Post/Author/DateTime	Post
steventirey1985 05-31-05, 09:10 PM	1st level Orc Wizard Str: 17 Dex: 15 Con: 17 Int: 16 (treated as 18 for spellcasting purposes, spellcasting prodigy feat) Wis: 8 Cha: 7 Feats: Scribe Scroll, Spellcasting Prodigy (FRCS) Skills: Concentration, Spellcraft, Knowledge (Arcana), Craft (Bookbinding), Craft (Armor) [all maxed at 4 ranks each] Overall Goal: helping to train more Orcish wizards to better combat the Elven menace. Eventually, rising to become the Orcish god of arcane spellcasters Notes: Raised in an orcish tribe (of course), NE alignment Any thoughts? And any thoughts as to what I should choose as a familiar?
masterclif 05-31-05, 11:44 PM	You need a background. Orcs are more suitable to Sorcerers then Wizards. If you are going to make him a Wizard, you will need to explain where he got all this booklearning to become one. 'Specially since most Orcs can't even read.
Norhg 06-01-05, 09:31 AM	Either a scholar, a snob or anything in between. Perhaps he feels that he is much better than all orcs around him, and therefore should rule. Or perhaps he wants to be the one to guide the orcs into enlightenment... You never gave us your alignment... I wouldn't have tried to be a leader but someone who argues his points. Tribal orc life means not fearing shows of strength. You might want to use your magic to as apparent effects as possible. That is the easiest way for you to impress other orcs. Decide on what you want to be. Altruistic? "My powers serve the people of orcs" Manipulative? "See me wield this magic. I destroy without effort and command creatures of all kinds. Why wouldn't you want this power too?" Leader? Riding on the back of your dominated dragon into the field you shout orders to your troops and work spells of destruction that puts fear into your enemies. Schemer? "I consort with fiends, I animate the dead, I have had a hand in all war declarations in this region the last years, it was I who gathered the clans for you warchief. Remember that I can also change these things to no longer favor you my leader" Or being Self-Absorbed. "Remember that I aid you because you promised payment, lots of it" - go back to inspecting riches.
REvil74 06-01-05, 03:38 PM	I was thinking of playing a character like this too. I recommend that you specialize your orc into Conjurer and focus on creature summoning. With your high physical stats, you could summon a monster into a fight and join with it and unleash hell.... Your character would show strength not only over orcs, but the fiendish beasts he summons. Those who want stopping power that they command, and bravely fight alongside, will allow flocks of even slightly intelligent orcs to join with him (spell save DC matters little to a Summoner, so only the ability to cast the spell level matters). And what better smack in an elf's face than to use their own timeless affinity of magic to harm them?
steventirey1985 06-01-05, 05:47 PM	I was thinking of playing a character like this too. I recommend that you specialize your orc into Conjurer and focus on creature summoning. With your high physical stats, you could summon a monster into a fight and join with it and unleash hell.... Your character would show strength not only over orcs, but the fiendish beasts he summons. Those who want stopping power that they command, and bravely fight alongside, will allow flocks of even slightly intelligent orcs to join with him (spell save DC matters little to a Summoner, so only the ability to cast the spell level matters). And what better smack in an elf's face than to use their own timeless affinity of magic to harm them? Wouldn't be bad, except I am determined to never create a specialized wizard using the current DnD rules. I just dont like the idea of giving up two (or only one if a diviner) complete schools only to get a +2 bonus on spellcraft checks to learn a spell from my specilized school, and 1 additional spell per spell level per day. Giving up that much choice in my spells is just not worth it it my book. Now if specializing in a school instead give a bonus to the save DC for that school, or perhaps a +1 caster level increase, then I might consider it. (But that argument is best reserved for the threads that are about specialist vs generalist wizards that I know are out there)
steventirey1985 06-01-05, 05:49 PM	You never gave us your alignment... Yes I did, its under Notes. (Neutral Evil if you stilll can't find it.)
DrakaraGM 06-03-05, 10:20 PM	If your GM allows Unearthed Arcana, you might find specialization more to your liking -- there are some specialist wizard variants that trade various aspects of the standard wizard class for special abilities relating to that field. For instance a Conjurer can trade his familiar for the ability "Rapid Summoning" IIRC, which allows him to summon creatures as a standard action rather than a full round...the summoned creature itself gets a standard action when it appears, so the conjurer can move, summon a creature next to an enemy, and have that creature attack the enemy with its standard action, all on the conjurer's turn. That sort of thing makes specialists a little more interesting -- worth investigating perhaps. And don't underestimate the usefulness of that extra spell per day when you are a wizard! I think Diviner is actually a fine choice, as most wizards can find a use for an extra divination spell per level each day, and it should be easy enough to find one school of spells you wouldn't mind giving up. However, your wizard, by all means if you prefer a generalist go for it. As for familiar choice, as an orcish sort of fellow, I would say take a raven, who could make a point out of eating one eyeball from each foe defeated by your magic, as a tribute to Gruumsh. Even if you personally don't pay more than lip-service to the one-eyed guy, your minions will appreciate it! Also, a familiar which can speak is useful for giving orders to minions...and a flying familiar is useful for scouting. And you get to say "nevermore..." which beats "ni" in my book... :) Plus ravens are commonly associated with knowledge or wisdom, which would fit your intended role as a teacher of other orc wizards. Even if your own wisdom isn't stellar...