Rincewind
A failed wizard who runs away from danger.
Rincewind appears in several Discworld novels as a failed student at Unseen University in Ankh-Morpork. Described as 'the magical equivalent to the number zero', he spent most of his time running from those who wanted to kill him. He survived because, while born with a wizard's spirit, he possessed the body of a long-distance sprinter.
- Affiliation
- Unseen University (Former Student; Professor studying effects of flowers on nervous system)
- Status
- Alive
Lore & Background
In The Colour of Magic, Rincewind guided Twoflower across the Discworld using a translation spell (or the Agatean language) to communicate. He later acquired Twoflower's sapient-pearwood Luggage at the end of The Light Fantastic, and it followed him from that point onward. During The Last Hero, he initially refused to go on the mission, only agreeing after being tricked by the Librarian and others; he later claimed to have refused only for appearances. In The Last Continent footnotes, he is listed as a professor studying the effects of different flowers on the nervous system.
In Their Own Story
Rincewind's adventures often involve being chased by entities ranging from Death to Lovecraftian creatures like Bel-Shamharoth. He once assumed the role of a nuclear physicist in a universe that may have been our own, specializing in 'breakaway oxidation phenomena'. Despite his incompetence as a wizard, he retained extensive magical knowledge and a destructive semi-sentient spell lodged in his mind. In The Colour of Magic video game, an archchancellor sends him to find the source of a dragon sighting; in Discworld II: Missing Presumed...!?, he is tasked with finding a missing Death.
Reader's Guide
Rincewind can learn foreign languages quickly and blend into any situation. He acts as a harsh critic of absurdity while complying with it, often making jokes about ludicrous events. His survival relies on luck and his ability to run rather than magic. He holds several meaningless titles at Unseen University that include meals, laundry, and up to eight buckets of coal daily, but no salary or influence. The Luggage, made of sapient pearwood, follows him everywhere, acting as a bodyguard by smashing obstacles and devouring threats.
Did You Know?
- Rincewind's name was taken by Terry Pratchett from 'Churm Rincewind', a fictitious person in early 'Beachcomber' columns.
- In the video games, Rincewind is voiced by Eric Idle.
- The Luggage is described as 'half suitcase, half homicidal maniac' and can travel to places like Death's Domain or Hell.
- VLC media player version 2.1.0 was named Rincewind, while version 3.0.0 was named Vetinari.
- A Cretaceous gymnosperm species, Phoenicopsis rincewindii, is named after the character.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Rincewind?
Rincewind is a former student and later professor at the Unseen University in Ankh-Morpork, known for being a failed wizard who survives by constantly fleeing danger. Despite his lack of magical talent, he frequently finds himself at the center of chaotic adventures across the Discworld.
What are Rincewind's powers or role?
He possesses virtually no magical ability and is often described as the magical equivalent of zero, yet he acts as an accidental catalyst for major events. His true 'power' lies in his incredible stamina and instinct for running away, which allows him to survive encounters that would kill any other wizard.
How does Rincewind's story end?
Rincewind remains alive throughout the series, eventually securing a position as a professor studying the effects of flowers on the nervous system. Rather than dying in a grand battle, he continues to live by avoiding trouble wherever possible.
Why is Rincewind important to Discworld?
He serves as a comic foil to serious wizards and often inadvertently drives the plot forward through his desperate attempts to escape death. His unique perspective highlights the absurdity of magic and the resilience required to survive in Terry Pratchett's universe.
Is Rincewind a good wizard?
No, he is explicitly defined as a terrible wizard who lacks both talent and the desire to learn proper spells. He survives not through magical prowess, but because his body is built for long-distance sprinting while his spirit happens to be that of an academic.
More in Characters & Archetypes
Related in Discworld
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Elsewhere in the Discworld universe
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