mystic theurge flavor- please advice! [Archive] - Wizards Community

mystic theurge flavor- please advice! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Demonwolf
10-11-03, 03:25 AM I need help with flavor for a mystic theurge character. I'mm desining a campaign of pre-made chars, and i've got three great chars- a half-orc duelist, a half-elf barbarian, a tiefling bard, and they've got great backstories and ppersonalities.
I can't figure out anythign for the mystic theurge, though... all i know is he's human, is a cleric of mystra, and his name is Junas O'Kerlett. He'll probably use a longspear. He's scarily intelligent and unusually wise for his age (around 22), but underneath his deep maturity and calm, wise exterior lies the heart of an inquisitive and caring child, whose innocence often comes through. can't figure anything else, though- quirks to make him interesting and playable, appearance, heroic characteristics...
one idea i have is that his boyish innocence and kindness are really appealing to women, but for all his wisdom he's innocent and childlike enough not to realize it, so he has women fawning over his youthful looks and adorable boyish innocence but doesnt notice. If u guys like this idea, i'll need you ladies to tell me... what exactly is it that makes a guy boyishly adorable? just tell me what he'd need to be like roughly in terms of appearance, costume, personality and all. also, suggested costumes would help.
Gingerbread Guy
10-12-03, 01:40 PM Hiho,

Mystic Theurges are intensely devoted and focused individuals. Maintaining two spellcasting classes sort of at once is a difficult task. Have his passion be rooted in knowledge, not women or wine or money or power. If a woman comes on to him, he could reply with "Yes.. and, so what?", honestly wondering why anyoned would be interested in mere procreation when there's so many better things to be doing with your time. [yeah, its sad, I know].

In terms of clothing, he probably doesn't care what he looks like. Plain robes that are clean, but well worn. He has better things to do than shop for haute-couture fashions, and better things to do with his money too. If people will let him, he'll probably go on for hours about obscure little pieces of arcane lore. If he's charismatic enough, it may actually be interesting to listen to.

I can see the guy going prematurely gray. A little at the temples, perhaps. In contrast, give him fair hair to play up the dual nature of his youth and wisdom. A blond or redhead is good.

If you go this route, his alignment is probably neutral in at least one respect, if not true neutral. Lawful neutral is good as well, since it indicates a dedicated, unwaivering faith.

~Ginger
Demonwolf
10-12-03, 01:47 PM well i know mystic theurges are dedicated individuals obsessed with magic but the problem is, compared to my other characters, that would make him absolutely no fun to play. There's one rich noble passionate duelist/politician, one swift and charismatic rogue/bard, one ferocious yet noble and intelligent barbarian, one ninja assassin whose clan was destroyed, gradually working toward destroying an enemy organization.
In contrast to those guys, we have a geeky prematurely aging mage/priest. Don't think so. He is going to be kind of obsessed with magic, because he's so used to seeing the weave as clearly as he sees everything else that he thinks on a different level than most people, but he's still going to be actively involved in Marches politics, and gonna have an actual life. If anything i see him wanting companionship, but if he has a 'so what' attitude about romance/procreation, that's kinda harsh, and well it's kinda going to ruin the 'boyish innocence' aspect of the character.
jseckrosh
10-14-03, 02:37 AM He shouldn't be "boyishly innocent", nor niave. High Wisdom all but precludes these aspects [Sense Motive]. He may not be worldly, but he would hardly be easily fooled or simply innocent. You have some concrete ideas to start with, but appear to be boxed in by them as well. So, working from what you have:

He's young but exceptionally wise -and- intelligent, which means he can't be wide-eyed and wondering, but he -can- be intensely curious, full of theories and conjectures, and he could view existene and those who occupy the world with a compassionate yet firm detachment. He looks to the lovers, and already sees how and why they will eventually fail, he sees a kingdom and spots the subtle flaws in its infrastructure that presage its fall. He views the world empirically, perhaps, and views his actions, and the reactions they cause in the world, as a kind of experiment. Testing hypothesi, messing, a bit, with reality, and with people's perceptions.

As for his "boyishness", use that, but twist it to reflect just what his high mental abilities reflect. The child with the old soul, the 1000-yard stare, the marks of eons on his face, is a common trope, and appropriate here. He's young, but has a wisdom beyond his years. It both creates distance and re-inforces his commitment to the world, as he needs to use what he knows to help/aid others.

