Magi in fantasy and role-playing games
Encyclopedia
A "Mage" is a character archetype
commonly found in fantasy
settings that entail the use of magic. Mage, rather than magus, is the spelling generally used to describe magic-wielding
characters in role-playing game
s and fiction
. In the English language
, the term "mage" is used as a gender-neutral word for a character who can cast magic spells.
. The term is popularly used in fantasy settings that involve magic
. In the paper role-playing game
s, magic-using individuals appear in Mage: The Ascension
and Dungeons & Dragons
. In the game Ars Magica
, the main characters are known as magi. Mages are sometimes in computer role-playing games as playable character class
es and/or non-player characterss (NPCs) such as Ultima, Final Fantasy
, Dragon Warrior
, Diablo, World of Warcraft
, Ragnarok Online, and Everquest
. Sometimes, other classes in those games also use magic, though they are not habitually referred to as mages. Mages aren't always people who perform magic for entertainment. In some games, a mage may also be known as a wizard
, sorceress, or witch, or they may advance to different positions on tiers. In Many Fantasy Settings, the term relates to character that rely almost exclusivly on their spells to solve problems.
novelist John Fowles
wrote two versions of a novel
titled The Magus
.
games, a magic-user.
Many references to the three magi can be found in various games and shows.
In the dystopian future setting of Warhammer 40,000
, the title Magos is applied to certain high-ranking members of the Adeptus Mechanicus, a mystical organization that has a monopoly on most forms of advanced technology within the Imperium of Man.
In the English translation of the video game Chrono Trigger
, the three Gurus, of Life, Time, and Reason, are also named after the Magi and, through the course of the game, give key items to the player. Furthermore, one of the game's main characters is named Magus, and another Cyrus.
anime
/manga
series, a supercomputer
(called "MAGI") is divided in three distinct parts, all of which are named after the Magi. Mages are people who have the ability to control or wield the forces of magic.
There is a Magus (called "Magus" or "The Magus") in early episodes of the television series Gargoyles
.
The Manga series Negima! Magister Negi Magi is the story of a young wizard in training to become a Magister Magi.
is also the title of a comic book
series created and owned by Matt Wagner
. The series' central character, Kevin Matchstick, is drawn into a world of magic and Arthurian legends
whilst wielding a mystic baseball bat
.
from the Hellblazer
graphic novels is sometimes referred to as a magus.
In the 1999 movie The Mummy
, the people who guard Imhotep's burial site are often mistakenly referred to as Magi; however, the term actually used is Medjay
, an unrelated word used in ancient Egypt
to refer to the bodyguards of a Pharaoh
.
The book of novus lists magus as the imperial lord of dragons.
Archetype
An archetype is a universally understood symbol or term or pattern of behavior, a prototype upon which others are copied, patterned, or emulated...
commonly found in fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
settings that entail the use of magic. Mage, rather than magus, is the spelling generally used to describe magic-wielding
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...
characters in role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
s and fiction
Fiction
Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—that is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to theatrical,...
. In the English language
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, the term "mage" is used as a gender-neutral word for a character who can cast magic spells.
Usage
Mages are generally portrayed as people who have the ability to control or wield the forces of magicMagic (paranormal)
Magic is the claimed art of manipulating aspects of reality either by supernatural means or through knowledge of occult laws unknown to science. It is in contrast to science, in that science does not accept anything not subject to either direct or indirect observation, and subject to logical...
. The term is popularly used in fantasy settings that involve 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...
. In the paper role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
s, magic-using individuals appear in Mage: The Ascension
Mage: The Ascension
Mage: The Ascension is a role-playing game based in the World of Darkness, and was published by White Wolf Game Studio. The characters portrayed in the game are referred to as mages, and are capable of feats of magic...
and 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...
. In the game Ars Magica
Ars Magica
Ars Magica is a role-playing game set in Mythic Europe, a quasi-historical version of Europe around AD 1200 with added fantastical elements. The game revolves around wizards and their allies...
, the main characters are known as magi. Mages are sometimes in computer role-playing games as playable character class
Character class
In role-playing games, a common method of arbitrating the capabilities of different game characters is to assign each one to a character class. A character class aggregates several abilities and aptitudes, and may also sometimes detail aspects of background and social standing or impose behaviour...
es and/or non-player characterss (NPCs) such as Ultima, Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy
is a media franchise created by Hironobu Sakaguchi, and is developed and owned by Square Enix . The franchise centers on a series of fantasy and science-fantasy role-playing video games , but includes motion pictures, anime, printed media, and other merchandise...
, Dragon Warrior
Dragon Warrior
Dragon Warrior, known as in Japan, is the first role-playing video game in the Dragon Quest media franchise. It was developed by Chunsoft for the Nintendo Entertainment System and published by Enix in Japan in 1986...
, Diablo, World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game by Blizzard Entertainment. It is the fourth released game set in the fantasy Warcraft universe, which was first introduced by Warcraft: Orcs & Humans in 1994...
, Ragnarok Online, and Everquest
EverQuest
EverQuest, often shortened to EQ, is a 3D fantasy-themed massively multiplayer online role-playing game that was released on the 16th of March, 1999. The original design is credited to Brad McQuaid, Steve Clover, and Bill Trost...
. Sometimes, other classes in those games also use magic, though they are not habitually referred to as mages. Mages aren't always people who perform magic for entertainment. In some games, a mage may also be known as a wizard
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...
