History Main / WanderingWizard

See also MagicalHomelessPerson. Contrast WizardWorkshop, unless the workshop is somehow mobile.

See also MagicalHomelessPerson.

* ''Literature/TheNameOfTheWind'': Ben the Arcanist speaks disparagingly of "traveling arcanists" who haven't graduated WizardingSchool but sell their haphazard medical and magical skills from caravans. At best, [[UnequalRites their talents are limited]]; at worst, they're [[ConMan con artists]].

** The Silver Wheel are an informal order of hedge mages, wise women and other low-skilled practitioners who live in rural areas or wander around the Empire, exchanging recipes and charms when they meet. Unfortunately (and unbeknownst to many of them), they're actually dedicated to Tzeentch, and their ultimate purpose is to increase the grip of Chaos on the Empire by subtly introducing dark magic to their spells, adding warpstone to potions, etc.

** ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'': Solas is probably the most straightforward example of the trope. He's an actual Hedge Mage who travels the world and doesn't do it out of necessity but because he genuinely [[TheWorldIsJustAwesome enjoys traveling]]. The Iron Bull remarks that despite being self-taught, his skills lack the flaws seen in those without proper teaching. [[spoiler:However his goal is to destroy the current world in order to bring back the glory of the Elves. A glory lost because of him, and despite not wanting to do this, he's [[HonorBeforeReason bound by honor]] to do so. Actually hoping that his friends can either stop or [[TakeAThirdOption find another way]]]].

A Wandering Wizard (or Wandering Witch, Wandering Warlock, etc.) is a practitioner of magic who, rather than settle down in one place, [[WanderingTheEarth travels across the world]], offering their magical services in return for coin, lodgings, supplies, or simply out of the goodness of their hearts. While other magic users might take to the road in pursuit of a goal or to accomplish a quest, for this character, the road ''is'' the goal. Once their magical services are no longer needed, they are on to the next place, rarely spending much time in one location. In more formalized institutions, the journey might be part of a wizard's education, usually coming between apprenticeship and being a fully-fledged wizard.

* In ''[[https://www.scribblehub.com/series/546435/can-i-crossdress-my-way-out-of-this-arranged-marriage/ Can I Crossdress My Way Out Of This Arranged Marriage?]]'', a HighFantasy LGBT {{romance}} web novel, wandering mages travel from town to town casting spells mostly acting as healers. They appear mostly off-screen [[spoiler:and perform magical Gender Confirmation on Zago by way of [[EasySexChange a transformation spell]]]]. This event helps protagonist Anrik realise [[spoiler:she herself is also a trans woman and not a guy in disguise after all, she didn't realise other trans people existed till then]].

** Gandalf from ''Literature/TheHobbit'' and ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'' spends his time in between world-saving adventures wandering the lands of Middle-earth, occasionally serving as mentor to princes or advisor to lords, and occasionally being just a strange old man who stops by the Shire to cause some ruckus.

* "[[Music/BlackSabbathAlbum The Wizard]]" by Music/BlackSabbath is about a wizard who walks about the world, fighting off evil powers and demons with his spells. He never talks, only walks as he spreads his magic. According to Geezer Butler, the song was based on Gandolf because he'd been reading ''Lord of the Rings'' at the time.

Like WizardClassic, this trope may be originally inspired by stories of [[Myth/NorseMythology Odin]], who was known to spend much time wandering Midgard, visiting kingdoms and discussing supernatural affairs with kings, chieftains, and magical beings in the hopes of gaining more knowledge. Examples where the wizard is spending time traveling around before settling may be derived from [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journeyman Journeymen]], a medieval term used for an artisan who has finished their education but not gained the experience to be considered a master in their art. Contrary to what you might assume, "Journeyman" does not actually mean someone who's on a journey; the word comes from ''journée'', meaning "Daily" or "Relating to daily life" in French.

A Wandering Wizard (or Wandering Witch, Wandering Warlock, etc.) is a practitioner of magic who, rather than settle down in one place, [[WanderingTheEarth travels across the world]], offering their magical services in return for coin, lodgings, supplies, or simply out of the goodness of their hearts. While other magic users might take to the road in pursuit of a goal or to accomplish a quest, for this character, the road ''is'' the goal. Once their magical services are no longer needed, they are on to the next place, rarely spending much time in one location. In more formalized institutions, the journey might be part of a wizard's education, usually coming between apprenticeship and being a fully fledged wizard.

* In ''[[https://www.scribblehub.com/series/546435/can-i-crossdress-my-way-out-of-this-arranged-marriage/ Can I Crossdress My Way Out Of This Arranged Marriage?]]'', a HighFantasy LGBT {{romance}} web novel, wandering mages travel from town to town casting spells mostly acting as healers. They appear mostly off screen [[spoiler:and perform magical Gender Confirmation on Zago by way of [[EasySexChange a transformation spell]]]]. This event helps protagonist Anrik realise [[spoiler:she herself is also a trans woman and not a guy in disguise after all, she didn't realise other trans people existed till then]].

