The Dark Magister - Citadel C02 Wizard "Tellark Spellrender" (1985)

The C02 Wizard series is one of the oldest from Citadel. This figure is dated 1985, but the first advertisement we have of him is the Citadel Flyer from February 1987, in which he is named "Tellark Spellrender". The sculptor is unknown.

Clearly, Tellark is supposed to be a regular Wizard, as its tag says, but in my opinion he looks pretty evil - so evil, in fact, that I have painted as a Chaos Wizard, possibly a Tzeentch-worshipping Magister. Could his name be Kastor Lieberung?

This figures satisfies, in my opinion, the archetype of the Evil Wizard - he looks eerie, with his bald head and strange clothes, and his raised brazier. His long robes with fur neck are obviously ceremonial and large enough to conceal anything - a weapon, maybe? The Evil Wizard is essentially an untrustworthy character: physically weak, possibly coward and certainly wicked, but gifted with uncommon intelligence and willpower. His main flaws, however, are his ambition and hubris, which will certainly bring his demise through a foolish pact with the Underworld or by simply underestimating his enemies. Classic examples are Thulsa Doom from Conan the Barbarian, Theleb Karna from the stories of Elric of Melniboné, or Bargle from D&D. In a way, also Saruman from the LotR fits the archetype. The Evil Wizard may sometimes appear as a Dark Priest, and is close to the archetype of the Dark Lord.

 

I played a little with greenstuff to create the effect of smoke from the incense-burner, and I painted the whole figures with shades of red, pink, purple and blue. I decided to try my luck with eyes and in the end I painted them too big, but I'm too lazy to fix them now. Perhaps another time...

Dostovius Hillmage, Citadel Wizard C02 (1985)

Citadel launched the C02 series, dedicated to Wizards, in 1983, and regularly expanded it. This piece is marked with the year 1985 but the first leaflet I found, in which this figure appears, is dated 1987 and here the wizard goes by the exotic name of Dostovius Hillmage. It's a very simple sculpt but I like it - it's essential. This wizard has a large beard, and long robe, a staff and a pointed finger as if casting a spell. You don't really need much else, do you?

A belt pouch for reagents, perhaps, yes. I wasn't able to find out the sculptor and I would guess one of the Morrisons.

I painted in a simple way as well. Didn't even attempt to do the eyes, even though they were very large. The robes are a dark blue, the hair brown wood, the belt brown leather. The twin-headed aquila belt buckle was painted a dark bronze. The skin pale, as befits one dedicated to the study of arcane arts.