A Player in my campaign is seeking to design a cohort who is a spellcaster/researcher but not a traditional "wizard". We are thinking of a dwarf, and are interested in looking at the following kinds of options:
Artificer - Someone who crafts magic items, primarily for personal use. May or may not "enchant" them in a traditional way, perhaps even an Expert who enchants them by "pouring sweat and will and spirit into their crafting". Obviously cannot be a magic-item-factory for either self or party, particularly in my moderated-magic grunge-fantasy homebrew.
Gem-caster - Probably stores magic energies in gems that can later be activated by specific triggers, perhaps like wands or scrolls, but maybe also like potions or one-shot items. Again, cannot be a walking ammo-dump of gem-munitions.
Rune-caster - Pretty much like above, but by carving runes into items, writing on things with enchanted inks, etc. Probably has lengthened casting (carving/scribing) time and limited "carving" per day, but with significantly increased duration.
Other Focus Caster - Anything similar that deals with manipulating magic through tangible foci.
Referrals to any good, "non-splat" Class or PrC are appreciated. I'm assuming the Forgotten Realms or Eberron will be our best bet, but don't know for certain.
My Players have access to most sourcebooks, and while I will take advice on balancing modifications to published Classes or PrCs would prefer not to turn to your own home-brew designs posted here (no offense).
Thanks in advance for all suggestions,
Rez
