I will be introducing a new character to the party soon, a conman who is not who he claims to be.
What I'm looking for is a great way to get the character into the party immediately, while operating under false pretenses, AND allowing for him to stay on board somehow in the long run (by not truly screwing the party for starters).
The party has just been thoroughly thrashed by a horrific encounter and I will basically be coming in off of the road. Please assume that my character has ungodly high bluff, diplomacy, and disguise modifiers (which he does).
Please help me build a good cover story that would allow him to ingratiate himself with the other characters.
Make the NPC a female. No party ever questions a random female NPC especially if shes a damsil in distress. So....... bring her into the party by having them rescue her some how.
example. Shes being burned at he stake by someone (maybe for the reasons you want to keep secret) BUT HEY! the party doesn't have to know that. Thats why you put all those ranks into bluff right?!
Even if this doesn't help, your getting a free bump. hope it does though.
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I assume you already know who the con man really is and what his backstory is? Choose something diametrically opposed to that. If he's a wizard, then have him masquerade as a fighter. If he's a rogue, have him pass as a Paladin, etc.
Or, if you want to be really sneaky, a triple bluff. He's a con-man, posing as a cleric who is undercover, posing as a completely different and more innocuous con man.
Or: he's actually a really clever and resourceful grand con artist. His cover story is that he's a bumbling, utterly incompetent petty con artist. (for example: Verbal Kint)
Your NPC sounds like a lot of fun. Does the group have a Paladin or Cleric? If so, the NPC could come from a church that is the same as thiers or a neighboring one they don't really know. ALL players trust NPC's from good church's or oginizations. Or if there us a Rogue in the group you could go with a friendly guild. Hope that helps.
"Or, if you want to be really sneaky, a triple bluff. He's a con-man, posing as a cleric who is undercover, posing as a completely different and more innocuous con man"
Oh! Reverse reverse psychology.
We came up with an even better idea. You get your party leader to sing their Siren like song to lure unwitting mariners in AND THEN you Shang-Hi them and let con man can be part of the mariners and then make him/her think of a plan to get into the party inconspicuously.
Yeah. That'll work.
You could pretend to be an elderly female wagon driver, while actually you are an unscrupulous sorcerer with ambitions of lichdom.
What I'm looking for is a great way to get the character into the party immediately, while operating under false pretenses, AND allowing for him to stay on board somehow in the long run (by not truly screwing the party for starters).
Claim to be a troll.
You're obviously not a troll. But insist that it is imperative for your vitally important secret guild mission that you be masquerading as a troll.
Your party will spend their time pondering why you are impotently impersonating a troll. (Overlooking the obvious answer that trolls are swank and trendy.)
Meanwhile...
You could pretend to be an elderly female wagon driver, while actually you are an unscrupulous sorcerer with ambitions of lichdom.
;D
A little character background for the new character.
The party consists of a human inquisitor and a sauran druid elixir salesman halfling. Formerly, there was a cone hat magic missile specialist wizard (my old character) as well as a dwarven magus. The magus player will be introducing a human archer magus if I'm not mistaken.
Didnt we just have this thread, and most everyone agreed you shouldnt run Nives, and you even agreed and was going to bring in a chain weapon fighter?
You made a big deal about how your fellow players already hate this kind of character, wouldnt this be making things even worse?
I once had a telepath that studied her spellbook every day.
Maybe he's joining some other game? Maybe he's talking about an NPC? Maybe it's not Nives? Maybe it's none of your business?Didnt we just have this thread, and most everyone agreed you shouldnt run Nives, and you even agreed and was going to bring in a chain weapon fighter?
You made a big deal about how your fellow players already hate this kind of character, wouldnt this be making things even worse?
It's not Nives? Did you read his last post here with the link to Nives character sheet?
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It's not Nives? Did you read his last post here with the link to Nives character sheet?Maybe he's joining some other game? Maybe he's talking about an NPC? Maybe it's not Nives? Maybe it's none of your business?Didnt we just have this thread, and most everyone agreed you shouldnt run Nives, and you even agreed and was going to bring in a chain weapon fighter?
You made a big deal about how your fellow players already hate this kind of character, wouldnt this be making things even worse?
Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown.
