Answered! Why do wizards smoke pipes?

[MorganS]

I just noticed the odd material components for Gaseous Form, and I think it's awesome!

Has it always been S, M/DF? M/DF is short hand for wizards only, so for a wizard to cast this spell, they have to hold a piece of gauze in one hand, gesture with the other hand, and the only reasonable source for a "wisp of smoke" would be a pipe stuck in their mouth. Which explains:

why wizards smoke

why this spell has no verbal component

I'm sure this is old hat to some, but I think it's awesome!

[Ice_Deep]

MorganS wrote:

I just noticed the odd material components for Gaseous Form, and I think it's awesome!

Has it always been S, M/DF? M/DF is short hand for wizards only, so for a wizard to cast this spell, they have to hold a piece of gauze in one hand, gesture with the other hand, and the only reasonable source for a "wisp of smoke" would be a pipe stuck in their mouth. Which explains:

why wizards smoke

why this spell has no verbal component

I'm sure this is old hat to some, but I think it's awesome!

I always thought they smoked because they were people who fractures reality, and maybe the only way to do so was be like Dr. Timothy Leary.

[Anburaid]

I am sometimes amazed at the little details and nuances you can find in DnD spell descriptions.

[Shenker]

The warlock Charlie Sheen uses a crack pipe....

[LazarX]

MorganS wrote:

I just noticed the odd material components for Gaseous Form, and I think it's awesome!

Has it always been S, M/DF? M/DF is short hand for wizards only, so for a wizard to cast this spell, they have to hold a piece of gauze in one hand, gesture with the other hand, and the only reasonable source for a "wisp of smoke" would be a pipe stuck in their mouth.

They could also be using a variant of flash powder like a standard magician's trick.

[Anburaid]

The pipe might also be counted as a "fire source" for the spell pyrotechnics, which I really like but don't often see used in game.

[John Kretzer]

MorganS wrote:

I just noticed the odd material components for Gaseous Form, and I think it's awesome!

Has it always been S, M/DF? M/DF is short hand for wizards only, so for a wizard to cast this spell, they have to hold a piece of gauze in one hand, gesture with the other hand, and the only reasonable source for a "wisp of smoke" would be a pipe stuck in their mouth. Which explains:

why wizards smoke

why this spell has no verbal component

I'm sure this is old hat to some, but I think it's awesome!

Wow never realized that...damn it now my wizards have to take up smoking a pipe...

That is a pretty cool discovery.

[Shadewest]

Most telling is the lack of a verbal component, allowing the wizard to have a pipe in his mouth.

[ewan cummins 325]

That's very cool.

[captain jonah]

And why not. A long stem pipe takes time to smoke, time to think and consider.

Your warriors will be chewing on half a thick cigar. Cleric types sniffing incense, druids and rangers with roll ups that may even have some pipe weed in them.

But a pipe, now that is a sign of class. Wizards of the world, sit in the corner of the inn and draw on a fine pipe of best pipe weed.

[Sylvanite]

When I play wizards I always have them smoke a pipe. I bring one to role play with too. You wanna know why? Because it's awesome to do something as casual and ridiculous as smoking a pipe while tearing the fabric of reality and single handedly swinging fights in your party's favor.

[Umbral Reaver]

Sorcerers, however, are just naturally smokin'.

[Drejk]

Umbral Reaver wrote:

Sorcerers, however, are just naturally smokin'.

Nah. Its just a steam made after being hit with a fireball.

[Sizik]

Wait, why is it M/DF if it's not a spell a divine caster can learn?

[GreyMagus]

Sizik wrote:

Wait, why is it M/DF if it's not a spell a divine caster can learn?

Divine spellcasters can learn it. It's part of the Air domain.

M/DF means Material/Divine Focus. In other words, when a cleric casts it, he can use his holy symbol instead of the material component.

Michael

[Name Violation]

Sylvanite wrote:

When I play wizards I always have them smoke a pipe. I bring one to role play with too. You wanna know why? Because it's awesome to do something as casual and ridiculous as smoking a pipe while tearing the fabric of reality and single handedly swinging fights in your party's favor.

+1000

im not alone

[William Ronald]

As I recall, T.H. White had Merlyn (his spelling) smoke a pipe and have other habits that were a bit out of time -- appropriate to that character. In the Lord of the Rings, both Gandalf and Saruman smoked pipes -- as did the hobbits, dwarves, and at least one ranger.

Beyond the literary archetypes, some of the wizards in publications by RPG publishers were shown smoking pipes. While I am not sure about any of the wizards in the World of Greyhawk setting, I know that Elminster of the Forgotten Realms was often shown smoking a pipe.