D&D 3E/3.5 What if everyone's a wizard? [3.5]

[WhatThePhysics]

As the title suggests, this is a thought experiment about universal magical ability. The origin for this idea is a recent discussion with a friend about the long-term effects of spellcasting capabilities being a genetic trait. We both concluded that, given enough time, spellcasters would out-compete and drive all mundanes to extinction. Being a world-builder, I couldn't help but find this scenario fascinating. So, here it goes:

What do you think a campaign world would look like if everyone had some form of supernatural ability? This includes arcane/divine magic, psionics, incarnum, truenaming, and so on and so forth. There are still mundane with PC/NPC classes, but even they have at least one feats that grants a spell-like ability; examples would be Eberron's numerous Dragonmarks, and Complete Arcane's spell-like-ability-granting feats.

For the purposes of preventing a Tippyverse from emerging, assume no denizen of this setting is higher than 6th level, and traps rules do not apply.

 

[James the Newbie]

If the lowest peasents had magic, one of two things would happen

1) Magic would be shoved onto your CV and you would get a job based on what abilities you had (This snippet of an idea is taken from a freind) and the different types of magic would work together to create different parts of a whole

2) Warring between factions who think their power is the greatest would start, and nobility would be based on it.

So basicaly it would make everything work better and people get along with their powers like we do now with our skill sets. Or people would hate each other because their powers are different and it would cause massive arguments between biggots.

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Culture aside, things would function differently, every court house would have zone of truth, every prizon cell and guard ways to stop magic, many shops having illusions or (illegal) charms to sell goods.

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

Hm...

If, as the title suggests, everyone was a Wizard specifically (Meaning acquired magic through Academic study and not inborn ability) than the education would end up strictly regulated. A Wizard learns spells by individual research (which is 2 per level) and by sharing off of scrolls and spellbooks. I'd imagine a controlled system of schooling, legislature and authoritarian oversight would be established to limit and shape what was learned, in part to keep the Very Strong at the top, and in part to prevent anyone from accidently blowing up the universe.

Of course, in this scinario, there would be rebels and underground movements, which would keep things interesting.

If instead you're refering to the possability of inborn power (Sorcerer, Psionic, Incarnum, etc) as your post states, then at some point in history a lot of chaos would occur, and following that, some sort of order would be established. I could see the development of guiilds of similar types of powers emerging, and again, the Very Strong would monitor the up-and-coming to prevent anyone from accidently blowing up the universe.

Of course, not everyone could be regulated, and there'd be some eruptions of chaos.

In either situation, I'd imagine some system of Order and Oversight would be created to keep everyone from killing each other... or everyone would eventually end up dead if that failed.

 

[Shaghayegh]

Not everyone is smart enough or wise enough or even interested enough to pursue magic. What part in a highly magical society does the typical asshat jock play? Have you eliminated barbaric cultures by making everyone part of an enlightened civilisation with 100% literacy? That has not even been done in the real world.

Hmm. A more likely scenario would be the spread of magical gifts that would be the equivalent of psionic wild talents. Everyone would have a bonus feat that allows them to cast a certain number of level 0-1 spells. Those who were inclined could pursue actual study and practice to develop class abilities. Maybe Sorcerer is a second preferred class for every race, in addition to the normal ones listed.

Actually, just giving every Tom, Dick, and Harriette a single cantrip could completely change society. Think about the economics and effect on hygiene if one in five people could cast Mending or Prestidigitation whenever they wanted. Your clothes are dirty? You need a bath and do not have time? Your kitchen counter is dirty? Your meat is spoiled? Prestidigitation. Your clothes are old and you cannot afford to buy new? There's a pothole in the road and the city cannot afford to fix it? Ruffians broke a window in your shop as a prank? Mending.

What scullery maid would not kill to be able to cast these two cantrips at will? How much disease could be prevented just by being able to magically clean your body, your home, and your clothes? How much money could a city government save making repairs?

Think about using Ray of Frost for something besides attack. Use it chill a drink. Use it to preserve food. Hot day? Freeze your scarf then use it to cool your neck. You live in a desert? Use it on a metal bowl to suck moisture out of the air. A lowly peasant in a warm climate could make enough money to live on with these tricks. A smart barkeep could double her tips.

What about divine magic? You have a natural talent that lets you cast Detect Poison at will. Everyone from the local police and nervous nobles to amateur mushroom harvesters will want to hire you. Purify Food and Drink, if common enough, could lower the price of food, allow families to store up items that would normally go to waste, and prevent deaths from malnutrition and food poisoning.

These are just the more obvious examples. But look what making these few little spells a dime a dozen could do to change an entire society. No food going to waste. Water from the air in a desert climate. Clean peasants where there is no clean water to bathe and soap has not even been invented. That alone could halt the spread of plagues.

