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dicehoard · 7 years

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Pen & Paper Caster

Take your blue Potion's and load your Staff. Let´s talk about casters, and by caster, I mean any kind of Magician, Wizard, Spell slinger or Warlock. The list is longer then Dumbledore's Beard. A caster is basically what you would call a glass cannon, devastating and maybe beautiful range weapon of mass destruction but oh so fragile. Usually the one with the thinnest Armor and worst agility and strength… think about Stephen W. Hawking with a pointed Hat (you get the idea). But they make up for it with by having the most devastating power in pen and paper, Magic. It comes in many Flavours, be it Fire, Ice, Electricity, Gravity, alteration of Nature, Summoning, Necromancy, Holy Powers, Metalomancy, or general psychic energy, pretty much anything can be magic. Some modern games like Shadowrun even consider technomancy (the skill to manipulate and alter mechanics and electrical devices with their mind).

Beside a Warrior the caster is the most iconic Fantasy themed character you may encounter. Harry Potter, Jaina Proudmoore, Merlin, Rincewind, Gandalf, Dumbledore. Just to name some of them, they are fast spread all over the genre. Basically … if it´s fantasy there will be a caster … trust me.

Run you fool:

There are many reasons why your caster could have started the adventure. Often in of search a Magic artefact or place they found in a book, as part of their studies to proof them self. Bringing back some stolen book from the magic academy. Like everyone fresh out of school, the first thing you need is something to drink. Time to stock up on potions and magical powder to keep your powers flowing (a caster out of juice is a sad caster indeed). Because without enough magical resources a caster is as useful as a kettle made of chocolate.

Is it okay if I´m a bit unstable?

The personality of a caster can be the full spectrum. You want a caster who is brooding, edgy and mysterious? Congratulations you are a perfect fit for the dark arts. You are the adventuress type? Say hello to the element of fire. Let go of your feeling and switch to ice magic. You are horrible with cardio but love having pets like a pathfinder? Maybe you should have a magical familiar fighting for you. You want to go headfirst in combat side by side with a warrior and a Scoundrel? Grab a magical sword and light Armor and be a Battlemage

A Wizard's Staff has a Knob on the end:

Time to gear up. Depending on what kind of caster you play, you will mostly stick to light clothing like common wool or silk. As a caster, you can have magical spells protecting you. A few excuses are the rather uncommon battlemage's they gear up in leather or magical material Armor and join the battle in close combat.

The Weapon of choice is in most cases a Staff or Wand. A staff is a tall two hand mostly wooden stick engraved with runes and a head ornament. They will be either worn them on the back or held in hand to focus magic with it. Or when push comes to shove hit someone with it (you know big hard stick and all). Alternatively, you could carry a Wand. Magic Wands are short hard pieces you hold in your hand and fling to spray Magic away, the plus side is, your other hand is free to hold a FOCUS. Focuses are magical items like magic books, bags with dust, a Cristal, or a fairy in a jar. It doesn´t matter really, as long you can draw magic power from it. If you enjoy going head on into a fight why not grabbing one of the many magical weapons. Have a sword which never goes blunt, or a dagger that can paralyse the enemy. And as an extra bonus on top you can cut with them.

But NEVER forget to stock up on resources again which you may lack after a fight. If you are into necromancy you often need some body parts like teeth or squishy unmentionables. Stock up as often as you can.

If your group camps outside, caster often summon food or drink to help out. But be careful with alcohol or drugs. Magic is like operating heavy machinery. Not to forget traveling often gets dull, a caster often has a magical pet or familiar with them. These are good for getting stress of or help to entertain on long journeys.

Tasting tests:

Moving on the Classes 101. I will now go into detail on some of the bazillion specializations. You can mix up anytime depending on the game type you play providing the gamemaster rolls with it.

The Element free (Arcane):

The arcane does not roll with elemental benefits but goes with pure energy. Flinging magic missiles or explosions of pure energy or sound. Using ley lines to boost their power, they often hold some artefacts given down from teacher to student through which they focus their vast raw magical power, often portrayed in dark blue, purple or white outfits they peek out in a crowd. An animate magical object like a luggage or even the staff itself is many times seen as their companion. Sometimes sentient creatures make for good pets as well.