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It's not Nives? Did you read his last post here with the link to Nives character sheet?Maybe he's joining some other game? Maybe he's talking about an NPC? Maybe it's not Nives? Maybe it's none of your business?Didnt we just have this thread, and most everyone agreed you shouldnt run Nives, and you even agreed and was going to bring in a chain weapon fighter?
You made a big deal about how your fellow players already hate this kind of character, wouldnt this be making things even worse?
Didn't we just have this thread where most everyone agreed that RD should play a completely straightforward combat character instead of some sneaky secretive character with false motives and a tendency to tick off the other players?
Oh, that's right, everyone except RD agreed.
So now we get to sit back and wait for RD's post about how he simply cannot understand what the hell is going on with his party who don't trust his "con man" character and who won't realign their entire party to satisfy RD's desires to play what he wants.
It's like a weekly sitcom, where the basic story never changes, just the details.
"Gilligan! Drop those coconuts! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!"
Didnt we just have this thread, and most everyone agreed you shouldnt run Nives, and you even agreed and was going to bring in a chain weapon fighter?
You made a big deal about how your fellow players already hate this kind of character, wouldnt this be making things even worse?
Yes, we did. Yes, it will.
Be useful, be pleasant and don't be a threat. Oh, and don't cost them anything.
Didn't we just have this thread where most everyone agreed that RD should play a completely straightforward combat character instead of some sneaky secretive character with false motives and a tendency to tick off the other players?Oh, that's right, everyone except RD agreed.
So now we get to sit back and wait for RD's post about how he simply cannot understand what the hell is going on with his party who don't trust his "con man" character and who won't realign their entire party to satisfy RD's desires to play what he wants.
It's like a weekly sitcom, where the basic story never changes, just the details.
"Gilligan! Drop those coconuts! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!"
Oddly, in this case RD DID agree. .. but now has weaseled out.
You know they say the definition of insanity is repeating the same actions and expecting different results...
what are the other deaths boring?
But to answer RD's inquiry
RD you should flip the script totally. Have Nives walk up and be COMPLETELY honest.
"Hey all MY name is Nives and in the past I have been...But you know what I am tired of that life, I want to make good on my past misdeads and I have heard of your heroics and I want to start anew"
You can guess where the lie comes in
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"Greetings, fellow travelers. My name is Nives, and I am, and I'm being modest here, a *brilliant* liar. I once conned a Qadira potentate into letting me spend the night in his harem, under the pretext of privately interviewing them to find out which one was secretly feeding information to his enemies. I once made a devil's bargain with an imp, and ended up with it's soul, which I have in a flask here. I once sold a handful of sand to an Osirioni merchant-prince, and, to this day, he thinks he conned me, and has the 'magic sand' under guard, night and day!"
"Unfortunately, the naive young lady I was attempting to swindle out of her family's inheritance turned out to be a hag in disguise, up to her own schemes, and she cursed me to begin walking south, and upon encountering a group of people bearing the mark of X" (pick random sigil or heraldric device or holy symbol on one of the characters) "to tell them the entire truth, to never lie to them, and to offer them my services for one fortnight. If I failed to do so, my looks would wither and my elocutory skills fade, leaving me too tongue-tied to direct a barkeep to pour me a drink."
Scrupulously tell your party members the truth, about everything. Being the best liar in the world is meaningless if you don't remember the simple lesson, that even naked mole rats have figured out. Don't **** where you live. Lying to the people you need to heal your wounds, find traps before they cleave you in twain, or stand between you and the flesh-eating ghouls and their nasty paralytic claws and disease-riddled teeth, is just dumb.
Reinforce the story by taking out a piece of slate every night and making a chalk mark upon it, smiling a small smile, as you anticipate the day when you can return to your old ways. Thirty or so days into this, have the slate 'accidentally' get broken (or fall in a river and get wiped clean), and claim that you 'lost count' and don't want to risk the curse triggering because you were one day off.
Continue being truthful to the party, and dazzle them with how you can swindle and con NPCs (although, again, remember the naked mole rats, and don't swindle or con NPCs in towns where you plan on staying for more than a few hours after the con...). The joke is less funny when you're hanging by the neck, after all. It's even less funny if the rest of the party is also being chased by a torch-and-pitchfork wielding mob because you couldn't resist stealing candy from a baby.
Above all, remember to never lie to the party. It's no fun if they expect it, after all, and *not* lying to them, after telling them what a masterful liar you are, is literally the most deceptive thing you can do.