And romance. Nothing precludes this character from having an "involvement", but it simply needs to suit his world-view and personality. If anything, it offers the chance for a truly singular NPC to pique his interest. Someone who matches his mind, or challenges it, instead of "just" being pretty [I don't want to undervalue attractiveness, though], seems suitable, especially if they can get mileage out of intellectual sparring or opposing views. This is the sort where they fall in love without ever knowing it. On the other hand, an expemplary physical specimen, a warrior of some type, might be appropriate, as the physical equivalent of his mental stature. All it means is that his relations may be more nuanced, more "sophisticated" and may offer richer role-playing. On yet another hand, he may like the naivity and care-free love of life of the common "bar wench".

Hope that helps.
Demonwolf
10-14-03, 06:06 AM yeah i kinda knew that the whole thing was a little self-contradictary, but it seemed like a good idea.
although maybe the thing with his innocence came off wrong. I made him out to lack perceptiveness, and that made me contradict myself but i don't think having a high wisdom should mean he would lack the innocent outlook of a child- no matter how much you know, there's still a lot that you don't know that could make you feel innocent. I didn't mean that he'd have the body of young man and the mind and heart of a wise one, i meant he'd have the mind of a wise man but the heart of a child. And the 1000 yard stare doesn't fit him, because though he is a mage, he is ultimately in the here and now and sees the weave in everyone and everything. Not to mention, to my experience, people who are true idealists at heart never really grow out of their innocence no matter how wise they get. They're rare, but i've met a few of these guys. (my dad and my best friend being prime examples). The kind of innocence i was referring to was a sort of 'little prince' innocence, or like Saria from Ocarina of Time
Mr. VanderMeer
10-14-03, 08:21 AM Seems to me like you already have a good idea of this characters' personality and don't need much help.
He coul be the kind that can be fascinated by the smallest thing, as long as it is something he has never seen before. He could have the heart of an explorere. The type that want to see all wonders the earth has to offer. Due to this fixation on matters of the universe, he might indeed be a bit innocent when it comes to dealing with other people.
Demonwolf
10-14-03, 08:33 PM i do have a good idea about the character's personality. The personality is usually the first thing that comes to mind, but i need to flesh out the halberd. My other two characters have trademarks, societal roles, appearances, backgrounds and all that.Arrusk Windwarder (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=1567139#post1567139post1567139) has his trademark halberd with the crescent-moon blade, the fact that he's a half-orc, his humility based in his peasant upbringing, his love of combat and his power as a politician and his affiliation with the bloodkin, and Talon Ravenwright (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=113257) has his affiliation with the harpers, his succubus charm, his color-changing eyes, his cunning, his strange conscience-lacking goodness and his demonic attitude, not to mention the fact that he's an adept adventurer though he has close to no true power in combat or stealth and survives with his devious, charming alert mind alone.
but back on topic, Junas needs an appearance- don't know whether to go with the typical mage robe or something else. I'm thinking of a thick furry reddish-brown cotton cloak, like the coarse fabric of a friar's robe, but i haven/'t gotten past that. I'm pretty sure he's gonna have brown hair on the light side- brown hair always makes me think kind and innocent, don't know why. don't know about his eyes or shirt or pants.
And he needs quirks. something to make him unique... something to do with his role in Mystra's church. And i need something for his weapon- nothign too majestic, something subtle and simple. im thinking a returning spear with a shrinking enchantment, and a set of returning shuriken. Speaking of shuriken, what's the point of those things anyway? i mean two extra ranged attacks for monks, whoopty freakin doo. they seem pretty underpowered.
Morka
10-15-03, 02:48 PM Mystra's favored weapon is "Seven whirling stars". So think about a set of seven returning shurikens, each with his own magic abilities: one ghost-touched, one corrosive, one merciful, one master-killer (don't use this one, it is for thieves!), one seeking, one precise (can shoot in melee), one spell storing. All these are returning.

