a Drúadan Tribal Magician
In Arda a Magician denoted one who used a measure of supernatural power. Many Elfs possessed such powers, which they regarded as arts or lore — the simple craft called curu in Quenya and the deeper knowledge called ñólë. Some notable figures were commonly styled Magicians. Beorn the Skinchanger was so named for his power to take the shape of a bear; Sauron and the Nazgûl were likewise called Magicians in many tongues. Among the Dúnedain learned men kept watch over the stars and compounded potent draughts; in eastern and southern regions of Middle‑earth magical cults and traditions endured, some traced to the order known as the Ithryn Luin. The Heren Istarion commonly cloaked their true condition under masks of traveling conjurer, illusionist, hermit, wise counsellor, great sage or charlatan, using such parts as cover for beings that in truth were of the order of the Maiar. Terms varied by weight and sense: “Magician” was often the generic name for a lesser practitioner; “Wizard” was reserved for the most potent and august; “Sorcerer” usually bore a malign sense and implied dealings with evil arts; “Witch” remained ambiguous and might be used with praise or reproach according to custom. Many mundane callings could carry an element of magic. Master smiths, minstrels, artisans, warriors and healers often practised arts that to the unlearned seemed magical. Seers and prophets likewise counted among those called Magicians, for their skill in foretelling and in reading signs set them apart in the folk‑mind.
Various types of Magician[]
- Curugrim (Sindar)
- Curuvar (High-Elves)
- Curuvari (High-Elves)
- Gollorrim (Sindar)
- Dushi and Guli (Orcs)
- Illusion-weavers (Wild men and men of darkness)
- Saironin (High-Elves)
- Sapthani (Númenóreans)
- Stone-Talkers (Eglain)
- Thothwaith (Dúnedain and Umanyar)
- Tietënyt (Snowmen)
- Weather-masters (Falmari and Falathrim)
- Wise men and women
- Witches
- Wizard's apprentices , who is not yet an accepted member of the Heren Istarion
- Zigûri (Númenóreans)
Magicians of Renown[]
- Agaldor
- Aghan
- Beorn the Skinchanger
- Beruthiel
- Feanor
- Finrod Felagund
- Galadriel
- Grima Wormtongue
- Lúthien Tinúviel
- Malbeth the Seer
- Melian of Doriath
- Morwen Eledhwen
- Mouth of Sauron
- Narvi I of Khazâd Dûm
- Sauron
- Tilion
- Tû
- Witch-king
Further Examples[]
Magicians may also refer to the:
- Alchemists of Fornost
- Khêyan Fire-Illusionists
- Khyan Snake-charmers
- a Member of the Bloodring of Minas Tirith
- Curugath
- Curuvari
- Dwarven Alchemists
- Dwarven Constructor or "Machine-Magician"
- Gollorath
- Henënimëtâyâny or "Spirit-namer" (Lossoth)
- Hildinóle (Arnor)
- Illusion-weavers of Heb Ârân
- Ingolemor
- Mage-Priests of the farthest East
- Mages-Guilds of Far-Harad (Karalîya, Kromet, Mudrat and Tâma)
- Maiyêsk and Hudgwehydd or easterling Summoners
- Modrog (Dônaen)
- Mutanyi of the Kirans
- Disciples of the Mûmathûmûr (Mûmakani)
- Northron Spiritualists or Seidhmadhur
- Saironi
- the Sisterhood of the veil
- The Sisters of the Darin Tesarath
- Thothwegath
- Twilight-walkers of the Gwathuirim
- the Tyatarb or Magi and scribes of Zîrayn
- the Wizards of Umbar
- Wôlor of Lôkhas Drûs
- Wômawi Word-mages
- Zigûri
Notes[]
The Magician is a playable class in MERP, Rolemaster and LOTRRPG.Rolemaster also has other Magician Professions or specializations:Adept, Arcane Elementalist, Arcanist, Arch Mage, Arcist, Astral Traveller, Astrologer, Crafter, Chrystal Mage, Earth-Alchemist, Elemental Channeler,Elemental Champion, Elemental Channeler, Elemental Enchanter, Elemental Summoner, Elementalist, Enchanter, Forcemage, Geomancer, High Elementalist, Illusionist, Inorganic Alchemist, Magent, Magus, Maleficant, Mana Molder, Mental Alchemist, Mentalist, Miracle Worker, Moon Mage, Mystical Elementalist,Rogue Elementalist, Runemage,Runemaster, Shadow Mage, Shaman, Shamanic Alchemist, Summoner, Tarot Mage, Thaumaturge, Theurgist, Warrior Mage, Warlock, Wu Jen.
Editorial Note: This entry contains speculative or fan-based material — such as fanon, fanfiction, or theory constructs — that may not be directly supported by canonical texts. Interpretations offered here are part of the NNCA’s speculative corpus and should not be mistaken for primary Tolkien sources.