Get dressed already! (does your mage wear robes?)

[BiggusGeekus]

Tangent alert! Whoop! Whoop! Whoop!

The pointy hat is essential. I've been very tempted to decree that headbands of intellect only come as pointy hats.

Never decree, simply encourage. Figure out what assorted items you want your guys to wear. Then simply state that just as some spells need material components to cast, there are some spells that simpy work better when tied to an item of a given shape, material, and nature. Then say that if PCs/NPCs want to make a headband of intellect they will recieve a 5% item creation discount if they use the form of a pointy hat.

Eric, cool character.

 

[orchid blossom]

The sorceress in our Friday night game wears her noble's outfit (a pretty dress with jewelry). Oh, and she also wears a spiked gauntlet. She's actually killed a small air elemental on an attack of opportunity. She was very proud of herself, since she almost never hits with a melee attack.

Yes, Fiona considers herself a noble first and a sorceress second. Our campaign focuses heavily on the politics between ruling clans, so she doesn't ever want to be caught dressed inappropriately.

Along with the occasional spiked gauntlet, she also wears a circlet of persuasion, a cloak of resistance +3, gloves of dex, and she keeps a rod of splendor secreted away somewhere on her person.

The other nice thing about the gauntlet is that she technically threatens when wearing it, so she can provide flanks on the rare occasions she's in melee range.

 

[Thanee]

She wears a spiked gauntlet over gloves of dexterity?

Bye
Thanee

 

[Zappo]

My last sorcerer travelled in epic robes of the archmagi, held an intelligent rod of invulnerability, was protected by an animated mithril shield, and had a half dozen ioun stones around his head. Oh, and he was permanently reduced, for the bonuses to hit and AC. I mean, it's not like anyone is going to poke fun at a 30th level character for his height. I'm that munchkin.

...though the spellcaster I made before that, and the one I'm still using, wears common travel clothes.

 

[DungeonmasterCal]

Style question. What does your wizard wear - the wizardly robes and funny pointed hat, or stylish travelin' pants and a comfortable shirt?

I have never played a mage who adventured in robes and a pointy hat, but wore practical clothing for the region and culture (usually trousers, shirts and vest, etc.) The "traditional" wizards' garb was reserved for ceremonial functions.

I've also always tried to encourage my players (some of whom really don't have a huge background in fantasy) to break out of the stereotypical notions of what a character might wear or look like. Not every cleric or wizard wears elaborate robes every day of their lives, not every fighter wears armor and carries a big sword, not every rogue wears black, etc. Years ago, when one player's wizard's robes were snagged on a nail and was crushed by the beam when a burning house collapsed, his next spell-caster wore britches and a shirt.

 

[orchid blossom]

She wears a spiked gauntlet over gloves of dexterity?

Bye
Thanee

Only on special occasions.

Seriously though, the gloves are a rather recent addition to her gear. They replace the gauntlet as the +1 to her AC is far more valuable than the opportunity to get the occasional AOO.

 

[Bendris Noulg]

Depends on the Mage, in all honesty. I had one that wore nobleman's clothes, while another wore a robe. I had one that wore garb similar to a gypsy, and I've had one that wore skins and furs.

Then there's my Oathbound PC's lover/cohort: NE Grey Elf Shaman/Witch/Mystic Theurge (5/5/2) that wears nothing but a loin clothe (across her loins, not her chest), satchel, and a half-face skull tattoo (with two "half-masks" that she uses to cover up either the left or right side of her face, depending on her mood) and a few BoVD and BoEF extras. She has a cloak that she wears while traveling, but is otherwise 99% naked most of the time.

(Oh, sweet decadence... Glad my wife's the GM or I'd be in trouble.)

I must say, though, that's it's been 20+ years since I've actually seen a character in-game with a pointy hat because he was a spellcaster. I have seen characters (PCs and NPCs) with funny hats due to their position or status (head of a Druidic Order, Lord Mage of a Guild, etc.).

 

[Mercule]

Never, ever wear a pointy hat. They are the mullet of D&D.

 

[JoAT]

Depending on the form he's in, either a loin-cloth and his skin, or else a vest and a pair of baggy, arabian style pants. Shape-shifting Half-Dragons are fun.

 

[RangerWickett]

Well, sometimes, NPC sorcerers dress like normal travelers, with normal pants, shirt, and vests. The current vogue is to carry a quarterstaff, to subtly showcase your power.

And some villainous mages, such as the Orcish inquisitors, like to look menacing and evil, with heavy furs, dozens of talismans, and bearskull masks.

And finally, there are the whacky ones, like the gnomes, who love their pointy hats.