Wizard can LEARN other spells, sorceror fits though

[cmastah]

Here's my dilemma:

I'm creating some preset characters for my players (their suggestion) and I managed to create characters with varied personalities and backgrounds that my players can easily pick because it clicks for them. Here's where I'm stuck though:

I'm giving them characters to fill out different roles and playstyles and got stuck on the wizard. The thing is, the wizard has the power to learn other spells which is REALLY useful, but the problem is, is that the character would RP wise be better served by sorceror.

The character herself is actually crazy, she has mood swings that have her going from cute and cuddly girl to angry to sinister and even to killcrazy. With such a personality, I feel like sorceror is a more befitting class, but the wizard can LEARN spells from scrolls, and I would like the players to be excited every time they find a scroll as part of the treasure.

Advice? Also, if I do end up going with sorceror, can someone suggest a madness focused bloodline (anarchic seemed close, but it's still not madness)?

Even though use magic device is able to make use of scrolls, the fact that a wizard PERMANENTLY records the spell is pretty cool and useful.

[ShadowcatX]

Wizards are the more powerful class, but honestly sorcerers should be every bit as excited to find scrolls as wizards, sure they can't learn the spell, but it is still something to extend their reach.

(Note: Use magic device isn't necessary to use a scroll if the spell is on your spell list and you're high enough level to cast it. If you're not high enough level, a caster level check is probably better than a use magic device check. )

[Cornielius]

Have you considered witch?

Has the ability to learn scrolls, but hexes match a consistent, don't-need-to-pick play-style.

[Mojorat]

I cant really comment on the personality stuff as ive never heard of a dm pre building pc char personalities.

As for sorc vs wizard go with what the player would enjoy more. For madness and i want to stress im onky suggezting tbis for theme without looking anything up... you could do some sort of crossbludded theme involving anarchic and some other thematc blodline like deztiny. Madness is iften associated with inspiration.. and deztiny sort if fit. Alternatively starsoul i think and do a moon theme.

[EvilMinion]

Witch with the Insanity patron theme... and cackle.
That'll be suitably mad. Mad I tell you!
Maybe a big creepy centipede for a familiar. =)

[Jackissocool]

If you don't take the witch suggestion, good bloodlines could be fey, aberrant, abyssal, dreamspun, accursed, or starsoul. Fey in particular.

[cmastah]

Thanks for the suggestions but here's the thing:

I mainly wanted a class that spontaneously casts their spells (the idea that she's an unpredictable person, rather than considerate of what she has ready) to have them all at the ready. Witch actually seems to be almost perfect, but the problem is having to prepare her spells.

I went through the fey bloodline (at first I discounted going through it because it seemed (from its name) as more of a nymph style persona) and it actually seems pretty sweet. Abyssal also seems to be on the mark, going crazy in combat and charging with her claws at the ready.

I may end up going with witch (since it really seems quite fitting) and for a familiar, STAT wise it'll be a raven (or something else that flies), but in reality it'll be a talking, floating skull (just played a bit of planescape torment and DAMN morte is cool). I've been looking for a reason to add a talking skull.

EDIT: If I do end up going with sorceror, I guess using scrolls can be pretty interesting. I remember reading a story where a group got their hands on a speak with plants scroll and used it to hear a pretty funny message from flesh eating plants and friendly plants.

[Wolf_Shay]

Why not the Primalist archetype from Inner Sea Magic? You're functionally playing a character that flirts with the maddening power of wild magic so having it either be a product of their personality or the cause is easily workable

[cmastah]

Holy crap, just read the primalist archetype, that's actually perfect. Heck, if she fails the concentration check it's even better. Here's to hoping we see much failures in concentration checks :D

[Wolf_Shay]

Glad I could help :) that'll be 500 dollars or your first born male child please