- “Cut from the void, not from bewilderment. Cut the enemy as quickly and directly as possible. Cut with certainty. Cut decisively, resolutely. Cut into his strength. Flow through the gaps in his guard. Cut him. Cut him down utterly. Don't allow him a breath. Crush him. Cut him without mercy to the depths of his spirit. It is the balance to life: death. It is the dance with death. It is the law a war wizard lives by, or he dies.”
- ―Richard Rahl, first war wizard of the ACBs[src]
A War Wizard is a wizard that was born with the gift of both Additive Magic and Subtractive Magic and is proficient in many of the forms those take.
History[]
Many years before the time setting of the series, the vast majority of wizards were born with both additive and subtractive magic, but they usually were only proficient in one of the two types of magic. Due to actions taken by Lothain in Temple of the Winds, fewer and fewer were born with both sides of the gift, which may have been the cause for fewer and fewer to have the gift at all. Before Richard Rahl was born, the last war wizard was Baraccus, roughly three thousand years prior.
Manifestations of the Gift[]
Being born with the gifts of both Additive Magic and Subtractive Magic, war wizards generally are proficient in many of the forms those magics take. Acts such as prophecy, conjuring, healing, and making have all been done by war wizards in the past. A war wizard's power comes from instinct and emotion, particularly driven by need and anger. But those who understand the Wizard's Eleventh Rule are able to use their magic at will.
Known War Wizards[]
War wizards are possibly the most powerful of all magical creatures in the world. They can do almost anything with their power as they wield Additive magic and Subtractive magic. Those known to be war wizards are:
Note that Alric Rahl was mentioned in one book, Soul of the Fire, by the Prelate Ann, to also be a war wizard. However earlier in the same book she displayed quite a lack of knowledge and it was Richard himself who told her quite a bit, BUT Richard himself did NOT claim that Alric was a WW. Also never again in the series has Alric been referred to as one, not even in any of the newer books, up to and including Severed Souls.