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Author Topic: 'Swords and Wizardry': The Mage  (Read 918 times)

Narf the Mouse

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'Swords and Wizardry': The Mage
« on: June 12, 2009, 12:04:43 AM »
How might I submit this to Knockspell?

The Mage - Click on the name for the .pdf

A mage is born with a high concentration of magic in their body; perhaps from a local, haunted tower of eldritch experiments; mayhap they drank too much well-water from a stream flowing through the caves of an ancient, dead dragon. Perhaps one of her ancestors was not of mortal birth.
In any case, a mage (Magi, sage, sorcerer) is a student of the power within them. By intense study and training, they may gain and control considerable power. Although their knowledge and control is less than those who must study arcane tomes for their power, they may use the powers they know more frequently and are far more flexible in their use.
Because of the intense meditation required of them, they do not have the capabilities others do with melee weapons or armour and their bodies are frailer.

Prime Attribute: As Magi-User or Intelligence, 13+ (+5% Experience)
Hit Dice: As Magic-User or 1d6-1* (Gains 1 hp/level after 9th level)
Armour/Shield Trained: As Magic-User or None (Incapable or one-half benefit)
Weapon Trained: As Magic-User or Dagger, Staff, Darts (Incapable of using others or -4 To-Hit with others)
*Minimum 1 hp/level.


Although more capable than standard Magic-Users when starting out, Mages do not rise to the same heights as a standard Magic-User – Although they have an intuitive grasp of magic, it still does not beat years spent pouring over arcane texts, unlocking the secrets of decades, centuries and even millenia of time.
A mage is, socially, likely to be treated as a magic-user, even once the differences are known – The differences being of little consequence to the lives of others. The mage can be of immense help or call down destruction on your head – Maybe not as powerful, but more often. "Six of one, half dozen of the other, I say, and strange as any."
Mage Class Abilities
Spell Casting: Unlike a standard Magic-User, the Mage does not memorize spells – All the spells they shall ever know are the ones they learn intuitively. Instead, they know five spells at first level and develop an extra spell known each level, up to the highest spell level they may cast.
Instead of memorizing spell slots, the mage is limited in the number of spells they can cast of each level per day. They may cast any spell of that level they know, provided they have a free spell use of that level.
In order to refresh their ability to use spells, the mage must successfully meditate for one hour a day. If distracted, a saving throw may be used to continue meditation.
The spells they may cast are drawn from the same pool as the Magic-User. In addition, they may, in their intuitive understanding, develop a new spell as their learned spell for that level, provided the GM allows it.
A Mage may cast spells from scrolls, as per a Magic-User. However, they may not create spell-scrolls – They lack the theoretical underpinnings of knowledge which allow this.
Mage's Retreat: At 11th level, the Mage gains the title of 'Arch-Mage' and may build a dwelling in an isolated area that has some sort of magical, arcane and/or supernatural significance. There, she will meditate on the source of her power and explore the bounderies of Mage-dome.
In time, she will gain acolytes, some mages, some wishing to be mages, as well as guards and servants – As those who spend time with mages often return with treasure, magic items and tales to tell.
If sufficiently powerful, she may one day succeed in the incredibly difficult task of imbuing a person – Or even a family line – With the potential well of power of a mage.
The main problem with government is the difficulty of pressing charges against its directors.

Given a choice of two out of three M&Ms, the human brain subconsciously tries to justify the two M&Ms chosen as being superior to the M&M not chosen.

Narf the Mouse

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'Swords and Wizardry': The Mage
« Reply #1 on: June 12, 2009, 01:43:43 AM »
.pdf updated with alternate casting mode: Mage.pdf - I recommend the .pdf; it's got much better formatting and the tables.

