Disguised rogue casting spells [Archive] - Wizards Community

Disguised rogue casting spells [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
The_Yellow_Dart_Swinger
07-13-04, 11:16 AM My thanks goes out to Perkele who I'm borrowing the idea from.

I'm planning on making a rogue who for reasons is disguised as a mage. And I was wondering if you people out their can think of ways that he 'casts spells' naturally with out really using any magical wands or scrolls. Magical items, wands, etc, are ok as long as they can be used hidden, but considering I'll probably start out at level 1, I want to be able to cheaply 'cast' spells. But any suggestions would be fine.
cmas3117
07-13-04, 12:38 PM What I would do is not actually worry about being able to actually cast spells in any shape or fashion. What I would focus on being able to do is to look like I'm casting spells by being really mysterious and doing lots of hand gestures and using funny words and and collecting all kinds of fun totally useless things and well looking wizardy.

Then when people asked for a particular spell I'd come up with all kinds of interesting reasons why I couldn't cast it, or it wouldn't work, or whatever.

This could probably be kept up for some time with many of the groups I've played with.
Soichiro Arima
07-13-04, 03:04 PM Are you trying to hide the fact your not a wizard from just your party or just NPCs or both?
The_Yellow_Dart_Swinger
07-13-04, 03:38 PM From NPC's and the party, including the players. I want to be able to talk to the DM ahead of times so he know what I mean when I say "I cast such and such". I also realize that picking up 'components' will increase my looks, but I want to look as real as possible without actully being real. So I have to beable to 'cast' at least about 15 or so ish spells would be alright.
Trydan
07-14-04, 03:53 AM This is an interesting concept. I like it! :cool:

I wonder if this rogue could have a "mage friend" to help. With a ring of spell-storing, he could have some spells put in for him, after which he could just let them loose, only to go back and change them up again (like a handy!).

Having a wand (or two) strapped to each forearm would help, and some rings would also be good.

Now, what about somehow incorporating potions into your components. Or oils or tinctures.
Another thing might be to make up some spells. Pretend you are doing spell-research, and ultimately make some new spells to match your magic items that you do have. E.g. create Improved Strike, which gives you +1 to an attack roll. The use that to explain why you use a normal dagger slightly better than the next person. The reality is that it is a +1 dagger.

However, what I'd like to know, is whether or not the rogue's companions get a spell-craft/bluff/sense-motive check at every casting event?
Rainos
07-14-04, 08:01 AM one word flash poweder

ok two words but you get the idea
Persephone Imytholin
07-14-04, 09:00 AM Have a very good look at the scope of your skills, too. This should help you to see what you can fake.

A few things you might like to consider are:

Taking up ventriloquism
Taking up alkhemy
Cooking food for the party, to show off your skills in herbalism
Pretending to tell fortunes
Carefully studying any odd-looking objects you find
The_Yellow_Dart_Swinger
07-14-04, 10:18 AM Hey everyone, thank you for your wonderful replies, everyone has given me some interesting ideas.

To answer your question first Trydan, I don't know, I'd have to talk to my DM, but considering that the sorcerer in the party doesn't spellcraft with the cleric in our last campaign and vice versa, I think that it's up to the players to decide if they want to or not. They might for the first few 'spells' but possibly after that they wouldn't have any reason.

I'm going to cross-class some ranks into knowledge arcana and spellcraft to seem more authentic, also I'm going to max out bluff and disguise to cover my bases, and UMD.

I like the wands and rings idea, I'll probably have to end up picking them up later, but thated be a good idea of a wand of magic missles strapped to my arm.

Ohh, flash powder, add some show. Alchemy would be a nice craft to have, but because of the restriction that only spellcasters can make the alchemy item, I'd have to talk to my DM about buying the specality items. I remember that the Arms and Equipment guide had a lot of different oils and such, I'll have to look.

I like the idea of making 'new' spells up. For instance if the dragon breathes fire, and I make my reflex save, then I can tell the party. "It was Immunity To Fire." As to why I'm not injured. I'd just have to "cast" it before hand as to not raise the party suspicion.

