Master of the Five Magics (1980)

Master of the Five Magics is a fantasy novel by Lyndon Hardy, first published in 1980. It is the first of a trilogy set in the same world; the second book is Secret of the Sixth Magic and the third Riddle of the Seven Realms. The books feature different characters, but each explores the same system of magic in successively more detail. It may be an early example of hard fantasy.

Plot summary

The book focuses on the adventures of its main character and hero Alodar in the fictional land of Procolon. Alodar's self-imposed quest for much of the book is to distinguish himself sufficiently to wed Queen Vendora, which will restore his family's honor.

The book is divided into six parts, the first five of which correspond to the five disciplines of magic learned by Alodar in that portion of the narrative. The final part is entitled "The Archimage" and corresponds to Alodar's mastery of all other forms of magic.

In the first three parts, Alodar learns enough of a particular type of magic to make a notable achievement, but the antagonist of that part usurps Alodar's credit and becomes a recognized suitor to the queen. Alodar is then left with an artifact of some type that allows him to begin learning a new discipline of magic. The first part also introduces Aeriel, a female character important in the second half of the book.

The fourth part does not feature an artifact; instead, Alodar discovers an ancient wizard placed in suspended animation, who reveals the basics of his craft to Alodar at the start of the fifth part.

The fifth part of the book reveals that Alodar's journey was planned by the ancient wizards, who predicted the now-imminent demonic invasion.

In the sixth and final part, Alodar uses his knowledge of all five magical disciplines in combination to defeat the leader of the demon army. However, Alodar spurns both marriage to the queen and an offer by his previous antagonists to support a coup placing Alodar on the throne; instead, he chooses to marry Aeriel and continue his apprenticeship, hoping to one day claim the title of Archmage.

Characters

Alodar, protagonist of the book. His family is stated to have once been noble; however, they have fallen into disrepute by the start of the narrative. Therefore, Alodar is merely an apprentice to a thaumaturge, the least prestigious type of magic-user.

Vendora, the queen of Procolon.

Aeriel, advisor to Vendora. She confesses her love to Alodar in the first part of the book, but Alodar does not clearly reciprocate until the final chapter.

Feston, antagonist in the first part of the book. His father Festil is a nobleman in Vendora's service. They take full credit for the queen's escape from a besieged fortress, ignoring Alodar's important contributions, leading the queen to name Feston as an official candidate suitor.

Basil, antagonist in the second part of the book. One of his henchmen steals an alchemical potion from Alodar and uses it to gather a vast wealth of gems for Basil. This gives Basil sufficient leverage to court the queen.

Duncan, a magician appearing in the third part of the book. He completes a ritual on an artifact discovered by Alodar, making it into a powerful talisman. This causes the queen to name him yet another official marriage candidate.

Kelric, an elderly sorcerer who instructs Alodar in the fourth part of the book.

Handar, a wizard placed in suspended animation. In the fifth part of the book, he instructs Alodar in the basics of wizardry.

Disciplines of Magic

A primary focus of the plot is upon the five magics of the title: Thaumaturgy, Alchemy, Magic, Sorcery, and Wizardry. In the system devised for the trilogy, each discipline allows the user to perform magical actions within a particular set of rules. These rules are specified after the table of contents and are also stated within the narrative. Listed below are the basics of each discipline:

Thaumaturgy

Thaumaturgy is governed by the Principles of Sympathy and Contagion. Through the Principle of Sympathy, a thaumaturge can manipulate matter and energy on a grand scale by simulating the intended effect on a smaller scale. For example, lifting up a large boulder by picking up a smaller, yet similar stone. Thaumaturgy is limited by the energy required to perform the work. Drawing too much on their body’s energy can kill the thaumaturge, so they draw it out of their environment (like from a fire or a spinning wheel). No sympathetic connection is perfect, so some energy is always lost. Through the Principle of Contagion, they can reduce the amount of energy lost by using an actual piece of the target.

Thaumaturgy is performed by reciting incantations, which bind the energy to the simulation. Thaumaturges often protect these incantations by speaking nonsense syllables around the words of power to disguise them.

Thaumaturges wear brown capes, and are treated as common craftsmen, using their art to fix leaks in roofs and increase the yield of crops. To become a thaumaturge, one has to apprentice themselves to a master. After proving a certain level of mastery, they become a journeyman. And once they prove themselves, they can become a master thaumaturge.

Cunning is the most important attribute a thaumaturge can have.

Alchemy

Alchemy is governed by the Doctrine of Signatures. This doctrine states that every alchemical ingredient has physical attributes, which indicate the possible powers it may yield when blended in a potion. Alchemy is limited because potions have to be produced in bulk, as random factors will cause a potion to fail, with the chance of failure increasing with each step. Alchemical products only retain their potency for weeks, or even days at a time. After that, they become useless.

Apart from the blending of ingredients, the potion must be activated by writing the potion’s formula using arcane symbols, which alchemists jealously guard.