Zoumfos is an ancient wizard whose very presence commands respect and hints at centuries of accumulated magical knowledge. Standing tall at six feet four inches despite his advanced age, his long silver beard flows down to his chest, often braided with small enchanted crystals that gleam with an inner light. His face, weathered by time and countless magical experiments, bears the marks of both wisdom and worry, with deep laugh lines around his eyes contrasting sharply with the furrows of concentration on his brow. Most striking are his unusual violet eyes, which seem to pierce through whatever they gaze upon, as if seeing beyond the physical realm.
His attire reflects both his status and eccentricity: midnight blue robes adorned with intricate patterns of silver stars that actually twinkle in darkness, and a high collar stiffened with magical reinforcement. His most prized possession is his staff, crowned with a crystal that he claims contains the essence of a fallen star. The staff itself is carved from ancient whitewood, with spiral patterns that seem to shift and move when viewed from different angles.
Zoumfos speaks with a peculiar accent that combines elements of various ancient dialects, often dropping into dead languages mid-sentence when excited or agitated. He has an endearing habit of conjuring small butterflies of light when deep in thought, which flutter around his head like a luminous crown. These butterflies change color based on his mood, a trait that makes it impossible for him to hide his true feelings despite his attempts at maintaining a stoic demeanor.
Having devoted his extraordinarily long life to the pursuit of immortality through magical means, Zoumfos is driven by an almost obsessive fear of death. This fear stems from a tragic incident in his youth when he failed to save his twin sister from a magical plague. His quest has led him to amass an impressive collection of magical knowledge, but the price of his extended lifespan is beginning to show - his magic, while immensely powerful, has become increasingly unstable, sometimes manifesting in unpredictable ways.
Despite his vast power and knowledge, Zoumfos struggles with the weight of his past decisions. His pursuit of immortality has led him to perform experiments that, while not evil, skirt the edges of ethical magical practice. He justifies these actions through his belief that death is the ultimate enemy that must be overcome, not just for himself but for all of humanity. This conviction has cost him many friendships over the centuries and left him increasingly isolated in his tower of crystals and books.
His most peculiar trait is his ability to taste magic - different spells have distinct flavors to him, from the sweetness of healing magic to the bitter tang of destructive spells. This unique sensitivity has made him one of the most skilled magical theorists in the world, but it also means he experiences the world in a way that makes it difficult for others to relate to him. He often describes magical phenomena using culinary terms, much to the confusion of his few remaining students.