Zagor

Zagor is the hedgemage of Malin village, high in Boval Vale, where Minalan visits him in his cave-cottage. "Minalan, if this is another one of your middle-of-the-night drunken visits, I'd just as soon you went and bothered someone else," he complains, cutting through his own defensive wards to receive his guest. Examining the captured gurvani witchstone, he astonishes Minalan by revealing his own irionite "as large as his head," gifted to him by his father as a baby. On why he has used so little of its power:

Minalan, I know what power is here. I am not that old or that foolish. Yet what great feats of magic could I perform that would make the lives of my people better? I use it when I must, that is all. Nothing is impossible.

He guides Minalan and Tyndal to the hidden Alka Alon city of Amadia and the Aronin; the Watcher Ardrey addresses him as "young Zagor" despite his physical age, indicating long Alkan acquaintance. Left in charge of Brandmount Castle's magical protection during the invasion, he drafts the Boliek sisters of Roby Hamlet as assistants. Terleman reports he caused "magically-induced rebellion from their fiercest fighters" inside the gurvani besieging force, allowing Pentandra's rescue column to reach Boval. Assists Minalan in distributing witchstones on the castle roof at the climax.

Zagor leads the bedraggled Bovali refugees (six hundred oldlings, younglings, and sick) upriver to Sevendor:

We lost four on the way, and gave their bodies to the river. Two babies were born. There was a duel two weeks ago. But Sir Roncil is a fair man. Once he understood he needed my wisdom, we were able to guide the folk here without difficulty.

On what he wants from Minalan: "I just want a cottage of my own. And some dogs." He has lost his beloved dog Blue in the siege ("he looked incomplete without the shaggy brute around").

Assigned magical protection planning for Sevendor's wains and convoys, he is tapped to escort wagons to Caolan's Pass. At the formal Alka Alon embassy atop Matten's Helm he meets Varen, Ithalia, and Fallawen alongside Minalan, Olmeg, Planus, and Pentandra, "nearly as excited" as the River Folk pilgrims. Minalan declares him "the only acknowledged High Mage who had his stone without taking his oath from me. He was independent of the Order's discipline." Discusses magical cultivation with Olmeg; Minalan later pairs him with Dara as a potential mentor.

Brief but meaningful appearance. Zagor nurses a recovering witness at Brestal Tower:

He's resting comfortably at Brestal Tower, under Zagor's care. He answers to his name, now. His wound is healing without festering, thanks to Zagor's skill.

A quiet note on his unpretentious healing craft.

Part of the Sevendor council of wizards advising Minalan during the Magic Fair and the dragon attack. Foretells the last frost of spring ("Zagor assured us there would be at least one more"). On the Sea Folk's purchase of the snowstone quarry, reacts with Banamor and Olmeg:

They are not to be refused. Even the Fair Ones fear them, and rightly so. It could be dangerous.

During the dragon and wyvern attack on Sevendor, Zagor and "a couple of visiting enchanters staying at the inn" fight wyverns and their Nemovort riders at Boval Hall and Boval Village, the local hedgemage still at the front lines.

Philosophical influence and an off-page partnership with Planus at a country estate. Planus relays:

I haven't had this much fun since I helped Zagor out with that monk!

implying a Zagor-centered adventure involving a monk happening off-page. Minalan credits him with the wisdom "Sometimes when a wizard has a really big problem, perspective can be gained with a really good hot cup of tea," and performs the ritual from Zagor's practice at a critical moment.

Lord Commander Aleem — leader of the Merwyni magical corps during the Merwyni campaign arc. Gifts Minalan an ancient Colonial Defense Force ceremonial dagger as a diplomatic token; Andrews's memory immediately recognizes the artifact. Aleem is "deeply frustrated by political constraints," caught between his sovereign's demands and the practical realities of the war against the Witch Queen.

Recuperating at his country estate in Hosendor after being captured and imprisoned in the Darkfaller dungeons during the Darkfaller campaign. Dara the Hawkmaiden contacts him mind-to-mind when the great barrier sphere forms around Sevendor. He confirms the barrier cuts even mental communication:

a few of my people just told me about it. They couldn't even get to the bridge. It extends beyond Tuervakothel.

Contacts Lilastien to intervene with Minalan.

Conducts an extended, memorable counseling session with Dara about her romantic indecision between Baron Arlastan and Sir Festaran. "Dara, when you get to be my age you learn that most problems in life will resolve themselves with or without your interference." "I do not spread gossip, Dara, but I cannot help if I hear it." "And in not making one, you have made one." "Was it a romantic wyvern attack?" "Maybe he's just as much afraid of the conclusions you come to as you are." Shown now as a Hosendor landowner with his own peasants, co-owner of the estate with Planus. "Zagor was about as unassuming a wizard as she'd ever met. He looked like a peasant more than a wizard, most days, his plain pointed hat the only indication of his profession."

In a passage on sources of leadership wisdom, Minalan credits him:

Zagor the Hedgemage contended that the ability to think through a problem before taking action was one of the most important things a man needed to learn, particularly a ruler of other men.

Passing but characteristic.