As for the history, he might be a spoiled child, who's father was a rich merchant or noble. The large money ressources allowed him to study magie. But something happen, and the money stop to flow. To gain enough money, he joinned the local temple of Mystra and become a cleric. He was very talented, but his heart was with the arcane art. So a high priest spoke him about the Mystic Theurge. And now, he gets his way. He could have learned what's happen that his father became poor, and start to seek revenge.

As for romance, he could be physically little and a bit shy. Whenever a woman start to speak to him, he could speak largely about magic and/or religion, quickly annoying the woman. And when a woman appears to be interested by his speach, she appears to be ugly or too old, and now he doesn't know what to do to have peace!
Demonwolf
10-15-03, 04:52 PM the whole thing with him being boyishly appealing to women was to make him seem as cool and enjoyable to play for an epic hero campaign as other characters. If i make him spoiled, obsessed, weak or annoying, it kinda ruins the whole thing. When contrasted against a politically powerful and benevolent half-orc duelist, a cunning and charismatic bard/rogue/harper agent, a renegade ninja assassin and a half-elf barbarian honor-warrior/ambassador, nobody wants to play the geeky lonely bratty bible-beating obsessive loser mage.
but thanks for the idea with the shuriken, that really does help.
Morka
10-16-03, 08:56 AM Perhaps focusing a bit my previous suggestion: his passion is the arcane, but his duty is the divine. At the limit, he could even have two personalities. When he cast his fireballs or dire charm, he could laugh maniacally. But he will begin to complain and be a bit the annoying boy I describe earlier when casting healing or blessing spells. So if some lady start to discuss with him, it could turn short if she discuss of his religion :nonono:. But he will be a passionate orator if she ask him about arcana; even if she doesn't understand anything, she will drink his words :cool:! Only a child could be so passionnate when discussing...
Demonwolf
10-16-03, 02:46 PM uhh... as i mentioned, he's a character sort of like the little prince or Saria from ocarina of time. And honestly, i can't picture either creating laughing maniacally while creating all-consuming fireballs. And neither were really passionate orators either. He's driven by sheer curiosity and love of magic, not passion for magical power. He's more lover than fighter, basically.
as far as the thing with him not noticing the way the ladies get around him, i intended that to be more of an anime-ish quirk than anything. Kind of like the way Akane can never figure out that P-chan is really Ryoga. (if u ever did see that show)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Demonwolf 10-11-03, 03:25 AM	I need help with flavor for a mystic theurge character. I'mm desining a campaign of pre-made chars, and i've got three great chars- a half-orc duelist, a half-elf barbarian, a tiefling bard, and they've got great backstories and ppersonalities. I can't figure out anythign for the mystic theurge, though... all i know is he's human, is a cleric of mystra, and his name is Junas O'Kerlett. He'll probably use a longspear. He's scarily intelligent and unusually wise for his age (around 22), but underneath his deep maturity and calm, wise exterior lies the heart of an inquisitive and caring child, whose innocence often comes through. can't figure anything else, though- quirks to make him interesting and playable, appearance, heroic characteristics... one idea i have is that his boyish innocence and kindness are really appealing to women, but for all his wisdom he's innocent and childlike enough not to realize it, so he has women fawning over his youthful looks and adorable boyish innocence but doesnt notice. If u guys like this idea, i'll need you ladies to tell me... what exactly is it that makes a guy boyishly adorable? just tell me what he'd need to be like roughly in terms of appearance, costume, personality and all. also, suggested costumes would help.
Gingerbread Guy 10-12-03, 01:40 PM	Hiho, Mystic Theurges are intensely devoted and focused individuals. Maintaining two spellcasting classes sort of at once is a difficult task. Have his passion be rooted in knowledge, not women or wine or money or power. If a woman comes on to him, he could reply with "Yes.. and, so what?", honestly wondering why anyoned would be interested in mere procreation when there's so many better things to be doing with your time. [yeah, its sad, I know]. In terms of clothing, he probably doesn't care what he looks like. Plain robes that are clean, but well worn. He has better things to do than shop for haute-couture fashions, and better things to do with his money too. If people will let him, he'll probably go on for hours about obscure little pieces of arcane lore. If he's charismatic enough, it may actually be interesting to listen to. I can see the guy going prematurely gray. A little at the temples, perhaps. In contrast, give him fair hair to play up the dual nature of his youth and wisdom. A blond or redhead is good. If you go this route, his alignment is probably neutral in at least one respect, if not true neutral. Lawful neutral is good as well, since it indicates a dedicated, unwaivering faith. ~Ginger
