Good ECL 1 arcane caster?

[Bonedagger]

I would prefer a gnome illusionist. Chose Enchanment as your forbidden school. With enchantments you need to affect people directly (They get saves and you need to penetrade MR). Illusions manipulate people indirectly (Normally no save). Generally better IMO and leave more space for creativity.

And don't forget their spell-abilities. Imagine sending of 4 will-o-whisp (sp.?) like lights with a movement of 100 to help you investigate a dark area. And prestigitation.. That one's always nice. Oh yes. And Ghost Sound. Basically you have more cantrips than normal.

Their high con + their small size also help them survive.

 

[Avatar_V]

I just started playing a grey elf, and I would suggest that. It's ecl 0, but go ahead and take another level of wizard! +2 int, +2 dex, -2 str, - con. Give 'em a bow and a spellbook and they're good to go

 

[Geoff Watson]

Vanara from OA are +0 ECL, and get +2 Int, +2 Wis, -2 Str.

Geoff.

 

[arwink]

For the stat bonus and various abilities, any kind of planetouched.

Personally, I'd probably lean towards one of the humanoid races that aren't normally spellcasters. Hobgoblins are always a favorite, but the gnoll sorc. (ecl +2 though) always has a certain style about them. They can't necessarily do all the spells as well as a human sorcerer can, but they do have an aura of menace and style...