There has been quite a lot of talk over time about martial/caster issues, but I don't know that anyone's quite gotten to the point of asking what makes a wizard a wizard.
Now, it's easy enough to say that a wizard is a character that can cast arcane spells, but thematically that's not a lot to work with. I mean, you have the Bard who can cast spells with the theme of being a singer. Then too there's the Magus which is an arcane caster who is also a warrior.
Finally, you have a lot of distinctive wizard schools of magic but what really makes these work? Why isn't a Bard simply a type of Wizard that specializes in Enchantment and Illusion magics?
I guess what I'm trying to get at is what would you see a wizard doing or being. I, for instance, could see them using a spell book or spells written on bits of paper in order cast spells but can cast spells as long as he has access to his spell book or these papers.
Thoughts?
Subtle and quick to anger.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
What is a wizard?
“I hate to break this to you, but as a rule, wizards are nasty people. They're powerful, capricious, ruthless, egotistical, used to getting their own way. That's being kind.” - Cinda Williams Chima, The Wizard Heir"
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
Over educated and have an underdeveloped sense of ethics
Ok, I can't top that one Rub-Eta
| 9 people marked this as a favorite. |
Never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.
A wizard is a dedicated spellcaster that casts spells through study and preparation.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
A Wizard is a guy who started with the world and then complained when he wasn't given the moon, too.
grumblegrumblestupidcastieswhiningaboutevocationbeingmediocregrumblegrumble
Usually have two legs, but not always.
A Wizard is a guy who started with the world and then complained when he wasn't given the moon, too.
That's no moon! :o
A person who performs magic through scientific study rather than innate ability, being given the power by another, or occult rituals.
A miserable pile of secrets.
/obligatory
I clicked on this thread intending to post this very line. Well done.
| 7 people marked this as a favorite. |
A blind, deaf, and dumb kid that plays a mean pinball.
For me, it will always be Prospero and Roger Bacon and Melichus, from John Bellairs' The Face in the Frost.
A wizard is half of Oz's favorite team: the Wizard and Iiiiiii!
A Wizard is a guy who started with the world and then complained when he wasn't given the moon, too.That's no moon! :o
Keep your science fiction out of my fantasy!
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
This is all I know about wizards:
Misty morning, clouds in the sky
Without warning, a wizard walks by
Casting his shadow, weaving his spell
Funny clothes, tinkling bell
Never talking
Just keeps walking
Spreading his magic
Evil power disappears
Demons worry when the wizard is near
He turns tears into joy
Everyone's happy when the wizard walks by
Never talking
Just keeps walking
Spreading his magic
Sun is shining, clouds have gone by
All the people give a happy sigh
He has passed by, giving his sign
Left all the people feeling so fine
Never talking
Just keeps walking
Spreading his magic
A gent named Tim, with a love for fire balls.
There has been quite a lot of talk over time about martial/caster issues, but I don't know that anyone's quite gotten to the point of asking what makes a wizard a wizard.
Now, it's easy enough to say that a wizard is a character that can cast arcane spells, but thematically that's not a lot to work with. I mean, you have the Bard who can cast spells with the theme of being a singer. Then too there's the Magus which is an arcane caster who is also a warrior.
Finally, you have a lot of distinctive wizard schools of magic but what really makes these work? Why isn't a Bard simply a type of Wizard that specializes in Enchantment and Illusion magics?
I guess what I'm trying to get at is what would you see a wizard doing or being. I, for instance, could see them using a spell book or spells written on bits of paper in order cast spells but can cast spells as long as he has access to his spell book or these papers.
Thoughts?
The answer to the first part of your question mechanically, is a character built to the wizard class. After that though, your wizard can be grey-beareded man with a pointy hat, or a savage jungle caster whose spellbook is written on bound leaves. (One example of such featured in the classic AD+D module Isle of the Ape.) Both of those and anything in between are possible. The one thing all share in common is that when it comes time to redo their spells, they are consulting written works.
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
Someone with no sense of right or wrong.
Someone with no sense of right or wrong.
My Loremaster begs to differ.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Dresses like a gnome, smokes like a dwarf, learned like an elf but still acts like a nerd in mom's basement.
Hey, leave Mom out of this!
I think the word you're looking for is Mage. The class names of the magic using classes are something I enforce in my settings when I GM because they're specific types of mage.
Wizard = learned, casts from material components, must use a spell book, must prepare exactly what spells they mean to use
Sorcerer = power comes from the blood, no need for material components, more magical than martial.
Arcanist = has a more limited amount of innate talent, must use material components and spellbooks, knows many spells but can be more flexible.
Bard = casts through music, may be educated or not, has innate power but not through blood necessarily.
Magus = wizard who sacrificed some magical learning for martial training.
Bloodrager = as sorcerer but channeled inward more than outward. More power is unlocked through anger.
Witch = gains power through a powerful patron that is channeled to them through a familiar.
Summoner = limited innate power but has powerful connection to a mysterious being.
The psychic and divine classes are a separate discussion.
The short version is that Psychic classes don't have as much fluff to go on and the Divine classes are named more for their position in a church than their magical abilities since they all gain them from the same place.*
*Except Oracles which are a special case.
So the reason a bard isn't just a wizard who specializes in enchantment and illusion is because they don't act like wizards at all. They may gain some of the same spells but Bards do have their own unique spells like Glibness.
The stereotype for me is Gandalf. An old learned person in robes with a staff and a pointy hat who casts spells. They have access to great power but they are wise and know how and when to use it. For example Gandalf does not use magic to enter the mines of Moria, he perseveres until he solves the riddle, but when confronted by the Balrog he uses magic to destroy the Balrog's sword and the stone bridge he is standing upon. Later on they battle on the mountain peak in a huge magical battle with thunder, lightning and fire. Sure Gandalf is originally an angel, but whilst on Middle-earth he is more like a mortal wizard which is why after battling the Balrog he needed to be transported to Lothlorien to heal.
A gent named Tim, with a love for fire balls.
Ah but we all know that Tim is an enchanter, not a wizard. Probably some 3rd party material.
I see a Wizard as one who can be portrayed in a number of ways (and more than one given the situation)..
A wizard does research. Whether its translating found tomes, casting divination spells, or testing by trial and error with reagents, the wizard will be noting results and formula down and committing information to memory.
A wizard gains knowledge. Through research, a wizard knows things. Where things are, what does what, what's of best use at what times. Having an answer to whatever questions come up are a perk from the research done.
And knowledge is power. Knowledge kills fear. Despite a frail frame, despite no inherent combat prowess, a wizard will walk into a gruesome charnel scene with confidence and wrest control of the situation with precisely timed words and motions.
Whether we are talking about Elminster, Gandalf, or Harry Dresden, these all seem to be overarching aspects of a prepared arcane spellcaster.