W is for Wizards

I Love Sci-Fi/Fantasy Because...

...of Wizards.

Who doesn't love a little wizardry? A flash of light. A whispered enchantment. A thrown voice. An optical illusion. So many possibilities.

Wizards are handy to have around. Questing without one isn't wise. Angering one isn't either. You never know when they might turn you into something...unnatural.

They have a way with dragons. They have a way with weather. They have a way with just about everything.

From Gandalf to Zed, from Merlin to Dumbledore, from Middle Earth to Oz, they cast their spells upon us all.

Their magic ensnares imagination, quickens the pulse and fills us with wonder.

Wizards are wondrous reasons why I love science fiction and fantasy.

M is for Merlin

I Love Sci-Fi/Fantasy Because...

...of Merlin.

I can't recall ever reading or watching a depiction of Merlin that didn't fascinate or entertain me on some level. This wizard has surfaced in tales and shows I'd never have expected.  Even Stargate!

Everything about him is rooted in mystery. The source of his allegiances. The nature of his beliefs. His origins.  He's been rumored to be ageless, an alien, aging backwards, and the list goes ever on.  And no one seems to agree on how much power he really possessed.

I have to stop and wonder how much of a role the legend of Merlin played in J. R. R. Tolkien's mind when he created Gandalf.

But whether wizard, magician or merely a mysterious mortal, Merlin is one reason why I love science fiction and fantasy.

G is for Goodkind and Gandalf

I Love Sci-Fi/Fantasy Because...

...of Gandalf. No wait, it's for Terry Goodkind.  But I love Gandalf!  But Goodkind is so awesomely great! arg!

Terry Goodkind

G would have been so much easier if Goodkind had created Gandalf, but alas, I must save Gandalf's creator for later in the series.  I suppose Gandalf and Goodkind will have to share my G post today.

I'll start with author Terry Goodkind because, well, he's real. And he gave us the Sword of Truth series, from which two seasons of Legend of the Seeker came.  Richard (Cypher) Rahl, Kahlan Amnell and Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander all came from his imagination.  And for that, I thank him.

For the other G... Well, Gandalf is the very definition of wizard.  He's mysterious, powerful, seemingly ageless, wise and handy to have around when you need to cross a bridge.  He's known by many names, but I call him Balrog Slayer.

Wizard's First Rule? If you're gonna dance with a balrog, make it a dance to remember.  

Goodkind and Gandalf, both wizards in their own right, are two reasons why I love science fiction and fantasy.