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I am writing a fantasy story, set in a period that is, technologically, much like 15th century Europe. Warriors still ride horses, swords are used in combat, and the occasional plague often hits a city. In my fantasy realm, magic exists and is known as fact.

Magic users, known commonly as sorcerers, have powers that come directly from God. They have the ability to conjure up spells, change weather, strike people with directed lightning, and, more advanced wizards can enchant worthy people with good luck, and tell the future.

I want the sorcerers in my world to stay a quiet group, that don’t interfere with politics or people above ground. (The wizards live in underground caverns.) But, it would make sense that at least a few wizards would want to use their powers to gain riches, fame, women and power.

So: What would be a good reason why sorcerers wouldn’t use their powers to take over kingdoms?

  • God can’t remove wizards' powers once they're bestowed.
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    $\begingroup$ Powers from God = Don't do things God won't like. $\endgroup$
    – StephenG - Help Ukraine
    Jun 22, 2018 at 1:46
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    $\begingroup$ @Menlo God can't take back the magic, but he can of course punish or kill people who abuse it. Just make "using magic for personal wealth / power" fall under the section 'Abuse Of Magic' aka 'god will get angry'. $\endgroup$
    – CompuChip
    Jun 22, 2018 at 9:12
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    $\begingroup$ Because Walt Disney owns the Magic Kingdom and he is a far more formidable wizard than anyone else out there...... $\endgroup$
    – Thucydides
    Jun 22, 2018 at 16:50
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    $\begingroup$ Merlin was celibate, so there goes "women". He had (real) "power" and therefore had no desire for "riches" or "fame". Why do you think a few wizards would want to use their powers to gain riches, fame, women and (political?) power? Those are all pretty paltry compared to the ability to manipulate reality. $\endgroup$
    – Mazura
    Jun 22, 2018 at 22:38
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    $\begingroup$ God can’t remove wizards' powers once they're bestowed. - but I suppose a/the god could still easily remove the wizard $\endgroup$
    – quetzalcoatl
    Jun 24, 2018 at 21:27

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If wizards can tell the future then so can God. If God doesn't want wizards to take over kingdoms then he/she could only give magic to people who he knows will not use it to take over kingdoms.

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  • $\begingroup$ Welcome to Worldbuilding, Jack! If you have a moment please take the tour and visit the help center to learn more about the site. You may also find Worldbuilding Meta and The Sandbox (both of which require 5 rep to post on) useful. Have fun! $\endgroup$
    – FoxElemental
    Jun 25, 2018 at 15:20
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    $\begingroup$ Welcom Jack, as @FoxElemental mentioned check out the tour and help. Worldbuilding is a bit different from your standard message board. Its less about discussion and more about specific questions and specific answers. As it stands your answer is more commentary than an answer to the question that was asked. To be fair the question is really wide open and will probably get closed, but your answer could also be deleted. $\endgroup$
    – James
    Jun 25, 2018 at 17:09
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