The Magician class

[korgoth]

I was recently experimenting with rewriting OD&D magic for my still in development campaign... unfortunately I have decided to redo a number of aspects of the campaign (essentially, even though it is set millions of years in the future and therefore could support practically anything, I've decided that I'm tired of elves, orcs and whatnot and I'm just going to make it a whole hog "weird sci-fantasy" setting).

To do this, I decided to borrow the approach of EPT. The class is called "Magician" and it gets 1 special ability per level up to 10th, which is the cap I'm setting for the game. Some of the specials you will recognize from EPT, others from existing spells:

1 - gain two languages; 2 - Control Self (bodily control)
3 - Cure Light Wounds; 4 - Light; 5 - Telekinesis
6 - Remove Curse; 7 - Control Animal; 8 - Research
9 - Create Magic Item; 10 - "Specialist"

Specialists:
1 - Diviner: Clairaudience and Clairvoyance
2 - Enchanter: Charm Person and Charm Monster
3 - Healer: Cure Serious Wounds x2
4 - Illusionist: Phantasmal Force and Hallucinatory Terrain
5 - Medium: Speak w/ Dead and ESP
6 - Necromancer: Animate Dead and "Lichdom" (new spell)

Each of these powers may be used once per day. In addition, there are 3 "Circles" (the 1st, 2nd and 3rd) of magic (20 each). These spells, analogous to EPT's "bonus spells", are gained in a progression starting at level 2. The 1st Circle are mostly 1st-2nd level, etc., although there are some switches: Sleep is a 2nd Circle spell (I'm sick of that one, too!), Cause Disease is a 1st Circle, etc. Each of these is also useable once per day.

It may be evident, then, that a 1st level Magician has no spells! Since the only other class I will be allowing (under this regime, assuming I don't change my mind again!) is Fighting Man, this is not entirely useless. The Magician gains those extra languages (and I'm more stingy with languages... 1 bonus with INT 15+, one or two more depending on your background profession and INT)... scrolls and some magic devices can only be used if you read the language they are written in! So a 1st level Magician can not only (hopefully) read important inscriptions in the Megadungeon, he is the only one who can use most of the magical items (some of which are really tech items).

Anyway, there are a few more details but that's the skeleton of the class. If I require people to roll randomly for their bonus spells acquired (which I'm almost sure to do) there will be some wide fluctuations in innate power. But overall, I think 1 or 2 Magicians would be useful (though perhaps not absolutely necessary) in expeditions into the Megadungeon, since they can do much that Fighting Men cannot (since I don't plan on using Thieves, Fighting Men will be able to do most of that stuff as well, with hefty penalties if wearing metal armor, which makes it hard to sneak around).

[bigjackbrass]

Speaking of metal armour, do you have any restrictions in mind for the magician with regards to weaponry and defensive items? It's less obvious in EPT, but later writings about Tékumel make it clear that magicians in that setting have a major weakness when in contact with metal: they can't carry more than a few coins and can be trapped by metal cells, even if they could normally teleport or shift dimensions. I've always liked that as a more justifiable restriction than the "you can't use anything bigger than a dagger" rules from D&D and T&T.

[dwayanu]

I enjoy the EPT approach. It cuts out the "prep time" of choosing spells (which can be pretty significant at high levels). At the same time, it leaves the challenge of making best use of a limited repertoire.

[korgoth]

bigjackbrass said:

Speaking of metal armour, do you have any restrictions in mind for the magician with regards to weaponry and defensive items? It's less obvious in EPT, but later writings about Tékumel make it clear that magicians in that setting have a major weakness when in contact with metal: they can't carry more than a few coins and can be trapped by metal cells, even if they could normally teleport or shift dimensions. I've always liked that as a more justifiable restriction than the "you can't use anything bigger than a dagger" rules from D&D and T&T.

Well, I was planning on allowing the dagger on the basis of its relative ease of use, small size and possible relevance to magical rituals. But my inclination is not to absolutely restrict other weapons; I prefer to simply assess a -4 attack penalty. The Magician can certainly pick up and use whatever weapon he chooses... he simply looks like a nerd when trying to use most of them. Since everything does d6, the only advantage to other weapons are considerations such as weapon length (used for strike priority) and special abilities like polearms vs. charge... probably not enough to offset the -4 in most cases. But a magic sword could still be worthwhile to employ, though it's a bit of a waste not to give it to a Fighting Man.

On armor, I plan on prohibiting spell casting if armor is worn. If I go with a "restricted movement" rationale, then it would make sense to also disallow spell casting while in tight clothing. Thus Magicians will tend to wear either loose robes or loincloth-type outfits (thus playing into the robed wizard and hawt enchantress tropes).

[dwayanu]

Extrapolating your rationale, encumbrance of equipment and treasure could also hinder spell-casting.

[bigjackbrass]

korgoth said:

...(thus playing into the robed wizard and hawt enchantress tropes).

And I think we can all agree that this is vital!

[korgoth]

dwayanu said:

Extrapolating your rationale, encumbrance of equipment and treasure could also hinder spell-casting.

Yes, you're right. Wizards aren't porters! I will restrict or disallow casting by encumbered Magicians. That seems to further the tropes and steer the class away from being an ersatz pack mule (since he doesn't wear armor).

Oh, and bigjackbrass: have an Exalt to get you started.

[bigjackbrass]

korgoth said:

Oh, and bigjackbrass: have an Exalt to get you started.

Thank you kindly

[Finarvyn]

I like the concept of the Magician class, and would be interested to hear if anyone playtests it in a game session.

dwayanu said:

I enjoy the EPT approach. It cuts out the "prep time" of choosing spells (which can be pretty significant at high levels). At the same time, it leaves the challenge of making best use of a limited repertoire.

Certainly this is a critical issue in game-mastering a session. I really hate game systems that rely on large GM prep time, and the EPT approach does this quite effectively.

[Deleted]

I like your idea too, korgoth. I myself have always fancied combining the Cleric & Magic User together as one character class. Maybe what your doing in your campaign will finally inspire me to get off my butt & get to it!