Battle Wizard
Battle Wizards are strange, mistrusted and mysterious individuals who wield awesome magical powers, and are privy to secrets beyond the ken of normal folk. They are human, mostly found in the service of The Empire, but occasionally serve other masters or simply themselves.[6b][7b]
The Wizards are trained at the Colleges of Magic [3a] and are very sought after by the Elector Counts, for they are amongst the only ones capable of challenging and combating enemy sorcerers or shamans. It is rare for an army to march to war without a Battle Wizard. [6b][7b]
Contents
History
Sorcery was banned in the Empire by the first Emperor Sigmar Heldenhammer. Those with magical potential were hunted down by the Witch Hunters.[6a]
The first Battle Wizards were gathered by the High Elf Loremaster Teclis at the request of Magnus the Pious in order to better combat the Forces of Chaos during the Great Chaos Incursion. Eight separate Colleges were founded after the and each teaches a single type of Battle Magic[7a][6a]
Learning Magic
Most Wizards are taught at the eight colleges of magic in Altdorf but there are other official insitutions, some far older than those in the capital. [2a]
- Wizards' and Alchemists Guild of Middenheim: Formed in 917 IC, for hundreds of years it was the primary place to offically learn magic. [2a]
- Universty College of Nuln: Originally called the Nuln Wizards' Guild and created in 1000 IC. [2a]
- Talabheim Battle College: Created in 1361 IC by the powerful Hedge Wizard Freida Grünwald and funded by Ottilia I. [2a]
Oath of Allegiance
All licenced wizards of the Empire must swear an oath to Sigmar's Empire, the Emperor and the Elector Counts before they can begin their studies and they must renew it annually. This ceremony is held on the evening of Geheimnistag at the Imperial Palace in Altdorf although those who cannot travel to the capital have three months to renew the oath. [2a]
Although the Electors often request aid rather than demand, any who refuses can quickly find themselves losing influence and friends and even barred from studies. [2a]
Magic
These wizards understand the power at the heart of the world. Each does not lightly bend one of the Winds of Magic to their will, such power is not wielded lightly, for they know that losing control of such dangerous powers risks ones soul to the Dark Gods. Momentary lapse of consentration could even result in the wizard being dragged through a portal into the Realm of Chaos.[6b][7b]
- 6th Edition:Uses one of the following Lores of Magic: Lore of Beasts, Lore of Death, Lore of Fire, Lore of Heavens, Lore of Life, Lore of Light, Lore of Metal, Lore of Shadow. [1a]
- 7th Edition:Uses one of the following Lores of Magic: Lore of Beasts, Lore of Death, Lore of Fire, Lore of Heavens, Lore of Life, Lore of Light, Lore of Metal, Lore of Shadow. [6b][6c]
- 8th Edition:Uses one of the following Lores of Magic: Lore of Beasts, Lore of Death, Lore of Fire, Lore of Heavens, Lore of Life, Lore of Light, Lore of Metal, Lore of Shadow. [7b][7c]
- W:TOW (Representing pre-college mages): Battle Magic, Daemonology, Dark Magic, Elementalism, Illusion, Necromancy. [4a]
Weapons and Equipment
- 3rd Edition: Hand Weapon. May ride Warhorse or a fabulous beast. [3a]
- 4th Edition: Sword. May have Additional Hand Weapon, Barding, Bow, Crossbow, Double Handed Weapon, Flail, Halberd, Handgun, Heavy Armour, Lance, Light Armour, Longbow, Pistol, Shield, Spear. May ride a Monster or Warhorse. May have Magic Items. [1a]
- 6th Edition: Hand Weapon. May be mounted on a Barded Warhorse. May have Magic Items. [1a]
- 7th Edition: Hand Weapon. May be mounted on a Warhorse which may have be barding. May have Magic Items. [6c]
- 8th Edition: Hand Weapon. May be mounted on a Warhorse which may have be barding. May have Magic Items. [7c]
- W:TOW: Hand Weapon. May be mounted [4a] on a Empire Warhorse or a Pegasus. [4b] May have Magic Items. [4a]
Gallery
Wizard of the Light Order
Miniatures
Amethyst Wizard
Gold Wizard
Grey Wizard
Battle Wizard from Middenheim[5]
Elementalist Battle Wizard[5]
Necromancer Battle Wizard[5]
Sources
- 1: Warhammer Armies: The Empire (6th Edition)
- 1a: Armies of the Empire, pg. 27
- 2: Realms of Sorcery (1st Edition)
- 2a: Battle Magic, pg. 34-38
- 3: White Dwarf 147 (UK)
- 3a: Empire Army List, pg. 47
- 4: Forces of Fantasy (TOW):
- 5: Warhammer Community
- 6: Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition)
- 7: Warhammer Armies: The Empire (8th Edition)
