High Mages of Nestor

A High Mage is a spellcaster—typically a wizard—who stands head and shoulders above others in their respective fields, or who serves as a pillar of the Empire’s political or defensive power. Despite their importance, holding the title of High Mage requires an exceptional level of talent. This is not a rank granted lightly or commonly.

Below are some of the most prolific High Mages of the Empire. It is worth noting that the Crown has never released an official list of High Mages, due to the dangers inherent in making such information public.

Morrowdorn

Imperial Magus, High Mage of Darkness

Morrowdorn has long been regarded as one of—if not the—true power behind the throne of Nestor. Having lived in the city for several centuries and played a role in nearly every major political and military crisis during that time, he has risen to an unparalleled position of influence.

His name is whispered rather than spoken, either in awe by Nestorians or in fear by their enemies. On the battlefield, his presence alone has ended hostilities more than once.

Formerly the Captain of the Battlemages, Morrowdorn stepped down after his vitality was stolen by a curse enacted by Nerdizer and several Lich Lords. Despite this, he continues to play a vital role in training new battlemagi.

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Tolarian

High Mage of Ice, Commander of the Mage Cadre

Tolarian is a tall human of advanced age, with long silver hair and a neatly trimmed beard. He wields a gnarled staff in one hand and a war-wand in the other, embodying the archetype of a wizard at first glance.

As the current head of the Mage Cadre, Tolarian oversees the deployment and readiness of the Empire’s mages, ensuring they are prepared to respond to crises of both spiritual and physical nature. A long-serving mage of nearly eighty years, he is among the most senior still active, surpassed only by Seviok and Morrowdorn.

Having seen more combat than nearly any other mage in the Empire, Tolarian is considered a premier battle wizard and is not to be underestimated. Though generally jovial, he remains calm and composed during crises, providing stability and guidance to those around him.

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Seviok

High Mage of Flame

Seviok is a dwarf of mountain heritage, likely of Dwimmer blood, born and raised in the poorest districts of Nestor. Orphaned young, he endured the harshest realities of city life before the age of twenty. He was sold to a wizard as a servant—though he insists he was sold as demon food—and survived long enough to absorb the basics of arcane practice.

His former master was killed when he attempted to summon two Daemons of Light to murder a rising rival mage newly arrived in the city. That rival, a young Morrowdorn, convinced the daemons to turn on their summoner instead. Seviok was badly scarred in the resulting magical inferno.

Impressed by Morrowdorn’s power and cunning, Seviok sought him out and became his apprentice. Under Morrowdorn’s tutelage, Seviok learned both the arcane arts and the political realities of power. Together, they helped shape the backbone of the Mage Cadre, recruiting and training talent and encouraging some to become battlemagi.

By the end of the Guthlafellian War, Seviok had stepped fully into leadership on the battlefield. Alongside Tolarian, he became one half of a feared arcane pairing rivaling even the High Mage of Darkness himself. In 1103 NR, after routing three Walushii raiding tribes despite their escort of guards fleeing the field, both Seviok and Tolarian were formally granted the title of High Mage.

Seviok is a devoted believer in the Flames of Kellok and regularly aids smaller sects of the faith, ensuring their protection until they become self-sustaining. As part of this service, he also keeps a watchful eye on would-be arsonists, occasionally redirecting their talents toward more productive ends.

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Aldar the Quick

High Mage of Air, Captain of the Battlemages

Aldar the Quick is the current Captain of the Battlemages and the High Mage of Air, a position that places him at the sharpest edge of Nestor’s military might. Where Morrowdorn embodies inevitability and Seviok devastation, Aldar represents speed, precision, and adaptability.

True to his epithet, Aldar is renowned for his extraordinary mobility on the battlefield. Whether through mastery of wind magic, enhanced reflexes, or a preternatural sense of timing, Aldar is almost never where his enemies expect him to be. Stories of battles involving Aldar often describe him appearing in multiple places at once - striking, repositioning, and vanishing before retaliation can be mounted.

As Captain of the Battlemages, Aldar is responsible for the tactical deployment, training doctrine, and battlefield coordination of the Empire’s arcane strike forces. He emphasizes flexibility over brute force, drilling his battlemagi to respond dynamically to changing conditions rather than relying on rigid spell rotations or formations. This philosophy has led to a dramatic reduction in battlemage casualties during prolonged engagements.

Like all many High Mages, Aldar rose through the ranks almost entirely through battlefield merit rather than political maneuvering. While he is capable of navigating court politics when required, he prefers the clarity of command and the honesty of combat. Among the rank-and-file battlemagi, Aldar is widely respected—not feared—as a leader who understands their risks and refuses to squander lives needlessly.

Aldar maintains a professional but respectful relationship with Morrowdorn, viewing him as both a mentor and a strategic backstop, while his working partnership with Seviok and Tolarian forms the operational core of the Empire’s magical warfare doctrine. Together, these four High Mages represent a balance of Darkness, Flame, Ice, and Air that few forces on the continent could hope to challenge directly. And Verd is always waiting in the shadows to surprise those who do. 

In person, Aldar is lean, sharp-eyed, and perpetually in motion. Even at rest, he appears coiled with potential energy, fingers tapping or cloak shifting in unseen currents. His speech is concise and deliberate, and he is known to end discussions abruptly once a decision has been made, trusting execution over debate.

To the enemies of Nestor, Aldar the Quick is a warning: that the Empire does not merely endure or overwhelm - but strikes first, strikes fast, and does not give its foes time to recover.

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