"I told you the ruby was cursed."
"I thought you were just saying that, because you wanted it all to yourself!"
"Whatever."
Unfortunately, my GM has thrown a wrench into my plan. Despite my trying to work wit him to find a good way of introducing my character, it seems he has ignored my completely and has devised his OWN way to introduce MY character. It seems that when the PCs left town to infiltrate the castle, a torch and pitchfork-wielding mob went after them. (See this thread for more background. Warning, Carrion Crown #2 spoilers.)
Said mob is hellbent on getting at the owner of the castle, whom they believe is responsible for the depredations the believe he levied against their town. They may also pose a threat to the remaining party, as they helped to lawfully free a monster whom the townfolk still believe is guilty.
The GM tells me that my character Nives, as well as the new archer magus, are going to be full-fledged members of said mob, which will be arriving at the castle just as the party is retreating.
Now I'm left to come up with entirely new motivations. Why am I part of the mob in the first place? Am I just trying not to become the target of their wrath? Did I instigate it in the first place for some ulterior motive? How might I ingratiate myself with the party without offending the dangerous mob I now find myself surrounded by?
I'm hoping to fill in the gaps the GM left me with. Any help here would be appreciated.
"Hey all MY name is Nives and in the past I have been...But you know what I am tired of that life, I want to make good on my past misdeads and I have heard of your heroics and I want to start anew"
You can guess where the lie comes in
I don't think that's going to work. All the characters who were known for their heroics are pretty much dead. Except for the inquisitor, everyone is a replacement character (or a replacement, replacement character).
I once conned a Qadira potentate into letting me spend the night in his harem, under the pretext of privately interviewing them to find out which one was secretly feeding information to his enemies. I once made a devil's bargain with an imp, and ended up with it's soul, which I have in a flask here. I once sold a handful of sand to an Osirioni merchant-prince, and, to this day, he thinks he conned me, and has the 'magic sand' under guard, night and day!"
I am SO going to be using these lines at some point. Thanks.
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The GM tells me that my character Nives, as well as the new archer magus, are going to be full-fledged members of said mob, which will be arriving at the castle just as the party is retreating.
Now I'm left to come up with entirely new motivations. Why am I part of the mob in the first place? Am I just trying not to become the target of their wrath? Did I instigate it in the first place for some ulterior motive? How might I ingratiate myself with the party without offending the dangerous mob I now find myself surrounded by?
I'm hoping to fill in the gaps the GM left me with. Any help here would be appreciated.
Well d'uh! You are Nives, the magic +1 flaming pitchfork salesman (cheap, badly made pitchforks with a bit of glowing paint, magic weapon and maybe continual flame cast on them, basically). Unfortunately you impressed a bit too much about how powerful a wizard you were and they insisted you come along just in case they need you...
If you read Terry Pratchet, you would know that in any mob you will have an enterprising person selling the rioters the items they will need for the job, along with beverages and indescribably bad snacks like sausages-inna-bun and meat-pie-floaters, and that's cutting me own throat...
RD, this may not end well. Yes, your DM may have bought into Nives, but your other players may not. They may refuse to play with him or with you.
You are seriously abusing the "unwritten rule", ie that D&D is a Game, the idea of a Game is for everyone to have Fun, and if you don't play you cant 'have Fun- and thus players will almost always accept the "new PC" into the group, even if he seems useless or worse- disruptive. And Nives seems both.
But remember that everyone has to have fun, not just you. Why not make a team player PC, not a PC *YOU* will have fun playing but the rest of the table won't have fun playing WITH.
You have a great imagination and a pretty good knowledge of the system. Thus, you CAN do it. Why not try, at least once? Maybe redeem yourself in the eyes of your fellow players?
I've played plenty of team players in the past. And I can do so again with Nives. I don't get why everyone seems to think otherwise.
I've played plenty of team players in the past. And I can do so again with Nives. I don't get why everyone seems to think otherwise.
Keep us posted RD. I wish you luck. I expect we'll see the blow-by-blow here in a month or so.
I've played plenty of team players in the past. And I can do so again with Nives. I don't get why everyone seems to think otherwise.
Oh I don't know, the fact that you keep posting up that your fellow players are complaining about your characters again? The fact that, according to you, many of your character's first action in combat is to buff themselves (only) defensively while at the back of the party?