Pyromancer (fire magic):

Impulsive and dangerous like a Bonfire, the Pyromancer sets anything on fire, throwing molten stones or try to boil someone in there Armor. The colours worn are often red, yellow, orange, and brown. Typically, their gear consists a bit more of heavy duty leather. Remember, you can spot a smart Pyromancer by seeing them still having their eyebrows. A small talking, dancing, never fading or incinerating flame is a perfect familiar

Cold elementarist Frost/Ice caster:

Basically, the entire difference to the pyromancer is that a Cold elementarist uses cold winds, water and ice in their spells. Freezing the ground under the enemy’s feet or letting them freeze and slowdown in there Armor. If you think a Fireball in your face is brutal, wait till you get Impaled by a spear of magically hardened Ice right through your sternum. They WILL give you the chills. Wearing white and light blue mostly. For example, a never melting ice golem is a common Familiar.

Necromancer/warlock:

Now things get nasty. Death is their job and they do it good. A necromancer casts evil spells of poison and sickness. Letting a face melt like wax from a candle, Corpses explode. Necromancer often go into close combat. Like other casters, Necromancer often carry unholy items or demonic weapons. Scythe, sicles, ravenhooks, sacrificial knives and several preserved body parts. These guys do not go along with priests and holy in general. Mostly pale in skin, long haired and ornamented with fur and bones. They dress in blood red, poison green or black until they find something even darker, or a shroud of darkness itself. Good Familiars are Raven's or Rats and living skulls, or small demonic imps.

Alteration Caster:

Rare among Casters, the Alteration or Mutator deals mostly in a nonviolent way. But they are dangerous in other ways. „What is small wholly and goes bahh?”. The victim of an Alteration caster.

They disarm their enemies by changing the weapons and Armor to wood or the ever so amusing bouquet of Flowers. Not standing out in a crowd, they dress plainly.

The Summoner:

Micromanagement at its finest. The Summoner stays way back and calls for help by a magic pet. These Helpers can be anything, be it an elemental entity of fire, ice, water, arcane, curse, unholy or ghosts, golems, even living animals, dragons and treants. The modern variations are drones and robots. Depending on the game set they may need some parts of the creature they want to call, for example a dragon tooth or scale, some small magical metal item to summon a metal golem, a feather for a griffon, or some horsehairs for a horse. Sometimes Summoners engage in close combat. To arm themselves for it, they will call forth the „essence“ of a weapon, an illusion of a sword filled with the pure being of a sword so that the edge will be there. Dressing more useful then elegant, carrying often huge bags and a small magical focus.

The Cleric/White mage:

The White mage is the friendliest of all, using sacred oils and spells from holy books. They are on a mission from god to spread the good word and drive away evil. They mostly heal wounds, cure illnesses and purify things. They never harm anything except two things… Unholy creatures and Daemons. Basically, the exact mirror of a necromancer. Dressed in white often with silver or gold. They swing a small ritual mace. Familiars can be anything considered holy or pure, be it a dove or even a floating magic Tome.

Druids/shamans:

Force of nature personified. Since the first man ate a mushroom and went on a trip, they became closer to Nature. This is ancient and wild magic. Shapeshifting into Bears, wolfs, boars or birds is just one aspect, they control the will of nature, letting roots entangle them self around their enemy’s feet, and showing them that a lightning can hit the same target twice. (If you still need inspiration go watch Aang and Korra) dressed in basically anything but wilder kinds tend to dress in tribal clothing. Actual real animals are good Familiars.

How to fight:

A caster basically is a glass cannon, in case of wonder try it. You stay behind (way behind) and throw spells to damage your foes or aid your allies. If it doesn´t die in the first try, fry and fry it again. Remember enemies may absorb or be resistant to some elements (depending) on the dungeon master.

Unholy and undead foes often can be damaged with healing spells. Try to lower the enemies defence and slow them down.

Alright that´s all for now. Keep your mind sharp, and your fireballs hot!

#dicehoard #pen and paper #necromancer #druid #mage #wizard #gandalf #white mage

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