools:
There are necromancy-based schools in Geb
There are various schools, most notably transmutation-related ones in Nex
There are famous wizard academies in Egorian in Cheliax, generally focusing on diabolism and conjuration
There is the Acadamae in Korvosa in Varisia which teaches all kinds of specialist wizards, but it is most focused on conjurers (especially diabolists) but produces oddly powerful enchanters…
It’s led by Toff Ornelos and has a decent bit of information on it in the Guide to Korvosa.
Theumanexus University, also in Korvosa, is for generalist wizards and lacks the Acadamae’s reputation but is still a good school
The Stone of Seers in Magnimar specialize in teaching diviners and enchanters and are led by Master Leis Nivlandis. There is a spring at the center of the school said to be the home of an oracular water spirit who left decades ago but promised to return.
The Twilight Academy in Galduria in Nidal focuses on shadow magic and unconventional experimental methods.
Rahadoum has wizard colleges that teach a method of arcane casting lacking any trappings of spirituality.
Kyonin has wizard academies that teach an elven tradition of magic, but they are generally open only to elves.
Absalom has multiple universities of arcane magic, most notable the Arcanamirium (founded by the Arclords of Nex), the College of Mysteries, and the Clockwork Cathedral.
Notable Wizards:
Nex, former ruler of the nation that bears his name, created a demiplane, was known for eccentricity and magical power, probably one of the strongest wizards mentioned in Pathfinder
Geb, ruler of the nation that bears his name, master necromancer, ghost, and sworn enemy of Nex, managed to make a former demigoddess his undead queen, probably one of the strongest wizards mentioned in Pathfinder
The Whispering Tyrant, a powerful lich who ruled over Belkzen and Ustalov at one point, fought Aroden, fought Iomedae, founder of the philosophy The Whispering Way, currently imprisoned under his capital tower of Gallowspire after being sealed there by Arnisant and the Shield of Aroden, a powerful artifact that was shattered in the sealing process, probably one of the strongest wizards mentioned in Pathfinder
Xin, Founder of Thassilon
Alaznist, Runelord of Wrath
Belmarius, Runelord of Envy
Karzoug, Runelord of Greed
Krune, Runelord of Sloth
Sorshen, Runelord of Lust, probably one of the strongest wizards mentioned in Pathfinder
Xanderghul, Runelord of Pride, probably one of the strongest wizards mentioned in Pathfinder
Zutha, Runelord of Gluttony
Toff Ornelos, headmaster of the Acadamae in Korvosa
Volshyenek Ornelos, known as the Immortal Lord, progenitor of House Ornellos who was allegedly struck down by a group of devils atop the Hall of Summoning
Master Leis Nivlandis, leader of the Stone of Seers
Tepest Geezlebottle, professor at Theumanexus
Yaris Versio, founder of Theumanexus, deceased
Nethys, God of Magic, allegedly an ancient Osiriani king who ascended to godhood after using great arcane magics to be able to see across all the planes of the Great Beyond
Abraxas, Demon Lord of Magic and the Final Incantation
There are, of course, other wizards in various products, but I think I managed to catch most of the famous / well-known ones. I may come back and add to the list if I find any omissions.
From what we saw and know so far, the top brass is probably about level 20 - 25, or at least was; I don't know whether that sort of power is still around in the Age of Lost Omens. The runelords and their contemporates were around during mankind's Golden Age of power.
Well, we know most of the Runelords were in the early to mid teen level range. So they don't have to be epics to be bad asses.
How do you know they were that low level?
he said that
"Runelords were in the early to mid teen level range"
he is epic or on the cusp so they should all be about epic
I guess the Big Two will be truly epic, the middle field will be around level 20, and the weaklings level 15 or less.
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Galduria and its Twilight Academy are in Varisia, no?
Ack, yes. Upon rechecking, you are correct. Galduria is indeed a Magnimarian holding in Varisia, and it does contain the Twilight Academy that has a reputation for being experimental and unconventional.
The schools of Nidal that specialize in shadow magic are completely separate. I think it was the "twilight" in the name that threw me. Thanks for catching that.
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Well, we know most of the Runelords were in the early to mid teen level range. So they don't have to be epics to be bad asses.How do you know they were that low level?
because James Jacobs said so in various threads about Rise of the Runelords. Specificlly talking about the Runelords and their abilities and such. It was often assumed many were Epic level casters, but he said most were mid-teens or less. Only the two original Runelords were anywhere near to Epic levels, and I do not think they were Epic yet.
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because James Jacobs said so in various threads about Rise of the Runelords. Specificlly talking about the Runelords and their abilities and such. It was often assumed many were Epic level casters, but he said most were mid-teens or less. Only the two original Runelords were anywhere near to Epic levels, and I do not think they were Epic yet.
I'm reasonably certain he said the big two are. They're more powerful than Karzoug, and
the middle of epic levels
What do you consider the middle of epic levels? They're theoretically endless. Do you mean level 30? Level 40? Level 2000?
