Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Aithe 02-18-06, 04:12 PM	I'm creating a wizard character for a game set in Waterdeep. She has talent, but comes from a not-so-wealthy family. Part of the character development is that she had quite a struggle to be apprenticed. My problem is figuring out why a polite, talented girl could just never find a wizard to take her on (kissed by Beshaba, as it were) even with the help of clergy friom both Azuth and Mystra. Granted, these would be anecdotal stories, but they would be essential when it comes to interaction with the wizarding community. Thank you for the help. :)
Lord Karsus 02-19-06, 12:25 AM	-Well, I am currently reading The Dream Spheres, and in the novel, the wizards guild of Waterdeep is portrayed as very stingy when it comes to magic. They don't want vendors to be indiscriminantly selling magic. I could see wizards being the same way when it comes to training nobles. They don't want to see magic, a powerful force, a play toy and a dalliance in the hands of a bunch of fool-hardy nobles (or so they think).
Dark Wizard 02-19-06, 12:51 AM	Getting into one of the wizardry schools in Waterdeep is like trying to get into some of the top schools in the world (Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, etc.). Maybe she's talented, but not talented enough. She's not wealthy enough to buy her way in (for those schools that allow such a thing), but also just not good enough to be accepted by schools that are more honest. For instance, the entry requirements for Blackstaff Academy requires the Spellcasting Prodigy feat or some exceptional magical background. My DM made it so my character had to have the Spellcasting Prodigy feat, some previous training in Halruaa (where he was from), and one parent was a non-Faerunian native planeswalker (my character inheriting a set of rare spells held in trust by and shared with the academy). And I was on the run from assassins out to eliminate the wizard enclave my parents belong to. So sometimes, the nice regular girl next door doesn't get apprenticed. What about if she has a natural wild magic streak, that manifests at the most inopportune times. Like how some people just can't work with technology even though they have the raw talent to do so.
Dargoth 02-19-06, 01:41 AM	I'm creating a wizard character for a game set in Waterdeep. She has talent, but comes from a not-so-wealthy family. Part of the character development is that she had quite a struggle to be apprenticed. My problem is figuring out why a polite, talented girl could just never find a wizard to take her on (kissed by Beshaba, as it were) even with the help of clergy friom both Azuth and Mystra. Granted, these would be anecdotal stories, but they would be essential when it comes to interaction with the wizarding community. Thank you for the help. :) Getting an Apprenticeship (And in game terms taking your first level of Wizard) isnt easy. Check out Ed Greenwoods Spellfire novel particularly Narms background. Some Wizards cant be bothered with an apprentice. Some wizards treat their apprentices as property Some Wizards wont even look at a potnetial Wizard unless there from a rich, powerful or connected family
Aithe 02-19-06, 02:57 PM	Thank you all for the imput :D . I very much want to develop a wizard who has had to work extremely hard for her class. You're right Dargoth, Narm is a great example (poor guy).
ikki 02-19-06, 06:42 PM	My wizards have often taken in apprentices.. usually some homeless or stableboy or whatever.. But i demand hard work and talent, otherwise i will disintergrate the bastards, but otoh if they are capable, they can look forward to lots of extra magic goodies ;) All or nothing, but thats what you get from a CN mage (believes he is LN) :D ps can be found roaming the planes, or the moonsea.. no real home. All knowledge/spells/full simulcra minds/own mind..ready to magic jar a slayer kept in a homemade kiira of sorts. (with simulcras minds, very useful way to interrogate, when you know all they did, or to collect special feats :D )
ZebtheDM 02-21-06, 02:38 PM	The waterdeep Book (WCoS) has an execlent group of casting guilds/schools your Wiz could be tained in, there is one run by nobles who have been forced due to econimic hardship taking anyone who could pay that might be great for your char concept.
Aithe 02-21-06, 09:13 PM	The problem is she can't pay. :( Neither she or her family is wealthy. Her only chance would be being hooked up by the church of Mystra or Azuth or by some completely nutty mage :allalone: From what I'm hearing about Waterdeep's arcane residents, only money, power or both will get you training. (Wow! I picked a great concept for this campaign :) )
Thelandrach 02-22-06, 10:56 AM	I don't have the books handy, but there are prestige classes for wizards to take which grant them clerical power. Perhaps the temples of Mystra or Azuth might know of one of those who would take you in as an apprentice, if you were a devout enough follower?
Aithe 02-22-06, 06:59 PM	That sounds like a good road. Mystic Thuerge or Dwomerkeeper.
ikki 02-23-06, 01:34 PM	... or by some completely nutty mage :allalone: So learn how to pick the good nuts.. study the squirrels!!1 Still its for free, and well, some actually can be great indeed. Besides should be a great source for adventure to the right DM ;) ..like as first lesson getting a scroll of intensified wish to study.. or maximised teleport (LOL!), not that you are expected to understand the spells, much less be able to cast it.. just getting the feel so to say :) After that easier stuff, but always be honest and polite with nuts.. or you will get disintergrated... but by being polite and honest you will have nothing to fear. You see, nuts are also terribly introvert, despite their current act. Nuts because being so lonely, lonely due to being nuts.