Sub-mages?

[Moe Ronalds]

I'm currently designing a game world where magic is extremely rare, but there are still many vaguely magical beings and people. People who can't manifest spells, but who can either take "mundane" things to the extreme (alchemists/tinkerers) or have a few very specific magical powers. So far I've been able to think of two "sub-mages", the Alchemist (who creates items far beyond the ability of normal alchemists (and at later levels homunculi and even golems)) and the (outsider of choice)ologist, who summons more and more powerful outsiders to do their bidding, as well as gaining a few other related powers.

However, other than this I am stuck, and I know the people of ENworld are possibly the wisest and most creative people to help me.

 

[F5]

...People who can't manifest spells, but who can either take "mundane" things to the extreme ....

How about "magical" smiths/craftsmen? They're so good at what they do that the weapons/arrows/armor/whatever that they make is imbued with special properties, which get more and more powerful as they go up in level?

Hmm...that sounds like it could be a fun prestige class even in a "normal magic" campaign. I may have to think a little harder about this.

 

[wolfen]

It's not clear if you're specifically concerned with creating new PC classes for your world, NPC's, or both. But here goes...

Well, of course there's always the classic Elementalist...you know, that guy who can do cool stuff with earth, fire, water, or air? I'm very partial to this idea.

Replace Diviners with psychics, palm readers, etc. If you imagine they're all legitimately gifted, they're really cool NPC's. Especially if you create tables for the types of things they might spontaneously know and roll it up on the spot.

Necromancers could be Dr. Frankenstein types...part Alchemist/part magic user.

You could even do the Dune thing and have a secret order that quietly arranges pairings behind the scenes. They might be gifted enchanters.

You can also do a lot with skills and feats. You could just give people tons of skills points in specific skills outside any class designation. The populist with 30 ranks in Diplomacy, the super gifted 5th generation Armorer, the young commoner with an uncanny awareness/alertness and foreknowledge of impending danger, etc.

Ancient heroes often seem supernaturally gifted. But most likely they were just ordinary people with a specific talent that happened to find some use in a given circumstance. Like the occasional mother with incredible strength the moment she needs to protect her child. A world littered with such people would be very interesting, indeed.

Also consider magical "wells" and hotspots that have the potential to bestow/endow things at particular times or in particular circumstances. In a low magic world like the one you describe, it would be quite something to visit (or stumble upon) the "Lady of the Lake" who secretly rises every so often to bless the weapon of good hearted defenders of truth.

Anyway, good luck. Sounds like a lot of fun.

wolfen

 

[hong]

Sub-mages: fireball silent, fireball deep.

 

[Arkhandus]

Some neat ideas F5 and wolfen... Maybe I could elaborate some on those concepts. Oh, and the Alchemist could be called a Thaumaturgist for flavor, to sound a little different...

A Necraturgist class, or an appropriate set of feats/skills.... A Dr. Frankenstein sort, who animates the dead through science, alchemy, and mysterious necromancy that is tapped into automatically as they work on the corpses... The Necraturgist applies special herbs, chemicals, preservatives, salves, mechanisms, and electricity...and as he works, some innate magical talent within him/her channels necromantic power into the creation, supplementing the pseudo-technology and giving life. Obviously, much more limited than a necromancer specialist wizard or an evil cleric, but neat and more mundane.

A Chirurgeon class, prestige class, or skill/feat set, who uses innate magic to supplement surgical, first aid, and herbal remedies. Similar to the Necraturgist, but in a more positive light, and maybe not using mechanical/electrical stuff in the process, just herbs and salves and surgical implements.

A Magesmith class, prestige class, or skill/feat set, who possesses some innate or cultivated magical spark that empowers his/her lovingly-crafted products. The more levels/feats/ranks gained, the more power and more exotic abilities newly-crafted items gain.

A Soothsayer/Gypsie (sp?) class or skill/feat set, with strange and spontaneous, magical talents of divination and fortune that function of their own accord, randomly activating with little to no conscious control.

A Metaphysic class or skill/feat set, which gains extraordinary and supernatural physical abilities through meditation, martial arts, intense physical exercise regimens, and pushing the limits of the human physique/will.

A prestige class or set of feats that allow a character to use subtle magic through their voice, to enchant or influence folks through song or oratory.

 

[Tsyr]

Two books I would suggest picking up:

Occult Lore by (Atlas? Forgive me, I'm tired, but I think so)

and

Demonology, by Mongoose Publishing.

Both are on my personal "Good book!" list.

 

[Moe Ronalds]

Thanks for all the replies so far, a lot of these ideas are really interesting.