** By necessity this is how some mages, labeled Apostates, have to live. As the [[AntiMagicalFaction Templar Order]] are tasked with [[TheWitchHunter hunting down]] any and all mages not apart of the [[GildedCage Circe]] [[SuperRegistrationAct of]] [[JoinOrDie Magi]]. They need to move from place to place, as staying in one location can be dangerous for them. Not that it stops them from helping others, but they tend to help other mages on the run as the {{Muggles}} are religiously (and some times [[FantasticRacism racially]]) motivated to rat them out to the nearest Templar to either take them away, [[MageKiller or take them out]].
** ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'': Solas is probably the most straightforward example of the trope. He's an actual Hedge Mage who travels the world and doesn't do it out of necessity but because he genuinely [[TheWorldIsJustAwesome enjoys traveling]]. The Iron Bull remarks that despite being self taught, his skills lack the flaws seen in those without proper teaching. [[spoiler:However his goal is to destroy the current world in order to bring back the glory of the Elves. A glory lost because of him, and despite not wanting to do this, he's [[HonorBeforeReason bound by honor]] to do so. Actually hoping that his friends can either stop or [[TakeAThirdOption find another way]]]].

* "[[Music/BlackSabbathAlbum The Wizard]]" by Music/BlackSabbath is about a wizard who walks about the world, fighting off evil powers and demons with his spells. He never talks, only walks as he spreads his magic.

Everyone knows that wizards live in towers, and witches live in cottages. Even when travelling, there is always an expectation that they are on some grand, important quest, and they always carry the gravitas of someone of great importance. But what if they're not? What if they're a humble mage, no tower to their name or grand quest to embark on, just whatever possessions they can carry with them and no goal in mind except the road ahead of them? If that's the case, then you might just have run into a Wandering Wizard.

A Wandering Wizard (or Wandering Witch, Wandering Warlock, etc.) is a practitioner of magic who, rather than settle down in one place, [[WanderingTheEarth travels across the world]], offering their magical services in return for coin, lodgings, supplies, or simply out of the goodess of their hearts. While other magic users might take to the road in pursuit of a goal or to accomplish a quest, for this character, the road ''is'' the goal. Once their magical services are no longer needed, they are on to the next place, rarely spending much time in one location. In more formalized institutions, the journey might be part of a wizard's education, usually coming between apprenticeship and being a fully fledged wizard.

* ''Literature/TheBelgariad'': Belgarath the Sorceror has spent eons wandering the world, usually making sure that events play out the way they're supposed to. His daughter Polgara has also done her fair share of wandering and magic, but having to be the "auntie" to generations of her sister's descendants has limited her ability to roam.

* ''TabletopGame/WarhammerFantasy'': The Silver Wheel are an informal order of hedge mages, wise women and other low-skilled practitioners who live in rural areas or wander around the Empire, exchanging recipes and charms when they meet. Unfortunately (and unbeknownst to many of them), they're actually dedicated to Tzeentch, and their ultimate purpose is to increase the grip of Chaos on the Empire by subtly introducing dark magic to their spells, adding warpstone to potions, etc.

!!Examples

* ''Literature/AWizardOfEarthsea'': Ged is forced into life as a traveling wizard because the shadow beast he summoned keeps hunting him if he stays in any one place for too long.

** Gandalf from ''Literature/TheHobbit'' and ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'' spends his time in between world-saving adventures wandering the lands of Middle-Earth, occasionally serving as mentor to princes or advisor to lords, and occasionally being just a strange old man who stops by the Shire to cause some ruckus.
** The Blue Wizards, only mentioned in appendices and letters, are also said to spend their time wandering Middle-Earth, though they hang out in the distant East, where they incite rebellions against Sauron.

* Qifrey from ''Manga/WitchHatAtelier'' has permanent lodging in the titular Atelier, but he is still introduced as one in the first chapter, being a traveling witch who happens to stop by the main character's village and help them repair a damaged magical contraption. Later, he explains to his students that some witches enjoy helping people so much that they spend their entire lives traveling the roads.

