Nonstandard Magic-Users - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Nonstandard Magic-Users

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
eldersphinx
Oct 20, 2007 0:44:34 So I'm pondering a few setups in which Mystara could have magic-users who don't have a 16+ Intelligence. (It's a very viable state of affairs; in BD&D, the only thing your Intelligence score does is boost your XP gain. In 3.x, such characters still work as Sorcerers or some similar type of caster.) These would probably be Alphatian NPCs, but could also be found in Thyatis, Glantri, Sind, Hule, or any other nation with an established magical tradition.

Alightes the Simple - S9, I6, W17, D11, Co12, Ch15. In a world without magic, Alightes might face a life of drudgery or monastic seclusion. On Mystara, his talent for the arcane arts - hard-won though it may be - means that he's listened to and respected. Alightes is a very slow thinker, who can go for months or years without bothering to comment on a matter of interest, when he does have something to say it usually turns out to be surprisingly apt and insightful.

Eigaari Lancros the Quick - S10, I9, W10, D17, Co10, Ch11. Eigaari is a rogue in every sense of the word; nimble-fingered, quick-tongued, and almost totally amoral. He was reportedly placed under apprentice bond mainly to keep him from causing trouble with his larcenous antics, and even as an accomplished magic-user still reportedly looks for ways to use his art for illicit personal gain.

Tormaghal Montraas - S11, I4, W8, D12, Co10, Ch13. Tormaghal was once a brilliant man, but a reckless one. An unexplained magical mishap subjected him to the effects of a persistent and seemingly incurable feeblemind, which remains upon him to this day. Assistance by his friends and colleagues, and Tormaghal's own drive and determination, have raised his intelligence up to 'functional illiterate' status; he continues his efforts to either break the effects of the spell on him or render its influence moot.

Vyzatis Trollblooded - S8, I12, W11, D9, Co18, Ch9. Vyzatis's thin build and scrawny frame bely an almost superhuman resilience. It's unclear whether this is natural, an inheritance from forefathers who experimented on trolls' flesh, or the result of a magical mishap, but Vyzatis isn't one to be crossed.
#2
gazza555
Oct 20, 2007 2:59:36
So I'm pondering a few setups in which Mystara could have magic-users who don't have a 16+ Intelligence.

Doesn't that only apply inside Hollow World?

Regards
Gary
#3
slashnull
Oct 20, 2007 4:59:09
So I'm pondering a few setups in which Mystara could have magic-users who don't have a 16+ Intelligence.

Doesn't it already allow for that? In basic D&D I don't think intelligence mattered and in 3.x you just need and int of 11 or above to cast spells (10 to cast cantrips I think). Not sure why you would need to have a 16 in intelligence!

I like the characters though, Tormaghal could bring a great sense of pathos, and Vyzatis is neat too!
#4
gazza555
Oct 20, 2007 5:02:44
...and in 3.x you just need and int of 11 or above to cast spells (10 to cast cantrips I think).

Quite correct :D

Its 10 + the level of the spell. So Int 10 for cantrips, Int 11 for level 1 spells etc.

Regards
Gary
#5
slashnull
Oct 20, 2007 5:20:26
Doesn't that only apply inside Hollow World?

I always assumed the reason for the high stat requirements to cast spells in the HW were just there as a game mechanic reason to have a much lower magic setting than the outside world. As noted in the set it's great fun to show up amongst stone age tribes and throw around a few fireballs and have everyone in awe. Also to restrict the instant transport effects really makes a difference in how high level characters approach problems.

I suppose if I was going to do the HW in 3rd Ed, I'd either say that magic requires 15 + spell level (rather than 10 + ) to cast, or just ignore the rules requirements and change the numbers of encountered spell slingers to something that fits with the setting.
#6
eldersphinx
Oct 20, 2007 9:26:51
Doesn't that only apply inside Hollow World?