Demonwolf 10-12-03, 01:47 PM	well i know mystic theurges are dedicated individuals obsessed with magic but the problem is, compared to my other characters, that would make him absolutely no fun to play. There's one rich noble passionate duelist/politician, one swift and charismatic rogue/bard, one ferocious yet noble and intelligent barbarian, one ninja assassin whose clan was destroyed, gradually working toward destroying an enemy organization. In contrast to those guys, we have a geeky prematurely aging mage/priest. Don't think so. He is going to be kind of obsessed with magic, because he's so used to seeing the weave as clearly as he sees everything else that he thinks on a different level than most people, but he's still going to be actively involved in Marches politics, and gonna have an actual life. If anything i see him wanting companionship, but if he has a 'so what' attitude about romance/procreation, that's kinda harsh, and well it's kinda going to ruin the 'boyish innocence' aspect of the character.
jseckrosh 10-14-03, 02:37 AM	He shouldn't be "boyishly innocent", nor niave. High Wisdom all but precludes these aspects [Sense Motive]. He may not be worldly, but he would hardly be easily fooled or simply innocent. You have some concrete ideas to start with, but appear to be boxed in by them as well. So, working from what you have: He's young but exceptionally wise -and- intelligent, which means he can't be wide-eyed and wondering, but he -can- be intensely curious, full of theories and conjectures, and he could view existene and those who occupy the world with a compassionate yet firm detachment. He looks to the lovers, and already sees how and why they will eventually fail, he sees a kingdom and spots the subtle flaws in its infrastructure that presage its fall. He views the world empirically, perhaps, and views his actions, and the reactions they cause in the world, as a kind of experiment. Testing hypothesi, messing, a bit, with reality, and with people's perceptions. As for his "boyishness", use that, but twist it to reflect just what his high mental abilities reflect. The child with the old soul, the 1000-yard stare, the marks of eons on his face, is a common trope, and appropriate here. He's young, but has a wisdom beyond his years. It both creates distance and re-inforces his commitment to the world, as he needs to use what he knows to help/aid others. And romance. Nothing precludes this character from having an "involvement", but it simply needs to suit his world-view and personality. If anything, it offers the chance for a truly singular NPC to pique his interest. Someone who matches his mind, or challenges it, instead of "just" being pretty [I don't want to undervalue attractiveness, though], seems suitable, especially if they can get mileage out of intellectual sparring or opposing views. This is the sort where they fall in love without ever knowing it. On the other hand, an expemplary physical specimen, a warrior of some type, might be appropriate, as the physical equivalent of his mental stature. All it means is that his relations may be more nuanced, more "sophisticated" and may offer richer role-playing. On yet another hand, he may like the naivity and care-free love of life of the common "bar wench". Hope that helps.
Demonwolf 10-14-03, 06:06 AM	yeah i kinda knew that the whole thing was a little self-contradictary, but it seemed like a good idea. although maybe the thing with his innocence came off wrong. I made him out to lack perceptiveness, and that made me contradict myself but i don't think having a high wisdom should mean he would lack the innocent outlook of a child- no matter how much you know, there's still a lot that you don't know that could make you feel innocent. I didn't mean that he'd have the body of young man and the mind and heart of a wise one, i meant he'd have the mind of a wise man but the heart of a child. And the 1000 yard stare doesn't fit him, because though he is a mage, he is ultimately in the here and now and sees the weave in everyone and everything. Not to mention, to my experience, people who are true idealists at heart never really grow out of their innocence no matter how wise they get. They're rare, but i've met a few of these guys. (my dad and my best friend being prime examples). The kind of innocence i was referring to was a sort of 'little prince' innocence, or like Saria from Ocarina of Time
Mr. VanderMeer 10-14-03, 08:21 AM	Seems to me like you already have a good idea of this characters' personality and don't need much help. He coul be the kind that can be fascinated by the smallest thing, as long as it is something he has never seen before. He could have the heart of an explorere. The type that want to see all wonders the earth has to offer. Due to this fixation on matters of the universe, he might indeed be a bit innocent when it comes to dealing with other people.