Persephone, I also like your ideas, having mage like quirks would be an even more convincing way to well, convince my party that I'm a mage. Having ranks in perform ventriloquism would be interesting since I could duplicate the spell of that name.

Again, thank you all for the replies, and keep on repling, I'm loving all of your ideas and I'm acting like a 3 year old on a sugar high wanting to play this character correctly.
Dalrath
07-14-04, 08:03 PM Also tell everyone you are doing a "new" kind of magic so you aren't suspected when the party run across a real mage. It seems this will be a very Cha intensive character, sounds fun.
The_Yellow_Dart_Swinger
07-19-04, 11:41 AM :bump:

Still looking for some more good suggestions and opinions!
The_Yellow_Dart_Swinger
09-18-04, 03:53 PM :bump:

Still looking for some more good suggestions and opinions!

I love to quote myself.
RPGhaulsass
09-19-04, 09:37 AM WizardX/RogueX/Arcane Trickster10?

That's a pretty nifty Rogue/caster build...:)

With Eschew Materials or something like that, allowing you to cast material component spells without material components (up to a certain price-range, that is:P)

If you're all about Charisma, use Sorcerer instead of Wizard...:)
Rathis Darkwielder
09-19-04, 10:09 AM I think he doesn't mean to have any 'real' spellcasting levels, only make people believe he had them.
RPGhaulsass
09-19-04, 10:12 AM Oh... How about uhh... Those regional feats, allowing you to cast dancing lights and some other spells a couple of times a day? And the Drow ability to cast Darkness?:P

Other than that, I dunno... Magical devices? Some kinda blessing?
HomebrewedMonster
09-19-04, 12:04 PM Tell the players you use verbal spells only, so you pretty much cast nothing but true strike at 1st level.
Morka
09-19-04, 07:32 PM Maximize your SLEIGHT OF HAND skill, and secretly drink potions! It'll also help the next time you visit the Magic-Mart.