* In ''Literature/AWizardOfEarthsea'', Ged is forced into life as a traveling wizard because the shadow beast he summoned keeps hunting him if he stays in any one place for too long.
* In ''Literature/TheBelgariad'', Belgarath the Sorceror has spent eons wandering the world, usually making sure that events play out the way they're supposed to. His daughter Polgara has also done her fair share of wandering and magic, but having to be the "auntie" to generations of her sister's descendants has limited her ability to roam.
* In the HighFantasy LGBT {{romance}} web novel ''[[https://www.scribblehub.com/series/546435/can-i-crossdress-my-way-out-of-this-arranged-marriage/ Can I Crossdress My Way Out Of This Arranged Marriage?]]'' wandering mages travel from town to town casting spells mostly acting as healers. They appear mostly off screen [[spoiler:and perform magical Gender Confirmation on Zago by way of [[EasySexChange a transformation spell]]]]. This event helps protagonist Anrik realise [[spoiler:she herself is also a trans woman and not a guy in disguise after all, she didn't realise other trans people existed till then]].
* Gandalf from ''Literature/TheHobbit'' and ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'' spends his time in between world-saving adventures wandering the lands of Middle-Earth, occasionally serving as mentor to princes or advisor to lords, and occasionally being just a strange old man who stops by the Shire to cause some ruckus.
** The Blue Wizards, only mentioned in appendices and letters, are also said to spend their time wandering Middle-Earth, though they hang out in the distant East, where they incite rebellions against Sauron.

* TabletopGame/WarhammerFantasy: The Silver Wheel are an informal order of hedge mages, wise women and other low-skilled practitioners who live in rural areas or wander around the Empire, exchanging recipes and charms when they meet. Unfortunately (and unbeknownst to many of them), they're actually dedicated to Tzeentch, and their ultimate purpose is to increase the grip of Chaos on the Empire by subtly introducing dark magic to their spells, adding warpstone to potions, etc.

* Franchise/DragonAge: By necessity this is how some mages, labeled Apostates, have to live. As the [[AntiMagicalFaction Templar Order]] are tasked with [[TheWitchHunter hunting down]] any and all mages not apart of the [[GildedCage Circe]] [[SuperRegistrationAct of]] [[JoinOrDie Magi]]. They need to move from place to place, as staying in one location can be dangerous for them. Not that it stops them from helping others, but they tend to help other mages on the run as the {{Muggles}} are religiously (and some times [[FantasticRacism racially]]) motivated to rat them out to the nearest Templar to either take them away, [[MageKiller or take them out]].
** VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition: Solas is probably the most straightforward example of the trope. He's an actual Hedge Mage who travels the world and doesn't do it out of necessity but because he genuinely [[TheWorldIsJustAwesome enjoys traveling]]. The Iron Bull remarks that despite being self taught, his skills lack the flaws seen in those without proper teaching. [[spoiler:However his goal is to destroy the current world in order to bring back the glory of the Elves. A glory lost because of him, and despite not wanting to do this, he's [[HonorBeforeReason bound by honor]] to do so. Actually hoping that his friends can either stop or [[TakeAThirdOption find another way]]]].

* Trixie Lulamoon from ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' is an entertainer, but she ''is'' a travelling mage, it just so happens that [[MagiciansAreWizards her magic is more aimed at entertainment than practicality]]. In the show, she largely shows up as a minor antagonist and later supporting cast, but in the comics she's shown to be a bit of a HeroOfAnotherStory who can and does help ponies with their problems while out on her travels. Even after becoming supporting cast, she spends the time between her appearances on the road, and only stars in episodes when she stops by Ponyville to visit [[BestFriend Starlight]].

* Franchise/DragonAge: By necessity this is how some mages, labeled Apostates, have to live. As the [[AntiMagicalFaction Templar Order]] are tasked with [[TheWitchHunter hunting down]] any and all mages not apart of the [[GildedCage Circe]] [[SuperRegistrationAct of]] [[JoinOrDie Magi]]. They need to move from place to place, as staying in one location can be dangerous for them. Not that it stopes them from helping others, but they tend to help other mages on the run as the {{Muggles}} are religiously (and some times [[FantasticRacism racially]]) motivated to rat them out to the nearest Templar to either take them away, [[MageKiller or take them out]].

The wandering wizard can be seen as the wizardly equivelant of a KnightErrant, though unlike a knight, there is no expectation for the wizard to be honorable or noble. See also WalkingTheEarth if something specific drove them to take up this lifestyle. If this wizard is part of a group of people like him rather than a lone actor, then they're part of a WanderingCulture.

Like WizardClassic, this trope may be originally inspired by stories of [[Myth/NorseMythology Odin]], who was known to spend much time wandering Midgard, visiting kingdoms and discussing supernatural affairs with kings, chieftains, and magical beings in the hopes of gaining more knowledge. Examples where the wizard is spending time traveling around before settling may be derived from [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journeyman Journeymen]], a medieval term used for an artisan who has finished their education but not gained the experience to be considered a master in their art. Contrary to what you might assume, "Journeyman" does not actually mean someone who's on a journey; The word comes from ''journée'', meaning "Daily" or "Relating to daily life" in French.

** The Blue Wizards, only mentioned in appendixes and letters, are also said to spend their time wandering Middle-Earth, though they hang out in the distant East, where they incite rebellions against Sauron.