A little magic can go a long way...

 

[LiL KiNG]

If everyone had just a few SLA's they could cast a day, much like gnomes and the various other races that already have this, I don't think it would be too big of a deal - it doesn't rid the world of the barbaric cultures by any means.

If everyone did have SLA's though, I'd mix it up to keep things interesting. Have % roll table with all the SLA spells and you'd roll 3x against it (re-rolling if you end up on the same spell again). This way not everyone is the same and you don't end up thinking of everyone by their spells (ie: Aasimar=light, Teifling=darkness, etc. etc. - though in this case I'd keep each races light/darkness SLA, but have them roll against the % table for 2 more SLA spells).

 

[EroGaki]

Check out the Codex Alera book series by Jim Butcher. It follows the same premise: all of the humans of Alera possess the ability to use/summon/manipulate elementals (called Furies). The main character of the books, Tavi, is considered a freak because he is the only human being without this ability.

Another example would be the Xnth series by Peirs Anthony.

 

[Shaghayegh]

If everyone had just a few SLA's they could cast a day, much like gnomes and the various other races that already have this, I don't think it would be too big of a deal - it doesn't rid the world of the barbaric cultures by any means.

If everyone did have SLA's though, I'd mix it up to keep things interesting. Have % roll table with all the SLA spells and you'd roll 3x against it (re-rolling if you end up on the same spell again). This way not everyone is the same and you don't end up thinking of everyone by their spells (ie: Aasimar=light, Teifling=darkness, etc. etc. - though in this case I'd keep each races light/darkness SLA, but have them roll against the % table for 2 more SLA spells).

The important thing is selection. What powers can you give everyone without making the average Commoner too powerful to be controlled but still be worth having if you are a Wizard or Paladin? The changes wrought on a societal level would depend on what powers people had access to.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Another example would be the Xnth series by Peirs Anthony.

I was gonna mention Xanth, but you beat me to it. Interestingly, that series kicks off with a hero who- at the time- seems to have no magic in a world in which everyone else does.

The thing about Xanth is that the kind of magic people get is seemingly random in type, though powerful casters tend to have powerful offspring. And that has interesting implications for a D&D world where the entire population is supernaturally gifted.

 

[EroGaki]

I was gonna mention Xanth, but you beat me to it. Interestingly, that series kicks off with a hero who- at the time- seems to have no magic in a world in which everyone else does.

The thing about Xanth is that the kind of magic people get is seemingly random in type, though powerful casters tend to have powerful offspring. And that has interesting implications for a D&D world where the entire population is supernaturally gifted.

In the latest books, most of the more powerful magicians are related to Bink in some fashion. Due to the Demon Xanth's influence, every decendent of Bink has a magician level talent.

 

[Loonook]

As suggested above the Codex Alera kind of works on this inborn magic concept... But it doesn't really fit the concept that 'everyone is a wizard'. We need a further definition of what kind of spellcasting exists. I mean, if everyone is a literal Wizard, as in they maintain this one class, all spellcasting, etc... Well, the average individual probably has some 'tricks' they can pull, and the ability to have a few more, but you will also have a very focused way to screw around with the economy of a world.

Oh, and everyone has Commoner HP .

Now, if you like the idea of a genetic disposition and want something that is compatible with 3.x and could allow for a lot of usefulness and development that doesn't require a complete focus on Intelligence... May I suggest getting hold of Elements of Magic or Elements of Magic: Mythic Earth. If using ME Everyone gets Animism as a free feat, allowing them to use any set of traditions... But the choices are randomized for each player and each NPC.

No matter which system you use I see the following:

You're born. When you become 'tested' upon your rise to Level 1 your specific skillset is tested through a knowledge of magical theory, raw skill, and appropriate stat-based tests. In a standard feudal society the lords would probably provide for education for the best and brightest... In an Empire the very talented would be sent off to a Battle School-esque training facility where their skill sets are determined, and the best and brightest would rise to high military ranks... And others would wash out to become scholars, seneschals, and political leaders in smaller communities.

Some people will train to a specific skill... And become amazing casters. Most would be happy to be able to plow fields with their magic mount, or get together in work gangs to Enlarge themselves and go through their life on the edge of the durations of their limited spells.

But honestly? In a world where EVERYONE has magic powers? I'd go with skill-based magic like EoM. It lets individuals have a 'limitless' supply (as long as they don't fail or backlash), gives a lot more breadth of options, and provides for a lot more to do rather than 'ehh, every commoner can call up a 2 hr mount which isn't horribly useful.'

I actually discussed the issue of 'everyone is a Wizard' with somebody who was working on a Harry Potter RPG. You have such a wide range of talents and abilities available, and every person alive is weak, ineffectual, and not really helpful in shooting a bow, springing traps... And healing goes out the window.

Slainte,

-Loonook