I do get that your characters are hanging the parties together, RD, I have seen plenty of evidence of that. I think this is actually part of the problem, though.
I've played plenty of team players in the past. And I can do so again with Nives. I don't get why everyone seems to think otherwise.
We discussed this at length and most said that Nive spell list was pretty much useless for everything besides self-buffing and the like. Then there's his background, and your posts. None of that leads anyone to a idea Nives will be a valued part of a team.
Will someone then show me a 6th-level sorcerer spell list that is more useful to everyone?
I just don't see how it would make for a significant difference.
Will someone then show me a 6th-level sorcerer spell list that is more useful to everyone?
I just don't see how it would make for a significant difference.
Last time I checked, haste was an awesome buff spell and then there are the attribute boosters like bull's strength that can help others. Enlarge person is a great spell to cast on your front-liners, and makes them bigger so they block more routes of access to you.
These are all first choices for dedicated casters in our parties because they benefit everyone either directly or indirectly.
RD, I find it hard to believe that you are not very much aware of the classic effective party buff spells. Besides the ones Dabbler has listed there are "magic weapon" and "greater magic weapon", "bless", "Cat's grace" (rogues love that one)...
There are tons of threads on these boards listing the best buffing spells.
So I have to assume that Nive's choice of spells is deliberately avoiding those spells in favor of spells that are perceived as beneficial only to him.
But as I said, I'm looking forward to your next missives on how the party is completely unreasonable and unfair. I'm sure they will be a hoot.
... I mean I get combat insertions but starting the PCs at odds is generally a recipe for disaster...
I once played with a group that was... well lets say trigger happy.
My halfling rogue/figher had been afflicted with some unknown but powerful curse and then later died. And he couldn't be raised. We all figured that was what the curse must have done.
What non of knew was what the curse really did. Instant reincarnation to some bizzare monster race.
The GM first rolled a rust monster. Ok, that's a kool ability to play with for a while. As soon as the GM started to descibe the creature they encountered. The armored fighter yelled, "It's a rustmonster kill it before it can get close!" Lightning bolt, 3 arrows, and a spear later I'm rolling a new reincarnated race.
GM tells them that not everything they encounter is an enemy. They might try communicating with things. Make a sense motive check. Read minds. The druid could have tried talking to it. Etc...
Bugbear. Hmm... Got to seem non-threatening but at least this one will be able to talk. GM says, "You see a large furry creature with large teeth sitting alongside the road holding nothing but a beggars bowl and ..." Player, "It's bait in a trap. There's accomplices in the bushes on either side waiting to jump us." Fireball and lance. I'm rolling another new reincarnated race.
At this point, the GM reitterates not everything is an enemy and clearly states that they have killed my PC twice. Everyone laughs and promises they won't be as quick to kill.
This time it was a new wierd dog like creature that had crab like plates all over it. The GM barely starts to descibe it when, "I flamestrike the demon!" WTF he really killed me again!?! "What's the problem. It's a demon. He can't be playing a demon." "I never said it was a demon. I said it was a dog like creature." "Oh, guess I wasn't listening very closely."
The next time the GM yells at the group, "This is his PC, it is not an enemy, do not attack it! Other wise he is likely to puch one of you in the face and I will help hold you down while he does. Is that clear enough for all of you?"
Player says, "How do we really know it is his character? You might be trying to trick us into letting a monster get close enough to maul us." he actually started reviewing what attack spells he had left to use.
Aaarrggh!!! I just about came completely unglued at that point.
... The GM tells me that my character Nives, as well as the new archer magus, are going to be full-fledged members of said mob, which will be arriving at the castle just as the party is retreating.
Now I'm left to come up with entirely new motivations. Why am I part of the mob in the first place? Am I just trying not to become the target of their wrath? Did I instigate it in the first place for some ulterior motive? How might I ingratiate myself with the party without offending the dangerous mob I now find myself surrounded by?
I'm hoping to fill in the gaps the GM left me with. Any help here would be appreciated ...
You were placed in the mob by the local government to find out who the ringleaders are. After you have identified them, you are supposed to try and limit the damage done.
