Wizard with a theme

[GentleGiant]

Okay, I'm set to start playing in a new FR campaign beginning in early August.
I've decided to play a wizard, most likely a human, but I'm sort of in a rut as to which "path" to take with this character.
I'm not a big fan of the "let's only take all the big damage spells and blast the opposition to smithereens" mentality. I prefer to tinker and use some of the "lesser used" spells in creative ways (much to the annoyance of my DMs ). (*Note, I'm also looking for help for another player in the campaign, look at the end of the post)

Now, I think I'd like to make some kind of "themed" wizard, e.g. a Frost Mage , a Shadow Mage, a Sun Mage, a Crow/Raven Mage, a Sword Mage etc. etc..
He doesn't need to be a specialist (though I'm not ruling it out), just someone who adheres to a certain theme.
I'm looking for theme suggestions and also Prestige Classes that would fit those themes. Suggestions are welcome and PrC's from all books are welcome too (I have access to a lot of books through friends and, failing that, I have access to a well stocked FLGS).

A little info about the campaign if that'll help with the suggestions:
1st level characters.
Starting place is Shadowdale (as I said, it's a FR campaign). The PC's have all grown up together. Races are limited to Humans, Half-Elf, Half-Orc and Halfling (because of similar maturity level).
Stats are (high to low): 17, 17, 15, 15, 13, 11 (yes, I lucked out on that row )
I know of one other character concept in the group so far, a human sorcerer (see below), who should cover the "let's blast 'em" aspect of arcane magic. Rumours of what else might crop up: a Druid, a Halfling Rogue, a Paladin/Cleric (and/or). 2 players more, but I don't know anything about their plans (one is a first time RPG'er, so probably nothing fancy on her part).


Okay, I'm also trying to help out a fellow player in the campaign. He wants to play a female human sorcerer and we're looking for a Prestige Class that's fitting. Spellcasting Prodigy, Bloodline of Fire (parents are from Calimshan - fugitives, settled in Shadowdale) and Spellfocus (Evocation) are the first 3 feats that he has decided upon. The rest are up for grabs, depending on a PrC (if any).
So far, we've looked at Elemental Savant (lots of annoying Metamagic feat requirements, though) and Artillerist (Quintessential Sorcerer) - but more suggestions are welcome.
If you haven't noticed, the theme with this character is Fire, Fire and some more Fire.

 

[Thanee]

Elemental Savant is really a pretty obvious choice for your friend then.

Incantatrix is otherwise a great PrC for a sorcerer, but doesn't fit well theme-wise, as they normally do not use a lot of direct offensive spells.

About the theme... I've recently made an oriental (Shou) character with a jade theme, using the Spell Thematics feat to change magic missile into jade shards and so on.

Conjurer, Enchanter or Illusionist are pretty well-suited to make a themed character, I think.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Bloodstone Press]

I'm not a big fan of the "let's only take all the big damage spells and blast the opposition to smithereens" mentality. I prefer to tinker and use some of the "lesser used" spells in creative ways (much to the annoyance of my DMs ).

Perhaps an illusionist. THey have quite a creative range with their spells.

 

[Targos]

Shadow adept may be good for any non-blasting type of caster (wizard or sorcerer). Although not a specialist shadow weave grants bonuses to enchantment, illusion, and necromancy while it has weaknesses in evocation and transmutation. The requirements aren't horribly steep for a sorcerer like most PrC, but there is the whole non-good thing. Depends on the campaign I suppose whether this is a relavent option.

 

[Ferret]

A communinty(friendship) mage. Charm, suggest, heros feast (well that sort of thing even if thats a cleric spell). Shield other or whatever.

Makes sense if the characters grew up together.

 

[Black Knight Irios]

Ruleset: I assume 3.5
Race: Human
Class: Wizard Specialist Illusionist (bared schools: conjuration&one of your choice, except for divination which you can't choose)
PrC:
-Shadowcrafter (Underdark)
-Shadow Adept (PGtF)
Feats:
-Spell Thematics (PGtF)
-Shadow Weave Magic (PGtF)
-Spellfocus (Illusion)
-Greater Spellfocus (Illusion)

With both PrC you can build a fine Illusionist, Shadowcrafter being specialized in Illusion(Shadow) spells and Shadow Adept being more general, another idea is combining both concepts in one. Spell Thematics is a very cool feat and would work out nice for themed spellcaster.
Keep in mind that the shadow adept has a slight "pull" to the dark side!

 

[Herremann the Wise]

Hi GentleGiant,

I can thoroughly recommend the Specialist Conjurer followed up by Alienist. I have a character (13th level) who has followed this progression and it is a lot of fun. My guy was a rare book and arcana hunter/merchant- in a similar vein to Lucas Corso if you have ever read The Dumas Club [thoroughly recommended as well]. His dabbling in the wizardly arts is more an offshoot of his love for knowledge and looking anywhere to find it. This of course leads into the Alienist class where you look past the reaches of sanity for power. High Intelligence, Constitution recommended but the star should be a stupidly low wisdom - negatives preferable.
A lot of fun if you want to play a character who will eventually struggle with the boundaries of sanity - without being too whacky or disruptive to the party.

As a conjurer, you can really have some fun. Prohibited schools can vary based upon your concepts. I chose Illusion and Necromancy and have not regretted either. Illusion bites a little and based upon what you have said, you are thinking of playing more the thinking mage - which fits illusion quite well. Up to you.

Best Regards
Herremann the Wise

 

[Calico_Jack73]

Personally I think having a nifty shtick is more important than selecting your PrCs as far as getting out of a rut.

One of my most favorite characters was actually a Warhammer FRPG character that I've thought about recreating for D&D (except that another member of my group decided to play the wizard this time around). His name was "The Fantastic Fenton Grodford" and he was all about using his magic to entertain, amuse, and amaze. He was a very flamboyant fellow always assuming that EVERYONE had heard of him. Even if he failed at something (a fairly common occurance) he'd have a quick retort that made it seem that he MEANT to do what he had done. I was thinking about recreating him as an Illusionist. Instead of taking the big flashy and damaging spells he'd take spells that could be used to befuddle enemies as well as entertain audiences.

 

[rbingham2000]

I always thought that a straight-on summoner would be cool. Someone whose main power involves calling up powerful monsters from other worlds in order to tear you a new one. Who needs fireballs or magic missiles?

In fact, as mmadsen pointed out in the Little Changes with Big Flavor thread, you can build an entire magic system out of summoning alone, like Moorcock did for his Eternal Champion sagas.

 

[Carpe DM]

I have always wanted to play a specialist diviner. The problem is that the GameMaster will either hate you or limit you, and neither is fun.