The Mage (Alternate)
Some mages are even further divorced from the 'normal' spell caster. Rather than being limited by spell slots, they are limited by time. Specifically, the time it takes for their well of power to calm and refill, allowing them to safely cast spells again.
These 'spontaneous casters' may cast at any time they choose – Indeed, if they wish, they may cast spell after spell. However, each spell cast before their well of power settles costs them one temporary point of Wisdom, with a 1 on a 1d6 chance of permanent Wisdom damage.
Although temporary, the normal damage to wisdom may only be healed back by an appropriate spell, such as Restoration or one week of rest, without the casting of their spells, per point.
The 'Spontaneous Mage' uses the same abilities, advancement, hit point and saving throw chart. However, instead of spell uses, they must wait a certain length of time before casting any spell again. The following table details how long they must wait.
Because of their ability to 'push' their magical capabilities, Spontaneous Mages may cast spells of higher level than normal. However, it will take exceedingly longer for their wells to stabalize.
Spontaneous Mages cannot cast spells from scrolls. Instead, this ability is replaced by the ability to, at high levels, cast lower-level spells many more times per day.
The main problem with government is the difficulty of pressing charges against its directors.

Given a choice of two out of three M&Ms, the human brain subconsciously tries to justify the two M&Ms chosen as being superior to the M&M not chosen.

Akrasia

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'Swords and Wizardry': The Mage
« Reply #2 on: June 12, 2009, 03:02:14 PM »
Quote from: Narf the Mouse;307776
How might I submit this to Knockspell?


Just e-mail Mythmere.

Quote

Spell Casting: Unlike a standard Magic-User, the Mage does not memorize spells – All the spells they shall ever know are the ones they learn intuitively. Instead, they know five spells at first level and develop an extra spell known each level, up to the highest spell level they may cast.
Instead of memorizing spell slots, the mage is limited in the number of spells they can cast of each level per day. They may cast any spell of that level they know, provided they have a free spell use of that level.


This is somewhat unclear.  

So, I take it that this is your S&W version of the 3e 'sorcerer' class, right?  :)
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Contributor to: Crypts & Things (old school 'swords & sorcery'), Knockspell, and Fight On!

Narf the Mouse

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'Swords and Wizardry': The Mage
« Reply #3 on: June 12, 2009, 03:10:53 PM »
Yep to both. Any suggestions on clearing it up?
Hmm...
Quote
The Mage does not memorize spells. Instead, they intuitively know and are able to cast the spells they know, a certain number of times per day. At first level, they know five spells. At each additional level, they comprehend and are able to cast a new spell. This new spell may be of any level, up to the highest level of spell they may cast.
The number of spells they may cast per day is limited by the Spell Uses chart. Provided they have a free spell use of a certain level, they may cast any spell of that level.
Better? Still awkward? Ideas?

How's it look for numbers? Does it take away from the Magic-User's viability?
The main problem with government is the difficulty of pressing charges against its directors.

Given a choice of two out of three M&Ms, the human brain subconsciously tries to justify the two M&Ms chosen as being superior to the M&M not chosen.

Akrasia

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'Swords and Wizardry': The Mage
« Reply #4 on: June 12, 2009, 04:12:32 PM »
Do mages use the same spell chart as magic-users?  I assume so, but this is not explicit.

I would recommend a different name, since 'mage' is too close to 'magic-user' IMO.  Why not just go with 'sorcerer'?

Personally, I don't care for the class concept, but it doesn't look too unbalanced.
RPG Blog: Akratic Wizardry (covering Cthulhu Mythos RPGs, TSR/OSR D&D, Mythras (RuneQuest 6), Crypts & Things, etc., as well as fantasy fiction, films, and the like).
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Narf the Mouse

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'Swords and Wizardry': The Mage
« Reply #5 on: June 12, 2009, 04:40:06 PM »
Yes - It's explicitly stated in the latest .pdf

Ok, yeah - I just find the 'sorcerer = source of magic' linguistic illogic irritating. But, that's what people are used to.

Thanks.

Updated .pdf here: Sorcerer
The main problem with government is the difficulty of pressing charges against its directors.

Given a choice of two out of three M&Ms, the human brain subconsciously tries to justify the two M&Ms chosen as being superior to the M&M not chosen.