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<blockquote data-quote="jgsugden" data-source="post: 6831410" data-attributes="member: 2629">Random tables where you actually roll dice are going to take as long to build as just picking spells.When I make a spellbook for loot/NPC, I take the level of the wizard and figure out how many spells they should have if they were a PC.&nbsp; Then I grab core spells that almost every wizard knows (mage armor, shield, fly, dispel magic), and then grab spells that suit the personality of the wizard to flesh out.&nbsp; It takes me ... well, about as long as it took me to write this response.&nbsp; Then, I try to toss in one or two original spells that the player would never have heard of before.&nbsp; Usually, they're a little underpowered, but quirky or do something unique.&nbsp; For examples: I gave a necromancer a 3rd level spell called Crush Bones.&nbsp; It does a small amount of damage and then gives a choice of minor penalties that mimic a broken bone in the hand, foot or rib.&nbsp; The penalty stays until the character is magically healed. Lots of flavor, but nobody is going to mistake it for fireball.&nbsp; I gave a pirate wizard a 2nd level spell called &quot;Sink&quot;.&nbsp; It exerts steady magical force in a downward direction over a large area.&nbsp; PCs in the area are treated as carrying extra weight.&nbsp; When cast at low levels, it can also capsize a small boat.&nbsp; At medium levels it can push a longboat underwater.&nbsp; At higher levels it can capsize a pinnace.&nbsp; At 9th level it can push a galleon underwater if concentration is maintained.&nbsp; No meteor swarm, but very thematic for that wizard.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="jgsugden, post: 6831410, member: 2629"] Random tables where you actually roll dice are going to take as long to build as just picking spells. When I make a spellbook for loot/NPC, I take the level of the wizard and figure out how many spells they should have if they were a PC. Then I grab core spells that almost every wizard knows (mage armor, shield, fly, dispel magic), and then grab spells that suit the personality of the wizard to flesh out. It takes me ... well, about as long as it took me to write this response. Then, I try to toss in one or two original spells that the player would never have heard of before. Usually, they're a little underpowered, but quirky or do something unique. For examples: I gave a necromancer a 3rd level spell called Crush Bones. It does a small amount of damage and then gives a choice of minor penalties that mimic a broken bone in the hand, foot or rib. The penalty stays until the character is magically healed. Lots of flavor, but nobody is going to mistake it for fireball. I gave a pirate wizard a 2nd level spell called "Sink". It exerts steady magical force in a downward direction over a large area. PCs in the area are treated as carrying extra weight. When cast at low levels, it can also capsize a small boat. At medium levels it can push a longboat underwater. At higher levels it can capsize a pinnace. At 9th level it can push a galleon underwater if concentration is maintained. No meteor swarm, but very thematic for that wizard. [/QUOTE]

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