A List of Recognized Archmages

Circa 2143, before the War of Falling Stars

Smeisserand really wasn't a very big kingdom, but it played an important role in the politics of western Jaastenland, and in the Saltwave campaign. There are only a few people who can rise to the very heights of magical skill. These people are known as archmages. They have reached at least 18th level as wizards (using the AD&D system), and can cast the mightiest spells known. This is a list of the archmages known to be living or operating in Smeisserand, Tarnia, and Lebensbrüke as of 30 Greening 2143.

Klaus Stahl "The Green Wizard" (Wizard 18, N)

Master Stahl is the Chancellor of the Great Tree Academy of Learning near Kazaandu. He is a devout druidic follower and an outspoken opponent of the growth of mercantile interests in Smeisserand. He is a willowy Kraanicher of rather young appearance (b. 2100) who favors forest-colored garments. He has friends in many groves, the bardic colleges, and monastaries, as well as in several adventuring bands. The Green Wizard has paid little heed to the politics of race and bloodline in the past, and has not distinguished himself as a supporter of the crown. As one might expect, he favors magic with natural themes and effects.
 

Erica Uijttestaal "The Lady Master" (Wizard 18, N)

Lady Uijttestaal is the Chancellor of the College of Wizardry in Katraal. She is a serious woman in her early fifties (b. 2091), but uses magic to keep her youthful appearance. Known as "The Lady Master" to the students of the College and the denizens of Katraal, she remains rigidly independent of political changes, instead charging the same fees to king and commoner alike (assuming, of course, that a commoner could ever get in to see her). She is a noted researcher, having created many unusual spells over the years. Some of these she shares with the faculty of the College, but others she has kept secret. The Lady Master was married to a senior commander of the army until his death in one of the last battles for Taakritch (d. 2142) and has not yet re-married. She has three grown children, all of whom are wizards. Like the Green Wizard, above, she has friends in many groves, the bardic colleges, and monastaries. She calls upon them to share news and magical knowledge. The Lady Master prefers spells of light and energy, and seldom uses elemental effects of fire, lightning, ice, wind, rock, etc.
 

Lord General Clemens Heider "Heider the Just" (Battle Wizard 18, LG)

General Heider could have been a paladin, had the morals and religion of Smeisserand allowed. Instead, he graduated from the Elantran War College as a battle mage. He is a prime and shining example of Kraanicher manhood (b. 2112), every inch and action an example for others. Despite his Kraanicher upbringing and beliefs, he stands firmly for justice, benevolence, and righteousness. While he believes that there are those who were born with greater breeding and thereby meant to rule, he is able to demonstrate a great humility about his own exalted station in life. He has never compromised his innate sense of fair play, even amidst the political maneuverings and battles at court. He has sworn an oath to uphold and serve King Florian, insofar as his commands do not require him to violate the Martial Code. He served King Wulfram as a protector, advisor, and agent. In this capacity, he expects to continue to glorify the crown of Smeisserand for the new king. General Heider is married to a beautiful and headstrong wizard named Brigita (W9, healing specialist, b. 2117), one of Duke Paezaar's nieces. She is pregnant with their first child, to be born this year (2143).
 

Dietmar Birk "The Sea Master" (Wizard 19, LN)

The Sea Master is an older Kraanicher wizard (b. 2060) from Mainhafen. He is a master of water and shipboard magics, and there are none better in Smeisserand. He remains aloof from petty politics, but frequently declares his support for the king as the only allegiance worth bothering about. He is frequently away from land on long voyages, and enjoys the feel of salt spray upon his face. Even in his eighties, he retains the vigor of a man many decades younger. He uses a magically enhanced clipper ship that he designed himself as his primary residence, and carries his spell library, workshop, and forge with him aboard ship.
 

