The Magic-user

It is absolutely essential to have high Intelligence for a character who is a magic-user—especially if a broad selection of spells is to be had, as well as the use of the highest level spells.

A magic-user must have an Intelligence of no less than 9 and a minimum Dexterity of 6. For details of the effects of Intelligence on spell use, see Character Abilities, Intelligence. A magic-user with Intelligence of 16 or more also gains the benefit of adding 10% to experience points awarded to him or her by the Dungeon Master.

Magic-users can be of any alignment.

Magic-users draw upon arcane powers in order to exercise their profession. While they have mighty spells of offensive, defensive, and informational nature, magic-users are very weak in combat.

They have but four-sided dice (d4) to determine how many hit points of damage they can withstand, and magic-users have the least favorable table and progression as regards missile and melee combat.

Furthermore, they can wear no armor and have few weapons they can use, for martial training is so foreign to magic-use as to make the two almost mutually exclusive.

Prime Requisite. Intelligence (16+ adds a 10% experience bonus)
Minimum Ability Scores. Intelligence (9), Dexterity (6)
Hit Dice. d4; Maximum 11d4
Alignment. Any
Player Character Races. Human (U), Elf (base 9th), Half-elf (base 6th)
Armor. None
Shield. None
Initial Weapon Proficiencies. 1
Non-proficiency Penalty. -5
Added Weapon Proficiencies. 1 per 6 levels above the 1st (7, 13, etc.)
Weapons Allowed. Daggers, darts, staves
Use of Poison. ? (per DM)

Spells and Spell Books

Acquisition of Spells. Most magic-users will begin in an apprenticeship or school and will begin with the spell, read magic and three other spells (usually one each of offensive, defensive and miscellaneous natures). These spells will be automatically known and will be written in a spell book. It is also likely they will also “know” other spells, but will not have access to them yet. (See Character Creation, Intelligence.) When each level is gained past the 1st, the magic-user will automatically add one spell of their choice to their book (and must succeed the chance to know that spell or they must choose another). Otherwise, spells must be obtained by the spell caster through purchase, trade, or found in the spoils of conflict. In order for a magic-user to read a spell, they must have first used a read magic spell to interpret it.

Memorizing Spells. A magic-user must consult their spell book to memorize and prepare for the use of each spell, and its casting wipes the spell from the mind, making it necessary to re-memorize it again after a rest. The process of memorization usually takes 15 minutes per spell level (e.g. 30 minutes for one 2nd level spell).

Casting Spells. In order to release the spell energy, certain intonations and gestures are necessary. Some spells require the use of physical components as well to be used up to help power the casting. The act of casting places the caster in a vulnerable state of concentration so magic-users will take care before beginning a spell during combat.

Spell Book. For each level of spells to be inscribed (1st level spells, 2nd level of spells, and so on), the magic-user must do so in a separate book of spells, called a spell book. As new spells are discovered or obtained, these will be placed with an existing book or new book created. These books must be on hand to allow for the memorization of spells each day. (2)

(See Magic for for information on memorizing magic spells, casting, and using spell books.)

Magic Item Use and Manufacture

Use of Magic Items. There are many powerful items of magic which only this class of character can employ. Most magic scrolls, wands, staves, and many of the miscellaneous items of magic are usable only by this class. Thus, while magic-users are not strong in combat with weapons, they are possibly the most fearsome of all character classes when high levels of ability are finally attained. Survival to that point can be a problem, however, as low level magic-users are quite weak.

Scribing Scrolls. Scrolls may be inscribed only by characters of 7th or higher level, and the spells placed upon the scroll must be of a level which the inscribing character is able to employ, i.e. a 9th level magic-user could not place a 7th level spell on a scroll. (Note that the write spell enables the magic-user to inscribe his or her own reference works so as to be able to read and remember higher level spells than he or she is currently able to use; it does not enable casting or scroll inscription.)

Creating Potions. Potions may be made by any magic-user of 7th level or above, if he or she enlists the aid of an alchemist. At levels above the 11th, such assistance is no longer mandatory, although it will reduce the amount of money and time the player character must spend making the potion by 50% of the compounding/ infusing time normally required, as the alchemist will be so employed instead.

Fabrication of Magic Items. When a magic-user attains 7th level (Enchanter) or higher, he or she may scribe magic scrolls and concoct potions, and upon achieving 12th level (Wizard) or higher may attempt to enchant items. This process requires the undivided attention of the magic-user for quite long periods of time—weeks to months—and it is also costly.

As the Dungeon Master is carefully instructed to keep exact record of game time spent in such activity, the magic-user will effectively remove himself or herself from a number of adventures while enchanting items or inscribing scrolls of magic spells. As this relative inactivity means that the character will not get experience points and treasure (monetary or magical) gained from adventures which take place during the inactive period, it is not usual for a Wizard to manufacture many items or scrolls. However, as occasional enchantment of items or penning of magic scrolls will take place, your referee has complete information on the process, including probabilities, time required, materials needed, and costs.

Stronghold

It is possible for a magic-user of 11th or higher level to construct a stronghold and clear the countryside in a 10 or 20 mile radius of all monsters, thus ruling an area much as a noble. If this is accomplished, a revenue of 5 silver pieces per inhabitant per month is generated in the territory ruled.

1. Dragon #145, Sage Advice: Q: “How do you extend the spell list for magic-users beyond level 29?” A: As follows: 30th level: Add one each fifth-, sixth-, and seventh-level spell. 31st level: Add one each eight- and ninth-level spell. 32nd level: Add one each first-, second, third, and fourth-level spell. For 33rd level and up, keep repeating this progression.

2. Original Text

Spells and Spell Books. When a magic-user begins his or her profession, the character is usually assumed to possess a strange tome in which he or she has scribed the formulae for some of the spells known to the character. This spell book, and each book later added (as the magic-user advances in levels of ability, a book of spells for each higher level of spells which become usable will have to have been prepared through study and research), must be maintained by the magic-user.

He or she must memorize and prepare for the use of each spell, and its casting makes it necessary to reabsorb the incantation by consulting the proper book of spells before it can again be cast. As with all other types of spells, those of magic-users must be spoken or read aloud. (1)

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