Magicians of Xanth - Aeolus

Aeolus

The eighteenth king of Xanth

The Magician of Storms, he was discovered by Good Magician Humfrey at the age of six, succeeded him as King of Xanth at the age of 22, and reigned until he was 93. Four years after becoming king, he declared that anyone born without a magic talent would be exiled from Xanth. By the time of A Spell for Chameleon, he was old and senile, but refused to admit it, and died of old age before the end of the book. He was succeeded by the formerly evil Magician Trent.

Aeolus reappears in Humfrey's flashbacks in Question Quest, which reveals how and when he was found by Humfrey, ascended to the throne and made his declaration to banish anyone born without magic.

Later, in Xone of Contention, Magician Grey and the golem Robota travel back in time to the events of A Spell for Chameleon, and meet King Aeolus in person. During their meeting with him, they learn he is not actually as foolish as he seems: he keeps his soul in a soular cell, created centuries before by Magician Yin/Yang, which prevents aging and death for the person whose soul is stored inside. However, the cell cannot undo aging suffered before that point. Claiming he does not need his soul with him all the time, Aeolus removes his soul from the cell only when he needs to invoke his talent, since it remains with his soul, and pretends to be senile in order to avoid onerous tasks. Grey later notes that since he has no soul most of the time, he also has no conscience, explaining most of his behavior. Despite Aeolus's efforts to stave off death, he is ultimately unsuccessful, dying not too long after the two time travelers leave the village.