The GM tells me that my character Nives, as well as the new archer magus, are going to be full-fledged members of said mob, which will be arriving at the castle just as the party is retreating.Now I'm left to come up with entirely new motivations. Why am I part of the mob in the first place? Am I just trying not to become the target of their wrath? Did I instigate it in the first place for some ulterior motive? How might I ingratiate myself with the party without offending the dangerous mob I now find myself surrounded by?
I'm hoping to fill in the gaps the GM left me with. Any help here would be appreciated.
I'll take a stab at this one. (Please apologize if this doesn't go along with your character background, as I am at work and unable to use the links and read all of the pertinent information)
...you have just spent the evening ingratiating yourself with the locals of a nice little tavern in town. you haven't been there long, just long enough to score a bit of coin and meet some of the friendlier ladies.
tonight you have had the fortune to make friends with a couple of locals who didn't seem to mind too much that you had talked them both into buying the first two rounds, and then convincing them that you had already paid for your round, so it was obviously there turn again. Suffice to say, you all have a pretty good buzz going and are having a few laughs over some friendly gambling.
this night continued to improve as the tall brunette you had met the other day comes into the tavern and noticed you. it turns out she knows your friends as well and she decides to stick around for a drink or two, and you are pretty sure that if you play your "cards" right this epic evening may go on for a while yet.
but just before you have the opportunity to convince ole whatshername into taking a quick break from the table with you the doors to the tavern burst open and a handful of angry townsfolk rush in with their pitchforks and torches. they announce what's going on and that they plan on rounding up as many able bodied men as they can to deliver out some good ole fashioned town justice.
doing what comes best, you decide to take your chance to disappear into the background when all of a sudden your new buddy grabs you about the arm and invites you to come along. you can see that he's drank more than his share of courage tonight and is ready for some proper violence. with a trained tounge you inform him of why it would be completely inappropriate for you to participate and as usual your bluffs are more than a match for his tavern wit.
but that's when it happens...as you turn and prepare for anything that's not joining an angry mob, you see a flame that would burn through your soul if only you could be convinced of such silly notions. Ole whatshername...not quite as drunk...and a bit more savvy than the rest. The guilt trip she lays on you is as swift and deadly as a purple worm's posion. Your rebuttals are useless against her eyes and the hanging promise of a night well spent.
you give in. you head off after your new friends and with one last look back you see a happy smile cross ole whatshername's face and that combined with the alcohol is enough for you to con yourself into thinking this was your plan all along, which brings a smile to your face. it's not until you even meet up with the rest of the angry mob that you say to yourself, "what the hell am I doing here?"
....and of course by then it's too late
Last time I checked, haste was an awesome buff spell and then there are the attribute boosters like bull's strength that can help others. Enlarge person is a great spell to cast on your front-liners, and makes them bigger so they block more routes of access to you.
These are all first choices for dedicated casters in our parties because they benefit everyone either directly or indirectly.
Of those, the only ones my party has EVER cared for are haste, and occasionally enlarge person. More often than not, they won't accept (or don't need) things like attribute boosters or enlarge person.
RD, I find it hard to believe that you are not very much aware of the classic effective party buff spells. Besides the ones Dabbler has listed there are "magic weapon" and "greater magic weapon", "bless", "Cat's grace" (rogues love that one)...
All but one of the spells you cite don't stack with existing magical equipment. Would that not be a waste of spells known for a sorcerer?
Will someone then show me a 6th-level sorcerer spell list that is more useful to everyone?
I just don't see how it would make for a significant difference.
My 6th level human sorcerer in Kingmaker (arcane bloodline, alternate favored class option for extra sorcerer spells) knows these:
1st - Ear-Piercing Scream, Grease, Identify, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Protection from Evil, Silent Image
2nd - Acid Arrow, Glitterdust, Invisibility, Levitate
3rd - HasteA mix of control, offense and defense, and a few utility spells thrown in for fun. Most importantly, the defensive spells are not self-only buffs and are even more useful on other PCs!
Sarassian
I don't see any kind of theme or concept in those spells. Effective perhaps, but otherwise just slapped together and positively boring. I've always felt that sorcerers, coming from BLOODLINES and the like, should have themes/concepts backing them. Makes them feel more real, rather than simply being a bag of random (if effective) tricks.
What's more, I don't see too much difference in power level between yours and mine. You have haste, sure, but the rest of it looks like direct damage (you don't need more than one or two of those to contribute), self-buffs (no surprise), or buffs that don't stack with common magical items (or have short durations that limit their effectiveness). There are a few others (like grease) that can be great in a pinch, but are otherwise situational. Best leave that kind of utility to the wizard, or to scrolls. I'm not familiar with ear-piercing scream, so I can't comment on it.