, sorceress, or witch, or they may advance to different positions on tiers. In Many Fantasy Settings, the term relates to character that rely almost exclusivly on their spells to solve problems.
Fantasy books
The BritishUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
novelist John Fowles
John Fowles
John Robert Fowles was an English novelist and essayist. In 2008, The Times newspaper named Fowles among their list of "The 50 greatest British writers since 1945".-Birth and family:...
wrote two versions of a novel
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
titled The Magus
The Magus (novel)
The Magus is the first novel written by British author John Fowles. It tells the story of Nicholas Urfe, a teacher on a small Greek island...
.
Gaming
The painting features an element of fantasyFantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
games, a magic-user.
Many references to the three magi can be found in various games and shows.
In the dystopian future setting of Warhammer 40,000
Warhammer 40,000
Warhammer 40,000 is a tabletop miniature wargame produced by Games Workshop, set in a dystopian science fantasy universe. Warhammer 40,000 was created by Rick Priestley in 1987 as the futuristic companion to Warhammer Fantasy Battle, sharing many game mechanics...
, the title Magos is applied to certain high-ranking members of the Adeptus Mechanicus, a mystical organization that has a monopoly on most forms of advanced technology within the Imperium of Man.
In the English translation of the video game Chrono Trigger
Chrono Trigger
is a role-playing video game developed and published by Square for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1995. Chrono Triggers development team included three designers that Square dubbed the "Dream Team": Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator of Square's Final Fantasy series; Yuji Horii, a...
, the three Gurus, of Life, Time, and Reason, are also named after the Magi and, through the course of the game, give key items to the player. Furthermore, one of the game's main characters is named Magus, and another Cyrus.
Television
In the Neon Genesis EvangelionNeon Genesis Evangelion franchise
The franchise is an umbrella of Japanese media properties generally owned by the anime studio Gainax. It has grossed over 150 billion yen since 1995. The central works of the franchise feature an apocalyptic mecha action story which revolves around the efforts by the paramilitary organization...
anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
/manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
series, a supercomputer
Supercomputer
A supercomputer is a computer at the frontline of current processing capacity, particularly speed of calculation.Supercomputers are used for highly calculation-intensive tasks such as problems including quantum physics, weather forecasting, climate research, molecular modeling A supercomputer is a...
(called "MAGI") is divided in three distinct parts, all of which are named after the Magi. Mages are people who have the ability to control or wield the forces of magic.
There is a Magus (called "Magus" or "The Magus") in early episodes of the television series Gargoyles
Gargoyles (TV series)
Gargoyles is an American animated series created by Greg Weisman. It was produced by Greg Weisman and Frank Paur and aired from October 24, 1994 to February 15, 1997. Gargoyles is known for its dark tone, complex story arcs and melodrama...
.
The Manga series Negima! Magister Negi Magi is the story of a young wizard in training to become a Magister Magi.
Comics
MageMage (comics)
Mage is an American superhero comic book written and illustrated by Matt Wagner. Three volumes, each of 15 issues are planned; , two have been published.-Publication history:...
is also the title of a comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
series created and owned by Matt Wagner
Matt Wagner
Matt Wagner is an American comic book writer and artist, best known as the creator of the series Mage and Grendel.-Career:...
. The series' central character, Kevin Matchstick, is drawn into a world of magic and Arthurian legends
King Arthur
King Arthur is a legendary British leader of the late 5th and early 6th centuries, who, according to Medieval histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against Saxon invaders in the early 6th century. The details of Arthur's story are mainly composed of folklore and literary invention, and...
whilst wielding a mystic baseball bat
Baseball bat
A baseball bat is a smooth wooden or metal club used in the game of baseball to hit the ball after the ball is thrown by the pitcher. It is no more than 2.75 inches in diameter at the thickest part and no more than 42 inches in length. It typically weighs no more than 33 ounces , but it...
.
Movies
The character John ConstantineJohn Constantine
John Constantine is a fictional character, an occult detective anti-hero in comic books published by DC Comics, mostly under the Vertigo imprint. The character first appeared in Swamp Thing #37 , and was created by Alan Moore, Steve Bissette, John Totleben and Rick Veitch...
from the Hellblazer
Hellblazer
Hellblazer is a contemporary horror comic book series, originally published by DC Comics, and subsequently by the Vertigo imprint since March 1993, the month the imprint was introduced, where it remains to this day...
graphic novels is sometimes referred to as a magus.
In the 1999 movie The Mummy
The Mummy (1999 film)
The Mummy is a 1999 American adventure film written and directed by Stephen Sommers and starring Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah and Kevin J. O'Connor, with Arnold Vosloo in the title role as the reanimated mummy. The film features substantial dialogue in ancient Egyptian language, spoken...
, the people who guard Imhotep's burial site are often mistakenly referred to as Magi; however, the term actually used is Medjay
Medjay
The Medjay –from mDA, represents the name Ancient Egyptians gave to a region in northern Sudan–where an ancient people of Nubia inhabited...
, an unrelated word used in ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt was an ancient civilization of Northeastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern country of Egypt. Egyptian civilization coalesced around 3150 BC with the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh...
to refer to the bodyguards of a Pharaoh
Pharaoh
Pharaoh is a title used in many modern discussions of the ancient Egyptian rulers of all periods. The title originates in the term "pr-aa" which means "great house" and describes the royal palace...
.
The book of novus lists magus as the imperial lord of dragons.