Hedge Wizards

Hedge Wizards and Witches are primal herbalists, healers, advisors, midwives, mystics and fortune tellers who serve across The Gauntlet. They favour practicality and utilising nature to help others.

The term began after Mathlyew, The Whisperer formed a commune north of Isgrin's Wall in the Northern Forests dedicated to exploring magic and it's possibilities, they lived a simple life and paid reverence to nature. They wore (and still do wear) basic clothing including hessian robes, old wool coats, and often appeared ragtag and dirty which is where their name comes from.

In smaller towns (especially in the North) the role of Hedge Wizard is an important one, they serve as Counselors and offer advice to both important townsfolk such as the mayor and to young children or anyone who comes to them seeking aid. They also serve as knowledgeable herbalists and often help with any ailments or diseases that townsfolk may have, however, not all towns have a resident Hedge Wizard, some simply wander from town to town, sharing and collecting knowledge and aiding anyone who needs it.

The powers of the Hedge Wizard are not hereditary, they are learnt through practice and discipline, a Hedge Wizard will seek out an apprentice based on their potential and skill and will mentor them as they were mentored before, if an apprentice is insufficient or does not work hard enough the Hedge Wizard simply sends them home and looks for a new apprentice.

Hedge Wizards are the only group of people outside The Church of Alissa to automatically gain a King's Decree of Free Travel when they register themselves in Vassalward, unlike the Scholars of The Citadel a Hedge Wizard's graduation has little ceremony, their master will often treat them to a meal in an inn and give them a pat on the back, other than that it is up to personal preference. Hedge Wizards are allowed to cross Isgrin's Wall and make pilgrimage to Mystwood as a sign of respect to their culture and for their Paragon.