Actually, I gotta go with RD on this. Nothing wrong with a conman theme. The game was designed to allow it, and that's exactly what he's done. Utility for combat and outside of combat.
That said, if you get a lot of flak from your fellow players, I highly suggest you decide very early on to be a team player. Don't play as headstrong, or take unnecassary risks. Suggest and ask permission from the group to go the sinister conman route when dealing with problems, don't force them down the path just because you want to. Most importantly, integrate it into your charactor's theme of having a concience so you don't get carried away later.
I wont comment on cover story because frankly, you've been given two already that are about as good as I'd give.
That said, if you get a lot of flak from your fellow players, I highly suggest you decide very early on to be a team player. Don't play as headstrong, or take unnecassary risks. Suggest and ask permission from the group to go the sinister conman route when dealing with problems, don't force them down the path just because you want to. Most importantly, integrate it into your charactor's theme of having a concience so you don't get carried away later.
Sounds sound. Thanks for the advice.
After rereading the initial thoughts...
How about posing as a town official, who will 'escort' them to make sure they don't get into any more trouble, once you talk the crowd down. You could pose as an agent from some large secret society controlled by X authority figure in the region.
In reality, you're just a lowly conman with a concience who doesn't want to tell everyone his identity until he knows they can be trusted.
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I was once playing a telepath based on Emma Frost. She didnt like the group because of who they were and how they treated her. She never let them know exactly what she could do. In fact, they thought she was a wizard because every day she studied her "spellbook". They stole her spellbook right before they started the shenangians. However, up to that point she was the most helpful person they could have had in the party. As they began their shenanigans she saw her opportunity to charm the big dumb fighter. She gave him an elixir of love. All she said is that it would make him feel better. He failed his save, and the fun began.
I was once playing a telepath based on Emma Frost. She didnt like the group because of who they were and how they treated her. She never let them know exactly what she could do. In fact, they thought she was a wizard because every day she studied her "spellbook". They stole her spellbook right before they started the shenangians. However, up to that point she was the most helpful person they could have had in the party. As they began their shenanigans she saw her opportunity to charm the big dumb fighter. She gave him an elixir of love. All she said is that it would make him feel better. He failed his save, and the fun began.
Well I'm not going to do anything against the party. I'd sooner make up some contrived excuse--even though that's more than I can say for them.
Sometimes you have to plan characters around a party's in-fighting.
Of those, the only ones my party has EVER cared for are haste, and occasionally enlarge person. More often than not, they won't accept (or don't need) things like attribute boosters or enlarge person.Last time I checked, haste was an awesome buff spell and then there are the attribute boosters like bull's strength that can help others. Enlarge person is a great spell to cast on your front-liners, and makes them bigger so they block more routes of access to you.
These are all first choices for dedicated casters in our parties because they benefit everyone either directly or indirectly.
Then you have two spells that could be boosting everyone in round 1, that your party likes and that help everyone. Include those two and you have a spell-list more useful to everyone in your party.
I don't see any kind of theme or concept in those spells. Effective perhaps, but otherwise just slapped together and positively boring. I've always felt that sorcerers, coming from BLOODLINES and the like, should have themes/concepts backing...My 6th level human sorcerer in Kingmaker (arcane bloodline, alternate favored class option for extra sorcerer spells) knows these:
1st - Ear-Piercing Scream, Grease, Identify, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Protection from Evil, Silent Image
2nd - Acid Arrow, Glitterdust, Invisibility, Levitate
3rd - HasteA mix of control, offense and defense, and a few utility spells thrown in for fun. Most importantly, the defensive spells are not self-only buffs and are even more useful on other PCs!
Sarassian
What I see is a spell-list constructed for utility and buffing; little will come up that this spell-list cannot contribute to in some way. He has battlefield control, divination, self-protection, direct damage, party buffs, de-buffs, and get-out-of-trouble all in one. Versatility is the concept it's optimised around, and there is nothing boring about never being caught short.
Still strikes me as rollplaying rather than roleplaying.
In all the years I've played this game I don't think I've ever seen a spell list like that in actual play, only in theoretical builds.