Is This Apocalypse Necessary? — C. Dale Brittain

Now the old Master of the wizards' school is dying, and Elerius is ready to succeed: if his plans work out, he'll not just be in control of institutionalized wizardry, but also all western kingdoms, cities, farms, even the church. Once messy individual initiative is eliminated, everything will be run perfectly. Daimbert may be the only person who can make the world safe for mediocrity.

But how can he oppose the best wizard of his or any generation? Daimbert has to find a solution somewhere, though his search will take him to the fabled Land of Dragons, to the exotic East, and even through Hell....