A fantasy series is only as good as the characters that populate its world. Players need a familiar touchstone in a land of magic and monsters, and for many that touchstone is their favorite character.The Witcherfranchise is blessed in this regard: Geralt, Yennefer, and the others have become some of the most enduring fantasy characters around.
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Gwent: Rogue Mageshakes up the usualWitcherformula by placing the player in control not of Geralt but Alzur, a mage on a quest to create the first Witcher. ThoughRogue Mageis a deckbuilding roguelike rather than a full-fledged RPG, Alzur still has a big personality that shines throughout the story. Here are some things that everyWitcherfan should know about this complicated hero.
7Alzur Knows The Limits Of Magic
Fantasy fiction abounds with stories of eccentric geniuses, researchers, and wizards who were willing to push things just a little more in the pursuit of what they wanted. Doing so always spells disaster, which is great forfans ofFrankensteinbut not so great for the inhabitants of the worlds in which these mad geniuses live.
Despite his bravado and obvious talents,Alzur is no fool and doesn’t act like one,as revealed by the “World Most Foul” cinematic. When pushed to deal with the uprising of monsters within his world, Alzur realized quickly that salvation lay not in magic. Alzur’s understanding of the arcane is deep enough that he knows the limits of magic. Rather than make things worse by stretching his power beyond his means, Alzur had the knowledge and restraint to seek other means.
6Alzur Is A Scientist
Science may not look or sound the same inThe Witcheras it does in the real world, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t science. Alzur, in addition to being an incredibly powerful mage, is a scientist, as seen throughoutGwent: Rogue Mage’s story.
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Upon accepting that magic was insufficient to deal with the scourge of monsters,Alzur turned to science to address the issue.His solution may not be a perfect one, but given the alternative, it’s fortunate that Alzur’s mind is as well acquainted with the study of mutation and nature’s laws as it is with the study of inscrutable magical powers. Were that not the case, Witchers might not exist, and everyone might have perished at the fangs of monsters long ago.
5Alzur Is Curious
Alzur’s intellect is keen but also varied. He isn’t just booksmart; he’s curious, andhis curiosity pulls him in many directions. Even when in the middle of a perilous journey with stakes that could scarcely be higher, Alzur takes the time to indulge in academic pursuits.
This tendency is seen inRogue Magewhen Alzur encounters an ancient script written upon the stone of some ruins. Rather than simply comment on the unusual discovery and move on,Alzur stops to decipher the script.Perhaps he knows this kind of study often has fruitful rewards, but Alzur is the kind of person to consider knowledge valuable even if it doesn’t help him slay a dragon.
4Alzur Is Good Despite His Words
Many mages have a reputation for being soft-spoken eggheads, too busy pouring over ancient texts to worry about the words or deeds of others. Alzur is not that kind of mage. Indeed, the hero ofRogue Magehas a cutting tongue at times, laying into those that stand in his way with a variety of colorful threats and insults.
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Those that believe his foul mouth reflects a weakness of character, however, should think again.Some of Alzur’s enemies are truly appalling, and the mage has no qualms about calling them out for their reprehensible deeds, such as when he calls a slave catcher “abominable.” He might choose unkind words when someone upsets him, but the mage’s moral compass is strong.
3Alzur Can Be Hotheaded
Often the voice of reason for the pair, Lylianna has been known to shush Alzur when his words become heated, especially when those words are directed against guards and soldiers. Lylianna may be Alzur’s closest confidant and traveling companion, buthe has no problem ignoring her when he’s in a mood.
The mage has been known to continue his barrage of insults against those he thinks have wronged him even in the face of good counsel. Perfect characters make for boring fiction, and it’s refreshing to see Alzur with a clear flaw. Even though he is right most of the time and has plenty of magical force to back up his words(and helpGwent: Rogue Mageplayers win fights),Alzur sometimes picks fights just to pick them.
2Alzur Is Powerful
It should come as no surprise that the titular rogue mage is a force to be reckoned with.He is as talented a hero as there is,having devoted himself to the study of science and combat as well as the arcane arts. The world ofThe Witcheris a perilous one at the best of times, and anyone hoping to fill Geralt’s shoes has a difficult and dangerous task ahead of them.
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Alzur is up to the task. Venturing undaunted into even the most difficult battles, the mage uses his own brand of ingenuity, strategic sense, and recklessness to get the job done, even if things get a bit dirty along the way.
1Alzur Isn’t Afraid To Ask For Help
Alzur can be cantankerous. He can be stubborn. He can be easily distracted, fixating on a bit of dead writing instead of the actual mission. One thing Alzur is not, however, is an idiot, especially when it comes to knowing his limits.
Lylianna doesn’t just accompany the mage because of their relationship. No,Lylianna accompanies Alzur because he can’t accomplish his quest and save the land without her, and he knows it.He might not be jumping up and down celebrating the fact that he needs a hand now and then, but he knows it just the same.
Gwent: Rogue Mageis available for PC, Android, and iOS.