Don't forget to keep a familiar nearby.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
The_Yellow_Dart_Swinger 07-13-04, 11:16 AM	My thanks goes out to Perkele who I'm borrowing the idea from. I'm planning on making a rogue who for reasons is disguised as a mage. And I was wondering if you people out their can think of ways that he 'casts spells' naturally with out really using any magical wands or scrolls. Magical items, wands, etc, are ok as long as they can be used hidden, but considering I'll probably start out at level 1, I want to be able to cheaply 'cast' spells. But any suggestions would be fine.
cmas3117 07-13-04, 12:38 PM	What I would do is not actually worry about being able to actually cast spells in any shape or fashion. What I would focus on being able to do is to look like I'm casting spells by being really mysterious and doing lots of hand gestures and using funny words and and collecting all kinds of fun totally useless things and well looking wizardy. Then when people asked for a particular spell I'd come up with all kinds of interesting reasons why I couldn't cast it, or it wouldn't work, or whatever. This could probably be kept up for some time with many of the groups I've played with.
Soichiro Arima 07-13-04, 03:04 PM	Are you trying to hide the fact your not a wizard from just your party or just NPCs or both?
The_Yellow_Dart_Swinger 07-13-04, 03:38 PM	From NPC's and the party, including the players. I want to be able to talk to the DM ahead of times so he know what I mean when I say "I cast such and such". I also realize that picking up 'components' will increase my looks, but I want to look as real as possible without actully being real. So I have to beable to 'cast' at least about 15 or so ish spells would be alright.
Trydan 07-14-04, 03:53 AM	This is an interesting concept. I like it! :cool: I wonder if this rogue could have a "mage friend" to help. With a ring of spell-storing, he could have some spells put in for him, after which he could just let them loose, only to go back and change them up again (like a handy!). Having a wand (or two) strapped to each forearm would help, and some rings would also be good. Now, what about somehow incorporating potions into your components. Or oils or tinctures. Another thing might be to make up some spells. Pretend you are doing spell-research, and ultimately make some new spells to match your magic items that you do have. E.g. create Improved Strike, which gives you +1 to an attack roll. The use that to explain why you use a normal dagger slightly better than the next person. The reality is that it is a +1 dagger. However, what I'd like to know, is whether or not the rogue's companions get a spell-craft/bluff/sense-motive check at every casting event?
Rainos 07-14-04, 08:01 AM	one word flash poweder ok two words but you get the idea
Persephone Imytholin 07-14-04, 09:00 AM	Have a very good look at the scope of your skills, too. This should help you to see what you can fake. A few things you might like to consider are: Taking up ventriloquism Taking up alkhemy Cooking food for the party, to show off your skills in herbalism Pretending to tell fortunes Carefully studying any odd-looking objects you find
The_Yellow_Dart_Swinger 07-14-04, 10:18 AM	Hey everyone, thank you for your wonderful replies, everyone has given me some interesting ideas. To answer your question first Trydan, I don't know, I'd have to talk to my DM, but considering that the sorcerer in the party doesn't spellcraft with the cleric in our last campaign and vice versa, I think that it's up to the players to decide if they want to or not. They might for the first few 'spells' but possibly after that they wouldn't have any reason. I'm going to cross-class some ranks into knowledge arcana and spellcraft to seem more authentic, also I'm going to max out bluff and disguise to cover my bases, and UMD. I like the wands and rings idea, I'll probably have to end up picking them up later, but thated be a good idea of a wand of magic missles strapped to my arm. Ohh, flash powder, add some show. Alchemy would be a nice craft to have, but because of the restriction that only spellcasters can make the alchemy item, I'd have to talk to my DM about buying the specality items. I remember that the Arms and Equipment guide had a lot of different oils and such, I'll have to look. I like the idea of making 'new' spells up. For instance if the dragon breathes fire, and I make my reflex save, then I can tell the party. "It was Immunity To Fire." As to why I'm not injured. I'd just have to "cast" it before hand as to not raise the party suspicion. Persephone, I also like your ideas, having mage like quirks would be an even more convincing way to well, convince my party that I'm a mage. Having ranks in perform ventriloquism would be interesting since I could duplicate the spell of that name. Again, thank you all for the replies, and keep on repling, I'm loving all of your ideas and I'm acting like a 3 year old on a sugar high wanting to play this character correctly.
Dalrath 07-14-04, 08:03 PM	Also tell everyone you are doing a "new" kind of magic so you aren't suspected when the party run across a real mage. It seems this will be a very Cha intensive character, sounds fun.
The_Yellow_Dart_Swinger 07-19-04, 11:41 AM	:bump: Still looking for some more good suggestions and opinions!
The_Yellow_Dart_Swinger 09-18-04, 03:53 PM	:bump: Still looking for some more good suggestions and opinions! I love to quote myself.
RPGhaulsass 09-19-04, 09:37 AM	WizardX/RogueX/Arcane Trickster10? That's a pretty nifty Rogue/caster build...:) With Eschew Materials or something like that, allowing you to cast material component spells without material components (up to a certain price-range, that is:P) If you're all about Charisma, use Sorcerer instead of Wizard...:)
Rathis Darkwielder 09-19-04, 10:09 AM	I think he doesn't mean to have any 'real' spellcasting levels, only make people believe he had them.
RPGhaulsass 09-19-04, 10:12 AM	Oh... How about uhh... Those regional feats, allowing you to cast dancing lights and some other spells a couple of times a day? And the Drow ability to cast Darkness?:P Other than that, I dunno... Magical devices? Some kinda blessing?
HomebrewedMonster 09-19-04, 12:04 PM	Tell the players you use verbal spells only, so you pretty much cast nothing but true strike at 1st level.
Morka 09-19-04, 07:32 PM	Maximize your SLEIGHT OF HAND skill, and secretly drink potions! It'll also help the next time you visit the Magic-Mart. Don't forget to keep a familiar nearby.