Fondaras

Fondaras's first appearance. Minalan hires him in Tudry as an experienced footwizard of the Wilderland circuit — thirty years of travel. He joins the planning staff for the Wilderlands expedition, providing terrain knowledge and political context, and becomes a core advisor. He carries a knotted maple staff that is pretty but not especially powerful, and a battered fur-rimmed leather cap that becomes his signature.

Fondaras leads the newly instituted Field Wizards corps. Two-score footwizards are equipped with specialized agricultural wands — the Stumping Wand among others — to transform the Magelaw at Vanador into productive farmland. He ensures that the wizards are not extravagant with their claims or fees, helping realize Minalan's ideal of "magic in the service of the people."

Fondaras is Minalan's teacher on Wilderlands lore — weather patterns, local folklore, who lives where and why. He advises Minalan on Anghysbel expedition logistics, and Minalan relies on Fondaras's accounts of the Narasi settlement and Kasari encampment there.

Fondaras is an elderly footwizard — a hedgemage who travels on foot rather than relying on irionite-enhanced magic — who serves as the guide for the expedition into Anghysbel. His intimate knowledge of wilderness travel and low-magic hedgecraft makes him uniquely suited to lead a group of powerful mages into a region where their sorcery is nullified. He is the titular character of the book.

In Hedgewitch, Fondaras the Wise returns from the Anghysbel expedition and takes on leadership of the Field Wizards operating out of Vanador. He works closely with the prophetess Antimei, with whom he develops a romantic relationship. His decades of experience as a Footwizard make him invaluable in organizing and leading the irregular hedge wizard forces that form a crucial part of Vanador's magical defenses.

Fondaras returns from Anghysbel bearing dragon eggs from Lady Fallawen's fief. He brings equipment requests from Gareth for the Anghysbel evacuation. He then bravely volunteers to cross the Alkali Wastes alone during the treacherous rainy season, carrying protective gear from the Cave of the Ancients and risking the perilous trek to reach Tyr Moranan. Ultimately delivers the dragon eggs to Avius the dragon.

Messenger Nattia confirms to Minalan that Fondaras made it through the wastes safely, and that he has returned the dragon eggs to Avius.

Minalan misses Fondaras's wisdom, noting how Fondaras had become a stable, reasonable advisor during the Anghysbel era — a voice he could use now, dealing with royal politics and the Preceptor role.

Brief mention only — a reference to Fondaras's prior teachings on Kasari divorce and marriage customs.