The Wizard of the Five Magics is a fantasy novel written by Lyndon Hardy. It tells the story of Alodar, a middle-aged man who dreams of becoming a powerful wizard. In this world, there are five magics – Thaumaturgy, Alchemy, Magic-Magic, Sorcery, and Wizardry – each with its own set of rules and techniques. Alodar desires to master all five magics and embarks on a dangerous journey to fulfill his dream. Along the way, he faces numerous challenges and must overcome his own limitations. He trains under different masters, each specializing in a specific magic, and learns the intricacies of each one.
Saruman was originally gifted with the greatest power of the five Istari and was named the head of the White Council, a group of the Wise in opposition to Sauron. In T.A. 2759, he was invited by the rulers of Gondor and Rohan to settle in Isengard and the impenetrable tower of Orthanc. Saruman was learned in the lore of the Rings of Power, gradually becoming corrupted by the desire for the Rings and by Sauron's direct influence on him through the palantír of Orthanc. Eventually he became ensnared in Sauron's power, and assisted him in the War of the Ring until he was defeated by the Ents and Gandalf, who broke his staff and cast him out of the White Council. Saruman's death came at the hands of his servant Wormtongue in The Shire, after the destruction of the One Ring. His spirit was then dispersed by a wind from the West, becoming similar to Sauron in his destruction.
In spite of their specific and unambiguous goal, the Wizards were nevertheless capable of mortal feelings, thus Gandalf felt great affection for the Hobbits. Alatar and Pallando, also known as Ithryn Luin, the Blue Wizards, went into the East and South, and do not appear in any of the main tales of Middle-earth.
He trains under different masters, each specializing in a specific magic, and learns the intricacies of each one. The novel explores the idea that true power lies not in the magic itself, but in the understanding and mastery of the principles behind each magic. Alodar discovers that the magics are interconnected and that knowledge of one can enhance the understanding of another.
Wizards
Among Men it was initially assumed that the wizards were also men who by long and secret study had acquired great knowledge of lore and arts. However, as the Third Age passed it was marked that the wizards did not die and so Men began to believe that they were of Elven-kind. However, None except Elrond, Círdan, and Galadriel knew that, in actuality, the wizards, were Maiar, vassals of the Valar. These were sent by the Valar to help and assist the peoples of Middle-earth against Sauron as he gathered his forces during the Third Age. [2]
The five known Istari were:
- Curumo, a Maia of Aulë
- Olórin, a Maia of Manwë and Varda (held by Círdan the Shipwright to be the wisest of the Order). [3][note 1]
- Aiwendil, a Maia of Yavanna
- Alatar and Pallando, both Maiar of Oromë. Alatar and Pallando, also known as Ithryn Luin, the "Blue Wizards," went into the East and South, and do not appear in any of the main tales of Middle-earth.
In the northwest of Middle-earth Curumo became known as Saruman to Men and Curunír to Elves; Olórin was known as Gandalf to Men and Mithrandir to Elves; while Aiwendil became known as Radagast.
The Heren Istarion had been created in Valinor. A council of the Valar was called by Manwë which resolved to send three emissaries. Initially only Curumo (Saruman), chosen by Aulë, and Alatar, chosen by Oromë, stepped forward. Manwë then asked for Olórin (Gandalf) and commanded him to go. Curumo took Aiwendil (Radagast) with him because Yavanna begged him to do so and Alatar took along his friend Pallando. [4]
Cirdan witnessed the arrival of the Order in Middle-earth around the year c. T.A. 1000 (though the Blue Wizards may have arrived much earlier). Their "mission" was to advise and persuade Men and Elves to resist Sauron. Each wizard was assigned a colour for his clothes. The wizard in white was Saruman, regarded by all as leader of the order, with white being indicative of the chief. The two in sea-blue robes that travelled to the East and South were Alatar and Pallando. Together, the two of them were known as the Blue Wizards. The one in brown was Radagast and the one in grey was Gandalf, seemingly the oldest and the least of the Order. [2] It is not known if the colour had any special meaning concerning their rank, abilities or nature.
They were clothed in the bodies of old men, restricting their powers so that they would only assist the peoples of Middle-earth and not seek domination like Sauron had, who was also a Maia. They were charged by the Valar to assist the people of Middle-earth through persuasion and encouragement, not force or fear. By inhabiting the bodies of Men they also became susceptible to all of the weaknesses of a physical body: they felt hunger, pain, greed, sorrow, joy, and all other emotions and pains of Men. [2]
They were immortal, and they aged only very slowly. [2] However, their bodies could be killed: [2] Gandalf was mortally wounded in his duel with the Balrog of Moria, and only through the intervention of Ilúvatar himself was he restored to his body.
