Magic is "a form of Power which is known to science as Illegitimate Physics, and by vernacular beings as magic" [VII p. 254].
Magic appears in many forms in the world of Olo Malan and works by shifting the Balance - the ordained order which the universe was created with. The Balance resists anomalies, which include magical abilities and effects. In order for wizards to be able to use their powers they must meditate for long periods of time, building up their ability to create stronger and stronger anomalies Using the meditations of power, and then employing the meditates of balance to prevent the universe from destroying them. Wizards can also store this accumulated power in certain magical objects, allowing them to store and use it later. The Confederation of Wizards also ally themselves with a class of supernatural entities known as the Mahendo Marduk, forming a pact that grants them the powers of their order as well as many thousands of years of extended life(though not hugely slowed aging, death and complete incapacity seem put off for them however this is not total.)
A different approach Route to power is taken by Sorcerers of Yestron, who ally with demons, creatures from the world beyond who they allow to partially of fully possess them in exchange for unpredictable powers to alter reality. While their power seems more flexible than that of the Wizards, it also seems that it is less able to provide consistency and they do not benefit from the longevity of the Wizards.
8 or 9 Orders of Wizardry?
Oparatu is only ever mentioned on page 477 of The Wizards and the Warriors. Is this a continuity error on Hugh's part, or is it some kind of clue? Could it be something to do with the Dissidents?
Perhaps not - although nowhere is it explicitly stated that there have always been eight orders of wizards, the antiquity of their eight-towered architecture suggests otherwise.
Category: Magic
Arl Arl with powers over light and fire . Members of this order include Phyphor, Garash and Heenmor. The order of Arl has its own Inner Language, used for secret business [I p. 78]. Wizards of the order...
Ebber Ebber the mind, the Dark Order, the order of Shadows, the commanders of dreams and delusions [I p. 64]. It is of interest that Ebber is described as the Dark Order, even next to the corpse-animators...
Itch Itch Members of this order which has power over the winds include Ontario Nol. Eljuk Zala Gulkan is a member of this order however failed his first attempt at the trials of power. He is unusual in...
Nin Nin have the power to hear and understand the thoughts of rocks. Dismissively called the order of bird-callers and fish-ticklers [I p. 76]. Members of this order include Miphon. For secret...
Oparatu Oparatu this order is only ever mentioned on page 477 of The Wizards and the Warriors. Is this a continuity error on Hugh's part, or is it some kind of clue? Could it be something to do with the...
Seth Seth the weakest order. Powers may extend to plants [I p. 133]? Members of this order include Brother Fern Feathers.
Skatzabratzumon Skatzabratzumon dedicated to the mastery of the mysteries of levitation [X]. Members of this order include Hostaja Torsen Sken-Pitilkin.
The Curse of the Hag The Curse of the Hag is a magical transformation of the tribute paid to Obooloo by the Quinjoks, transforming a rich tribute of Jade into a rubbish of broken sticks and wet leaves. The curse always...
The Dissidents The Dissidents Those wizards who refused to join the Alliance of wizards and heroes back in the days of the Long War when the Skull of the Deep South threatened all of Argan with the menace of the...
The Sisterhood of Witches The Sisterhood of Witches The wizards of Argan long ago disposed of most witches in a mighty pogrom [X p. 184]. The Confederation was motivated by financial interest to attack the Sisterhood of...
The Wonderworkers of Yestron The Wonderworkers of Yestron The truth is, the powers of the sorcerers of Yestron are third-rate when compared to those of the wizards of Argan. Yestron's wonderworkers are capable of spectacular...
Varkarlor Varkarlor their magic includes the enchantment of bottles [I p. 265]. No members of this order are mentioned by name, although Garash was an apprentice in Varkarlor for a time.
Xluzu Xluzu specialises in the animation of corpses. This order has necessarily developed several sidelines which exploit bodies of related knowledge. Since there are many ugly Things from Beyond which...