Lord Thorgard Bonespear "General Bonespear" (Fighter 9/Necromancer 19, NE)

General Bonespear is an oddity among the Smeisserander wizards. He is a Heidann tribesman who adventured for years as a warrior, becoming war leader of his tribe before suffering a great setback. His tribe was devastated by a kzin attack. Many people were killed and more were held fast by the magic of the kzin wizards and enslaved. Bonespear led a revolt and escape of a dozen slaves, but most of his tribe members were taken away or eaten. His failure to protect his people by force of arms deeply disturbed the proud warrior, and he sought out tutoring in the black arts that promised greater power and revenge. Bonespear retained what was left of his warband and used it to help him plumb the ruins of ancient wizards seeking knowledge and power. With his heart turning ever more implacably toward the aims of evil, some followers drifted away. Others of a more sinister nature took their places. Bonespear gained enough skill and power to raise armies of the dead to do battle, and sold his services as a mercenary general. Throughout all his exploits, he has retained a fierce hatred of kzinti and will stop at nothing to destroy them. He has no love for the crown, nobility, or Kraanichers in general, but will take their gold when it suits him.
 

Lord General Kurt Wedekind "The Gold General" (Battle Wizard 20, LN)

Lord General Wedekind may be the ultimate soldier. He has won over fifty battles ranging from small adventuring band engagements to the clashes of mighty field armies against the kzinti. He was the honor graduate of the very first class of battle wizards to be trained at the Elantran War College (b. 2052, g.2073). He has kept himself fit with exercise and magic, and appears as a healthy Kraanicher of about 40 years, and not a 90-year old elder. The Lord General is exceptionally honorable, and lives his life by the Martial Code of the War College, following his code even more scrupulously than most Japanese samurai. The winters between campaigns have left him time for research into many effective battle spells, and he has many tricks up his armored sleeve. He will not engage in battle for revenge, but bringing justice to the slayer of King Wulfram is a proper pursuit.
 

Count Aligostro Uliason "Lord Wizard of Katraal" (Wizard 20, LN)

The Lord Wizard of Katraal is the protector and supporter of the throne. He is a 52 year old Kraanicher noble (b. 2091) who rules estates and properties in the vicinity of the capital city. He is cautious about his safety and that of the king and royal family. He has taken the assassination of the old king very hard, blaming himself for the breach in security that allowed Adriana to gain access and escape. He has accompanied the former king on many campaigns and adventures, and has also gathered many powerful magic items into the royal armories. His speciality is in the area of triggered magic and protective wardings. He is married (wife Alana, b. 2114) with three young sons, all of whom reside in Katraal.
 

Wulfram Hoffman "The Master" (Wizard 21, LE)

The wizard known as "The Master" is a reclusive archmage who pursues his own research interests from his stronghold north of Krelzheim. He is a gaunt Kraanicher of middling apparent years, but he has maintained this same appearance for over four decades. His voice is very pleasant in conversation. He claims to have grown up in the Pine Bluff region, but his true origin and background are unknown. He has been known to offer service to the crown at times, in exchange for wealth and favors. The Master's known spells have included a wide variety of effects, and it seems unlikely that he has a particular specialty or favorite area. He always carries a tall staff of smooth, gnarled ebony with a gold ball on the top. This staff is known to be highly enchanted. The Master's interests include summonings, transformations, and the creation of new and improved life forms as servants.
 

Sir Drake Hedgerton "The Archmage of Landers" (Fighter 5/Wizard 30, NG)

Sir Drake is the husband of Lady Anissette DuKott, self-proclaimed Queen of Lebensbrüke. He is quite possibly the most powerful and respected archmage on the planet, if one believes the stories his followers and subjects tell about him. He was originally a warrior by training, knighted as a huscarl of a duke in Landers. Having amassed enough funds by the age of twenty-four, he enrolled in the Landers Royal Academy of Magic and Science to study wizardry. Sir Drake continued his adventuring career as a wizard, joining with many powerful and capable people to accomplish great deeds. A full list of the titles he has been granted offers a hint of his exploits: Fellowship of the Scarlet Legion (knighthood), Royal Order of the Swan (highest order of knighthood in Landers), Baron of Shalecourt, Doctor of Magic, Dragon Friend (draconic name Terassakoradyn, "He of noble deeds"), Saviour of the Highlands, and Confirmed Archmage of Landers. He is an avid scholar of science and technology, and has many devices of advanced technology at his command. Sir Drake enjoys flashy combat spells, but generally avoids battle unless his opponents leave him no other choice. At such times, he responds with overwhelming force that is both carefully planned and judiciously applied.
 

Last updated 21-Jun-2003
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