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the middle of epic levelsWhat do you consider the middle of epic levels? They're theoretically endless. Do you mean level 30? Level 40? Level 2000?
I'm hoping he meant level 25 tops. I'm really hoping there's no level 60s in the history of the world. In more 'modern' times (I don't remember if it was around then) if you haven't done the test of the starstone by level 30 you're a coward.
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What do you consider the middle of epic levels? They're theoretically endless. Do you mean level 30? Level 40? Level 2000?
I originally would have said the 30-40 range, since I thought that the middle third of Epic material provided by the SRD (and thus not counting 3rd party exceptions that would throw figures way off, like Epic Bestiary I and Ascension). I decided I ought to check if said range had any base in the actual epic material, and it turns out it doesn’t and seems to be based more on my own personal experience with various campaigns and things. After listing the monsters from the Epic Level Handbook (discounting the non-epic ones, like Mercanes, the Hoary Steed, Behemoth Animals, and Animals of Legend) and dividing their CR’s into 3 equal-sized groups, I found that the thirds of material tended to fall into 21-25, 26-35, and 35+. Since you’re correct about them being theoretically endless, I’m going to go for the ranges that I see each third of supported material going into and say “26-35”, with my prediction for Xanderghul actually being on the high end of that range (with no particular basis on that call other than Sorshen is confirmed to be epic and there’s supposed to be a gap between her and Xanderghul). After Paizo revises the epic rules for Pathfinder, my definition of mid-epic will probably change based on what they decide to give support to.
Ultimately, though, I was just compiling the list quickly and probably used more vague terms than I should have.
If I were to guess, I'd say that both Sor and Xan outclass everything from the Monster Manual (barely) and that there's a gap of about 3 levels between them.
In other words: Sorshen might be an Enchanter 27 (CR 28) and Xanderghul an Illusionist 30 (CR31).
But I wouldn't be surprised by 25/27, or even 22/25. I would be suprised by anything with more than 30 class levels.
Where can I find information about Sorshen? Where has been said that she is the second most powerful runelord?
My party wants to play after Crown of Fangs...
because James Jacobs said so in various threads about Rise of the Runelords. Specificlly talking about the Runelords and their abilities and such. It was often assumed many were Epic level casters, but he said most were mid-teens or less. Only the two original Runelords were anywhere near to Epic levels, and I do not think they were Epic yet.Well, we know most of the Runelords were in the early to mid teen level range. So they don't have to be epics to be bad asses.How do you know they were that low level?
I can’t find links to those threads. Does anyone remember what threads were, please?
This is a pretty old topic, but since we've got so much new information on the wizards and wizard schools of Golarion, I'm hoping it might be worth it to resurrect. Especially since I really like the expanded view on the academic scene of Golarion (including the non-magic stuff).
These days, in addition to the Academae, we've got all kinds of knowledge about the Magaambya and Old-Mage Jatembe, the Arcanamirium in Absalom, the Twilight Academy, Dusk Hall... the list goes on.
So, what's your favorite magic school in Golarion, and why? Or which ones would you just like to learn more about?
For me, the Magaambya is definitely where I'd want to study. But on the other hand, just being able to say "I graduated from the College of Dimensional Studies" is almost worth it on its own, so even though I'm not entirely sold on spending any length of time in Katapesh, it's pretty tempting.
I'm considering developing some material on the Eastern Front Academy, which is a low-power new arcane school on the border of Taldor, just because I love an underdog.
And the interesting subtext is the school was started as an attempt to give the town resources as it's way too far in the boondocks to have any natural trade or political capital. But partially because it's new and far from anything it can't attract very good students, so most of them will be unwanted second sons from minor nobility or total newbies who just scraped the money together because they wanted to be wizards/alchemists.
What happens with small population of low-level wizard kids, a bunch of bored soldiers, and some prairie farmers under a lot of economic pressure?
I'm considering developing some material on the Eastern Front Academy, which is a low-power new arcane school on the border of Taldor, just because I love an underdog.
And the interesting subtext is the school was started as an attempt to give the town resources as it's way too far in the boondocks to have any natural trade or political capital. But partially because it's new and far from anything it can't attract very good students, so most of them will be unwanted second sons from minor nobility or total newbies who just scraped the money together because they wanted to be wizards/alchemists.
What happens with small population of low-level wizard kids, a bunch of bored soldiers, and some prairie farmers under a lot of economic pressure?
Resentment, for a start.
I think an adventure where you try to recruit talent for a struggling academy like this, or like the still-struggling Alabaster Academy in Kintargo, could be pretty fun for characters who like to roleplay stuff that isn't the conventional "save this, save that, kill those demons that are secretly responsible" fare. Maybe as a little side story for a bigger campaign.
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Resentment, for a start.
