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Lara was a Sage (Aen Saevherne), [who were] something like the highest, elite circle of elven mages. It's not certain whether it was genetics, training, or some unknown rituals, that determined being a Sage. This matter is yet unexplained. |  | |
| - Dynastic descriptions: Lara Dorren aep Shiadhal | |||
Avallac'h
Aen Saevherne are elves who, in addition to possessing magic skills, also possess a vast knowledge of many subjects, most notably the genealogy of elder blood. The sages also exhibit prophetic or oracular powers. Over the years people simplified the term, referring to them instead as "sages" or "elven mages", but this is not entirely accurate. Francesca Findabair, who sat in the Chapter, was an elf and a mage but not one of the Aen Saevherne.
For many, they are more legend than fact. Few, even among the elves, can boast of close contact with the Aen Saevherne.
Known Aen Saevherne[]
The World of the Witcher[]
There is a quote from The Magic of the Elder Folk by Geoffrey Monck where he is describing this group:
Despite popular opinion, the term Aen Saevherne is not simply the equivalent of 'elven sorcerer', but has a much deeper meaning. The closest possible translation would be 'sages'. Indeed, if rumor is to be believed, the Aen Saevherne command not only an impressive knowledge of magic, but also -as implausible as it seems- a comprehension of other worlds, time, and space. These Sages form a separate caste among elven sorcerers, mysterious even to their brethren and greatly respected by all, including the most powerful among them.
pg. 90, The World of the Witcher
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt[]
Elven Sages entry[]
- Many think "Aen Saevherne" - meaning Sage - is simply the Elder Speech term for sorcerer. Yet, to equate a Sage with a common practitioner of magic is akin to considering a newly-drafted private, hay sticking out of his breeches, a witcher's equal simply because both wield swords.
- A Sage wields magic, true, and does so with greater skill than even the most accomplished human mages. The great renown and regard in which they are held, however, comes not from this skill but from the other, truly rare abilities they possess.
- Nothing is a secret for an elven sage. They see both past and future as easily as the present. They have mastery over all the arcana of magic as well as every domain of scholarship. They are the only ones who understand the nature and operation of the so-called Elder Blood and the gene of Lara Dorren - and they guard this knowledge jealously.
- How numerous are the Elven Sages? In all my life I have met only one, Ida Emean of the Blue Mountains. She might possibly be the last representative of this mysterious caste. It is true I have encountered mention of a male elf who might also belong to it, but as of this writing I have been unable to confirm this.