Have (wizard) concept, need crunch!

[nakia]

It's that or it's back to practicing his 0th-level mage hand spell.

I laughed a lot at this one.

Thanks for all the input, everyone. I think I may stick with the enchantment focus. I like the subtlety and non-lethality of most of the spells. He's just working out his charm issues, is all. He's still young, so he's figuring out how to be a wizard and a good person at the same time. There will be interesting moral dilemmas that come about when it looks like he must charm someone. But, charming is still better than blowing them up with a fireball, no?

I like the interaction of personality and powers that 3ed can facilitate. You just have to think about things the right way. I remember a Dragon article from awhile back that talks about feats and character personality. Good stuff.

I'll finish Jake up this weekend (our first session is Monday) and let you know how he ends up.

 

[Rel]

I think that an interesting direction to go with this character would be to have him using his enchantments to MAKE people like him (which is what he's always wanted). Even in situations where other folks seem to be getting along fine with him, he may get nervous and force the issue with a Charm Person. If and when people find out this was done then of course they'll be resentful and ultimately will like him less than they would have otherwise.

That's his journey: To understand that in the long run helping others where he can will earn him true friendship and companionship. But it's so easy just to FORCE them to like him, even if only for a short while.

 

[beaver1024]

Jacob "Jake" Farris gets 7 first level spells to begin play with. He got most of them at wizard school. He has spell focus - enchantment as a feat.

Here are some spells he may take:
sleep
magic missle
mage armor
identify
charm person
shield
comprehend languages

I need feedback on his spell selection. Do I really need mage armor and shield? Is there something I should have that I overlooked? Is comprehend languages worthwhile?

There is also a story element present in his focus on enchantment spells. I think Jacob is a lonley guy. He was an only child, his parents are dead, he was made fun of a lot for being the smart kid until he went to wizard school. At wizard school he was made fun of for being the poor kid. He wants, more than anything, to have friends and a surrogate family. He also wants a girlfriend. He also really likes words and books. He wants to have a library of his own some day.

Some of this led to his focus on enchantment spells, but now he realizes that charmed people are not really your friends, so he's ambivalent about enchantment spells.

Now, it makes little sense to spend a feat on spells he feels bad about casting. So, how should I approach this? Focus on another school, like transmutation? Maybe even specialize in some other school and get rid of enchantment and another school?

I want Jacob to have spells that fit his personality and story, but want him to be effective in the game. Any hellp you kind folks can provide will be appreciated.

Are you fixed on playing a wizard? How about playing a sorcerer instead? The backstory flows except with a slight adjustment, drop the liking of books. Being a sorcerer Jacob can work on his natural charisma and someday (with ability score increases and skill point investment in charisma skills) he will get the relationship he wants without forcing anyone.

I think being a sorcerer fits well into the character's motivation because as a wizard, as he's not concentrating on charisma skills, he will never get the relationships he wants.

Another reason for being a sorcerer is because being poor and being a wizard doesn't gel. The creation of the spellbook alone would be worth more than what most peasant families see in a lifetime.

As for the spell suggestions, I would drop mage armour and keep shield. The reason is because you can substitute mage armour with physical armour. Drop sleep because there's too many things immuned to it and it's a 1 round casting time, replace with colour spray. Drop the spell focus feat. Get improve initiative instead. Comprehend languages is ok but not a great spell. I would further suggest you drop magic missile for now and get grease. Pick it up again at around 2nd or 3rd level. You usually do more damage with your crossbow than with magic missile.

 

[Anthelios]

Specialize in Illusions! Not only do they provide hours of entertainment, but a good illusion can make the honeys run into your arms for safety. Then you, the "powerful" wizard.. Just banish them with a flick of your wrist and a meaningless word of power. Would be like taking candy from a baby.

On a more serious note, if your character is so brainy, he could delve deep into the recesses of magic and try to make his illusions "real" thinking creatures. Creating stronger illusion spells with semi-real matter, and that respond to situations independantly.. Sort of like creating artificial life. Hmm.. I like that concept.

 

[nakia]

On a more serious note, if your character is so brainy, he could delve deep into the recesses of magic and try to make his illusions "real" thinking creatures. Creating stronger illusion spells with semi-real matter, and that respond to situations independantly.. Sort of like creating artificial life. Hmm.. I like that concept.

I like this idea! Maybe not for Jake, but defintely for the future.

I think I'm going to stick with the enchantment angle. Jake will begin the game not realizing that charm person isn't the best way to make friends, but will learn as the story progresses and my DM sticks it to me.

Thanks to everyone for the help.