Milo, Gorundia's Archmage
Archmage Milo, Maester of Gorundia
“Milo’s the kind of wizard who doesn’t need to wave his hands around and throw lightning to make you take him seriously. He walks into a room, and suddenly everyone’s paying attention—like they just realized the rules of the game changed, and he’s the one keeping score. I don’t pretend to understand magic, but I know a man who’s got his feet on the ground, even when his head’s full of things no sane man ought to know.” — Sorek Redmarch
Milo has served as **Archmage of Gorundia** for three decades, advising the crown on **matters arcane and interplanar** with an even hand and a quiet confidence. Unlike many of Gorundia’s more ostentatious spellcasters, who delight in elaborate robes and over-the-top displays, Milo keeps his magic as unembellished as his demeanor. He is not a man who wastes words, nor one who feels the need to prove himself with unnecessary theatrics. Those who meet him expecting a showy court wizard often leave with a greater respect for the man behind the title.
Though he has held the office for thirty years, few can say with certainty where he came from before that. He speaks Gorundian fluently but carries the faintest trace of an accent, subtle enough that scholars and courtiers alike have speculated about his origins. If asked directly, he usually responds with a small smile and an offhand remark—just enough to satisfy curiosity without truly answering the question.
“Where I’m from? A long way from here, and not half as interesting as you think.”
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Appearance and Manner
Milo stands **6'2" and weighs around 160 pounds**, with the lean, wiry frame of a man who spends more time studying than swinging a sword but remains far from frail. His **long hair and full beard** lend him the classic look of a wizard, and he wears the **tall, broad-brimmed hat** that marks him as a **Maester** of the kingdom—a title carrying similar privileges to knighthood, granted to those who have proven their magical expertise.
His robes are well-made but **practical rather than ornate**, usually in deep blues or grays, free of the ostentatious embroidery and trailing sleeves favored by many of Gorundia’s mages. His staff, when he carries one, is a simple length of aged wood, worn smooth by years of use. There are no jewels, no runes carved along its length—just a tool, wielded by a man who understands its power well enough to know it doesn’t need embellishment.
His **demeanor is calm, measured, and often tinged with dry humor**. Those expecting an overbearing court wizard quickly learn that Milo has little interest in dramatic pronouncements or posturing. He listens more than he speaks, but when he does speak, people listen.
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Duties and Influence
As **Archmage of Gorundia**, Milo’s primary responsibility is to **advise the crown on magical and interplanar affairs**. His role extends beyond mere counsel; he is also responsible for ensuring that magic is wielded responsibly within the kingdom, overseeing **arcane law, dangerous artifacts, and threats that extend beyond the mortal plane**.
While he is not an enforcer by nature, his word carries weight among Gorundia’s spellcasters. The kingdom’s mage-lords and independent sorcerers may be powerful, but they know better than to cross the Archmage lightly.
“The laws of magic are simple—don’t break reality, don’t summon things you can’t control, and if you’re going to turn someone into a toad, make sure they deserved it.”
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Theories on His Origins
Most people believe Milo to be around **seventy years old**, given his long tenure as Archmage, though his **fit and active nature** makes some wonder if magic has slowed his aging. There is little doubt that he came from **outside Gorundia**, but exactly where remains a mystery.
Scholars have suggested several theories:
“If I were from another plane, I’d have picked one where the wine was better.”
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Personal Life and Views on Magic
Milo is **unmarried** and has never spoken of past loves or family. Whether by choice or circumstance, his life has been devoted to his work, though he does not seem bitter about it. He values **companionship over formality**, and while he maintains professional distance at court, he is known to enjoy the company of scholars, explorers, and the occasional rogue who can tell a good story.
His view on magic is one of **practicality over spectacle**. While he recognizes the value of presentation—especially in a court where many mages build reputations on theatrical displays—he prefers substance over flash. His spells are precise, efficient, and devastatingly effective when needed.
Many young mages look up to him, though few can truly emulate his approach. In a land where sorcery is often wielded as a show of power, Milo remains an enigma—powerful but restrained, respected but never boastful, and always a step ahead of those who underestimate him.
“The most dangerous wizard is the one who doesn’t need to prove he’s dangerous.”
Children
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