I think an adventure where you try to recruit talent for a struggling academy like this, or like the still-struggling Alabaster Academy in Kintargo, could be pretty fun for characters who like to roleplay stuff that isn't the conventional "save this, save that, kill those demons that are secretly responsible" fare. Maybe as a little side story for a bigger campaign.
Alabaster isn't a wizard school, it's a school for natural philosophers with a dash of wizardry added very recently - precisely to try and attract new talent.
Alabaster isn't a wizard school, it's a school for natural philosophers with a dash of wizardry added very recently - precisely to try and attract new talent.Resentment, for a start.
I think an adventure where you try to recruit talent for a struggling academy like this, or like the still-struggling Alabaster Academy in Kintargo, could be pretty fun for characters who like to roleplay stuff that isn't the conventional "save this, save that, kill those demons that are secretly responsible" fare. Maybe as a little side story for a bigger campaign.
That's what would make it interesting, IMO. Besides, you can't tell me that classes in botany, zoology, medicine, etc. wouldn't be useful for a wizard anyway.
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That's what would make it interesting, IMO. Besides, you can't tell me that classes in botany, zoology, medicine, etc. wouldn't be useful for a wizard anyway.Alabaster isn't a wizard school, it's a school for natural philosophers with a dash of wizardry added very recently - precisely to try and attract new talent.Resentment, for a start.
I think an adventure where you try to recruit talent for a struggling academy like this, or like the still-struggling Alabaster Academy in Kintargo, could be pretty fun for characters who like to roleplay stuff that isn't the conventional "save this, save that, kill those demons that are secretly responsible" fare. Maybe as a little side story for a bigger campaign.
You'd think that, but it turns out that Alabaster's troubles can be resolved by "killing the demons that are secretly responsible."
You'd think that, but it turns out that Alabaster's troubles can be resolved by "killing the demons that are secretly responsible."That's what would make it interesting, IMO. Besides, you can't tell me that classes in botany, zoology, medicine, etc. wouldn't be useful for a wizard anyway.Alabaster isn't a wizard school, it's a school for natural philosophers with a dash of wizardry added very recently - precisely to try and attract new talent.Resentment, for a start.
I think an adventure where you try to recruit talent for a struggling academy like this, or like the still-struggling Alabaster Academy in Kintargo, could be pretty fun for characters who like to roleplay stuff that isn't the conventional "save this, save that, kill those demons that are secretly responsible" fare. Maybe as a little side story for a bigger campaign.
What? The serial killer got turned into a demon AFTER he was executed for his crimes, and I don't remember anything about demonic involvement in the school itself.
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The schools of Nidal that specialize in shadow magic are completely separate.Ooh, I just *burn* to know more about this 'shadow magic' business!
Well, not burn, exactly, but it does kinda itch...
I don't think anyone's mentioned the two schools in Nidal: The Dusk Hall in Pangolais and the School of the Pale Sun in Elith Lorin.
The Dusk Hall specializes in shadow magic.
It's funny, but the top 10 magical schools and most powerful wizards probably haven't been described yet, because they probably lie off the map in Kelesh. Qadira has a number of arcane and bardic colleges that rival anything else in the Inner Sea, but Qadira itself is considered a primitive and rambunctous backwater province by the rest of the Padishah Empire, and anything it has is but a pale echo of much greater and more ancient institutions in the older satrapies or the Keleshite heartland. If Qadira has wizard schools, bard colleges and alchemical universities, then Kelesh is likely to have far better ones. But since very little of the wider empire has been fleshed out, we don't have any hints as to where they are, what they do, or who runs them.
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I think the view that Qadira is a backwater province and everything in Kelesh is better than in anywhere else, is just Keleshites being full of themselves and having borderline racist view of people from other countries.
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I think it’s worth considering that, just like in real life, older and moneyed makes might make an institution more reputable than competent. Schools which cater to rich legacy students over the ambitious or gifted tend to see their innovation and academic standards crumble away.
Look at Harvard. Yale.
My headcanon is that many of the ancient academies of Golarian suffer from the same institutional weight of old conservative wealth/power as occurs in real life- with newer universities is younger nations quickly catching up!
I do this to also manage my expectations for when Paizo releases more info on these regions and theirs schools cuz there’s no way they can ever live up to myths/anticipation built around them.
Empires fade.
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I think it’s worth considering that, just like in real life, older and moneyed makes might make an institution more reputable than competent. Schools which cater to rich legacy students over the ambitious or gifted tend to see their innovation and academic standards crumble away.
Look at Harvard. Yale.
My headcanon is that many of the ancient academies of Golarian suffer from the same institutional weight of old conservative wealth/power as occurs in real life- with newer universities is younger nations quickly catching up!
I do this to also manage my expectations for when Paizo releases more info on these regions and theirs schools cuz there’s no way they can ever live up to myths/anticipation built around them.
Empires fade.
And we all know it's better to burn out than to fade away.
Thankfully, War of Immortals with Szuriel somehow involved makes the former far more likely.
We'd better get ready to tread the jeweled thrones of Golarion under our sandaled feet.