Demonwolf 10-14-03, 08:33 PM	i do have a good idea about the character's personality. The personality is usually the first thing that comes to mind, but i need to flesh out the halberd. My other two characters have trademarks, societal roles, appearances, backgrounds and all that.Arrusk Windwarder (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=1567139#post1567139post1567139) has his trademark halberd with the crescent-moon blade, the fact that he's a half-orc, his humility based in his peasant upbringing, his love of combat and his power as a politician and his affiliation with the bloodkin, and Talon Ravenwright (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=113257) has his affiliation with the harpers, his succubus charm, his color-changing eyes, his cunning, his strange conscience-lacking goodness and his demonic attitude, not to mention the fact that he's an adept adventurer though he has close to no true power in combat or stealth and survives with his devious, charming alert mind alone. but back on topic, Junas needs an appearance- don't know whether to go with the typical mage robe or something else. I'm thinking of a thick furry reddish-brown cotton cloak, like the coarse fabric of a friar's robe, but i haven/'t gotten past that. I'm pretty sure he's gonna have brown hair on the light side- brown hair always makes me think kind and innocent, don't know why. don't know about his eyes or shirt or pants. And he needs quirks. something to make him unique... something to do with his role in Mystra's church. And i need something for his weapon- nothign too majestic, something subtle and simple. im thinking a returning spear with a shrinking enchantment, and a set of returning shuriken. Speaking of shuriken, what's the point of those things anyway? i mean two extra ranged attacks for monks, whoopty freakin doo. they seem pretty underpowered.
Morka 10-15-03, 02:48 PM	Mystra's favored weapon is "Seven whirling stars". So think about a set of seven returning shurikens, each with his own magic abilities: one ghost-touched, one corrosive, one merciful, one master-killer (don't use this one, it is for thieves!), one seeking, one precise (can shoot in melee), one spell storing. All these are returning. As for the history, he might be a spoiled child, who's father was a rich merchant or noble. The large money ressources allowed him to study magie. But something happen, and the money stop to flow. To gain enough money, he joinned the local temple of Mystra and become a cleric. He was very talented, but his heart was with the arcane art. So a high priest spoke him about the Mystic Theurge. And now, he gets his way. He could have learned what's happen that his father became poor, and start to seek revenge. As for romance, he could be physically little and a bit shy. Whenever a woman start to speak to him, he could speak largely about magic and/or religion, quickly annoying the woman. And when a woman appears to be interested by his speach, she appears to be ugly or too old, and now he doesn't know what to do to have peace!
Demonwolf 10-15-03, 04:52 PM	the whole thing with him being boyishly appealing to women was to make him seem as cool and enjoyable to play for an epic hero campaign as other characters. If i make him spoiled, obsessed, weak or annoying, it kinda ruins the whole thing. When contrasted against a politically powerful and benevolent half-orc duelist, a cunning and charismatic bard/rogue/harper agent, a renegade ninja assassin and a half-elf barbarian honor-warrior/ambassador, nobody wants to play the geeky lonely bratty bible-beating obsessive loser mage. but thanks for the idea with the shuriken, that really does help.
Morka 10-16-03, 08:56 AM	Perhaps focusing a bit my previous suggestion: his passion is the arcane, but his duty is the divine. At the limit, he could even have two personalities. When he cast his fireballs or dire charm, he could laugh maniacally. But he will begin to complain and be a bit the annoying boy I describe earlier when casting healing or blessing spells. So if some lady start to discuss with him, it could turn short if she discuss of his religion :nonono:. But he will be a passionate orator if she ask him about arcana; even if she doesn't understand anything, she will drink his words :cool:! Only a child could be so passionnate when discussing...
Demonwolf 10-16-03, 02:46 PM	uhh... as i mentioned, he's a character sort of like the little prince or Saria from ocarina of time. And honestly, i can't picture either creating laughing maniacally while creating all-consuming fireballs. And neither were really passionate orators either. He's driven by sheer curiosity and love of magic, not passion for magical power. He's more lover than fighter, basically. as far as the thing with him not noticing the way the ladies get around him, i intended that to be more of an anime-ish quirk than anything. Kind of like the way Akane can never figure out that P-chan is really Ryoga. (if u ever did see that show)