Very few of Middle-earth's inhabitants knew who the Wizards really were; the Istari did not share this information. Most believed they were Elves or wise Men (Gandalf represents this interpretation, meaning Wand-elf, because the Men who gave him the nickname believed he was an Elf). They attracted few questions due to their gentle nature and dislike of direct interference with other people's affairs. In spite of their specific and unambiguous goal, the Wizards were nevertheless capable of mortal feelings, thus Gandalf felt great affection for the Hobbits. On the other hand, they could feel negative mortal emotions like greed, jealousy, and lust for power. Saruman himself fell victim to these emotions, and it is hinted in an essay in Unfinished Tales that the Blue Wizards (see below) may have also fallen prey to these temptations during their journeys in the East.
Saruman was originally gifted with the greatest power of the five Istari and was named the head of the White Council, a group of the Wise in opposition to Sauron. In T.A. 2759, he was invited by the rulers of Gondor and Rohan to settle in Isengard and the impenetrable tower of Orthanc. Saruman was learned in the lore of the Rings of Power, gradually becoming corrupted by the desire for the Rings and by Sauron's direct influence on him through the palantír of Orthanc. Eventually he became ensnared in Sauron's power, and assisted him in the War of the Ring until he was defeated by the Ents and Gandalf, who broke his staff and cast him out of the White Council. Saruman's death came at the hands of his servant Wormtongue in The Shire, after the destruction of the One Ring. His spirit was then dispersed by a wind from the West, becoming similar to Sauron in his destruction.
When Saruman fell to the temptation of the Ring, and after the defeat of the Balrog of Moria, Gandalf was reborn and given the title of Gandalf the White. Gandalf, who had originally been nominated for leadership of the White Council by the Elf-Lady Galadriel, assumed leadership both of the White Council and the Order of the Istari. He then cast Saruman from the order and led the West to victory over Sauron, advising the Ringbearer Frodo and the new king of Gondor Aragorn Elessar. After the defeat of Sauron and Saruman, Gandalf traveled west across the Sea with the Ringbearers, revealing that he himself was the bearer of Narya, one of the Elven Rings of Power.
Radagast stayed true to his mission for a while, even serving as a messenger to Gandalf from Saruman, convincing Gandalf to meet with Saruman. He also instructed the birds in his service to assist Saruman and Gandalf. Radagast dwelt at Rhosgobel near the borders of Mirkwood. Eventually, Radagast is said to have become enamoured of the beasts and birds and to have ultimately failed to complete his mission. Later writings are less critical of Radagast, arguing that he did not fail at his mission as much as simply choose a tactic - working with the animal world - that ultimately proved less directly effective than working with Men and Elves.
The Blue Wizards went into the East and South and do not come into the tales of north-western Middle-earth. It is sometimes thought that the Blue Wizards also failed in their mission and fell to the temptations that had corrupted Saruman; it is said that their fall gave rise to magical cults in the East and South. [5] However, other writings again suggest otherwise, even that the Blue Wizards possibly succeeded in their mission, and that the victories of the West would have been impossible without their influence in the East and South. [1]
The Order of Wizards came to an end with the passing of Sauron. Saruman died in Middle-earth after Gríma Wormtongue had cut his throat. It is probable that the spirit of Saruman was not allowed to return to the West, because the grey mist that rose from his body and that lingered as a pale shrouded figure dissolved into nothing when a cold wind came from the West. [6] Gandalf, who remained true to the mission of the Order, departed from Middle-earth in 3021. [7] The fate of the other three wizards who landed in the North is unknown. [2]
Throughout his journey, Alodar encounters various foes and allies, each with their own motivations and agendas. He must navigate political intrigue, deadly battles, and moral dilemmas to achieve his ultimate goal of becoming a wizard. The Wizard of the Five Magics is a captivating tale that delves into the complexities of magic and the pursuit of power. It serves as a reminder that true mastery is earned through dedication, perseverance, and a deep understanding of the world around us..
Reviews for "The Influence of "Wizard of the Five Magics" on Contemporary Fantasy Authors"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Wizard of the five magics". The concept seemed interesting, but the execution fell flat for me. The protagonist felt one-dimensional, and I struggled to connect with his journey. The pacing was also off, with certain parts feeling rushed while others dragged on. Overall, I found the storytelling lacking, and it just didn't captivate me like I had hoped.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - I can't believe I wasted my time reading "Wizard of the five magics". The world-building was confusing, and I often found myself lost and struggling to understand the magic systems. The writing style was also very dry and heavy with unnecessary exposition. The plot was predictable, and it felt like the author was just checking off the boxes of typical fantasy tropes. I was hoping for an immersive and imaginative read, but unfortunately, this book didn't deliver.
3. Michael - 2/5 - I was drawn to "Wizard of the five magics" by the promising title, but the story didn't live up to my expectations. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult for me to care about their fates. Additionally, the dialogue felt stilted and unnatural. The book also suffered from inconsistent pacing, jumping from slow moments to rushed action scenes. Overall, I found it hard to become invested in the story and ended up feeling unsatisfied by the end.