The Wizards are major characters in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. Their title is said to be derived from the archaic word "Wys-ars", meaning one who, at bottom, is very wise.
Wizards (at least the ones of the Unseen University) are described as belonging to one of the eight orders of wizardry, currently named:
The Ancient and Truly Original Brothers of the Silver Star
The Brotherhood of the Hoodwink (The Hoodwinkers)
The Order of Midnight
The Venerable Council of Seers
The Ancient and Truly Original Sages of the Unbroken Circle
The Sages of the Unknown Shadow
Mrs Widgery's Lodgers
The Last Order (The Other Order)
This short series takes you on a bimble along a narrow country lane. Although the lane is often only as wide as carriage, you may find the odd spot here or there to park a motorised vehicle. Our suggestion is that you go for a stroll and admire the countryside while you are at it.
#8 : Ponder Stibbons
Ponder Stibbons is a wizard employed at the Unseen University as the Head of Inadvisably Applied Magic, Praelector, and as the Reader in Invisible Writings. He does most of his work in collaboration with students at the University's High Energy Magic building.
Ponder Stibbons and Harry Potter have a number of similarities, but Ponder's character, including illustrations, appeared in fiction long before Potter's.
His entry in The New Discworld Companion states: 'originally rather lazy by nature, he seems to have blossomed to become the youngest and most depressingly keen member of the UU faculty... as one of the few wizards at the University with his head screwed on in any fashion, he appears, quite against his will, to be in the front line'. From here onwards he is one of the major wizards in the books. Ponder likes to think of himself as the University's token sane person.