Regards
Gary

By the rules, yes. I don't think I've ever seen an NPC magic-user statline in a module or Gazetteer with an Intelligence of 12 or less, though. Such a character misses out on Prime Requisite XP bonus, sure, but that's the only real mechanical penalty - and it seems likely that at least a few magic-users could overcome that burden. So I'm musing on what sort of characters that'd produce.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 eldersphinx Oct 20, 2007 0:44:34	So I'm pondering a few setups in which Mystara could have magic-users who don't have a 16+ Intelligence. (It's a very viable state of affairs; in BD&D, the only thing your Intelligence score does is boost your XP gain. In 3.x, such characters still work as Sorcerers or some similar type of caster.) These would probably be Alphatian NPCs, but could also be found in Thyatis, Glantri, Sind, Hule, or any other nation with an established magical tradition. Alightes the Simple - S9, I6, W17, D11, Co12, Ch15. In a world without magic, Alightes might face a life of drudgery or monastic seclusion. On Mystara, his talent for the arcane arts - hard-won though it may be - means that he's listened to and respected. Alightes is a very slow thinker, who can go for months or years without bothering to comment on a matter of interest, when he does have something to say it usually turns out to be surprisingly apt and insightful. Eigaari Lancros the Quick - S10, I9, W10, D17, Co10, Ch11. Eigaari is a rogue in every sense of the word; nimble-fingered, quick-tongued, and almost totally amoral. He was reportedly placed under apprentice bond mainly to keep him from causing trouble with his larcenous antics, and even as an accomplished magic-user still reportedly looks for ways to use his art for illicit personal gain. Tormaghal Montraas - S11, I4, W8, D12, Co10, Ch13. Tormaghal was once a brilliant man, but a reckless one. An unexplained magical mishap subjected him to the effects of a persistent and seemingly incurable feeblemind, which remains upon him to this day. Assistance by his friends and colleagues, and Tormaghal's own drive and determination, have raised his intelligence up to 'functional illiterate' status; he continues his efforts to either break the effects of the spell on him or render its influence moot. Vyzatis Trollblooded - S8, I12, W11, D9, Co18, Ch9. Vyzatis's thin build and scrawny frame bely an almost superhuman resilience. It's unclear whether this is natural, an inheritance from forefathers who experimented on trolls' flesh, or the result of a magical mishap, but Vyzatis isn't one to be crossed.
#2 gazza555 Oct 20, 2007 2:59:36	So I'm pondering a few setups in which Mystara could have magic-users who don't have a 16+ Intelligence. Doesn't that only apply inside Hollow World? Regards Gary
#3 slashnull Oct 20, 2007 4:59:09	So I'm pondering a few setups in which Mystara could have magic-users who don't have a 16+ Intelligence. Doesn't it already allow for that? In basic D&D I don't think intelligence mattered and in 3.x you just need and int of 11 or above to cast spells (10 to cast cantrips I think). Not sure why you would need to have a 16 in intelligence! I like the characters though, Tormaghal could bring a great sense of pathos, and Vyzatis is neat too!
#4 gazza555 Oct 20, 2007 5:02:44	...and in 3.x you just need and int of 11 or above to cast spells (10 to cast cantrips I think). Quite correct :D Its 10 + the level of the spell. So Int 10 for cantrips, Int 11 for level 1 spells etc. Regards Gary
#5 slashnull Oct 20, 2007 5:20:26	Doesn't that only apply inside Hollow World? I always assumed the reason for the high stat requirements to cast spells in the HW were just there as a game mechanic reason to have a much lower magic setting than the outside world. As noted in the set it's great fun to show up amongst stone age tribes and throw around a few fireballs and have everyone in awe. Also to restrict the instant transport effects really makes a difference in how high level characters approach problems. I suppose if I was going to do the HW in 3rd Ed, I'd either say that magic requires 15 + spell level (rather than 10 + ) to cast, or just ignore the rules requirements and change the numbers of encountered spell slingers to something that fits with the setting.
#6 eldersphinx Oct 20, 2007 9:26:51	Doesn't that only apply inside Hollow World? Regards Gary By the rules, yes. I don't think I've ever seen an NPC magic-user statline in a module or Gazetteer with an Intelligence of 12 or less, though. Such a character misses out on Prime Requisite XP bonus, sure, but that's the only real mechanical penalty - and it seems likely that at least a few magic-users could overcome that burden. So I'm musing on what sort of characters that'd produce.