What exactly is a Hedge Wizard?

[johnsemlak]

i asked this question the thread on archetypes but wanted a thorough answer to my question. I see the Hedge wizard referred to a lot but I really don't know what it is. How is it different to a wizard, what is it's inspiration in literature, myth, etc. Was there a kit or something like that for it in 2e?

 

[Dirigible]

To me, the term has always implied the village wiseman or wisewoman, a magician of low asperation and local purview that relies on herb lore and headology (ala Granny Weatherwax) more than sorcery.

As for its mythological and etymological roots, I'll allow those more sagacious and chinwise hirsute to answer.

 

[Altalazar]

"You must find.................... a SHRUBBERY!!!!!!!"

 

[Dirigible]

Additionally:

[insert predictable joke about a caster with access to Summon Natures Alley, Wall of Topiary and Mordenkainen's Trimmer.]

 

[Hand of Evil]

To me they are the rural mage, not druid, not wizard but a mix of both to fit into a rural life style. Those that learn magic without formal schooling (higher education), more creative in their ingredents, have a lack of writing skills.

 

[Frostmarrow]

Ah. An adept?

 

[Volaran]

Ah. An adept?

That's generally what I think represents them best.

 

[Henry]

The Adept NPC class is a good interpretation that WotC did on the "Hedge Wizard" Archetype. I know the term has been around AT LEAST since the early 1990's, having seen it in fan mag's and in some very old internet RPG documents (stuff that was passed around via ftp back in "the olden days." It's origins, however, I can't pinpoint.

Simply put, it's a charm-weaver; a rural mage; the witch that sells 10 gp love potions, and works cheap magics for those who can afford them. Old 1st edition AD&D used to have NPC classes as well, Gary just didn't call them as such; they were unleveled, and they were sages, shamans, witch doctors, etc. That had powers that never broke 2nd or maybe 3rd spell level in power, IIRC.

 

[rounser]

The village dabbler in magic. Probably sells minor potions, herbs, spell components and snake oil, and doesn't venture out much.

There was an old Dragon article that presented a Hedge Wizard class which I got this impression from. Come to think of it, the homebody village hedge wizard who is forced to get out and about to do heroics when things begin to go wrong is a good concept for a PC...

 

[Vigilance]

There is a hedge mage class in my upcoming Excalibur Arthurian adventures game.

My take on the class is lots of charms and enchantment spells, not a lot of "artillery", and class abilities centered on seeing the future.

But I was more basing it on something that, when quite powerful would resemble merlin, but at the mid and low levels resemble the village wise woman/witch.

Chuck