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Istari Magic


This is an example of magic from fantasy literature - in this case Tolkien. Many other authors have created similar specialized traditions for their own worlds.

Istari are not taught - they are immortal spirits who have come to this world for a cause, adopting the guise of old men for the purpose. But the other sorcerers of the world, Elrond, Galadirel, and perhaps Denethor, the steward of Gondor, obey similar rules.

Examples and References

The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings.

Limitations

Faith The istari are servants of the maia, sent to Middle-earth to teach and to provide leadership, advice, examples and inspiration. Each of them does this in his own way, but they all serve this greater purpose at all times. They do have a great nemesis - the fallen maia Morgroth and his contemporary servant Sauron. Straying even a little from the path of righteousness is likely to lead to corruption, and any blatant use of magic risks drawing the attention of the servants of evil.
Focus The istari themselves use staves as foci, and the rings of power can be foci as well for the lucky few who have them. Denethor used his Palantir as a focus for a highly-developed divination skill, but also possessed some influence magic.

Common Schticks

  • Artificing - dangerous but by far most common, especially among single-schtick sorcerers.

Rare or prohibited Schticks

These prohibition reflects more on how magic works in Tolkien's work, than on any limitations on the istari.

  • Familiar
  • Flux
  • Gate
  • Law
  • Summoning
  • Time

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Copyright © 1998 and onwards, Carl Cramér. Page downloaded times. Last update Fri, Jun 21, 2002.